by Melanie McManus | Sep 2, 2025 | Colorado, Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
I was hoping we could get back on the trail at Rollins Pass, which would scoot Ed around the worst altitude. But how to get there? I texted my hero of this hike, Mike from Leadville, who has shuttled me numerous times. Unfortunately, his 4WD vehicle is in the shop,...
by Melanie McManus | Sep 3, 2025 | Colorado, Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
Last night was so great in the posh Big Rock Campground. Ed and I decided to sleep in until 6:30 a.m., since we had – what we thought – was an easy, relatively flat hike into Grand Lake. Not quite. On our way before 8 a.m., we quickly clicked off the first mile-plus...
by Melanie McManus | Sep 4, 2025 | Colorado, Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
Today we spent a wonderful zero day – no hiking! – in Grand Lake. We weren’t just resting, though. We picked up a hiker box from the post office and mailed some things back. We stopped at two grocery stores to pick up some supplies. And we asked around town for...
by Melanie McManus | Sep 5, 2025 | Colorado, Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
Kimberly met Ed and me at 7:30 a.m. for the shuttle to the Onahu Trailhead. It was cloudy and cool, with storms forecast. Uh-oh. We were on the trail by 8 a.m., and quickly saw a moose and two elk. Cool! The path began very easily, with modest inclines and nice, soft...
by Melanie McManus | Sep 6, 2025 | Colorado, Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
Ed and I slept in (until 6:30 a.m.). It was SO COLD last night! As we were packing up, we met a lovely, young couple heading SOBO. The guy was from Evansville, Wis., which we know well! We chatted quite a while. The first few miles were relatively flat and nice,...
by Melanie McManus | Sep 7, 2025 | Colorado, Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
We both had a restful night, as the wind died down and it wasn’t too cold. But after getting up and having breakfast, the weather forecast was for “light” rain for an hour. We decided to stay in our tents so as not to get wet right away. It actually rained pretty...
