September 18, 2015
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…