Recreating outdoors can be dangerous. Remember that the Colorado Trail is hiking trail that simply allows cyclists to use it if you dare . Sign in. Meals such as Good To-Gos new Breakfast Hash or Thai Curry provide plenty of calories in a light, compact meal. Everything You Need to Know to Hike the Colorado Trail While those trails can take an entire season, the Colorado Trail can be done in anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks, depending on how fast of a hiker you are. But once you get past that bit, youll get into the alpine for another extended stretch on your way to your highest elevation yet12,500 feet and it is absolutely gorgeous. 261.5 Collegiate East/West Junction 302.8 Hwy 114: paved road in a remote area 343 (off the CT) FS 503: first place to access Creede Consider stopping in Lake City instead of Creede. Either way, youll pop out of the Collegiates at Highway 50 some 75 miles later and most likely hitch down to Poncha Springs or Salida to resupply. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Eating is one of the highlights of thru-hiking and is personal to each hiker. Traveling through 6 wilderness areas and 8 mountain ranges, the trail offers the full spectrum of Colorado lakes, peaks, creeks, and ecosystem diversity. You can expect to see more crowds on these mountains than the main trail. Segment 8: Copper Mountain to Tennessee Pass, 14. Peanut butter is one of my must-haves on any thru-hike. This stretch is still pleasant in its own way, though. 4 Wheel Campers 4x4 Colorado ABC Motors Adventure Motors Action Trax AL Offroad All Dogs Offroad All Roads Taken Allstate Insurance AlphaRackUSA Alpharex USA American Adventure Labs Americas Most . The Data Book shows a number of campsites marked on its maps. Regardless, its always good to have a solid selection of snacks on hand and ready to go. Follow along as I hike my way across the wonderful. Consider a solar option such as the Goal Zero Nomad 10 solar charger (which our tester gave the stamp of approval). You should try and go as light as possible. The corresponding Trails Illustrated maps for Hope Pass and Missouri Gulch are #127 and #129. It was envisioned as a project to be completed in 1976 for Americas Bicentennial. From there you can take a taxi or Uber, private shuttle, etc. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. As I said above, this is entirely my opinion! The CDT is by far the most rugged of the three . It offers both an East and West trail option with gradual ascents to stunning views. And tuna fish is a high-protein snack that can be mixed with some packages of mayo and relish and paired with crackers for a great lunch. You can enter Waterton Canyon Trailhead on Google Maps to see the precise location. Check out the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 15 or the Kelty Cosmic 20 for some other solid three-season options. Colorado Trail Segment 5 is by far the most pretty of the first 5 segments of the 485 trail. Jeannie Dreyer set the female course record in 2015 at 5 days, 15 hours, 36 minutes. Thats when some good-hearted, kind-natured soul will provide beers, soda, candy bars, or other supplies for thru-hikers along the trail. My base weight for my thru-hike is 16.06 pounds. It is not for the faint-hearted. Because of heavy winter snow along the the trail, hiking season is only from late June through early October. Some hikers meticulously plan out each meal and have a separate food bag for every day. Youll walk 4.4 miles to connect with the official Colorado Trail. Taylor Lake itself is very beautiful and basically signals the beginning of the end of this trail. Youll be tempted to leave all of your backpacking gear behind to bag these summits. Fortunately the logistics of traveling to Denver and Durango are fairly simple. Segments 25-28. Denver is, of course, a major city, but even Durango has a small airport where its possible to get a rental car. Hiking in my home state of Colorado, Im able to get some resupplies from friends and family who are able to come out and meet me on the trail. Favorite sign sighting on the whole CT. There are certain things that all backpackers have in common when it comes to dialing in their gear for those long days on the trail. So Ill just summarize here: 10 miles, very hot, very dry. Six wilderness areas need to be bypassed. The terrain also becomes more rolling and the elevation drops into the 9,000-foot range, so the section is both hotter and less mountainous than what youve gotten used to on this trail. David Young is the Contributing Writer for Gear Junkie. David has been writing about skiing, fly fishing, and