Segment 6, Colorado Trail, near Breckenridge, CO9
Today was to be the last day of this section hike. I still had over 15 miles of hiking to make it to Goldhill Trailhead, and then to Breckenridge where my car was parked at the Bivvi Hostel. The morning was chilly but the sun was shining as I began to hike.
The closer I got to Breckenridge I started to notice thousands of down trees. There were criss-crossed tangled trees everywhere. It was real a blight on the landscape. Initially, I didn't know the cause. I thought maybe a new ski area was planned and the crew they sent to clear the mountain went a little overboard. Many of the trees were just on the side of the trail, but eventually someone started making what I assumed were pyres for burning. It really was shocking to see so much devastation.
As I was hiking through, I encountered some bikers who knew the cause. Evidently there has been a Mountain Pine beetle infestation. It is an epidemic which has covered over a million acres in both Colorado and Wyoming. The beetles burrow into the bark and lay eggs. As the eggs hatch, they eat the bark, thereby killing the tree. Very destructive.
I made it to Goldhill Trailhead which is still several miles from Breckenridge (Frisco is also accessible from here). Fortunately, not far away is a bus stop where I caught a free bus ride (which also goes to Frisco). It didn't go all the way to the hostel, but it was close enough. I had thought to stay at the hostel but I had not made a reservation and they were booked. (The Bivvi appears to be a very nice and clean hostel, but not just for hikers. All Breck visitors are welcome, so if you plan to stay, call ahead for a reservation.)
Overall, I was hiking for 7 days. I hiked segments 1-6 on the Colorado Trail. For anyone planning a long distance hike, these segments are a great introduction to the CT. Some difficult spots but some easy hiking as well. Awesome scenery without spending too much time above treeline. It was a great hike; I was ready for more!
Segment 6, Colorado Trail, near Breckenridge, CO9
Today was to be the last day of this section hike. I still had over 15 miles of hiking to make it to Goldhill Trailhead, and then to Breckenridge where my car was parked at the Bivvi Hostel. The morning was chilly but the sun was shining as I began to hike.
The closer I got to Breckenridge I started to notice thousands of down trees. There were criss-crossed tangled trees everywhere. It was real a blight on the landscape. Initially, I didn't know the cause. I thought maybe a new ski area was planned and the crew they sent to clear the mountain went a little overboard. Many of the trees were just on the side of the trail, but eventually someone started making what I assumed were pyres for burning. It really was shocking to see so much devastation.
As I was hiking through, I encountered some bikers who knew the cause. Evidently there has been a Mountain Pine beetle infestation. It is an epidemic which has covered over a million acres in both Colorado and Wyoming. The beetles burrow into the bark and lay eggs. As the eggs hatch, they eat the bark, thereby killing the tree. Very destructive.
I made it to Goldhill Trailhead which is still several miles from Breckenridge (Frisco is also accessible from here). Fortunately, not far away is a bus stop where I caught a free bus ride (which also goes to Frisco). It didn't go all the way to the hostel, but it was close enough. I had thought to stay at the hostel but I had not made a reservation and they were booked. (The Bivvi appears to be a very nice and clean hostel, but not just for hikers. All Breck visitors are welcome, so if you plan to stay, call ahead for a reservation.)
Overall, I was hiking for 7 days. I hiked segments 1-6 on the Colorado Trail. For anyone planning a long distance hike, these segments are a great introduction to the CT. Some difficult spots but some easy hiking as well. Awesome scenery without spending too much time above treeline. It was a great hike; I was ready for more!