by Melanie McManus | Aug 24, 2025 | Colorado, Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
It was sort of hard to get back on the trail today, after slackpacking for two days and staying in the Twin Lakes Inn for three nights. Mike agreed to drop off Shroomer first, just a mile down the road. Then he took me back to the Mt. Massive Trailhead and I struck...
by Melanie McManus | Aug 25, 2025 | Colorado, Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
I knew rain was predicted for most of this week, but I crossed my fingers that it would be light and fleeting, then struck out on the trail before 8 a.m., heading for Tennessee Pass. My biggest climb was right away, so I was glad to get that over. Around 10 a.m. or so...
by Melanie McManus | Aug 26, 2025 | Colorado, Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
I’ve said it many times, but you always have to be prepared to pivot when hiking a long-distance trail. That can be hard for Type-A people like me, who love to create itineraries and stick to them. But between the weather, the terrain and, now, my older age, you have...
by Melanie McManus | Aug 27, 2025 | Colorado, Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
Today I was going to enjoy another slackpacking day – yay! The forecast called for possible showers at 8 a.m., but then nice for the rest of the day. Perfect! My plan was to head southbound on the CDT to pick up the mileage I’d missed after getting off the trail due...
by Melanie McManus | Aug 28, 2025 | Colorado, Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
Today’s hike was supposed to be partway along the Silverthorne Alternate, ending up tomorrow in Silverthorne, where Ed will meet me. But this alternate route has two huge climbs up to nearly 12,000 feet (3,658 m). Once again, rain was in the forecast. I did not want...
by Melanie McManus | Aug 29, 2025 | Colorado, Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
Wow, that campsite last night was awful! Even a tiny tilt in the ground can make for terrible sleep. I was sliding all over my tent and felt like I didn’t sleep for one minute. So it was a relief when morning came. I packed up camp quickly and got on the trail, only...
