CDT - Day 63 - Frisco
I woke up this morning to the sound of traffic on the highway. I had camped on a small hill near Copper Mountain Ski Resort the night before. I wasn't too thrilled about the noise—I much prefer falling asleep to the sound of rushing water—but I actually slept surprisingly well, so I can't complain. My plan for the morning was to walk down to the ski resort and stop at McCoy's Mountain Market to pick up a few extra snacks. I had accidentally packed too few snacks for this section, and the fact that the trail ran right through the resort felt like perfect timing. Unfortunately, the market didn't open until 9:00 a.m., so I walked over to a nearby gas station instead. It all worked out in the end—I picked up some donuts, protein bars, and chips. As I walked down the highway toward the trailhead, I could see the smoke from the nearby Willow Fire near Mt. Massive. Electronic signs along the highway were asking people not to call 911 about the fire. When I reached the trailhead, I looked at my map and realized there was a paved recreation path that led directly to Frisco. I decided to take it, saving myself about thirteen miles of hiking through smoky conditions. If I'm being honest, I was also ready for a break from climbing mountains. Sticking to the official route would have meant another 3,000 feet of elevation gain. By 10:00 a.m., I arrived in Frisco, dropped my pack off at the hotel, and celebrated with breakfast at Butterhorn Bakery & Café.