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07/18/20 – We all woke well rested after sleeping amidst some oxygen for the first time in 4 nights! After breakfast, we packed up once again and hit the trail. The descending trail continued to be very rugged, with lots of rocks on the trail and several creek crossings, through which most of us got

07/17/20 – We woke up in a wet camp and had breakfast. Ashley had been having some knee pain during our descents the day before and despite icing it while we were in camp (thanks Lance for trekking to the snow bank!), her knee was very tight and painful this morning. Reluctantly, she and Glenn

07/16/20 – Slept pretty well and awoke to overcast skies. Hoping that the moisture in the air won’t mean heavy rains today! After breakfast, we packed up wet tents and hit the trail. We hiked lots of ups and downs today as we traversed several valleys and ridges along the vast San Juan range. The

07/15/20 – We had a very restless night, due to the wind and I suspect a lack of oxygen at 12,500′! After our oatmeal and coffee breakfast, we packed up and began our steep ascent to 13,000′. We all repeatedly had to stop and catch our breath as the lack of oxygen was very apparent

Sheep and a Double Rainbow 07/14/20 – We had breakfast, packed up and were on the trail by around 7:30. Reports of very limited water sources along the trail ahead compelled us to load up with extra water for an expected dry camp at our next campsite. After a 600 foot climb over a mile

Progress Summary During the past 2 summers, hikes of segments 1 through 21 were completed, for a total of 357 miles. The total elevation gain has been 66,575′ and the total elevation loss was 61,194′. At the end of the 2019 hiking season, 128 miles remained to reach Durango and the end of the Colorado

Jerry Hertzler continues his Colorado Trail Challenge, raising money for Love INC, and anticipates reaching the end of the trail this year. As he undertakes his first outing this summer during these uncertain times, he shares some thoughts. Click here for the pledge form. First 2020 Outing – July 13-18 “Your life is made for