Waymaker on the Colorado Trail

Friday, August 22 - Tuesday, August 26 Mile 500 (483 trail miles / approx 17 town walking miles) Isaiah 59 - 66 Finished!!! After 34 days on the Colorado Trail, I hiked the last 16 miles today, finishing at the Durango trailhead. Since leaving Silverton Friday morning, the last 75 miles have been a blur.  I got a quick hitch out of Silverton to the pass early Friday, riding out with another hiker I’d crossed paths with earlier on the trail. Friday and Saturday were relatively easy days, with only a few strenuous climbs.  The San Juans are beautiful, with soaring ranges, alpine lakes, and lots of wildlife.  Sunday and Monday were a little more challenging, with intermittent rain and hail in the high passes, more rockslides to contend with, and very windy conditions in spots.  Monday’s rain continued into the evening and I had to set my tent up in the rain. It was still raining when I got up this morning, but I wanted to get an early start to finish today.  The ra...

 Wednesday August 20 - Thursday August 21, 2025 Mile 409.8 - Segment 24 Isaiah 55 -58 After two long, grueling days of steep climbs, gravel and rock laden descents, and some of the most beautiful scenery yet, I have landed in Silverton a full day ahead of plan.  This historic mining town is small but has all of the necessities; hostel, restaurants, and grocery store.  After a restful sleep, I will head out in the morning for the last six days of my trip. The past few days have been a blur, with so many amazing views, great conversations with other thru hikers, and fun animal sightings.  I’ve passed the highest point on the CT (13,271 ft), the “100 miles to go” stone markers, alpine lakes and snowdrifts, imposing granite outcroppings, the headwaters of the Rio Grande River, and so much more.  I’ve seen moose causally hanging out in a trail side pond, sheep grazing right on the trail, deer walking right across the trail in front of me, and hundreds of marmots, pik...

Tuesday August 19, 2025 Mile 367.7 - Segment 22 Isaiah 53 - 54 I’m lying here in my tent at 12,535 feet, surprised to find I have cell service, although only one bar so not enough to upload pictures.  Since I do have some service, I’ll post today’s adventures.  My morning started with an eggs, bacon, and hash brown breakfast at the restaurant right below the hostel I stayed in.  What a treat!  Lake City is a cute little town, very much geared toward hikers.  After breakfast and checking out of the hostel, I resupplied at the General Store, small but adequate to get me to Silverton, my next stop. From there, I headed to the Hiker Center, sponsored by the local Presbyterian church.  I met up with several other hikers I had run across in previous days.  At 11, a volunteer shuttled five of us back to the trailhead, where we resumed where we’d left off the day before.  Among them was Lightning, a 16 year old from Boston who was averaging over 30 miles ...

  Wednesday August 13 - Monday August 18 Mile 356.2 - Segments 17 - 21 Isaiah 41 - 52 Six trail days with virtually no cell coverage, so I have been unable to update this blog.  I have been in constant contact with Carolyn through satellite text, and she’s kept me updated on all of the prayers and inquiries from my church family and circle of friends.  I appreciate all of the support.  My knees and feet are starting to show the wear and tear that this rugged terrain entails, so your prayers are appreciated. I’m writing this from Lake City (Colorado not Florida), where I’m making my first resupply (and shower and laundry) in 8 days.  Thanks to skipping my “zero” day in Salida, I’m still on schedule, although this next week could be problematic.  This past week has been filled with all kinds of tough climbs, perilous descents, unbelievable views, and interesting people.  One night, it rained and then the temperature dropped below freezing.  I woke t...