Day #56-From ditches to peaks to ditches. Miles hiked: 32.1?

Today I vacated one ditch on the side of the highway only to cross multiple mountain ridges and passes to find a new ditch. Welcome to the life of Blueberry. First up was 8 more miles of climbing on highway 6 up and over Loveland Pass (and over the tunnel on I-70…wasn’t about to road walk that). Also, another ski area, A-Basin! 

In case you’re wondering, I think I’ll be more pumped for ski season to start this winter than ever before after passing all of these new spots to make turns. Hiking is Type 2 fun, but skiing is solidly in the Type 1 category. 

After reconnecting with the CDT at I-70, it was time for yet another 3k+ ft climb up to 13k. It’s like I live at that elevation now…

The rest of the day was more classic CO with miles and miles of ridgewalking with peaks in between, wind, snow fields, and blazing sun. Am I a human or a mountain goat?

By dark I had made it to another highway which had a luxurious heated pit toilet/warming hut. There were “no camping” signs all over the place, but it still took all of my soul to obey and wander down a drainage culvert to find a mediocrely flat spot to lay down. At least I’ll get to do my business in peace and comfort in the morning!