We’ve made it through about half of Colorado. It’s hard to believe that we’re this far through the state, although there is still a few hundred miles of tough hiking ahead. From Steamboat to Grand Lake, there was some stormy weather–we walked around Parkview Mountain to avoid the exposure. We ran into a couple of northbound hikers that had flipped around all over the trail and had northern Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana up until Butte to do. It made me glad that we are heading South. The rains dried out, and we have had daily warm sunshine. Unbelievably fortunate, or blessed. Incredibly, my body feels like it is acclimated, and going over a couple 12,000 foot passes per day has become routine, or at least reasonable-feeling. The aspens are all slowly turning Amber-gold in the sun, whispering to each other, and quiet encouragement to us as we slowly move south. This is the Colorado that I wanted, and I walk, hoping for more sun, but content with what we have. This trail has changed my heart in ways that I would never have predicted.
Leadville is a great little town–an unpretentious old mining town, and also the highest incorporated town in the United States at 10,200 feet elevation. We are staying at a comfortable, friendly hostel here. This town is home to the Leadville 100, one of the most difficult ultra marathons in the world. Personally I’m fine with hiking 2-3 mph through this terrain, rather than running.
We are headed out towards Twin Lakes, Salida, and ultimately the San Juans loop. The end of this state gets nearer and nearer.