Colorado Trail Thru-Hike 2022: Episode 1, Denver to Frisco (Days 1-5)

I recently completed a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail. In these videos, I wanted to capture the deeper essence of the experience. Admittedly, this will become harder as these videos progress. This is a very strenuous trail. The more tired I became, the less B-roll footage I took during the days on trail. I wanted to avoid these becoming just another normal "ER vlog" because, honestly, those hold little value to me anymore. As I evolve, I want what I produce to evolve a bit as well.
Regardless, I will put every ounce of energy into making these videos reflect my experience on this trail. There were good days, bad days, and tons of heavy breathing and gasping for oxygen. There were hellacious climbs, miles of ankle-rolling, chewed-up trail, and vistas that left tears streaming down my face. I was not the same person in Durango (the end) as I was leaving Waterton Canyon in Denver (the start).
That's why I do what I do. To evolve. To push to my limits. To reset my baseline. To reaffirm my beliefs, my love for my family, and my desire to live a righteous life while on this earth. This trail was a PERFECT arena to give me all of this. For that, I am forever grateful.
If you are ever looking for something to read, please check out my two books on Amazon:
Pushing North: Tame the Mind, Savor the Journey
www.amazon.com/dp/B0997DNRXF/...
Time to Choose... Your Ego or You?: Unraveling Humanity's Biggest Secret
www.amazon.com/dp/B08GRZG712/...
#coloradotrail #thruhike2022 #hike

[@indy6781]

Glad your back ER, I've kept you on my favorites and was happy to see your hiking again!

[@AlpinistJames]

I lived in CO for 16 years before having to move to FL, and I miss it terribly. It's my dream to someday be able to move back and thru hike the CT. Your videos are beautifully done and capture the feeling of those mountains as well as any I've seen. Thank you for putting these together, I'm on my third time through watching them now. They give me such a sense of peace and bring back vivid memories of being in some of those exact locations.

[@EarlyRiser71]

This comment made my day. Thank you. 🤘🕓

[@ChicaandSunsets]

ER!!!! Man, Sunsets and I just had the best time watching your video and reliving our CT hike! What a great job you did on your video - you have the perfect mix of talking, hiking, views, beautiful music, and trail info! Definitely no shortage of views on the CT! And it’s good for us to remember how hard it was - we seem to always just remember the views all day, but the CT is hard!!

[@EarlyRiser71]

Y'all were a big part of the hike. I truly appreciate your videos. 🕓

[@Justin-jj8vd]

This is exciting, glad to see a few more vids from you ER!

[@craig.m.spielberg]

So psyched to see you back on trail and making videos! I'm enjoying the new format and your taste in music. I'm especially happy that it's the Colorado Trail as I'm prepping for the CDT this spring and love seeing some of the beauty that in store for me. I'm looking forward to the entire series -- keep up the great work brother! PS: I'm in total agreement with you about the Altaplex -- I used mine once and went right back to the Duplex.

[@EarlyRiser71]

Hey buddy. Good to hear from you. Looking forward to following your CDT hike. I have such a new appreciation for the difficulty of that trail, and every CDT hiker I met talked about how sweet the CT was compared to parts of the CDT. Should be an epic challenge for sure. You still in the city? Did you go back to work after the PCT?

[@craig.m.spielberg]

@@EarlyRiser71 I finished the Arizona Trail back in May and thought that was really difficult (the first half, at least), so I'm starting to get nervous about the difficulty on the CDT, but I'm also really excited. I'm still in NYC, but moved up to the Bronx to save money, and am loving it -- a surprising number of trails up here. As planned, I retired in May of 2020 from my career and have been "through the valley", so to speak, with such a major transition/life change. So I'm done with the career path, but will still probably look for some sort of work after the CDT, something nature related without as much stress as my previous career. Looking forward to hearing more about your future work/life plans in your next CT videos.

[@perrythorvig6446]

Nice to see ER and Spielberg connect. Look forward to more Spielberg adventures too.

[@jeremiah1528]

@@craig.m.spielberg move to New England.....

