Day 39: Into the San Juan's / CDT Thru-hike 2024

I intend to hike the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in 2024 and will vlog my experience. Follow me under "Old Man and the CDT."
I am Mike Current, 61-years-old, and retired military. I served for over 30 years in the US Army.
After retirement, I opened two small businesses. But after a few years, I sold both businesses because they were taking time away from pursuing personal goals, like hiking and sailing.
I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in 2020 and Appalachian Trail (AT) in 2022. I vlogged (video journaled) my experiences under "Old Man and the PCT" and "Old Man and the AT", respectively.
I sailed around the Chesapeake Bay in my Tayana 37 sailboat over the summer of 2023 and vlogged the experience under the KZbin channel "Old Man and the Sea."
I do not monetize my videos in any manner. However, if you would like to contribute to helping veterans thru-hike as a form of therapy for PTSD, please consider donating to Warrior Expeditions at warriorexpedit...

[@chrislonsberry1974]

OMG! I love the old steam locomotives!! I definitely would have had to ride the train too! Thanks for the train footage!

[@grahames9228]

Love the train.

[@duckypam]

Wow how fun to catch a train and what a beautiful place to hike

[@clydevanwinkle7382]

Very nice!

[@Tru_G.R.I.T]

Rode the Chama train nearly 40 years ago as a kid. Thanks for sharing you adventures

[@andydickson5400]

Some great views today...especially liked the train ride..

[@MissM007]

By far the best scenery so far, WOW!!!

[@galeclay8866]

Good morning All aboard! Having coffee not sure if i could a beer for breakfast! Great views Stay safe See you tomorrow 😊😊

[@anitasimmons3599]

When you are hiking, a beer for breakfast is absolutely acceptable. I learned this in spain, on the Camino... It is really quite civilized.

[@peterfontaine4627]

What a landscape change! and marmots! Liked that you still had a horned toad lizard in Colorado.

[@jimmydavidson5167]

Woohoo let's do this

[@suecox8355]

Ohhhhh trains and hiking, NOT FAIR!!!!!! 😆😆😆😆😆I love trains. Was amazing day. Thanks🦋❤️

[@marthaee]

Nice! Hike on!

[@toddavis-v9g]

Love the train! They had some heavy iron back in the day to hoof it over those mountains! Nothing like the smell of the old steam engines. When I was growing up back in the 1940’s, I would ride my bike over to the closest grade crossing when I heard the whistle of a steamer leaving the yard. Loooong time ago! 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️🇺🇸👊🏻 ‘One D’

[@anitasimmons3599]

❤, wow what a cool memory, Thank you for sharing it. 😊

[@suemoore1965]

That train ride was quite charming ❤🤍💙

[@judithpearson3968]

Morning, Mike. Loved seeing the marmots, elk, and the little lone chipmunk. The waterfall, and those pristine looking lakes were awesome. Can only imagine how beautiful they were in person. Looking forward to the rest of Colorado. Take care. Stay safe. See you tomorrow.

[@glengullickson6538]

New shoes it looks like! Thanks for taking us along in your back pocket!

[@johnl8738]

Good Morning Mike. Yes I love old trains as well and what a way to get to the pass. The scenery was amazing, and you did a great job capturing the animals and lakes. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. My travels take me at times to areas where we do not have internet connection. I look forward to catching up with your travels. Be Safe, Be Strong, an thank for taking us on this journey

[@Twobarpsi]

The San Juans 💪!!

[@TheHikingChick1]

What a cool train ride! And I can't get enough marmot footage...ever!😁

[@jerryayres5744]

A man after my own heart…. Beer and donuts for breakfast

[@jeffanderson3584]

Breath taking views.

[@DJMoore-001]

Awesome, That train made me think of when I took my kids to ride the Durango Silverton train, That was really cool. I wonder what had those Elk moving, They had been running for awhile for their tongues to be hanging like they was. I bet that clear water was a hell of a sight after the desert and cow water. Great job.

[@garylines5755]

That's cool you took the train to the trail I always wanted to do that and Chama is a lot friendlier than it used to be It once took me an entire day to hitch a ride to the pass.We have had a dry spring in Col so the trails are dry but you already have a fire ahead of you at Twin Lakes hopefully it will be out when you get there.

[@jimhenderson387]

You know, I am only slightly older than you but have much less energy. So I wondered about the source, and now I know. Beer and donut for breakfast! Breakfast of champions. On a serious note, your scenery sure has changed!

[@douglasscharnberg3883]

I really enjoy following your adventure, Mike. Welcome to Colorado!

[@HiztoryNDAmakin]

just a heads up, there is a fire that started 2 days ago at twin lakes. I know its a ways away but be prepared

[@pauliedavis49]

OUTSTANDING DAY!!!!! Steam engine!!!!

[@jimmydavidson5167]

Steam engine was so cool

[@cynthiamiller]

Did you lose your continous foot path by taking the train?

[@oldmanandtheat3093]

No. The trail goes from one side of the road to the other. So, my car hitch into town and train ride back up were not part of the trail. When I got to the pass, I walked over to where the van gave us a ride a few days earlier and then started, thus, keeping my continuous footpath.

[@sally..3242]

What a breakfast…..beer & a donut…..😁