SALIDA, CO
I was expecting a reasonably easy hike to Monarch Pass, followed by a reasonably easy hitch to Salida, followed by comfort and frivolity. I should know by now that the CDT is not the place for reasonable results.
It began as it usually does with a climb. It was steep and big. On the way up there were some cool scenes, like the Ross Lake reservoir. At the top of the climb I had the dramatic views that Colorado has in abundance.
I also had wind strong enough to blow me off the mountain. It was a ridge walk through Monarch Mountain ski area that had me somewhat frozen and positively wind whipped. I needed both my hiking poles to keep me upright.
I finally got down to the highway at Monarch Pass at 2 pm and stuck out my thumb. An hour later I was still standing there, but the good part was that I was down low where the mountains buffeted the wind on a beautiful sunny day in a beautiful place.
I took a break and got a soda in the Monarch Crest store right next to me. I kinda hoped I could find a ride from a customer without annoying people. I almost did; a family from Arkansas took great interest in my backpack and more interest in my story of hiking the CDT. They wanted to help but they had no room in the car. They did offer me their prayers, which I appreciated.
I went back out to the downhill side of the highway and re-engaged my thumb. I notice when cars approach me they accelerate past me. That’s what happens when you’re not cute. Roughly an hour later I heard a car horn behind me and saw a black pickup pulled over. I ran down to meet a coal miner who could take me part way. HeHo! He let me off in Pancha, 5 miles from Salida
At this point I choose to share that I was suffering from a significant pain in my right shoulder blade, but also had a case of monkey butt. Monkey butt has afflicted me several times on the hike and I have successfully mitigated its affects with hydrocortisone and hygiene. Last night I sensed the oncoming flames and did what I thought was a thorough cleaning and hydrocortisone application, but perhaps something down there is becoming immune. The result is that when I started down the road from Pancha to Salida I was walking in an amusing way, though I was not amused. My attitude at this point resembled Joe Pesci in “Goodfellas”; funny how?
Fortunately I only had to go about half a mile when a potter pastor pulled over and gave me a ride right to the Simple Lodge and Hostel. He has been in the pottery business for a long time but then became the pastor of a church in Salida, and now goes around the country doing sermons while making pots.
I got a scare when I saw an email from my neighbor Joy saying one of my boxes mailed from Breckenridge to Salida was sitting at my front door in Lago Vista. Heck! Does this mean no clothes, maps, etc? I was relieved to find the the box that was returned was one I only need at the end of the hike; Whew!
After shower and clean clothes I headed right for Moonlight Pizza and Brewery; HeHo! I positively stuffed myself by later going to the Great Wall chinese restaurant and ended the night with a brew from Amicus, where I met a lady doing cost of living research for the state of Colorado. She took great interest in my hike and my website.
I have a lot to do tomorrow. Hopefully I will get it all done early and enjoy a day off in Salida before hitting the trail Sunday.