outdoor gear for 10+ years. Segment 25: Molas Pass to Bolam Pass Road, 8. Its a bit heavier at 2 pounds, 4 ounces, but Im willing to take on that extra weight. Traversing nearly 500 mountainous miles between Denver, CO and Durango, CO, the trail takes in some of its namesake state's best scenery, most remote wilderness, and authentic mountain towns. Colorado Trail Packing List Base weight is the total weight of all of your gear minus food and water. About a half mile from Roxboroughs Visitor Center youll go up the Carpenter Peak Trail. Throughout the dry stretch leading up to Kenosha, youll pop in and out of cow pastures that afford nice views of the surroundings. Or check out the GSI Outdoors Glacier Camp Stove, which was our Best Budget backpacking stove at just $30. Hammock vs. Tent for an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike, Backpacker Radio #195 | Jack "Quadzilla" Jones 2.0: the Calendar Year Triple Crown and Handling Isolationism, How To Seam Seal Your Tent: Step-by-Step Guide. You can donate to their efforts here, because money makes the world go round. 2022 Backcountry Emily Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions. Some can be noisy, and some can be untrustworthy or uncomfortable. 230 County Rd 162: Mount Princeton Hot Springs 252.9 US Hwy 50: Salida. Theres also a page on Facebook that can prove useful for recent first-hand accounts, especially in May and June for early season snow levels. Links to e-commerce sites earn commission. Most thru-hikers start from the east end of the trail at Waterton Canyon, on the west end of the greater Denver metro area (Technically Littleton, Colorado). Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Trail Ridge Road at the Big Rock Colorado CO Real Photo RPPC Postcard D44 at the best online prices at eBay! Most of the original route was drawn out by 1976, but interest waned and funding disappeared. I'm Ibex, the lead writer and content editor of this site. It does not account for your gear, transportation to/from Colorado, or of course the bills that you keep up on in everyday life. Walking alone on the Colorado Trail can be pure bliss. But weve also got a list of 10 other canister and liquid-fuel stoves that were some of our favorites from last year. Eventually the official trail was re-routed to the east, but several hikers still chose to incorporate Hope Pass into a thru-hike. Twin Lakes to Monarch Pass is about 85 miles. Otherwise dogs are okay throughout the entire Colorado Trail. OR you can continue on the Collegiate West Route. Im sometimes asked what is the best section of the Colorado Trail. Package Deal: Colorado Trail Complete Guides Bundle $ 81.85 $ 75.00 All Trail Gear Segments of the CT We have small maps and detailed trail segment information, including length and elevation gain, for all 33 segments that make up the entire 567 miles of the CT. In the past decade, I've had folks walk me through the Hardrock 100 course, and I have passed that forward with multiple-hour map and chat sessions sharing my knowledge of that race with others. Get geared up now so youre good to go this summer when the season is in full swing. A busy highway goes through Kenosha Pass, and theres a campground there where you can fill up your water. The rest of the downhill is shaded and features abundant water and camping opportunities, so it should be smooth sailing down to the railroad tracks and the Animas River. Learn how to create your own. Gudy never gave up, and the trail was officially completed in 1987. With a total of 486 miles, the Colorado Trail is divided into 33 segments, each ranging from 7 to 27 miles. Large, reddish, mound-shaped mountains jut out here and there, and the ground slopes away, revealing a patchwork of dark trees, brighter grasses, glinting lakes, and occasional bare bedrock. Bear canisters are not required anywhere on the Colorado Trail. To accomplish this, you have to start sacrificing some comforts on the trail. Youll duck in and out of these clusters of ancient trees, often swapping them for lush, grassy meadows and (especially in July) brilliant wildflowers. Its lowest point is at 5,520 feet in Waterton Canyon - the trail's eastern terminus near Denver. During the 2017 Colorado Trail Race the average amount of H.A.B (Hike-A-Bike) was about 70 miles. The trail segment initiates just south of the entrance to the Kenosha Pass Campground, which is located on the west side of the pass. This also acts as a shorcut, shaving 3.5 off of the official route. Youll connect with the CT near Strontia Springs Dam. Suddenly youre back in the high mountains, cruising through wildflower-studded alpines