[@bubbalovesoatmealadventure108]

Oatmeal and I love how much you love these Rocky Mountains! ...we will watch all of these CT motion pitchers. You seem to be in a hurry!

[@sheliasipes8321]

Awesome ! Stunning scenery. I was hoping you videoed your trip. Thanks!

[@pamelajohnson6230]

Enjoying watching you hike!! Remember Phoebus from the AT? Myself, Mouse and Popeye left you trail magic near Wintergreen. Love watching you hike! 😊

[@EarlyRiser71]

Of course I remember. Great to hear from you! 🤘🕓

[@jennifervernon8041]

ER!!!!! So made my day seeing this...

[@rickneece7554]

Let’s go!!!🇺🇸

[@critter3745]

Thanks for sharing. I like to see you and hear your philosophy while hiking.

[@jeffneedham5671]

Good to see you on trail again ER. Happy trails.

[@outdoorswithmagnum]

ERs back! Nice video sir! Man I love those aspen trees!!! I could sit and stare at those all day!

[@EarlyRiser71]

Hey buddy. +1 for the aspens.

[@BearTrekAdventures]

Wow bro, watched the first 2 episodes with my wife- we were both blown away! Your video style has definitely evolved over the years - I think these are some of your best videos! The production - you managed to capture the trail and your experience perfectly - the b-roll walk byes were great! Those are some big mountains! When you mentioned slack packing a day - Laura looked and me and said "If your buddy ER can slack pack why couldn't you to get home sooner 🤣".

[@EarlyRiser71]

Ha! Speilberg broke it to me during my thru hike that slack packing is really just "smart" packing and sometimes it's a way to help our bodies recover why still getting in miles. I've never had another mental block around it.

[@BearTrekAdventures]

@@EarlyRiser71 Ah great way to think about it - very smart indeed!

[@GoneFeralWithSquidly]

A new ER adventure?! Heck yeah!!! I’ll be following the whole way. Also appreciate all your advice on the mental game, especially for going solo. 🦑

[@bear5275]

The new Camera work is great. Glad to see your eye for these shots coming to fruition. Your hike in 2017 inspired me to Thru Hike the AT twice, in 2020 and again in 2021. Happy for you man. Thank you!

[@EarlyRiser71]

Awesome! 🕓

[@halohikes]

Flash and I finally got to sit down and watch! Great video. I bet it was fun reliving the hike while editing once you were home. ❤️ Thanks for taking us along!

[@j3hikes444]

Great to see y’all back on the trail

[@frankfowlkes7872]

Thanks for posting ER. Good to see you on trail again!

[@appalachianadventures1982]

Great to see you back on trail, ER ! Looking forward to following your hike.

[@JulieGayheart]

Love your Vids ER! Thanks for sharing!

[@gregfioravanti775]

Glad to see you're on the trail again ER! I wanted to let you know that your book was a huge help to me - the elephant and the rider helped me put one of my biggest hiking challenges (mental game) into perspective. I would frequently get out on the trail and have an absolutely uncontrollable stampede first thing in the morning - even to the point that I would wake up on day 2 and call off a trip and I would then regret it later in the day. I now am more aware of that bastard and know to not make any decisions for at least an hour into my hike... Just wanted to let you know that your book had meaning to me. I hope you have a great hike! I'm off on a 250 mile bike packing weekend, and will be keeping my eye on the elephant!

[@EarlyRiser71]

Awesome Greg. My elephant tortured me several days on this trail. The next video shows one of those days. Lack of sleep and big miles sent me down a tough mental road on day 8 I think. Good luck on your adventure.

[@Oceanwheel40]

Love this video! Spectacular scenery and amazing canyons. Love the background music too. Colorado does not dissapoint. your video could not have come at a better time. I just had a full hip replacement surgery and am in excruciating pain. Watching your video allowed me to escape the pain and focus on you and your video. I really needed this. I have often thought of the many things I have learned from you and dealing wth this major surgery is no different. Push through the pain, put the hard work in for recovery, heal, then hike. Especially, not giving up and do things to stay mentally strong. Many changes in our lives too, we moved to the coast of Maine, bought a home, new jobs, and loving my beloved Atlantic. Perseverance has its rewards. Thank you for sharing your journey, your thoughts. I am going to revisit Pushing North while I am recovering. All our best to you and we will be tuning in.

