Joanna On The Trail

Friday, June 26, 2026
14.6 miles / 1,858 ft elevation gain

The overnight thunderstorm was something else. Lightning that lit up the entire tent, bone-rattling thunder, pouring rain, and wind. Most of us were awake for a good part of it. Earlier in the week someone had mentioned “widow-makers” — large dead branches that can fall on campers, sometimes with fatal consequences — and lying there listening to the storm, I worried about the constitution of the 3 pine trees directly above my tent. Thankfully, they held.

Camp this morning was a little subdued. In addition to the storm, the 4 straight days of long hikes were catching up with everyone. We also had to pack up wet tents in a wet campground, which added to the struggle. I was also feeling a little melancholy — this was the last day, and I wasn’t quite ready for it to be over. Breakfast helped, and by 9:15 we were at Kenosha Pass and ready to go.

A Much-Needed Mood Boost

My morning turned around immediately when we arrived at the trailhead and found Ivy, Firecracker, and Aspen, along with some trail friends, including a Vizsla named Jessie and her owner. While her owner stepped away to use the bathroom, Jessie waited right outside, but once he was out she was ready to make friends. When I knelt down she snuggled right in for back scritches and mostly went back and forth between me and Lanae for the next few minutes. After 4 days of no friendly trail dogs, Jessie was exactly what we needed.

On the Trail

Today’s hike started in an aspen grove that gradually opened into a more exposed stretch with expansive views — the farms of the South Park basin (yes, that South Park) spread out below, with the Mosquito Range in the background. A gentle 400-foot climb over the first couple of miles, then a descent into Johnson Gulch around mile 6.

Since we were hiking northbound (the opposite direction from most thru-hikers) we passed more people than usual, including several we’d met over the course of the week. Around mile 7 we encountered a new pair of hiking buddies: a Bernese Mountain Dog/Australian Shepherd mix named Buddy, and her owner whose name I immediately failed to retain (you can see where my priorities are). Buddy loved everyone, and as soon as one person stopped petting her she’d trot to the next.

Just a few minutes later, around the halfway point, we stopped at Rock Creek to filter water. Then at mile 8 we re-entered Lost Creek Wilderness for the remaining miles to Long Gulch. This time, rather than the elaborate separation dance of Day 4, we decided to simply be friends hiking together.

The wilderness section covered about 6.5 miles: aspen groves, exposed sections, and then lodgepole pine and fir forest. One stretch had a shocking number of dead trees, presumably from a past fire. The climb was gentle throughout: about 1,200 feet over the first few miles, followed by a 2-mile descent to where Chris was waiting with the van.

I spent most of the day hiking with Ian (lead guide; Chase was sweeping), talking about his path toward becoming a mental health counselor, what brought him to Colorado, hiking around the state and beyond, and which of the CME treks 2 through 7 are best. I’m already thinking about next year.

We were at or above 10,000 feet for most of the day, but I wasn’t really feeling the elevation anymore. We took more frequent, shorter breaks, and the group stayed closer together than on Day 4. We only waited about 30 minutes for the last hikers at Long Gulch — a meaningful improvement.

Goodbyes

The mood at the finish was a little subdued. After 5 days of hard miles and good company, I think most people were just ready to get moving toward home. The 1.5-hour drive back to the park & ride was quiet. Somehow we never got a group photo, which I still regret.

On the drive back we dropped Jim at Kenosha Pass, wished him well on the rest of his thru-hike, and made him promise to keep us updated. We also spotted 2 moose alongside the road — the most exciting wildlife sighting of the entire week, and of course I didn’t have my phone out. A few miles later we marveled at the river of cars heading in the other direction, everyone else just starting their weekend in the mountains.

Back at the Wooly Mammoth Park & Ride, we got to finally meet Rocket, Abby’s 10-month-old Corgi, who was every bit as adorable as promised.

Goodbyes in situations like this are always a little awkward for me. After sharing a week of ups and downs (literally and figuratively) with these folks, I had grown really fond of them, yet I knew it was unlikely I’d see most of them again. That’s just how it goes, but it doesn’t make it easier. After saying my goodbyes, I got in the car, and called Lee.

Return to Civilization

We talked the whole drive to the airport, catching up on our respective weeks. This was the longest we’d been apart in our 18 years without being able to have any real conversations, so we had a lot to catch up on.

I drove to the Westin that was directly attached to the terminal, checked in, waited for my duffels to be brought to my room, and then returned the rental car to Avis. Lee and I had honed this strategy staying at the Tampa Airport Marriott after Buccaneers games, before flying home on early Monday morning flights. On the way back, I was internally debating what to do about dinner considering I was still trail-dirty. Ultimately I decided my fellow patrons would survive and stopped at the hotel bar.

The lobster mac and cheese and fried Brussels sprouts were divine. The “Chili Zap” cocktail (Grey Goose Watermelon & Basil vodka, agave, lemon, spiced pomegranate grenadine, and a Filthy cherry) was equally excellent. When I got back to my room, I reorganized my bags, remembering this time to move my Swiss Army knife to checked luggage (my multitool had been confiscated at SJC on the way out — a lesson learned, and my primary excuse for going to the Denver flagship REI on Sunday), took a long hot shower, called Lee to say goodnight, and hit the sack. I’ll get 4 to 5 hours sleep before my alarm goes off.

Tomorrow: me, Lee, Lola, Gigi, and the couch watching Formula 1 Austria Grand Prix practice and qualifying. I can’t wait.