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bizarre Recreation.gov behavior

 

Just got my permit but when I looked at 10 AM there were 99+ available permits for entering at Mono Pass exiting Whitney on Sept. 1.? I checked and double checked my confirmed permit.?
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Judy McGuire
Reds Meadow Road update for 2025

 

I noticed the Reds Meadow Road Closure page has been updated.


The road will be open Thursday through Sunday for most of July and August with different schedules for the holiday weekends. The open days are reduced in September and October.

The Reds Meadow Campground will be closed for renovation this year. It doesn't say if there will be a backpacker's campsite available.

Frank



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Frank
Re: Alternatives

 

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I was lucky in 2018 in that I passed through the busy mountain bike areas mid-week so I didn't encounter too many large groups. Anyone planning this hike should try to avoid these areas on weekends if possible.

Frank

On 2/15/2025 6:47 AM, judithsmcguire via groups.io wrote:

On a Sunday in early Sept 2015 I counted 120 bikes passing me going south from Monarch Pass. Put me in a foul mood for the rest of the day. Cherish the wilderness and hope it never allows bikes. CO is the mt biking epicenter.
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Judy McGuire

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Frank
Re: Alternatives

 

On a Sunday in early Sept 2015 I counted 120 bikes passing me going south from Monarch Pass. Put me in a foul mood for the rest of the day. Cherish the wilderness and hope it never allows bikes. CO is the mt biking epicenter.
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Judy McGuire
Re: Alternatives

 

A few years ago the CT Foundation said they were actively encouraging MTB's on the trail because "It should be open to everyone'. I quit the foundation after that and told them why.
Let us hope this never happens to the Sierras.


On Fri, Feb 14, 2025 at 3:21?PM ravi_jmt2013 via <ravi=[email protected]> wrote:
That’s true on many parts of the CT. Actually the place where I remember the most bikes was right after Monarch Crest heading southbound. For the most part, bikers were courteous but it does inevitably away from the wilderness experience when they are present. The other thing to watch out for is the timing of the Leadville 100 ultramarathon which uses part of the collegiate west. As much as the Sierra Nevada can be frustrating with permits, the upside is the absence of such issues!
Re: Alternatives

 

That’s true on many parts of the CT. Actually the place where I remember the most bikes was right after Monarch Crest heading southbound. For the most part, bikers were courteous but it does inevitably away from the wilderness experience when they are present. The other thing to watch out for is the timing of the Leadville 100 ultramarathon which uses part of the collegiate west. As much as the Sierra Nevada can be frustrating with permits, the upside is the absence of such issues!
Re: Alternatives

 

One of the downsides of the loop and indeed much of the non-wilderness portions of the CT is the presence - and active encouragement from the CT Foundation - of mountain bikers.

Re: Alternatives

 

I was looking into Collegiate Loop logistics today and learned that the Clouds Hostel in Leadville provides shuttles to Twin Lakes for $45-50. Leadville is accessible by bus from Frisco via Summit Stage (), which has connecting service to Breckenridge, as well as direct service by shuttle from Denver’s airport via summit express ().
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One of the nice things about Leadville is its high elevation over 10,000 feet so an extra day could be spent there before starting a hike.
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For those doing just the Collegiate West rather than the loop, transit is available from Monarch Crest to Salida M-F in summer () and getting to Denver is possible via bus (). Of course this should all be verified before a trip but it looks like either a Collegiate West one way hike or the full loop should be possible without hitchhiking.
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Re: Alternatives

 

Trail angel. :-)
Re: Alternatives

 

Your story makes me glad about about my decision to turn around and go pick up a couple of hikers at the pass and take them into Lake City a couple of years ago.? ?It took me a few seconds to process why they were there and hitching so I couldn't stop in time.? ?The first available turn around spot is a bit down the highway as well.? That might explain why it might be a difficult place to get a ride.


On Thu, Feb 13, 2025, 12:26?PM ravi_jmt2013 via <ravi=[email protected]> wrote:
Getting to Lake City was difficult for me as well. There was a lot of traffic but no one stopped at the trailhead for at least an hour.? I started walking and a few miles later someone took pity on me and stopped.? Getting back to the trail was easy. Someone at the hostel offered a ride.?
Re: Alternatives

 

In 2014, there was supposed to be a regular shuttle sponsored by trail angels in Lake City but for some reason it didn’t show up. Since the shuttle time was at noon, there was theoretically time to walk into town before nightfall once I realized that it wouldn’t show up but I’m sure glad that I didn’t have to walk the entire way. I believe Creede was the other resupply option from that pass but I had sent a box to Lake City.?