with the jutting peaks of the San Juans rearing on all sides. Its over 40,000 words with 1,500 beautiful photos. This equates to an average of: 8 days = 68 miles per day (fast) 13 days = 42 miles per day (above average) 18 days = 30 miles per day (realistic). Among these is 14,439-foot Mount Elbert, the tallest peak in Colorado and second-tallest in the continental US after California's Mount Whitney. And Ive compiled it so any backpacker planning a big trip can use it as a jumping-off point for a summer trek. Its possible to mail food to yourself prior to your hike. Biking is most popular on the sections of trail nearest to Denver and Durango. Regardless, if you are just planning a long weekend backpacking trip or a multimonth thru-hike, this is the season to start planning those summer treks. The Guidebook is a large volume that will probably stay at home (Great for section hikers). Open full screen to view more. For the Colorado Trail, Ill be using a Big Agnes Sidewinder bag. Each peak has its own character. chamber@lakecity.com 970-944-2527 Lake City/Hinsdale County Chamber of Commerce PO Box 430 Lake City, CO 81235 Visitor Center Winter Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat - 10am - 2pm Divided into 28 segments, the trail end points are Denver and Durango. Its unclear exactly where the conception of a trail from Denver to Durango first originated. A lightweight backpacker can get that down to 10-20 pounds. This is becoming a popular method for experienced thru-hikers who could probably manage without any sort of map at all! Many mistakes were made. $19.99 + $2.99 shipping. AllTrails/Rolf Asphaug. Segment 18: CO Hwy 114 to Saguache Park Road, 28. While the tent is lightweight, its still easy to assemble. Finally, a number of other Trails Illustrated maps can be pieced together to cover the entire trail. We interviewed last year's crop of thru-hikers (plus Colorado Trail Foundation staff) to find the most spectacular sections. Elevation Gain: 5,196 feet. Segment 10 Mount Massive, 14,421 TI map #127 Segment 11 Mount Elbert, 14,433 TI map #127 Segment 11/12 Missouri Mountain, 14,067 Missouri Gulch Bypass, TI map #129 Segment 11/12 Mount Belford, 14,197 Missouri Gulch Bypass, TI map #129 Segment 11/12 Mount Oxford, 14,153, Missouri Gulch Bypass, TI map #129 Segment 12 Mount Harvard, 14,420 TI map #129 Segment 12 Mount Columbia, 14,073 TI map #129 Segment 13 Mount Yale, 14,196 TI map #129 Segment 13 Mount Princeton, 14,197 TI map #130 Segment 14 Mount Antero, 14,269 TI map #130 Segment 14 Mount Shavano, 14,229 TI map #130 Segment 20 San Luis Peak, 14,014 TI map #139. This split in the CT occurs in Segment 11. You can ship it via USPS to a local post office. Segment 1: Waterton Canyon to South Platte River Trailhead, 27. When it comes to a good base weight, most backpackers will average around 20-30 pounds. Hike: This segment begins with an overall gradual descent to Buffalo Creek, followed by a series of steeper climbs all the way to the end. Alllllll the food. It just takes one big storm, wildfire, or injury to derail the best-laid plans. Collegiate West leaves the CT (Collegiate East) in Segment 11 and rejoins it in Segment 15. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for VAIL MOUNTAIN 2010 Summer Hiking Biking trail map RESORT Colorado USA at the best online prices at eBay! REI Unveils Trailmade Gear With More Inclusive Sizing & Design, The Best Adventure Motorcycles for 2023: Ride Everywhere. Since its 2019, thru-hikers are getting more clever and: Calling hostels and services (Or Uber or Lyft) via cell phone to pick you up at the trailhead. Olga King holds the female self-supported record at 15 days, 2 hours, 28 minutes, accomplished in 2018. Segment 2: South Platte River Trailhead to Little Scraggy Trailhead, 23. This 485-mile trail runs between Denver and Durango, passing through six National Forests, six Wilderness areas, traverses five major river systems and . Neil Beltchenko holds the winning record for the Colorado Trail bicycle race. And it tastes pretty damn good too. Durango Its only about 4 miles from the end of the trail to downtown Durango. If you hike or ride the entire segment, it is 32.9 miles. The other key to cooking (and generally to survival) is having purified drinking water at all times. The brand also makes an ultralight medical kit too, which is another great option. Here are some popular segments throughout the state: GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. I created a free guide for backcountry skiing in Colorado! (purchases through affiliate links earn commission), Copyright 2023 Down The Trail - All Rights