June 10 Start: blm land near Zion national park, ut Stop: cedar creek, ut 5 miles Total miles: 683 Under misty skies we slowly make our way through Zion National Park to the visitors center. Could this place really be more spectacular than the Grand Canyon? Maybe it’s because we’re down in this beast, getting … More Day 47: Where Zion Angels Land

June 9 Start: Kaibab national forest Stop: blm land near Zion national park We’re up early and don’t really know what time it is. We head into the park and catch our first glimpses of the canyon. I am no longer one who has studied geology but has never seen the Grand Canyon. It’s unbelievable, … More Day 46: Grand Layers

June 8 Start: Pagosa Springs, Co Stop: Kaibab National Forest, Az On a thru hike I make decisions about what I’m willing to push through. The adventure is more than just making miles at any cost. I’ve dealt with some pretty lousy weather and cold on this trip so far. I agree to live with … More Day 45: Diné Land and Tough Trail Decisions

June 7 Start: slyline lodge, platoro Stop: pagosa springs 1 Mile Total miles: 678 I’m awake early and write a few journals before everyone else wakes up. We head over to the lodge for 8am breakfast. We ready ourselves for the 23 mile road walk to hwy 17. But then there’s mumblings that we’ve been … More Day 44: Acid Hitch

June 6 Start: three forks Stop: skyline lodge, platoro 10 Miles Total miles: 677 Every time I wake up it’s raining. My fly on one side of my tent is awfully close to the tent wall and I check for wetness. Dawn blooms, I awake from a dead sleep and the wind howls. I hear … More Day 43: Laundry Room Camp

June 5 Start: rocky ledge over 12,000 ft. Stop: three forks 10 Miles Total miles: 667 4 am again. The wind is ripping so it’s cold out. The temp hovers around freezing and with the wind chill it’s easily in the low 20’s. We move across the icy snow as the sky begins to brighten. … More Day 42: Steep Forest Traverses, River Crossings, Rain = Hardest Day Ever!

June 4 Start: somewhere 5 miles from trailhead Stop: rocky ledge over 12000 ft. 14 Miles Total miles: 657 The alarm goes off at 4 am for a 5 am start. We’ve got to make as many early morning miles as possible before the snow softens. The sky is light enough that we don’t need … More Day 41: Mountains Of Snow

June 3 Start: Pagosa Springs, CO Stop: somewhere 5 miles from trailhead 5 Miles Total miles: 643 For the first time in 5 days we are in go mode. Packs are loaded and heaved out the door. Luckily Serena Williams is able to leave her truck at the motel. We go and lurk at the … More Day 40: Baby Steps – A Day Of Firsts

June 2 Start/Stop: Pagosa Springs 0 miles The way to get snow experience is to go out in the snow. PCT snow was easy, compacted. Stuff that was doable without microspikes or ice axe even on an average year. But this CO stuff is fresh and fluffy and just waiting to gobble you whole. Run … More Day 39: THE Resupply

June 1 Start/Stop: Pagosa Springs 0 miles I haven’t really talked about it much but the snow is out of control here. Remember all the rain we got in New Mexico? The Colorado snow pack increased more in the month of May than the whole winter combined. The San Juan Mountains (southern CO) are suddenly … More Day 38: The Snow Re-Gear