I started the Pfiffner Traverse at 9:00 am on Monday, July 7, 2025, from Milner Pass and finished at Berthoud Pass after 29 hours and 23 minutes on Tuesday. This was my second attempt after having to bail at Arapaho Pass in August 2024, and I was determined to use all lessons learned to complete the full route this time.
The early miles from Mount Ida to Flattop Mountain went smoothly thanks to wonderful early Summer conditions. On the North Inlet Trail switchbacks I encountered minor snow fields and larger snow crossings awaited on the west sides of Mount Alice and Isolation Peak, but conditions remained manageable. After passing Ooh La La, I stayed high on the ridge before descending to Gourd Lake instead of dropping to Island Lake via Cooper Pass.
As planned, I ran on the Buchanan Pass Trail, Cascade Creek Trail, and Arapaho Pass Trail through the night. I arrived at Arapaho Pass around 3:30 am. I filled up my 3L water reservoir for the final stretch of the route without reliable access to water. Because I was slightly ahead of schedule, I ended up scrambling the Mount Neva North Ridge in the dark at 4:00 am. Definitely, the most exciting hour of my run. From there, the remainder of the Indian Peaks Wilderness and the opening section of the James Peak Wilderness, including Devils Thumb Pass, Rollins Pass, Beacon Peak, Spirit Peak, Heartbeat Peak, and Rogers Pass, passed smoothly along the Continental Divide Trail (CDT).
As I approached the final five 13ers: James Peak, Mount Bancroft, Parry Peak, Mount Eva, and Mount Flora, fatigue set in. I moved slowly through each climb, finally reaching the summit of Mount Flora for a brief pause before descending to Berthoud Pass to finish the traverse.
I ran the entire route solo, didn’t resupply any food, and refilled water filtering from natural sources.