Tennessee Pass to Breckenridge, CO (Mile 1195 - 1233)

August 24th - August 26th

Day 1: Last nights show was great! I ended up sitting in the front row since their was no assigned seating, right next to Michael Martin Murphys wife. I asked her if there was anyway I could meet Michael after the show and after hearing what I was doing she told Michael to keep an eye out for me. After the show I got a picture with him and talked with him for a bit. (He sits out and signs autographs) What was really neat though is he wanted a picture with me. He said he was going to put my trip on his Facebook page. I then asked if he could sign my hat. He did and he told me if that one wears out send him another one and he’ll sign it and cover the charge. He is a really great guy who is really down to earth. I guess that’s what you should expect from a cowboy singer. I woke up this morning around 7:00am and gathered my stuff. Some old friends from church came down from Denver and took me out for breakfast and then walked a few miles with me this morning. It was great having the company! After they turned around I continued on and started to climb in elevation. Since I didn’t start on the trail till about 10:15 this morning I determined it would just be a short leisurely day. I passed by Fort Hale, the old 10th Mountain training area. From the looks of what was left it just looked like a firing range with all the berms. It was where the 10th Mountain Division trained back in the 40s for WWII. It was made up of mountaineers and skiers inspired by Finnish soldiers who fought in the snow on skiis. I looked inside a few of the concrete bunkers, but there really wasn’t much but just a concrete room. I then proceeded on. I came across a waterfall, but wasn’t able to enjoy it as much as I hoped because the forest service was doing some work repairing some bridges there. They were hoisting a 1,000 lb log up with pulleys and smaller logs to roll it on underneath. I stopped and talked for a bit admiring the old time but still effective methods to move such a heavy piece. As I walked over the hill they had two llamas tied up they were using as pack llamas to carry some of their equipment. I then continued up a valley headed toward Kokomo Pass a few more miles. I stopped for the evening right before the pass on a flat spot along side the trail. About 50 yards below me is a stream to get water. Overall I had a great day with friends and a beautiful stretch to hike.

Day 2: I got on the trail this morning around 7:40. I got over Kokomo Pass and the flock of sheep that were on the mountain last night were now in the valley below. Last night I heard coyotes howling right upon the pass and I wondered if they got any of the sheep. I walked a little ways along the mountainside and stopped to watch some marmots run around on the rocks. After awhile I figured I sat around enough and needed to start making some miles. I ran into a lot of people mountain biking and hiking south. It seems like this area is really popular. I stopped to talk to the point that I felt I was never gonna make it to my campsite tonight. As I made my way along I realized why it was a popular stretch. Copper Mountain Ski Resort was at the base of the mountains. I passed right through the resort and around the outskirts of the golf course. A lot of golfers were out playing today. I don’t blame them it was a gorgeous day. I then crossed Highway 91 and began my climb up the mountainside. The elevation went from 9,821 feet by the highway to 12,490 feet at the top of the ridgeline. On one side you could see the Copper Mountain Ski Resort and on the other side the town of Breckenridge. As I was on the ridgeline the wind was blowing really hard and somewhere I lost my hawk feather I’d been carrying since Wolf Creek Pass. I backtracked about a quarter mile to see if I could find it, but the wind must’ve took it. I guess a little over 400 miles with it isn’t bad. I’ll have to look for another one. I made my way down into the valley and found a nice campsite around 7pm along a stream. I always try and camp by a water source if I can. I made some dinner and sat on a log as the sun finished setting behind the mountains. I have 6 miles till I reach the highway to Breckenridge and then I’ll hitch down to town.

Day 3: I woke up a little later than my usual time this morning. I woke up at 7am and started packing up my stuff. Every hour counts when you are walking. I only had 6 miles to get to the highway. My original plan was to hitch to Breckenridge, but I learned of a free bus that takes you around town and to the surrounding towns. It runs every 45 minutes. Right now, as I’m writing this sitting at the bus stop, it should arrive in five minutes. I’ll be in town just in time to get a hot lunch and I’m looking forward to enjoying a bed and a good dinner later tonight. Tomorrow I will set out and make the push to Grand Lake, CO, right next to Rocky Mountain National Park.