Missoula,MT

So I finished up the Colorado Trail about 3 weeks ago, and decided to help friends move out to Missoula, Montana. The Colorado Trail was amazing, magnificent views everyday it seemed, Beautiful warm days, frigid nights, and abundant wildlife. I finished the trip in the Durango, Co an amazing college town at the foot of the San Juan Mountains. After returning to Portland, Or I moved in with a former Co-worker and friend from Ski-bowl who was moving to Missoula, Mt. I am now enjoying my last days in Missoula. Thursday I leave for Portland to return to work and figure out the next chapter of Life. This summer has been been unforgettable, some of my highest highs and the lowest lows of my life were experienced.

Salida, Colorado

More than half way there. 253 miles in from Denver, and the prettiest part of the trail is yet to come. So many things on this hike have been a challenge. From the physical, lately I feel weak, its hard to put miles down, and today I feel like I'm coming down with something. To the mental, overwhelming thoughts have flooded my brain as I began and end this journey alone. With all the obstacles ahead and behind me, In the end I'm glad I have chosen to pursue another long-distance hike, setting that goal, and hopefully two weeks from now succeeding. Today I am in Salida, a small town of about 5,000 or so in south central Colorado. Great Trail Angels, Kevin and Megan, From the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail, have put me up for the night and I'm so thankful of the hospitality. Tomorrow I head out to take on the San Juan Mountain Range. No resupply for 100 miles from here. The next half of this trip will be tough, but some of the most rewarding views and terrain are up ahead. Hopefully more updates will come as I finish out my Journey through the incredible Colorado Rockies.

Buena. Vista,CO

216 miles in on this 500 mile Journey. Started hiking with Cloudbuster out of Leadville, we climbed Mt. Elbert highest mountain in Colorado last week. Leaving town this morning after camping out last night. Rain in forecast for today, but most days are brutally hot, then turn very cold once the sun drops. Found ice in my tent two mornings ago. Headin south to Salida. Onward I trek. What am I doing.

Breckenridge, Co.

105 miles in on the C.T. Crossed over Georgia Pass yesterday, first real expierence with the alpine. Yesterday was the first day of the trip it did not rain on me while hiking. It has been super wet since I started, with some thunderstorms lasting all day. Managed to pull off 28 miles yesterday, could barely walk this morning when I woke up. The Rockies are very wild and rugged and hiking the last 65 miles completely alone was an amazing expierence. Hoping to meet up with cloudbuster next week in Leadville. 380 miles till the Finish in Durango. No wildlife encounters yet, sent my bear rope home, now I use my foodbag as a pillow.

Longmont, Colorado

Arrived in C.O last night after a beautiful drive through rain, rainbows, meadows and mountains. Staying with fatkid(David) and Zen(Gavin) from the A.T and got some micro brew at Oskar Blues in Lyons for the start of Rocky Grass Bluegrass Festival. Great music but sorry Oskar, Portland has got you beat on brew!

Colorado, Colorado, Colorado!

Its official in 3 hours I leave for Colorado, to attempt the 500 mile long Colorado Trail. It's been almost a year since I last blogged, but I hope to post as much as possible throughout the trip to and from Colorado. I was super fortunate to stay busy with landscaping work after finishing the ski season on Mt. Hood last winter, helping me frugally hike this trail. Its been almost two years since I hiked a long distance, and I'm proud to say I am once again "Hiker Trash". Happy Trails. Updates to Follow.... TOOTHPICK....

www.coloradotrail.org