[@EarlyRiser71]

Hope you heal fast AG! 💪🤘🕓

[@Oceanwheel40]

@@EarlyRiser71 thank you. Have a spectacular journey.

[@jonallenoutside]

Excited to watch this series!

[@WALKITOFFDavidSmith]

Beautiful.

[@melshea2519]

Happy Trails!👍

[@swatsullivan]

Cannot wait to watch! Been waiting for your videos of this trail!! Happy hiking!!

[@Neotidus]

Great to see you back at it again

[@timeverett5482]

Glad to see you back brother!!

[@Hootyhoo-jq9vq]

Soooo glad your doing this.

[@jameyevans29]

Good to see you back on the trails

[@BarnCatGary]

Fantastic video! Love the views and inspirational discussion. Thanks for taking us along. Happy Trails!

[@OutdoorsWithJohnUSA]

Looks like you're off to a good start! I'm loving the additional B-roll.

[@donrobinson5540]

This video is beautiful. Thanks for taking us along again!

[@MaryTravels53]

Welcome back ER! Just made my day!

[@JJ-te6ek]

Great to see you back out there brother. Looks like you had some awesome views. I look forward to seeing the rest of the hike.

[@perrythorvig6446]

ER in shorts? I don't remember one day on the AT when you wore shorts. What a surprise to see your new vids pop up on my phone. You are greyer, but you look really good. Have fun, man.

[@texanoutdoors6409]

Glad to see you back on the trail. Thanks for taking us along. 👍🤠

[@mitnwes]

Man I’ve been waiting for these videos. Been backpacking so just now getting to watch. Excited for the rest of this series. ✌🏽

[@davidrice2160]

Thank you for taking us along. I always learn something from you and your journey. ❤

[@phronsiekeys]

Thank you!! I'm saving for the weekend!

[@mnitchman]

Amazing! Awesome to see you out again. Enjoyed reading both of your books, very enlightening. Keep moving forward!

[@KrizAkoni]

I was in the mood for this. Contemplating my own journey and all that stuff. Beautiful out there. 🥰

[@thegreatexaggerator9077]

Gorgeous! Nice to see you back. Deuces!

[@TrailSessions]

Awesome another E.R. adventure!

[@TheBlackCamper]

😂 sometimes I show how messy I am lol. But seriously, its like having visitors at home, you want to pick up before you have company over 😂. Great video!

[@EarlyRiser71]

🤣🤣🤣

[@lisaray6493]

Planning on doing a few sections late next summer. Thanks for the recon. Love your perspective and commentaries. Blessings and safe travels

[@edshelnutt1347]

One of your more interesting and introspective trail vids, ER. Different. I like it. Staying tuned for part 2. :)

[@jamesh6411]

Great video. Love the revisit as I hiked this section with a group over the summer - sectioned hiked it. Love your mindset. I am similar age - just bought your book. Thanks for the video.

[@EarlyRiser71]

Awesome! Thank you! 🤘🕓

[@grahames9228]

Woohoo, Early Riser is back on trail. Always good content.

[@gypsygirl6887]

Awesome!! So glad to see you back on trail ER!! Looking forward to watching videos and seeing you grow and transform more than you already have. Thanks for sharing. Blessings always 🙌

[@mikern9901]

Welcome back ER!!!!!! 😃

[@mooseliver1772]

You made my day, sir! Been waiting for the best videos to watch as I continue NOBO on the AT through New Jersey, hopefully getting through New York by Halloween. Love the way you film.

[@LynnStAubin-od5qe]

Glad you popped up in my feed. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. Good hiking this stretch.

[@atgirl]

ER is back!! Life is good!

[@jamesbonner5989]

Glad you are back on trail, and it has some awesome views. I have done motorcycle trips in Colorado, would be difficult hiking for sure.stay safe.

[@phronsiekeys]

Great to see you out there doing what you love, on such a gorgeous trail. I'm bowled over by the diversity of the landscape and the extraordinary BEAUTY!

