Friday, December 25, 2009

Cool Possible Re-Route in Colorado


Merry Christmas CDT!  I just got word from the Summit Daily News of a 300-acre acquisition of land near the Grays-Torreys peaks area in Summit County.  The land acquisition includes Revenue Mountain, which means that the Continental Divide Trail can now take a true divide route from Grays Peak to Argentine Peak to Santa Fe Peak.  Currently, the trail drops down next to the zinc-polluted Peru Creek, and takes a long, dirt road walk to Montezuma only to have to climb up 2,500-feet to get back up to the Divide again.  Jonathan Ley has included an alternate cross-country route as far as Argentine Pass, and now he can complete his dashed route on the divide until a trail crew gets up there and blazes a more permanent path. 

This past year, I made the hike over Santa Fe Peak, Sullivan Mountain, and Geneva Peak, and the experience was incredible, as the trail hovered over 13,000-feet through this area.  There were spectacular views of the Snake River Valley, Grays and Torreys Peaks, and Mount Evans and Bierstadt.  Hiking the Divide on this new route from Grays Peak down to Glacier Peak will provide yet another incredible high-altitude highlight in Colorado.  Enjoy!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Salida, Colorado Is Top Trail Town for 2009

Salida, Colorado tops the list as the top trail town along the Continental Divide Trail, according 2009 southbounders. Salida, which garnered five first place votes, narrowly edged Steamboat Springs, Colorado (four first place votes) and Pie Town, New Mexico (also five first place votes).

Salida, a town of about 5,600 residents, is located about 30-miles east of Monarch Pass, and it is the new home of The Simple Lodge and Hostel, which is nestled near the center of the artsy town. The hostel opened in early 2009, and it has welcomed hikers with open arms, offering a warm, homely refuge from the cold environs of the rugged Sawatch Range.

One respondent remarked, “The Simple Hostel and its owners were incredibly helpful and concerned with hikers comfort. The town itself had personality, decent gear shops, good food, a theater, a cool place to watch a football game, and all of it was located within a mile. Great town!”

Another said, ““The hostel (Simple Hostel) was great. I love that you could borrow a bike and cruise around. The little shops in town were fun, and Moonlight Pizza was very good.”

Jon Fritz, co-owner of Simple Lodge and Hostel, said, “Most of the folks I know in Salida live vicariously through thru-hikers and love to hear their adventures. People don't have a lot in this town, so they really appreciate people and nature. I give credit to the business owners, who have gone out of their way to create welcoming shops and cafes that serve our tourists and locals alike.”

Hikers remarked that Salida had great beer, a friendly library, fun shops, an awesome place to get a slice of pizza at Moonlight Pizza, and a great place to get a cup of coffee at Café Dawn. The friendliness of the residents in Salida drew high marks, as one hiker noted, “the people had smiles.”

Not to be lost in the shuffle was Steamboat Springs, Colorado and Pie Town, New Mexico, which came in second and third place respectively. Steamboat Springs, a prominent ski resort town in Northern Colorado, provided hikers with wonderful re-supply options with good gear shops, multiple grocery stores, and delightful restaurants. In spite of being spread out, Steamboat Springs provides a free bus service, which “made the town accessible.” Hikers also noted the friendliness of the owners at the Nordic Motel, and the two hot spring resorts (Hot Sulphur Springs and Strawberry Hot Springs).

Pie Town, a small town located in west central New Mexico, scored high marks primarily due to the work of Nita Larronde, the owner of the Toaster House, and Kathy Knapp, the owner of the Pie-O-Neer Café. Nita raised her five children in the Toaster House, and now she welcomes hikers into her now former home (she lives in her own place just outside of town). The home comes equipped with a wood-burning stove, stereo system, five beds, a shower, washer, and a large porch for hikers to spread out their gear.

The Pie-O-Neer Café is conveniently located close to the post office in town. Owner, Kathy Knapp, is well aware of hikers passing through, and went out of her way to help hikers with use of her vehicle, and by simply making great pies.

Pie Town is not well known for hiker services, but what it lacked in re-supply options, it made up in great hospitality. One hiker said, “Although Pie Town actually sucked as far as amenities go, the people there were so warm and inviting that you felt like you just arrived home. That made it very hard to leave.” Another said, “So much love! This town was full of love and kindness.”

There was a four way tie for the worst town on the trail. Rawlins, Wyoming, Old Faithful Village in Yellowstone, Macks Inn, Idaho, and Benchmark Ranch in Montana received the worst scores.