Posted by 10 miles off trail into Silverton
I’m not sure if today would be classes as a Nero or a Zero day. I hopped off trail at Stoney Pass but hiked 10 miles in to Silverton to resupply. The entire way was downhill and fast. With the grade just descended I am certainly not looking forward to the repeat effort back up hill to the pass tomorrow.
Arriving in town just after 10am I immediately headed for a cafe for second breakfast. The place was full but there was an option to share a table with other people if they would allow it. That is where I met Aaron, Mindy and EJ, a family on vacation from Indiana. Like most people you encounter in town they were all questions about hiking the CDT with every effort on my part to steer the conversation away from me and find out about their lives. It was some what fruitless and questions always came back to the CDT. They were throughly impressed with the effort to the point that Aaron insisted on covering my breakfast bill. That was so incredibly generous and goes to the genuine goodness of all the American people I have met along my travels.
I’m staying at the Wyman hotel, cafe and cocktail bar that has recently been renovated. I have a bed in a bunkhouse however this is fair more sophisticated than any hostel accommodation I have even stayed at. Fantastic waterfall showers, private bunks in a shared space and complementary beer or wine on arrival; at the comparable rate as any standard hostel. Excellent choice.
Silverton is a dream of a town for hikers. Small and compact everything is within easy walking distance. It’s been more than 10 days since I did any laundry so after checking in I did as all thru-hikers do, changed into rain layers and headed to the laundromat to wash and dry everything.
It’s very much a touristy town and all mountain village. Skiing in the winter, mountain biking in the summer and the 3 gauge steam train running between Durango and Silverton brings in a tonne of people.
Mick Beckers 