[@barbaraodonnell122]

Hey. So fun to see new content. What a cool trail. Haven’t seen any vlogs from it … just the AT CDT and PCT. So I will enjoy the experience of the Colorado Trail for the first time vicariously through you.

[@swatsullivan]

Some incredible views!! Amazing. Enjoying this a lot. Always great to see you! Happy hiking!!

[@EarlyRiser71]

Hope all is well SS. 🕓

[@mountaintrailventures]

Great video! Defintely understand the tent explosion. I am anticipating starting back up at Segment 4 in August 2023 after having to leave trail in 2021 at end of Segment 3. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@kevins3828]

No freakin way! Yes!

[@JayFAdventures]

Heck yeah, brother! Glad to see you’re posting your journey and I look forward to following along!!

[@EarlyRiser71]

Thanks Jay. It was fun following behind you and seeing the things I saw in your videos. 🤘🕓

[@cottontalesfromthetrail5474]

ER, Roll Tide from Alabama brother! This is by far the best video you are ever produced from the music you selected, the views you were able to capture and the smaller details you showed. It made me feel like I was at The Alabama Theater. However, I missed you rambling on and you catching yourself and then apologizing for your rambling. I cannot wait to watch the rest of the series and see your adventure. I love the enthusiasm I hear in your voice. God Bless America and all that keep her free. Love ya brother

[@rhodeislandhiker4745]

rewatching the adventure again, happy new year brother

[@EarlyRiser71]

Happy new year! Love to hear when people join me on this trail. Such an incredible trail!!!

[@annajo1963]

Awesomeness ER😎😇 deuces!

[@paulgammelljr6883]

so glad you got out. those trails are soooo nice. finished the long trail thinking of you. tough. colorado yah! great miles!

[@EarlyRiser71]

Congrats on the Long Trail! 🕓

[@wolfetrax6217]

Makes me itch to hike! Thank you for sharing!

[@wolfetrax6217]

That forest of birch 💚 wow!

[@EarlyRiser71]

@@wolfetrax6217 So many birch patches...loved evey one.

[@LizKidder]

Beautiful video!!! So glad I get to watch yours in preparation for next year! You went a little later in the season right? Did you see many CT thruhikers?

[@EarlyRiser71]

Aug 24 to Sep 16. Tons of people out there but nowhere near the numbers I see in videos of people hiking it in Jun/Jul.

[@buddharain6066]

Nice to see you are in our back yard! Getting some comparisons between the AT and CT is great! We hike sections of the CT every summer. Hope to hike the AT someday! Have a great time! Look forward to more vids…

[@EarlyRiser71]

The air on the AT is so thick, you won't know what to do with yourself! 🤣

[@mikepeters2130]

What a great video! So peaceful, and it nicely captured the beauty and essence of the CT. I plan on sitting down and watching it again with the missus. She's excited to see videos of the trail I hiked at the time I hiked it, and is looking forward to "meeting" the cool KZbinr I keep telling her about. Keep up the great work! ~2Mile

[@EarlyRiser71]

Hey 2 Mile! At 22:16, when I'm walking up the trail, you were right up ahead in the treeline. Cool meeting you that day and seeing you again on that brutal climb out of Brek!.Thanks for watching bro!

[@travelingRonman]

I've been following you since your AT days. I'm planning a through hike so watching a lot of videos and doing research. I stayed at the snowshoe motel when I attempted to summit Mt. Elbert in the fall of 2020. Frisco is a quant little town. Love those mountain towns. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the journey. Good to see you out enjoying nature's beauty again.

[@EarlyRiser71]

Definitely an incredible trail. Hard as hell, but damn...those views...

[@kampersadventures958]

Absolutely beautiful brother….well done! Love to revisit these early miles. Impressive mileage man…you are two days ahead of our schedule. Can’t wait to your next video.

[@EarlyRiser71]

Thanks Kamper!!! Hope you are doing well. 🕓

[@kampersadventures958]

@@EarlyRiser71 Doing great! My ankle is back to 100%, already planning my return to the CT next Summer….got to finish up this beautiful trail and then look on to the next one.

