Days 19-22: August 7-10
Little
Molas Lake to Durango
Distance:
73 miles Total
Distance: 433
Highlights: zero day at condo between Silverton and Durango, little Molas Lake, some of the finest trail in the San Juans, Twin Sisters, meeting Jo, Tiago, and Tessa again, meeting a bunch of trail runners from Durango out on a supported run from Little Molas Lake to Durango, Blackhawk Pass, meeting new CT thru-hikers: Brian, Kittens, and Moonbeam; Indian Trail Ridge, Taylor Lake, Kennebec Pass, Junction Creek, Gudy’s Rest, Southern terminus of CT at Junction Creek Trailhead
Campsites:
19. Condo between Silverton and Durango
20. near Hermosa Peak before FS Road 149
21. up on the Indian Trail Ridge
22. Condo between Silverton and Durango
Comments:
I had a very relaxing zero day at the condo! I don’t even think I went outside once. I sat inside on the pull out couch and watched ESPN replay the same shows and ate cherry ice cream. My mom made some excellent pasta for dinner.
I got dropped off at Little Molas Lake so I technically missed some of the CT between the two lakes.
The last 3 days flew by! The scenery was spectacular but I’m having a tough time remembering it all.
I passed several hikers heading toward Molas Pass. The first two were section hikers who unfortunately had had to make the tough decision to bail on their hike to Durango. They had experienced terrible weather, but with over 400 miles of experience on the Colorado Trail, I’m sure they made the right decision. I hope they have the opportunity to return and finish off these last few beautiful miles to Durango. I also met a gentleman just starting his journey northbound after considering hiking the CT for quite some time!
My only zero day on the trail was probably the ideal one to have as I missed out on some nasty weather. The weather the last three days to Durango wasn’t all that bad. It did get fairly cloudy and there was slight rain the first two days. During the last ten miles to Durango I probably experienced the worst storm of the trip with intense wind and cold rain, but I was down in the trees so lightning wasn’t much of a worry.
At the Engineer Mountain Trailhead I met up with Jo, Tiago, and Tessa. Jo was joined by her friend. Unfortunately, I passed Jo, Tiago, and her friend after a short conversation and didn’t see them again. I ended up hiking with Tessa for most of the day.
Near Bolam Pass I met a group of runners from a Durnago running club who were running all the way from Molas Pass to Durango. They were probably high school age and appeared to have a close bond. If I lived in this area, I’m almost certain I would become a participant in trail running the mountains!
Blackhawk Pass had a great view! There was some sort of chimney rock like mountain to the north. I had an extended break and ate a bunch of food. While taking in the view, I met Brian, a CT hiker I had not met before. He was hiking with Tessa. A few minutes later I met Kittens and Moonbeam, also thru-hikers.
Blackhawk Pass
A short distance after Blackhawk Pass is Straight Creek. It’s the last water source until Taylor Lake which is a distance of 22 miles, probably the longest waterless stretch on the CT.
My shoes barely made it!
One of my favorites: Natural Peanut Butter with Honey with Nutella mixed in!
All five of us hikers spread out pretty quickly. Brian was moving fast and wanted to make it to Taylor Lake, which was my goal as well. Kittens and Moonbeam were considering a night hike all the way to Durango. I hiked some with Kittens who told of his experiences on the AT.
It was a long day and by the time I got up on Indian Trail Ridge, I was getting tired. I took out my phone and to my amazement I had 4g LTE. That meant I could use Facetime so I called my parents and brother. They were able to see the spectacular view, and hear the booming thunder overhead.
Indian Trail Ridge
I decided to forego Taylor Lake that evening as the trail appeared to go even higher up on an exposed ridge and the clouds were especially dark up there. In addition, I wanted one last morning up high with beautiful morning light.
Taylor Lake was one of the best lakes on the entire CT. Brian had camped there and was taking a relaxing morning. There were no signs of Kittens or Moonbeam so maybe they did the night hike after all!
Taylor Lake
The trail descends a lot toward Durango. We experienced our last big views of the journey.
First Junction Creek Crossing
Then the huge storm came in and I saw some of the muddiest bikers I have ever seen!
There was one last view at Gudy’s Rest but I was too cold to do more than stop for a picture.
View from Gudy's Rest
Near Junction Creek, after descending all the switchbacks, I ran into another CT hiker just about ready to complete the trail. He was actually going to camp right near Junction Creek for the night, so I took some time to talk to him. Turns out he hiked the John Muir Trail in 2011, the same year I did. He had almost completed the Collegiate West.
The last couple miles were pleasant walking along Junction Creek. The rain had stopped and there were a few day hikers out on the trail.
Within a short time I saw my Dad and I knew my journey on the Colorado Trail was complete! Brian was waiting at the trailhead with his girlfriend and she gave me some of her amazing cookies! Thanks so much!
Cookies!
My dad took a few pictures of me by the sign and that was it!
Southern Terminus of the Colorado Trail
Later that evening we went out for some great food! I was so exhausted I could barely eat, even though I was extremely hungry!
While my Colorado Trail adventure was complete, there was more adventure to come.
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