Somehow, these snafus on trail have a way of becoming fond memories in the long run. Kind of like “type 2 fun”…?
Re: Alternatives

 

It is interesting that The Colorado Trail book states that the distance from the CT (Spring Creek Pass) to Lake City is 17 miles and goes on to say: ".. probably too far for most backpackers to travel to resupply..."
Re: Alternatives

 

Getting to Lake City was difficult for me as well. There was a lot of traffic but no one stopped at the trailhead for at least an hour. ?I started walking and a few miles later someone took pity on me and stopped. ?Getting back to the trail was easy. Someone at the hostel offered a ride.?
Re: Alternatives

 

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I took the bus ride. It was very pretty too and a comfortable ride. Wifi on both Bustang and bus to Durango.?

On Feb 12, 2025, at 8:35 AM, ken jessett via <kenjessett@...> wrote:

I agree after a strenuous multi day hike taking the train would be a relaxing means to return home. Particularly when it travels through Colorado


On Wed, Feb 12, 2025, 9:44?AM Marsha via <marshaabbott=[email protected]> wrote:
Yes, it isn’t fast. However the Outrider to Bustang trip from Durango to Denver is beautiful and inexpensive. And it drops you off a block from easy transit to the airport.?
Re: Alternatives

 

I agree after a strenuous multi day hike taking the train would be a relaxing means to return home. Particularly when it travels through Colorado


On Wed, Feb 12, 2025, 9:44?AM Marsha via <marshaabbott=[email protected]> wrote:
Yes, it isn’t fast. However the Outrider to Bustang trip from Durango to Denver is beautiful and inexpensive. And it drops you off a block from easy transit to the airport.?
Re: Alternatives

 

On the CT the worst hitch for me was to Lake City.? No traffic on rd.? Waited over an hour.? Meanwhile, hikers wanting ride piled up.? Luckily a pickup happened by and gave us a ride in rain (very unsafe though).
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Judy McGuire
Re: Alternatives

 

Yes, it isn’t fast. However the Outrider to Bustang trip from Durango to Denver is beautiful and inexpensive. And it drops you off a block from easy transit to the airport.?
Re: Alternatives

 
Edited

Bus schedule from Durango to Denver
Fastest
11h 58m
Daily buses
1
6:32?础惭?–?6:30?笔惭
11h 58m
1 change
Not real convenient and not real quick
Train similar time
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  1. 6:24?AMDurango, Colorado
    Walk
    0.3 mi (8 minutes)
  2. 6:32?AMDurango Transit Center Gate 1
    (Platform 1)
    CDOT Outrider towards Grand Junction
    12:25?PMGrand Valley Downtown Transfer Station
  3. Walk
    0.0 mi (0 minutes)
  4. 12:40?PMGrand Valley Downtown Transfer Station
    WEST towards Denver
    6:30?PMUnion Station
    (Denver, Colorado)

inline.0.part
inline.1.part
inline.2.part

Re: Alternatives

 

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There aren't many long hikes with transportation and resupply as easy as the JMT. Having done some longer hikes I didn't find there to be much of a problem on the CT. Hitch hiking was necessary, but there was also Trail Angel transportation support at some of the stops. There are bus, train and flight options between Durango and Denver.

Frank

On 2/11/2025 3:16 PM, ken jessett via groups.io wrote:

I have hiked portions of the CT and will concur that resupply is difficult. There are no facilities close to anywhere - other than maybe Copper Mountain Resort - and getting to Salida from the trail is a very long hike out and back and can be quite a bear - no bears were seen however. :-) The true downside of doing the CT from Denver to Durango or vice-versa is the lack of reasonable transport back to either of those locations after a through-hike.

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Frank
Re: Alternatives

 

I have hiked portions of the CT and will concur that resupply is difficult. There are no facilities close to anywhere - other than maybe Copper Mountain Resort - and getting to Salida from the trail is a very long hike out and back and can be quite a bear - no bears were seen however. :-) The true downside of doing the CT from Denver to Durango or vice-versa is the lack of reasonable transport back to either of those locations after a through-hike.
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