[@wespatterson4372]

Nicely done ER, GT or Tortilla here lol. It was great meeting you, and you were right when you told me this hike is going to ruin me. What an amazing experience! Way to go on crushing miles and capturing great content! Very impressive and look forward to seeing more, peace

[@EarlyRiser71]

Hey bro. Thought about you every day out there. How did the rest of your journey go? Hope it was incredible. You deserve it. I mention you in the next video. It was when we were climbing that freaking never-ending mountain between Brek and Copper Mountain. Should be out next week hopefully. Stay groovy Wes!! 🤘🕓

[@mattgross7726]

ER is BACK!!

[@EarlyRiser71]

Hey Matt. Hope you are well!!

[@patrickodonnell3776]

This is pure gold thank you 👍⛰🌄🌲

[@deathcar]

Glad to see you back on trail ER! Was laughing at the public restroom changing comment, was just watching the video of the Crawford Family sleeping on the restroom floor at Newfound Gap...it'd have to be pretty cold outside to get me laying on the floor like that...:-)

[@EarlyRiser71]

Ha! Yes...public bathrooms are a no go! That's why I don't understand the fascinating with privvies on the AT. Let me go sit in a tiny room breathing in everyone's bodily waste. 😳🤣🤣🤣 Hope you are doing well. 🤘🕓

[@seniorcamperhikes6078]

Your tent looks like mine in the mornings! 😂😂

[@jwsnma]

Great to you on the trail again! BTW I just shuttled a AT hiker who use to work for you. Looking forward to this journey.

[@EarlyRiser71]

Hey Joe. Cool to hear you are still doing trail magic. Was his name Tim?

[@jwsnma]

@@EarlyRiser71 Yes it was. Great guy. Shuttled him to and from the trail

[@EarlyRiser71]

@@jwsnma super good guy. Cool to know he's out there hiking. Thanks for sharing Joe. Hope you are happy and healthy! 🤘🕓

[@cariboudave]

outstanding!!! breakfast with ER starts again! editing is awesome, soooo glad to see your hikes and adventures back. How's the family doing??

[@EarlyRiser71]

Everybody is food on this end. Hope the same is true for you as well. 🤘🕓

[@jeremiah1528]

@@EarlyRiser71 everybody is food?! You SF Airforce boys really are savages....❤

[@AuthorLindsay]

It took me 4 days to get to that camping on segment 4 😂 you were cruising!

[@EarlyRiser71]

Thanks for watching! I love pushing hard for sure. Such a great trail and experience out there. The altitude threw in another tough variable to deal with. So grateful to have gotten to hike the CT!

[@keithstewart2639]

I was in Colorado last week for a week,,,my first time in state ,what a beautiful state, my kind of place,drove the 550,highway,,,,,,I looked it up Colorado has over 600 peaks over 13,000 feet. I live close to mt Mitchell,,which is 6686 high,,,, you have to see this places, in person. I know you are in all of those beautiful mountains

[@vicmiera3277]

What until you hit the San Juan Mountain Range, it's amazing, but it is the hardest hike you'll ever do, I miss it - might have to go back and do a few sections just to get a quick fix. Enjoy!

[@BravestoneHikes]

Love all your videos ER! I am thru hiking the Colorado Trail next summer so when I saw this new adventure of yours I was super stoked! Love the new artistic style of your video. Love the music selections. Well done video! I enjoyed it! How are you handling your food storage on this hike?

[@EarlyRiser71]

Thanks bro. The CT is awesome. It's a true ball buster in difficulty, but the rewards are frequent and worth it! 🕓

[@davidkillick4194]

Hey - found this really useful & so well put together. Looking forward to watching the next episodes. Am planning CT later this year, coming from UK for that. Could you tell me when you started in Denver? We are as yet not fixed, but thinking to start late July. Thanks

[@EarlyRiser71]

I started last week of August. Late July will be fine, I just wanted to let the heat and thunderstorms abate a little before I started.

