Gudy Gaskill's Rest

I didn't take many photos today, my last day on the Colorado Trail. I met another hiker named Rocky and we hiked together, talking about the trail and life.

The trail followed an old mining road for three miles to the top of a climb, then descended through pine trees and aspens. At mile 6.6, the intersection with Dry Fork Trail, the trail took a left and continued to Gudy's Rest, mile 9.4, a peaceful bench with a view and a name that holds weight among Colorado hikers. I took a moment to say thank you - to Gudy, the volunteers, the trail angels, and everyone who made this trail possible. I feel lucky to experience it.

From Gudy's Rest, the trail switchbacked down to a wooden bridge over Junction Creek at mile 10.9, then continued, parallel to the stream, eventually reaching Junction Creek Trailhead, mile 13.5, the end of Section 28 and the Colorado Trail.

At the trail sign at the southern terminus, a small group of hikers gathered who also completed their Colorado Trail thru-hikes, including Partick, Leapfrog, Rocky, Ninja, Scabs, and a few others. One hiker had bought a van off Facebook Marketplace and was shuttling hikers into Durango. We climbed in the back, smelly, stufffy, with no windows, and bounced down the road into town.

In town, we did all the town things: checked into a hotel with a pool, showered, went thrift shopping, and stopped at Carver’s Brewing for food and drinks.

I'll stay in Durango tomorrow to explore the town, including a trip to the library and a hike up Animas City Mountain. Early on Friday, I'll catch a bus to Montrose, hitchhike to Gunnison, then take another bus to Crested Butte for the Grand Traverse, a 40-mile trail race from Crested Butte to Aspen. Luckily I have friends along the way to help. Then, finally, I'll meet my dad in Aspen for a ride back to Denver. One trail ending, another beginning.