Princeton Hot springs Maildrop

imported
#1

Does anyone know for a fact if Princeton Hot Springs takes maildrops and has used that stop?

CaveMan

#2

they have in the past.
http://www.pmags.com/joomla1516/index.php/ramblings/20-backpacking-and-hiking-documents/23-colorado-trail-info
I called earlier in the year and the receptionist said they held packages as long as it had been pre-arranged (by ups as well i think)
might help if your a guest too

Andrew M

#3

But why bother? Salida is only another 23 miles, maybe a day and a half away.

Breckenridge to Twin Lakes is 73 miles. Twin Lakes to Salida is 77 miles.

Resupply in Twin Lakes, then go on for 4-5 days to Salida.

Wandering Bob

#4

An idea is to resupply in breck, go on to twin lakes (73), another stop in p springs (54), stop at apple’s camp (maybe like 70), then continue on to silverton (100 or so)

Andrew M

#5

Bob,

It seems to me that using on-trail places like Princeton Hot Springs and Twin Lakes for resupply can seriously save some time… getting into and out of a town like Salida sounds like it’d eat up a lot of hiking time since you cannot be on the trail early and apparently afternoon thunderstorms will eat you up if you hike past 1 PM.

How much time do you budget for a stop like Salida, assuming you leave the trail one evening? Do you expect to be back the next evening and thus lose about a day of hiking?

I’m asking all this because I really don’t know yet which option I’ll take… I do want a few town stops to clean up and rest but 2 - 3 would be more than enough. I’m thinking Breck and Gunnison (using Apple’s help since I read you can get a ride with them to town … and I presume back to the trailhead?) will be my town stops.

The rest will be on-trail maildrops – Twin Lakes, Princeton, Silverton (campground).

ben franklin

#6

Ben:

The answer depends on how long you’ve been on the trail and how much further you’re going. Me, I’m through-hiking the full 485 miles - or trying to. Hence, Salida is the half-way point for me. Accordingly, I will take at least two full zero days there, maybe three.

I’ll start in Denver, resupply and take a zero in Breckenridge, stop only long enough to pick up my resupply box and a meal in Twin Lakes, then go on through to Salida.

I too am taking advantage of Bill’s generosity at Angel Camp so I can avoid that long hitch or walk into and out of Creede. Accordingly, I’ll take another zero day in Silverton before heading on to Durango…or at least that’s the paper plan.

Several thousand trail miles have taught me that no hiking plan survives first contact with the Trail Gods. They will get their ton of flesh!

WB

Wandering Bob

#7

Wandering Bob’s outlined itinerary (Breck > Twin Lakes > Salida) worked fine for me… 12 years ago now! Egads, how the cells continue to divide toward senescence.

blisterfree

#8

In prepping for our hike I called them a couple of times about a mail drop and maybe staying there (booked up). There was no hesitancy either time about accepting a mail drop. Send the package to the Camp Store with your name and the notation “Colorado Trail hiker ETA . . . .”

Dioke

#9

What is Angel Camp and where can I find Information on it. Is this a place where you can do mail drops?

James

#10

I think Angel Camp refers to the trail angels who are apparently out there everyday July and August near mile 300 or so (near Lujan pass / creek?).

I hear they have some stuff you can buy and some freebies. I also hear they give you a ride to town (Gunnison).

Beyond that I am confused –

  1. I heard both that they take mail drops and bring to the trail and that they do not take mail drops anymore.

  2. I heard they take you into town (40 miles away?) in the evening and get you back to the trail by night… not sure why they come back to the trail at night.

Which brings me to another question… who are these trail angels? Is it one person or a group organized by someone? Why do they sleep at the trailhead every night? And what is their motivation to be so kind? (I think it is great! I’m just surprised because I don’t think i’ve heard of such extensive angeling even on the AT… which gets 10 times as many thru-hikers.)

Wandering Bob, what form of generosity are you taking advantage of? Ride to town or on-trail package pickup?

washg

#11

James:

See these threads for your answers:

Angel’s 6/16 posting
http://www.trailforums.com/index2.cfm?action=detail&PostNum=59263&Thread=1&roomID=13&entryID=133903

Angel’s 4/3 posting
http://www.trailforums.com/index2.cfm?action=detail&PostNum=58522&Thread=1&roomID=13&entryID=132093

Washg:

I sent my resupply box to Bill before he left for Gunniston. He emailed me to tell me it had arrived and that he’ll have it waiting for me at Lujan Pass. At least one other CT hiker has posted having done the same.

An unpanned side trip into Gunniston? That will depend on what time I reach Angel Camp. If late afternoon, then yes, I’ll spend the night there and take advantage of a long ride into Gunniston for a restaurant meal and maybe a fast stop at the grocery for fresh fruit and veggies for the trail. If I get in during the morning or early afternoon, I’ll probably just pick up my box, thank Bill sincerely, and go on. However, I first have to walk 250 miles just to reach Salida, and then have enough strength left to go. YMM. :slight_smile:

Wandering Bob

#12

Hello from the Angel Camp. We are here July and August. We have already had 20 hikers and gone into Gunnison with some. We look forward to going to town with our hikers but we come back up here at 9pm to camp. I have everyone’s mail drop but obviously cannot accept more since there is no mail service up here. (I live in Ohio). We have free snacks and cold drinks and some freeze dried food. We alao have a big outfitter tent for folks to sleep and cook in. COME ON UP! … APPLE

APPLE

#13

Apple: For those of us who are afraid of walking right past you, could you post the UTM coordinates of Angel Camp? )I hate to think of the times I’ve heard “You can’t miss it!” – and missed it) :rolleyes

tbrucia

#14

We are at MM 300 at the Lujan Pass Trailhead. The trail bisects the camp. We are in a large clearing which is very visible on Google Earth. It was a sawmill way back when. We are at n 38 deg 14.394 min x w 106 deg 33.480 min. our utm is 13 s 0363655 4233572 whatever the heck that is.:wink: APPLE

APPLE

#15

If the Angels at Lujan are no longer taking mail drops, does anyone know if it is possible to mail a box to some place in Gunnison and pick it up using a ride into Gunnison from Apple?

If Apple goes into town at 5 PM and is back at 9 PM, I guess you’d have to mail stuff to a business in town… sine post offices would be closed.

Has anyone used this option? Anyone know anything about it? Any friendly business in Gunnison?

It’s 90 miles to Silverton after Lujan… need a full mail drop to get through so many miles.

gunnison

#16

Of course, it would be simple if you stayed overnight in Gunnison. Then you would be there during the morning. There is a great Hostel in Gunnison but I forget the name. A little Googling might help. I think they are about $21 per night but I was told the showers are $5! Please let us know if you find any info. There are a couple of outfitters too but not sure what the hours are. Wow, I took a gang of 6 into town last night. That was fun. APPLE

APPLE