Salida is tops with CDT hikers

Salida was named the top “layover” city along the Continental Divide Trail, according to a poll of hikers.

Salida, Colorado tops the list as the top trail town along the Continental Divide Trail, according 2009 southbounders. Salida, which garnered five first place votes, narrowly edged Steamboat Springs, Colorado (four first place votes) and Pie Town, New Mexico (also five first place votes).

Salida, a town of about 5,600 residents, is located about 30-miles east of Monarch Pass, and it is the new home of The Simple Lodge and Hostel, which is nestled near the center of the artsy town. The hostel opened in early 2009, and it has welcomed hikers with open arms, offering a warm, homely refuge from the cold environs of the rugged Sawatch Range.

One respondent remarked, “The Simple Hostel and its owners were incredibly helpful and concerned with hikers comfort. The town itself had personality, decent gear shops, good food, a theater, a cool place to watch a football game, and all of it was located within a mile. Great town!”

Another said, ““The hostel (Simple Hostel) was great. I love that you could borrow a bike and cruise around. The little shops in town were fun, and Moonlight Pizza was very good.”

Jon Fritz, co-owner of Simple Lodge and Hostel, said, “Most of the folks I know in Salida live vicariously through thru-hikers and love to hear their adventures. People don’t have a lot in this town, so they really appreciate people and nature. I give credit to the business owners, who have gone out of their way to create welcoming shops and cafes that serve our tourists and locals alike.”

Hikers remarked that Salida had great beer, a friendly library, fun shops, an awesome place to get a slice of pizza at Moonlight Pizza, and a great place to get a cup of coffee at Café Dawn. The friendliness of the residents in Salida drew high marks, as one hiker noted, “the people had smiles.”

It looks like their sample was pretty small on this poll, but we’ll take it. :) Read the full article.

Hat tip to the folks from Simple Lodge and Hostel for pointing this out.