MAD Hippies Life
Colorado Trail Segment 5 of 28
Sure, we weren't in the high alpine yet, but we were getting there, and after our low point with the early heat, this was an unexpected gem at lower elevation.
Colorado Trail Segment 5 of 28
Start: Kenosha Pass
End: Long Gulch
Distance: 14.6 Miles
We hiked segment five in reverse, we are a little backwards, but it does keep things interesting! One fact is true about this segment, Kenosha Pass is blanketed in aspen trees. It is definitely a favorite among "leaf peepers" in the fall when the aspens all turn gold, something we are guilty of, just about anyone is guilty of. Cool temperatures, cloudless deep blue skies and shimmering gold aspen leaves just seem to get people's attention in the fall. Did we mention we love to hike in the fall? We do! After hiking segment five, we just might be returning this winter to snowshoe that segment. The terrain is rolling with no major climbs, aspens are abundant, and then there are the open meadows that just seem to come and go, rotating in and out of pine forests, aspens groves and back again. A recipe for a successful overnight snowshoeing adventure if you ask us.
With the heat of segments one through three behind us, a distant memory now, we enjoyed almost fall like weather. Warm days, not hot, and cool nights. OK, it was a cold night, but comparatively speaking, much better that broiling in the burn scar area of segment two. Granted, the day before we were to hike through this segment, there was a strong storm that moved through catching several hikers off guard. We spoke with a few people who were section hiking and thru-hiking the CT and they just shook their heads, "it was a tough night," they said. Wind, hail, driving rains and a lot of dangerous lighting. We were eating our lunch as they were laying their gear all about in the sun to dry it off. Everyone generally goes through at least one tough event on trail when thru-hiking. We were hopeful that ours was behind us.
The rolling terrain, mixed forests of pine and aspen and the meadows were expected. But, what we didn't expect were the expansive views we enjoyed. It really was one of those surprise segments that we didn't expect much out of. Add in the surplus of water flowing in all the creeks, we'd have to say that this was a great segment. Sure, we weren't in the high alpine yet, but we were getting there, and after our low point with the early heat, this was an unexpected gem at lower elevation. Did we mention the fall like conditions and that we love to hike in fall? Aspens, running creeks, cool breezes and great views, yep, that was a good segment to hike.
If there were a gripe, and who can't find something negative to complain about, we'd say there needs to be benches or picnic tables at trailheads. So, we're being a bit spoiled here, but really, why not. When you're traveling (on foot) for miles and days on end, having a comfortable place to sit, lean and relax is huge. It goes a long way to keeping oneself relaxed on trail. We could carry ultralight backpacking chairs with us, but we were counting ounces as it was with our gear. Luxury items on a thru-hike are generally kept to a single item, ours were an Anker Power Core and camp shoes, both hugely loved and used on trail the entire hike from Denver to Durango. Our gear was all carefully chosen; weights, usefulness and all. We will certainly be coming out with information on our gear, what worked and what didn't. Suffice it to say, we chose very carefully before carrying everything almost 500 miles across Colorado.
Peace,
MAD
