Segment 2 - South Platte townsite to County Road 126

May 30, 2010

See all photos for this segment are here:
http://colotrailblog.blogspot.com/1970/01/segment-2-photos.html

I did this segment as a day hike, without bivy sack, sleeping bag, stove, or food bag. My pack was about 25 lbs.

I tried it in running shoes instead of boots because my feet hurt and sweated a lot in the first segment. The running shoes were a lot cooler but my feet and knees still hurt a lot at the end of the segment. I don't think the padding on the running shoes can take the pack weight (or my 30 pounds of avoirdupois...)

It wasn't as hot as I thought it would be. The first 3 miles and last 4 miles are in the Buffalo Creek burn and are fully exposed to the sun, but the middle third is in a cool pine forest.

I have been using the full CT guidebook as well as the databook on trail. This is against the rules of ultralight packing, but it gives me something else to read at night and it's a lot more useful than the databook.

I noticed the CT guidebook contains a couple minor errors for this segment:

• The end point of segment 2 is the Little Scraggy trailhead, not the Scraggy trailhead.
• Parking cost at the Little Scraggy trailhead is now $5 per day instead of $4.

Photos are here:
http://colotrailblog.blogspot.com/1970/01/segment-2-photos.html

Segment 1 - Waterton Canyon to South Platte townsite

May 24-25, 2010

View of segment 2 from the high point of segment 1. The trail passes through the 1996 Buffalo Creek burn. The ridge in the far distance is the Lost Creek wilderness.

Little Scraggy Peak from high point of segment 1. South Platte river is at center just below the peak.

Campsite at old FS-568 road crossing, 11 miles into the segment.

Gear List - Version 2 - May - a bit lighter

After trying a day hike with a 40 lb pack, I toss cost savings to the wind and buy a few new items to lighten the load. I did the first 3 segments with this gear.

Core weight: 11 lb 0 oz
Total weight with consumables etc. 35 lb

Pack
Dana Designs Arcflex Alpine (Xsmall) - 9 lbs - probably too heavy but it's so comfortable!

Shelter
LLBean Goretex Bivy (6 years old and no longer made) - 2 lb 1 oz.
Sleeping Bag - Mountain Hardwear Phantom +32 Women's Regular - 1 lb 7 oz
Sleeping pad - Thermarest Neo-Air mattress - 47 in long - 9 oz
Ground cloth - 8'x10' plastic painter's drop cloth from Home Depot - 2 oz

Food and Water
MSR Hyperflow Water Filter - 7.8 oz

Soto OD-1R Micro Regulator Stove - 2.6 oz
Butane Fuel Canister - 12 oz

Pot - REI Ti ware teapot 0.8 liter - 4.6 oz
Plastic spork - 1 oz

Electronics:
GPS - Garmin Oregon 450 - 6.8 oz with batteries
Emergency Rescue - SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger - 5.2 oz
Cell Phone - Blackberry Curve 8900 - 3.9 oz

Guides and Entertainment
Official CT Guidebook - too heavy but I like it
Official CT databook - nice and light
Paperback novel
National Geographic/Trails Illustrated Map
Small pad and pen
Compass

Plus medical kit, Swiss army knife, clothing, water bottles, food, firestarter, lots of ziplocs and garbage bags, small plastic trowel and toilet paper, keys, wallet, cash...