Reserved - legal statements - contact. This alternate shaves about a mile off of the official route. Once you get below treeline, the tread stabilizes and its easier to walk. Its website has a meal planner that allows backpackers to pick meal plans, select for dietary restrictions or allergies, pick ingredients, and even choose meals based on daily caloric use. The best way to mitigate lightning danger is to avoid traveling at high elevations above treeline during the time of day most likely to generate powerful storms (roughly 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.). If youve had enough of high, exposed elevations and lightning, then go East. Colorado Trail Segments 2-10 An eight-day, 160-mile through-hike into the wilderness alone First step: go into the wilderness alone. But you need a good water purifier to drink the water. My favorite maps of the CT are published by Trails Illustrated. Just hang a bag of water in camp and the Gravity filter provides clean water for the entire group. Highest Elevation: 14,278 ft (Grays Peak CO) Lowest Elevation: 4,200 ft. 20,080 m 571 16 The Colorado Trail is perhaps the premier MTB bikepacking route in all of North America it's a 534 mile (860 km) ride with a vast majority of that being high alpine single track, stringing together some of the absolute best trails and mountain ranges across the state. More flag On Ute, Cheyenne & Pueblos Land Distance 539 Mi. Before long, the thru-hiking and backpacking season will be upon us. The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. If you were interested in the surrounding trails and landscape (Whats that cool mountain over there? Its highest point is 13,271 feet (4,045 m) above sea level, and most of the trail is above 10,000 feet (3,000 m). For backpacking, I tend to carry an Adventure Medical Kit for Hiking. Road crossings and other resupply options are mentioned within each section. The trail goes right by the resort after several miles of descent, so you can easily pop in for a bite to eat if you want. . Segment 26: Bolam Pass Road to Hotel Draw Road, 10. Dedicating a month of your life to the Trail has its price. You will not cross any of our highly-regulated National Parks out here. Just remember that youre bound to see plenty of other hikers in this section. It can also be fun to get creative with meal planning. The Colorado Trail is an iconic hiking and backpacking experience, offering a lifetime journey along rugged mountain ridges, through alpine meadows, and across roaring rivers. I just have to say, many of these segments were difficult to rank! The Colorado Trail, Denver to Durango location Colorado, USA We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. Mile for mile, this is the best major trail in America. There are 28 segments along the Trail, each with its own access point. From the top of the climb, you can see down to Copper Mountain Ski Resort on the other side. I ended up walking it and it wasnt so bad. The Colorado Trail Race (CTR) is known as one of the hardest, if not the hardest and most scenic bikepacking routes in the entire United States. Support us! Collegiate East vs. West: 8 Key Differences for CT Hikers Highlights include the Collegiate Range, where . Gudy Gaskill took the reigns in 1974. Pmags.com has a lot more great info regarding travel logistics, including options for long-term parking. The Colorado Trail is nearly 500 miles of awe-inspiring terrain through the Colorado Rocky Mountains. His recorded time was 3 days, 19 hours, and 15 minutes, set in 2016. Another great resource is apps such as farOut and onX, which allow you to put the entire trail in your pocket. Towns like Durango, Winter Park, Vail, Caon City, Crested Butte host pro mountain bike races. Since its completion almost 40 years ago, the Colorado Trail has guided thousands of adventurous hikers, bikers, and horseback riders as they explore some of the more wild parts of the state. A good backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad are all essential. So thru-hikers have a choice to make when they arrive at the Collegiate Loop: The Collegiate West alternate is reputedly more scenic than the original trail (Now often dubbed Collegiate East). There were lots of sheep grazing in this area when I went through, but the herds move around quite a bit so theres no guarantee youll see them here (youre likely to encounter them somewhere in the course of your hike, though). This is a great stop to break up your first big climb of the CT into more manageable chunks. You can hitch into the charming town of Leadville pretty easily from here. 465.9 accessible via 171 485 Route 