CDT Day 38: Zero Day in Chama

Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 655.0

A day of rest and working towards a decision on what’s next. Avalanche danger has been warned in the next section to Wolf Creek Pass. The trail from Cumbres Pass quickly climbs to 12,000 ft and the snow is getting soft. Most hikers at this point are waiting for melt or trying alternative lower elevation routes or even jumping ahead to Wyoming. The other option is to forge ahead with snowshoes. I looked at a forest service road route up the Conejos River to Platero and Elwood Pass then down to South Fork but found some hikers without snowshoes who had recently been turned back by snowdrifts at Elwood Pass.

I’m going to sleep on this one.

Very intense thundershowers in Chama this afternoon – so glad to have shelter.

I had a few beers with fellow hikers Atlas and Whitney Houston this evening. I first met Whitney on the PCT in Southern California. A small world!