July 19, 2018 – GoBugJuice.com

The Colorado Trail starts at an elevation of ~5400’. Last nights campsite was at 7800’. Tonight’s campsite is just under 11,000’ at the edge of a 6 mile long meadow.

Lots of these odd looking log teepees scattered throughout the woods…feels like an episode of Stranger Things.

An outhouse and a dumpster…a great way to begin the morning!

Once again surprised by how lush such a dry area can be in places.

I call this Cow Patty rock.

I didn’t see any other hikers until mile 16 today. This couple is free m the Boston area.

This is the view from my campsite at the edge of a 6 mile long meadow I finished the day hiking next too.

Although water sources were sparse today, there were just enough to make things comfortable. For the most part temps were comfortable with a nice breeze (the higher elevations helped too). Best of all, no afternoon thunder storms.

It’s pretty easy getting to the start of the trail from Denver. The light rail leaves from Union Station and takes about 30mins to Littleton. I was also able to convince my friend Katy (trail angel extraordinaire) to pick me up and drop me off at the trailhead 10mi away at 5:30am!

The official start of the Colorado Trail !

It was nice and cool out first thing in the morning as I followed the South Platte through the canyon (unfortunately, on a dirt road… but bikes and pedestrians only).

First wildlife of the trip.

It was surprisingly lush considering how dry it’s been…lots of berries.

Apparently, the bears like the berries too!

Then there was the exposed burn section during the heat of the day. A little later some clouds rolled in and cooled things off with some sprinkles. The clouds looked angrier with lightning to the South.