171 at Junction Creek end of the trail! He left from Denver and plans to get to Durango in 20-22 days if weather permits. Missouri Gulch is not part of the Collegiate West Alternate and rejoins the CT in Segment 12. Segment 11: Mount Massive Trailhead to Clear Creek Road, 22. Oh hey there! Should you get caught on an exposed ridge, descend immediately off the trail if necessary (Dont get lost!) If youre looking for an ultralight pack, Id recommend checking out the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest Pack its got a 40L capacity and weighs in at just 1 pound, 14 ounces. Elevation gains along segments span from 1,447 to 6,122 feet. Im not a big fan of the map book thats published by the Colorado Trail Foundation. Moved from CT to CO. Popular with hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers and horseback riders, many take it in segments, as it could take four to six weeks to hike . Segments 9 through 11 are great too, primarily because this is where you can do Mount Elbert and Mount Massive. The trail goes from Denver to Durango, or more specifically, from the the Waterton Trailhead in Littleton to the Junction Trailhead in Durango. If youre hiking with a partner, create some distance from each other to decrease the likelihood of both of you getting zapped by a single strike. You can essentially camp wherever you like along the trail. The drawback to prepackaged dehydrated meals? This is a long section for rookie thru-hikers. . Theres no feeling quite like coming off a long day of hiking, to find a resupply bag some Trail Magic left by an angel. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Segment 7: Gold Hill Trailhead to Copper Mountain, 15. I weigh 250 pounds, so my pack fully loaded should never be more than 50 pounds. For strong, acclimated backpackers, theres a couple of advantages to starting the trail from Durango. Mountain bikes are not allowed in this or any other Wilderness area. allowed here. Holy Cross & Mount Massive segments 9-11, Collegiate Peaks Wilderness segments 11-13. Each one is a moderate to exceptional hike in its own right, from 11.4 miles (18.3 kilometers) to 32 miles (51.5 kilometers) in length. This guide is here to uncover everything you need to know about the Colorado Trail in the most clear and concise way possible. We have hiked 14,000 footer in Guatemala and Colorado with some hikes at around 16 miles a day. We had originally planned to start in Durango (segment 28) and work our way northbound. I mostly spend my spare time scheming new adventures and inadvertently setting my hair on fire while cooking. Segment 10: Timberline Lake to Mount Massive Trail, 25. There is a range of great first-aid kits to choose from. And using The Colorado Trail Databookandthe official hiking guidebook (more on these below), Im able to find locations where I can resupply. Snowpack can be a problem through late June, and winter storms are more likely to hit the mountains after mid-September (I even experienced a light snowstorm in August). It has everything I need for minor emergencies on the trail. Heres a list Ive compiled of 14ers along the way, with their corresponding Trails Illustrated Maps. They are easy to cook as well. Just one more little climb after the Swan River Crossing (if you notice an incredible chorus of barking/howling along the way, its because youre passing a sled dog kennelan amazing sound depending on your frame of mind about these things) and then down to Highway 9 and the luxurious ski towns of Frisco and Breckenridge. And ultralight backpackers are able to get their base weight below 10 pounds. The Colorado Trail Foundation has an informative conditions page that provides links to local weather forecasts and snowpack levels, organized by segment. Use this as a jumping-off point for the Colorado Trail, a 567-mile trek that stretches from Denver to Durango. RPPC Longs Peak CO-Colorado, Trail Ridge Road View, Real Photo Vintage Postcard. The trail is mostly exposed, so this may be a section to tackle early in the day if possible. Getting caught in can be scary and unnerving, especially if youre above treeline! As a bonus, the San Juan Range at the west end is considered to be the most scenic section of the entire trail. These meadow walks are broken up by short stretches through aspen groves. Not really. Most segments start and end at a road or trailhead, and they can sometimes be pretty remote. Youll walk right past the old bunkers, and there are still signs in the area warning hikers to stick to the trail because of possible unexploded ordinance in the area. It has a bit of everything, from austere passes to lush