I wanted to do the San Juans Mountain range and it was one deciding factor for flipping up to the Canadian border in June due to the amount of snow back then.
After staying in South Fork Ninja hitched with me to the Trailhead and we said our last good byes before her leaving the US to go back to Germany.
Therefore I started with both a heavy heart but also looking forward to hike through the San Juans. I pushed about 25 miles per day which was intense due to the elevation gain and losses throughout that section.
As the section stays over 11000ft for most of it the mornings were also quite cold, and to make the miles and beat the snow I started hiking before 6am most days which resulted in the need for a headlamp.
The reward was beautiful scenery and amazing sun rises. I am definitely glad to have done the Same Juans and not take the Creede Cutoff to shave off some miles.
When I reached the Trailhead at Wolf Creek pass I met Edith, a girl that just had stopped and asked if I need a ride. Also someone left a can of beer at the trail as trailmagic – I am glad to be lucky at times. I made it to Pagosa Springs before dark on the fourth day of hiking and finished all the chores that night before heading back to trail on the next morning.
