Colorado Trail: Section 2

 The Colorado Trail runs from Waterton Canyon, just west of Denver, to Durango CO.  Along the way, it passes through eight mountain ranges, six National Forests, and six wilderness areas. Its 486 miles are considered, mile for mile, one of the prettiest trails in the US. The idea was birthed in 1974, fully connected in 1987 and to this day is maintained by the United States Forestry Service and the non-profit Colorado Trail Foundation. 

Do I have wildly ambitious plans to hike it in its entirety?  Um... heck no! But now that I have set sights on summiting Kilimanjaro, I am learning that my close-in playground of the Foothills and the Rocky Mountains makes me uber fortunate. For it is on these dusty, undulating trails at elevation, that I can build strength, stamina and put my gear to the ultimate test before taking it to Africa.  So, yeah, PARTS of the Colorado Trail will be underfoot from time to time. (The easy parts!)

More about the Kili plans later but right now is actually a good time to introduce my hiking partner, the woman behind the idea and inspiration/motivation. I met Sue in Antarctica in 2022. Like me she is passionate about travel, brakes for a good photo opp and is not afraid to get uncomfortable, push boundaries and take both the paths most traveled and least traveled, with an equally open mind. 

Sue took us hiking 3 weeks ago and we managed to turn a 5-7 mile hike into something longer than 8.5 miles. I saw my first rattlesnakes and came to the conclusion it was time for new boots that day. 

I chose the next long-ish hike for us. Section 2 of the Colorado Trail looked challenging, beautiful, easy to get to and just a bit more of a stretch at 11 miles. 

Step 1: Meet on Deckers Rd near the Little Straggy Trailhead and leave one car at this end. 

Step 2: Drive together, 35 mins to the beginning at South Platte River Trailhead.

Step 3: Hike 11.7 miles mostly uphill (2000+ feet of elevation gain), around Rayleigh Peak, through the woods and fire-scorched valleys - slowly - while shooting several hundred pictures, sucking down a couple of liters of water and stopping to picnic!

You know you're getting tired when you accidentally take a pano shot just as your friend accidentally stumbles back onto the trail!  Life is art!

I don't have any pics of the magical and joyful minute we staggered off the trail and into Sue's waiting car. My feet were tender and my hips were groaning (which *may* have had a little something to do with the 4lb quartz rock that hibernating in my pack and destined to grace Sue's garden). 

Both of us tired but pleased with the effort and the way the day had gone... but ready to go home.

 ...Home... yeah, that was a 35 min drive back to my car and then a 80 minute drive after that. The first 5 miles along the South Platte River were on a barely maintained, often 1-lane, gravelly dirt road. I speak for myself when I say it was all I could do to be a safe, attentive driver. I was looking forward to a hot shower and dinner made by Mark. 

It's a Plan. A very Welsh Plan!

The Seven Wonders of Wales is poem that holds within it, the promise of ancient things, tall stories and great pictures. It's both our Welsh Bucket List and road trip plan that is far from set in stone. 

Pistyll Rhaeadr and Wrexham steeple,

Snowdon's mountain without its people,

Overton yew trees, St Winefride's well,

Llangollen bridge and Gresford bells.

We have a little British rental car booked and we will be on the road July 13th!

1. Pistyll Rhaeadr - a 73m waterfall/cascade that has inspired poets and such. I believe there is a cafe and maybe even a B&B nearby.

2. St Giles' Church in Wrexham - One of the finest examples of ecclesiastical architecture. Dating back to the 16th Century. Its about 43m high and seen from afar. My research leads me to believe it has more "wow" on the inside... plus it's reputedly kept warm and that's always a draw card on a grey day. (How do I know it will be a grey day? I don't. Just a hunch having lived in the UK several years.)

3. The Overton yew trees in Overton-on-Dee - these ancient yew trees are 1500-2000 years old! Yeah, I'm a tree person, but still might be one of the quicker stops we make. I get the feeling if we miss them this time, they will still be here next time, too.

4. St Winefride's Well in Holywell, Flintshire. 

A longer stop I assure you. I mean seriously... in the 12th Century, Winefride had her head chopped clean (I hope) off by a lustful prince. Where her head landed, a well sprang to life! Good news - she came back to life the next day. (It's a very Catholic story. LOL)

And while I know its not a race, I'm just noting here that she came back to life quicker than Jesus and this lady is just a Saint... with a well named after her. No Easter weekend for her!

We will dip into the healing waters (maybe), claim that my mom's middle name came from here and take a pic or two before journeying onward.

5.  Llangollen Bridge in Llangollen, Denbighshire.

There has been a bridge across the river Dee since 1284 but this version is from the 16th Century. Its 4 pointed arches are of unequal sizes and it was mostly built out of rubble, which I find quite intriguing. Pretty sure I can find tea and scones around here too.

6. Snowdonia!

I'm hoping we have time to 360 this national park, stretch our legs and take pictures in changing light. Hello... Beautiful!

Once we exit Wales and head south in England, our plans are a little more up in the air. If I was feeling all curious and sentimental, I'd be inclined to take Mark to lunch at The Blacksmith's Head. Hold on to your hats... I'm about to reveal a little known fact about myself - I briefly worked at this country pub near Lingfield, Surrey in 1997!

Ooh the stories I could tell! It has long since changed owners but the guy I worked for had some "questionable" business and food practices and as nice and interesting as he was, this was possibly my shortest job ever.  When your values are not aligned, it's best to get out, am I right?!