Finding Family at the End of Trail

Copper Mountain to Tennessee Pass climbs 4417 feet, and the last half is STEEP! It would be a great time to have your pooch, who tends to pull, (anyone know a dog like that?) to help get you up that grade. This is segment eight and it’s 25.4 miles long. After leaving us at lunch yesterday (August 2), Coco hiked about six miles and then made camp. With 19 to go she estimated an arrival time of 3:30 p.m. at the trailhead. The hike was beautiful but seven miles out she got a major cramp in her back. All you hikers have been there. She carried on and arrived about 4:15.

To her surprise she was met on the trail by her support team of Mom, Dad, Nuke and Tallus. We were a good distraction to help her to the end of this tough day. More surprises awaited her! Her brother Tyler and wife Meredith were in Colorado for a wedding and arranged their schedule to greet her and enjoy a beer or two and then dinner at Quincy’s in Leadville.

It’s a rest day ahead at the Leadville Hostel and then back on the trail August 4.

TRAIL NOTES: Quincy’s in Leadville serves only tenderloins (four sizes) from Sunday – Thursday. Friday and Saturday you get prime rib. The menu is simple – a wedge salad followed by your meat, baked potato, and bread. It was wonderful! The meat was tender (and wrapped in bacon of course), and the historic setting was memorable. Highly recommend if you enjoy a good portion of beef.