Hi !
Concerning resupply, do you know if we can find freeze-drier food (like “Montain house” at REI) in Breckenridge, Tween lakes … or such a town like that along the trail, or it’s better to send it from Denver ? In one word, is this kind of food common along the trail ?
Many thanks
Stéphane
These outdoor stores are on or near the trail. you could call them and ask. Please post your results here. (and it’s TWIN Lakes, not Tween Lakes)
Breckenridge: Mountain Outfitters 970-453-2201
Leadville: Bill’s Sporting Goods 719-486-0739
Leadville: Sawatch Backcountry 719-486-2271
Buena Vista: Trailhead Sports 719-395-8002
Salida: Salida Mountain Sports 719-539-4400
Creede: San Juan Sports 719-658-2482
Lake City: Sportsman Outdoor & Fly Shop 970-944-2526
Silverton: Outdoor World 970-387-5628
Wandering Bob
OK, I see from your starting date post that you’re in France. Forget the phone calls; trans-atlantic long distance is prohibitively expensive. Lets see what I or other local folks can discover for you.
Incidentally, you and I are starting on or about the same day - July 20. See you on the trail.
WB
Wandering Bob
Hey Stephane!
I don’t know about the Mountain House food along the way, but if it’s not to expensive you may want to consider packing your own food and sending a box to the town Post Office care of ‘General Delivery’
trailcooking.com has some fantastic dry-cooking recipes, and they’ll cut your price per meal from Mountain House price ($7-$10 per bag) to $1-$2 per meal, and it’s healthier too! With a price difference that large you’d probably more than cover shipping costs as well.
iHike
I’ve contacted – or tried to – each of the outdoor stores listed in my earlier post to determine if they carry (1) freeze-dried meals, (2) MSR-style gas canisters for stoves, and (3) Esbit solid fuel tablets. San Juan Sports in Creede is closed for the season, re-opening in May, and I’ve not received a response from Bill’s Sporting Goods in Leadville yet.
Here’s a summary of the responses to date:
BRECKENRIDGE (Mountain Outfitters): carries Mountain House brand freeze-dried meals and MSR and JetBoil canisters – both the 100 and 230 gram sizes for each. They do not carry Esbit tablets but will stock them for you if you call and arrange it in advance.
LEADVILLE (Sawatch Back Country): carries Mountain House and Natural High brand FD meals as well as MSR, JetBoil, and Primus gas canisters. They did not mention Esbit in their reply.
BUENA VISTA (Trailhead Sports): carries Mountain House FD meals and MSR, JetBoil, and Primus canisters. They do not carry Esbit tablets but will stock them for you if you call and arrange it in advance. They also hold packages for hikers.
SALIDA (Salida Mountain Sports): carries BackPacker’s Pantry brand FD meals and both sizes of MSR and JetBoil canisters, as well as Primus and optimus. They do carry Esbit tablets (good news for me).
LAKE CITY (Sportsman Outdoor): carries Mountain House brand FD meals and gas canisters (no brands named). They do not carry Esbit tablets.
SILVERTON (Outdoor World): not to be confused with Bass Pro’s Outdoor World, this is a small local shop. He carries Mountain House FD meals, both sizes of MSR and JetBoil canisters, and will probably have Esbit tablets. They get a lot of CT and CDT hikers through every year.
And of course, REI has several stores in Denver, including a flagship store in downtown Denver, apparently not too far (for a hiker) from the 16th and Market Street bus station.
Wandering Bob
Wandering Bob
It is difficult to get enough energy from freeze dried meals alone and they are expensive.
All of my breakfasts and snacks come from a regular grocery store. About a third of my dinners are freeze dried, about a third are Idahoan brand mashed potatoes, and the rest I make up on the fly.
I once did a two night trip with only a packet of whole wheat tortillas, a jar of Nutella, and a jar of peanut butter.
My breakfasts are all instant oatmeal and cocoa. Add some instant coffee to the cocoa to make a mocha.
Snacks are dried fruit, nuts, jerky, and cheese.
I carry a grater and a block of cheddar. Most trail food is better with a little fresh grated cheese.
Starches are:
Ramen,
Instant rice,
Tortillas,
Couscous, and
Mashed potatoes.
Meats are:
Packets of chicken,
Packets of tuna,
Bacos,
Spam - yes, from Hormel, and
Pepperoni.
Use soup bases for favor. Instant rice, broccoli and cheddar soup mix, and a packet of chicken made a good dinner - added instant mashed potatoes to thicken.
Most auto fueling stations now have small stores. Some have roller grills - learn to embrace the roller grills.
It is easy to find Heet in the yellow bottle for alcohol fuel.
My favorite freeze dried brands are:
Enertial Trails:
El Capitan 3 Bean Chili,
Max Patch Mac & Cheese,
Rainier Rice, and
Switchback Spaghetti.
I bet you could get Enertial Trails to ship to some locations along the trail.
food
Bill’s Sporting Goods in Leadville responded to say they are closing the store by Memorial Day.
That still leaves Sawatch Back Country for those who go to Leadville.
Wandering Bob
I was in Bailey near Segment 3/4 trailhead recently. The Platte Canyon Grill and the Bailey Country Store both closed. Winters are harsh to businesses in the high country. If a business is important to your hike you need to verify it is operating.
food
Many thanks to everybody for your information.
We would take the option “Resupply stop in town” rather than “send boxes in PO”. Then, we will see little towns of Colorado + zero day if needed !
This is our plan stop : 1- Breckenridge, Frisco ; 2- Leadville ; 3- Buena Vista ; 4- Salida ; 5- Creed ; 6- Silverton.
If I get some information to share, I will post it … but nothing interesting so far. And it’s still a long time for the departure ! We have time to investigate !
Stéphane
I’ll be stopping in Breckenridge, Buena Vista, and Silverton mainly because I can guarantee re-supply in those places…
Given Buena Vista to Silverton will be a 9 day re-supply 27 meals. Heavy load!!!
swofford11
We will be running a supply point between BV and Silverton at Lujan Pass. Just let us know what you need and we will have it waiting for you when you arrive. We have phone and internet so you can call ahead to reassure yourself we are there 8-). We take resupply deadly seriously (it is) and this is my 9th year of angelling- 3rd on the CT. We will be there July and August. We charge a very nominal fee to thru-hikers which is always much less than you can purchase it yourself. Save hauling the weight! ANGEL APPLE
APPLE