Along the Continental Divide Trail, Colorado

For the past six days I have been giving road support to my good friend Shayla (aka Kiddo) as she thru hikes the Continental Divide Trail. It worked out perfectly for me to meet up with her because I had time between my Earthship internship and the Salida build. Also, she had to skip Colorado earlier this summer due to the snow and now she flip flopped (trail lingo) back to finish what she skipped. I met her in Lake City last Friday and have been with her since. I meet her at road crossings (mostly forest service roads) so she doesn't have to carry a full pack which means she can go faster and do more miles. She can also keep more food with me in the car (more food=happy thru hiker). Then we camp together and have a good ole time.

Road support comes with a bit of stress. I go to forest ranger offices to get motor vehicle maps for all the national forests she walks through (so far: Rio Grande, Gunnison, San Isabel) so I can find where to meet her. Then we cross check with her maps to see where the trail crosses the roads. Then we hope that my little car can make it on the dirt roads to meet her because if I couldn't then she would be without her tent and food. Luckily the forest roads here have been great and I have been able to make it to every road crossing.

It's been fun to get a taste of trail life again. When I was thru hiking the Appalachain Trail and section biking the Arizona Trail I really looked forward to seeing my parents waiting for me at roads so I'm glad I can give that motivation and support to Kiddo.

I also have been getting to see way more of the state. The landscapes are breathtaking, and I'm enjoying the small towns. I'm falling in love with Colorado!

Here's some pictures: