I backpacked 739 miles from the NE to SW corners of Colorado in 2022, completing an X of my home state after walking the first 732-mile SE-NW diagonal in 2020.
CO NE-SW diagonal expedition stats 2022:
739 miles
55,300 feet of elevation gains
70 hiking days, 50 solo
70 nights: 42 in tent, 17 homes, 6 hotel, 5 in 4Runner
Route was about 1/3 dirt roads, 1/4 trails, 1/4 paved roads, and ranch two-track
Total time from start May 20 to end August 30 was 103 days to walk, rest, plan, scout, transport, resupply food, cache water, and gain landowner permissions.
Hiking routes 2020 SE-NW and 2022 NE-SW across Colorado
The “other” Colorado diagonal kept calling my name after I completed the SE-NW diagonal in 2020, so in February 2022 I got jazzed up and started endurance training and route planning. In mid-May I will start hiking from the northeast corner, near Julesburg, and follow the sun southwest, hopefully arriving at the Four Corners monument near Towaoc in early August.
Follow my 2022 adventure! Sign up for the e-newsletter (coming soon) that will go out once or twice a week with summaries of wild doings and links to longer blog posts. Or follow my posts on Facebook or Instagram that will also link to this blog.
Raise money for wildlife. I had dinner with Colorado Governor Polis a few weeks ago at an event sponsored by the Logan County Cattlewomen. Polis asked who I was doing the hike for. Good idea, Guv! I am now doing the hike as a fundraiser for Audubon Rockies, a great fit with my hike’s focus on nature and water. And I love birds. Look for the launch of the fundraiser in early May.
Become a FIDE! Friends of India’s Diagonal Expedition (FIDE) are folks who help me out along my journey. Let me camp in your cow pasture or backyard. Arrange to resupply me with food or water or provide a ride into town. Keep me company along the way by hiking even a little ways with me or saying hi at dinnertime. Just let me know you’re coming.
