Continental Divide Trail – Day 60

July 22, 2023
Miles Today/ Total: 3.4 / 1027.1

I slept in a little later this morning since I only had 3 miles to the trailhead. I got around and was on trail by about 7:00

The trail had some slight ups and downs, but no major elevation changes. It followed a blue diamond blazed trail I think is for the 10th Mountain Division huts.

I reached the trailhead a little after 8 and was able to catch a ride into Leadville by a group of hikers who we staging a car at Tennessee Pass and then driving back to Turquoise Lake to hike from there to their car.

They dropped me off at the post office about 8:30 and I waited out front until they opened at 9:00. I sent back almost 5 lbs of gear I no longer needed (micro spikes, sweatshirt, down booties, 2nd battery pack, etc). After shipping back my excess gear, I headed to the Mineral 1886 to get some breakfast. A good solid breakfast and I was ready for my other town chores.

I went to Leadville Outdoor for some new socks and some picaridin insect repellent (they didn’t have either). I then walked to Safeway to get my food resupply and stopped by a park pavilion to repackage my food. Next stop was lunch at Moe’s BBQ. It was pretty good, but it’s not Oklahoma BBQ. Finally over to the Inn The Clouds Hostel to check in for the night.

At the hostel, I showered, did laundry and updated blog post. There were a few other hikers there, but many more “peak baggers” (people who climb Colorado’s 14ers). I visited with them through the afternoon and then we decided to go to the Silver Dollar Saloon. We arrived there before 6:00 and were told the kitchen had already closed. I guess you have to eat early if you want to eat there. We crossed the street to Tennessee Pass Cafe’ for dinner.

After dinner we visited some more, but everyone was ready to get to bed early so they could get an early start tomorrow. I was in bed before 9:00pm and soon fast asleep.