I have this obsession for hiking the Colorado Trail in one go, all 500 miles of it. But before I can tackle the whole trail, I need a lot more training. I’d also love to find a furry friend to hike it with, but if I do that, I won’t be able to start at the Waterton Canyon trailhead in Denver because dogs are not allowed in the canyon. The Colorado Trail Foundation website lists an alternate route to the beginning of the CT, starting at Indian Creek trailhead east of Sedalia.

Saturday was a beautiful day for hiking. Sunny. Some snow on the ground. Not too cold. I drove to the Indian Creek trailhead to check out this alternate route and decided to hike to the intersection where the Indian Creek Trail #800 intersects with the CT. I was glad to have my traction devices because the trail was icy and in some spots like a bobsled track. Trail #800 took me through a shadowy gulch—crossing Bear Creek twice, along a ridge with beautiful views, and back down to the junction at the CT, arriving at Lenny’s Rest two and half hours later. I snapped some pictures and ate my lunch, thinking about the day when I will be stopping at this bench with my backpack and my furry friend.

I hiked 4.4 miles only to walk a few yards on the CT. But now I know where my journey will begin. I’m calling January 16 the official first training day to prepare for my CT through hike.