[@davidkillick4194]

@@EarlyRiser71 Many thanks for quick reply - we will be much slower than you (we're in our mid-late 60's), but also want to avoid as much of those two elements by starting as late as we dare without risking having to pack in because of early snows at the end. Again - thanks for the videos and the feedback.

[@BrantHikes]

Great to see you on trail again, the CT looks incredible. I really enjoyed the video 👍

[@EarlyRiser71]

Love that you still keep Garvey in your channel name!!! You still around Damascus?

[@BrantHikes]

@@EarlyRiser71 I've left Damascus and I'm now working at Mountain Crossings

[@EarlyRiser71]

@@BrantHikes too awesome! I will try and stop by next tie we go to my parent's house!

[@alexmarchica5264]

Awesome video. Great editing. You got a full gear list you took with you anywhere by chance?

[@EarlyRiser71]

I don't. Kinda stopped doing gear lists/videos. Sorry...

[@alexmarchica5264]

@@EarlyRiser71 Hey no worries! rock on!

[@markcummings6856]

Nice. Who handles the slack packing from Breck to Copper? The Snowshoe Inn? This trail sure is 2x easier than the Long Trail! Happy Trails

[@EarlyRiser71]

The free bus system they have in that area is all you need for the slack pack in Brek. Drops you off on one end, picks you up on the other. Wish all trail towns had a bus system like that!!🤘🕓

[@acemurphy2]

Do you & Kiwi in the Woods still knock down a few beers every couple of weeks ? 🌲🌲🌲

[@kennethclapp9713]

Hey in your resupply piece I saw a wide mouth plastic Nalgene canteen, being an older hiker like myself, do we use it for the same purpose? lol

[@EarlyRiser71]

I did take it for that very reason, but dumped it in Frisco. Hard to express but the dry air kept me dehydrated to where I rarely had to go at night. So I dumped the weight! 🤣🕓

[@royharbin4780]

want to see you do the PCT soon

[@EarlyRiser71]

Hey Roy! Great to hear from you!

[@billpowell5207]

Love it. What kind of camera you using for video?

[@EarlyRiser71]

Go pro 8 and a mirrorless camera for this one. Sent that camera home to save weight in Frisco.

[@stevebednarchik9390]

Georgia Pass is my happy place. Great content ER.

[@theskillets]

This is a great video. Did you hang your food in bear bags or use odor proof sacks or?

[@EarlyRiser71]

I have always used a Zpacks bear bag.

[@ElDiabloLocoPoco]

Serendipity......I just started reading "Pushing North" last night. The universe is sending messages out.

[@EarlyRiser71]

Thanks for buying the book. Hope it provides some goodness in your life. 🤘🕓

[@Lilllingstoner]

Are you using anything to keep the video stabilized while walking?

[@EarlyRiser71]

GoPro does it for you. It's why i use it for that purpose. It's amazing, really.

[@johnphelps8820]

What an adventure! God’s country for sure. Impressive mileage. The altitude hasn’t slowed you down at all it seems. Did you acclimate for a while before starting the trail?

[@EarlyRiser71]

I did not. Just drank a tall glass of suck it the hell up. It didn't work well on some days. :-)

[@johnphelps8820]

You remember me from back in the day at the canton pool? Those were the days. Read your books, they’ve helped me with some of my longer hikes and in life in general. Appreciate it!

[@EarlyRiser71]

@@johnphelps8820 I do remember you now that you said it. Good times at the pool. Miss those days. Hope you are happy and doing well. 🕓

[@junkbox7588]

Is this a dry run for the CDT ..

[@EarlyRiser71]

Man, if anything, this trail gave me more apprehension. The dry air and altitude were freaking rough. But the beauty was worth all the pain. 🤘🕓

[@jeremiah1528]

ER: We'll catch ya'll tomorrow.... ER: 30 minutes later.... (in that Sponge Bob voice lol).... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKiaf31qiLyhjZI ER is back baby 🤘.....🇺🇸

[@EarlyRiser71]

🤣

[@Mtnsunshine]

Thanks so much for sharing your hike of this amazing trail. It is on my wish list, for sure. ⛰🏔🏕