Ya know what I won’t miss? Ice and frost ALL over my tent and anything I left in my vestibule.

The final night slept like any other night, but I was feeling the excitement of the trail hit my system as I packed up my FREEZING things.  My camping choice was a lower altitude camp near water.  I think my camp was at about 8,522 feet above sea level.  After camping at 12,200, 12,500, or 12,800 you would think that the camping at 8,500 would be nice and warm!  Heck no, my final night had the most ice I’ve had on the entire trail!  Good thing it was my final night.  I stayed dry and plenty warm, but packing a wet and frozen tent is not fun.

I didn’t take many pictures on my final segment.  I was in the hiking zone.  The last miles of the trail was filled with people, but I was the only thru hiker many folks had seen so they constantly stopped to talk.  Which was great, but I kept feeling like a broken record.

 

There was a false summit though…

I don’t know why this signage exists, but randomly on the trail is this trailhead marker.  Only gravel and dirt leading to it.  I am assuming a road is near this sign, but this was not the terminus of the trail.

BAM

There it is!

I lived through the trail!

I cannot tell you how happy I was to do this trail and how many memories I will be taking from the trail.  The people were amazing, the weather… well, that could have been better, but it was a spectacular experience!

At this point, I need to decide what to do next, but first, beer, meet up with P2P, and then catch a ride with Paul to Grand Junction.  I will miss you CT!