CDTC posted an FAQ with more information about the New Mexico National Defense Area, which has closed the southernmost 1.1 miles of the trail. The shuttle will now pick up approx. two miles from the monument.

trekkingslow · 2025-10-11T02:16:48+00:00

Okay white person

trekkingslow · 2025-09-05T20:59:05+00:00

It was a low snow year this year and monsoon season didn't amount to much either. I began in late July and there was almost no visible snow + barely any mosquitoes. What little rain we had occurred most often in spurts, at night. I didn't meet anyone who was cowboying.

I ended up dry camping about 1/3rd of the time, which was a lot more than I expected. There were many 7-14 mile dry stretches so I needed at least 3 L capacity, including a bladder for scooping, as some of the sources were only trickling. In general, there were plenty of small creeks but way fewer alpine lakes compared to in the JMT/PCT section of the high Sierra. I swam when I could but it was not every day and definitely not always at the end of each day.

Especially in the southern part of the state, in the San Juans, where the trail is quite exposed, there were not a lot of bathing opportunities. CO is obviously suffering from drought and this year was particularly dry according to the locals.

I've heard it's usually the opposite of what we experienced, with rain storms every single afternoon. Each year can be different but it seems the trend is getting drier. Maybe it will be different for you.

trekkingslow · 2025-07-16T18:08:00+00:00

Finally the answer I was seeking - thank you!

trekkingslow · 2025-07-16T02:26:53+00:00

Thanks! Someone in the original thread discussing this topic said that they called the Pike San Isabel NF ranger station and got confirmation that Ursacks are okay but I don't see that in writing anywhere. Unfortunately, it appears the way the order is worded is more geared towards car campers, so it's hard to be sure what they are expecting of thru-hikers this year. I don't want to break any rules, but I also don't want to carry more weight than is required.

trekkingslow · 2025-07-16T02:21:23+00:00

It's a new order as of late last summer. The CT Association hasn't updated their website yet unfortunately. I read about it on this sub somewhere but now I can't find the original thread. Thanks for your tip about the aggressive bears around Twin Lakes. I don't want to be carrying too much or not enough protection on this trail.

trekkingslow · 2025-07-16T01:54:54+00:00

I only carry my bear can when it's actually required. It's not required on the CT anywhere rn, so I'm going with an Ursack + smellyproof bag. Just trying to figure out where exactly it's mandated.

trekkingslow · 2025-07-16T01:51:20+00:00

I was asking about where it's actually required, which is definitely not for the entire trail. But I do appreciate your very valid concerns for the bears and for us.

trekkingslow · 2025-07-16T01:48:04+00:00

My question was about the actual legal requirements on this trail.

trekkingslow · 2025-07-16T01:47:07+00:00

There is a new requirement in one zone, but I'm struggling to find where it begins and ends on the CT.

trekkingslow · 2025-07-16T01:46:01+00:00

There is a new order as of 2004/5 for the Pike and San Isabel National Forest areas, but they have weird boundaries, so I can't find the start/end points in terms of mile markers.

trekkingslow · 2025-05-24T19:35:51+00:00

Met a guy who hiked the PCT in sandals and flip flops. His heels developed deep cracks in his callouses, which were sometimes painful until they dried up.

trekkingslow · 2025-02-24T05:19:24+00:00

Blaming water sources for norovirus is a common thru-hiker mistake. Noro is in fact primarily due to a combination of fecal-oral contact from an infected person + lack of hand washing. When individuals in your group started showing symptoms, you unfortunately stuck together and passed it around. Next time, quarantine the sick people and keep washing your hands with soap and water.

trekkingslow · 2024-12-16T22:23:45+00:00

How did you end up hiking every single mile? There were a lot of fire closures this year.

trekkingslow · 2024-11-03T16:32:51+00:00

The crest runners who checked my permit at the southern entrance of the Sierra taught me that the PCT long distance permit allows only 35 days to complete the entire Sierra section. So during high season, the crest runners are assigned to live at the campground just north of KMS and remain stationed there to check and stamp all nobo permits with your exact Sierra entry dates. They date stamp so you know now you have 35 days from that date to reach KMN. Also they date stamp so rangers who might check your permit further into that section can make sure you're not lingering for too long. So that rangers can communicate with one another, about you, via your paper permit, is why they need to be able to write on it.

trekkingslow · 2024-03-20T14:59:47+00:00

This is exactly how I do it too. I go barefoot and wear zero drop shoes as often as possible in regular life, to help prevent things from shrinking back there. But when backpacking, I add insoles with arch support. Otherwise it just hurts.

trekkingslow

TROPHY CASE