Cumbress Pass: May 11, 2022: 9:20 am
“Colorado will kick your ass, you just have to show up” – Mr.Britton
Mountains and tress, what do my eyes see? A welcomed sight and nice change
from the desert atmosphere. That welcoming feeling quickly came to an end after
only going a few miles in several hours. The snow-covered terrain along with a
shit ton of blow downs and tropical storm wind gusts quickly made it difficult
to navigate and hike through. Being a novice hiker through the Colorado
mountains and entering the San Juan’s very early, on May 11th I was
given a fast and furious lesson that spring in Colorado doesn’t come till late
June and snow sticks around till July.
Colorado is stunning! From the snow cap mountain tops to the meadows full of
flowers, bright colorful lakes, and through the magnificent towns. It brings a
sense of peace to your soul; it fills it with joy and happiness. Mountain tops
so high you can jump and touch the clouds. The air so clean a deep breath makes
you feel euphoric, and the water so clear, clean, and cold no need to filter. Fill
up and enjoy. #ccc
As beautiful as the terrain is it is equally brutal topped off with some
elevation. “Colorado will kick your ass; you just have to show up.” A lot of
truth to that statement. Ascending and descending multiple times a day with thousands of feet in elevation change will let you know just how out of shape you are. The stairmaster just isn’t the same. #legsandlungs
My hike from Cumbres Pass to Wolf Creek Pass was 66 miles. It took me 3 days and 8 hours to complete, most people do it in five to six days. I could do 66 miles in two days in the desert. The terrain changed and formed into what I call mini-Himalayas, crossing them was not only a challenge but extremely slow and frustrating. In between post-holing and the occasional plunge into a snow canyon your mph is at an all-time slow. Averaging 32 miles a day in the desert cut quickly back to a struggling 25 a day in mountains.
Stepping only on the frozen peaks of these mini-Himalayas gave the best footing and staying on top was easier than stepping anywhere from two to four feet into each frozen abyssal crevice. The degree of slope on the mountain when walking across snow and ice will make you think twice about your footing, perfect time to wear shoe spikes. The rise over run is extreme enough that one missed step and you’re Clark Griswold in Christmas Vacation setting a new land speed record for an individual flying down the mountainside. This early in the season I would highly advise shoe spikes and trekking poles. I bombed through this section only with my poles. I sent my spikes and ice axe ahead to Pagosa Springs. Tough lesson learned.
After this section I took the advice from a seasoned hiker and local resident of Colorado, trail name Pony. I decided to flip-flop up to Wyoming and do the basin while the mountains chill out and hopefully melt enough to make it manageable and somewhat enjoyable. Pony was on my shuttle ride to the border. (read more about that adventure in my New Mexico blog) We crossed paths a few times during our New Mexico section and got to know each other a bit more. Pony would go on to share his wisdom with others, some ignored him, even got mad at him. I welcomed it and very much appreciated his honesty and knowledge. Mother nature will crush your pride and ego, she doesn’t care for your ignorance. Never be so arrogant you’re closed off to advice and knowledge. Wisdom comes from experience, it’s easier to learn from someone else than a tough life lesson. The price can be more than you can afford. #livetotell
I currently live in Boise, Idaho. There is a lake town called McCall two hours north of Boise where we go every summer, it’s a slice of heaven. Those who like the white, cold, fluffy stuff will also frequent the town during that season. If you have ever gone to a lake or cabin in the summer with your family or friends, it’s the same type of vibe and feeling. Hopefully you’re feeling the same vibe I speak of otherwise you might be a bit lost. If so, you need, no, you must visit more lake/mountain towns. It’s magical, it’s refreshing, it’s damn amazing. (Just don’t come to Idaho, we’re full). This is the same feeling I got every time I rolled through a Colorado town on the CDT or near the trail. #coloradoforthewin
I didn’t get to interact with a lot of people in Colorado, but I do have a
few friends that live there and they’re cool, so you know… Those I did talk to
or share an occasional Budweiser with over some live music were wonderful
individuals. Kind and full of love and spirit. My newfound friend in Grand Lake
over that said Budweiser informed me that he was once not mentally stable and
lived in the woods by himself and would torment and harass the tourist hiking.
#lifegoals He then went on to read my palm and had some interesting things to
say. One of them was that I have a hard time committing to a relationship. #askmyexs After studying my palm for a few more seconds he proceeded to laugh in astonishment because he has never seen anything so strong in all his palm reading days. He did say that there is a slight chance I will get married but he’s not betting on it. Current relationship status…single! #soyouretellingmethereisachance
Art shops, coffee shops, breweries, and distilleries oh my. Sure, you can
find those in any town. But not all towns are created equal. Local small businesses
are more involved and supported. People are kinder and more relaxed; they also
know everything about your personal life. I found all the above to be true for
most towns I’ve gone through since I started from Mexico.
Life is not meant to be seen through a periscope. The United States is a beautiful country with many different landscapes, cultures, and lifestyles. I hope you get to see a lot of her. God bless America.
“The world is a book and those who do not travel only read one page” – Saint
Augustine
P.S. a few more #hashtags in this blog, when in #Rome.
Cheers, Fishtales from the trail.
Fish
Fishtales 