Tree House feelings

Day 58

Date: 28.06.2022

CDT Mile: Mile 1'194.1

Miles hiked: 16.5 miles / 26.4 km

Elevation: 3'556 feet ascent (1'084 m Aufstieg) / 2'251 feet descent (Abstieg 686 m)

Camping at: 11'739 feet @ Janet's Cabin / 3'581 m

Last night we decided to take it easy this morning. So I slept in and went for breakfast in Town together with Piper and Duskman. And in town I see that person of the group, why I decided to stay here and make another zero. What the hell?! Why is he here? He was supposed to hike out last night. I don't know whats going on. I know that the K2's decided to hike out alone too, as they have different plans than we had. They want to hike till Grand Lakes, without stopping in any other town in between, which is a very long stretch! I wonder what Boss is doing now.

Just being ready to leave Leadville, a big thunderstorm rolled in. So we waited the storm out. Duskman and Piper had to go to the grocery, so Vista, Ducky and I tried to hitch back to the trailhead. Within 5 minutes we got a hitch, from an Australian women, living in Leadville now after hiking the Appalachian trail a couple of years back. She recognized us as hikers and spontaneously decided to drive us up the trailhead, an about 30 minutes drive. It always amazes me how kind people are here. We managed to hike out around noon, which is very good for taking it that easy in the morning and waiting out a storm too. I have seen that there is a beautiful cabin coming up in 16 miles. It is quite far away. It would be fantastic of we manage to hike 16 miles still today, only starting at noon. But staying the night at the cabin is motivating and gives extra energy. Even though the cabin is closed, we should be able to sleep on the front desk. The first 8 miles are beautiful and rather flat. Then we hike up to Kokymo Pass and over the Elk Ridge and Searle Pass to the cabin. The weather was clear, sunny and hot when we hit the trail. But on the uphill to Kokymo Pass thunder, rain and lightening rolled in. Hiking up the mountain, we pass many CT (colorado Trail) hikers. Since Twin Lakes we get so see many more CT hikers. I waited below the Pass for Vista and Ducky and also for a better weather window to hike the pass and by the time they arrive, we are all set and the weather seems to have cleared up a little. On the other side of the pass we hike through beautiful flower fields, get to see many marmots and can enjoy beautiful views. We made it to the Cabin shortly before 8pm, very late for me. It is a huge cabin, which can host more than 30 people and mostly used in winter for backcountry skiiers and bigger groups. We choose to sleep on the upper desk, where we have to climb a letter, and it feels like a tree house. It is actually not allowed to sleep there, but we will not leave any trace or damage and will be gone very early again the next morning. It is amazing however. The storm is somewhere in the distance and we have great views. Cowboy camping makes this day perfect. And it is so nice having Vista and Ducky around. Waking up in the middle of the night, I look straight into the sky full of stars, like you only get to see when far away from any civilisation. These are the moments I love so much being out here!