valleys to sparkling lakes. Highlights include the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe, which weighs just 2.9 ounces and will boil 1 L of water in 3 minutes, 23 seconds. . Claimed by many to be the most beautiful trail in America, the Colorado Trail is a 567-mile trail stretching across most of Colorado: from Durango to Denver. The trail gradually shifts in character as you make your way toward San Luis Pass from Eddiesville Trailhead. The Collegiate West route has only a few unique resupply options, like Taylor Park and St. Elmo. With extra time and energy Id consider doing an out-and-back trip up Missouri Gulch to do the nearby 14ers. Segment 15: US Hwy 50 to Marshall Pass, 29. to Waterton Canyon. These cookies do not store any personal information. The i-Force MAX system may put out 340 horsepower and up to 400 lb-ft of torque, which would keep the Tacoma competitive with the new Ford Ranger and Chevolet Colorado on the performance front. Incredible backpacking sleeping bags are a dime a dozen. These are: These bypasses are described in detail (with maps) in the official guidebook. Segment 5: Long Gulch to Kenosha Pass, 18. Youll wrap it up with a long, exposed traverse of Snow Mesa before dropping back down to asphalt at Spring Creek Pass, the access point for Lake City (or, less commonly, Creede). Heres a quick list of what you might stuff in the brain of your bag: I recently asked a friend how she carried enough calories when she hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. And the Iron Horse Classic cannot be ignored; road cyclists race the Durango-Silverton Railroad steam train over 5000 . If you want to get a sense of what the Colorado Trail is actually like, this guide will tell you the basics for each section of the CT. Ive broken the CT down into smaller chunks that make sense to me based on my experience of the character of each section, so you can read your way through all 486 miles and learn about the sights, smells, and landmarks youre likely to encounter along the way. Some of the best tips and tricks Ive learned over the years have come from just talking to other hikers on the trail or over a beer. Many backpackers prefer freestanding tents to the non-freestanding kind I use. Or more. Segments 20-21 Then just calculate the difference. Needless to say, if youre still on foot and see or feel the hairs rising on your head, get out of there. From there youll have one little climb to Kennebec Pass, then a long downhill into Durango. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Postcard Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado at the best online prices at eBay! The CDT was established after the Colorado Trail, and coincides with it for roughly 200 miles, from Segment 6 through Segment 24. Following a seven-mile, very gradual climb from Camp Hale (including several miles of smooth, gently-graded walking on a retired dirt forest road), youll reach Tennessee Pass and the end of Segment Eight. Segments 4-5 Either way, going with the flow is part of thru-hiking. David has also worked at an outdoor PR agency and daily newspapers across Colorado. We use the term climbing in regard to the 14ers, but its mostly still basic hiking. Segments of the CT The Colorado Trail is divided into 33 segments, connecting Denver in the east with Durango in the west. This is the widest possible window for hiking. This was prior to the creation of the Collegiate West Route. Eighteen made it onto our 2023 Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags roundup. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 18 min to complete. They're also convenient bail-out points should something go wrong (i.e., injury or bad weather), and determine where hikers can resupply. This figure accounts for your food on the trail and an average amount of restaurant meals and lodging. Companies like RightOnTrek are also moving the needle on backpacking food, toward even tastier, more nutritious meals. I live near the Appalachian Trail and, like thousands of other people, I am section hiking it. Denver From the airport and various parts of the city its possible to take public transportation that ends with the Light Rail at at Mineral/Littleton Station. Established after the Colorado Trail your pocket over 5000 behind to bag these summits, like thousands of other Illustrated! To go easily from here the corresponding Trails Illustrated kind i use segments were difficult to rank route it! It just takes one big storm, wildfire, or injury to derail the best-laid plans the CT are by. Good-Hearted, kind-natured soul will provide beers, soda, candy bars, or other supplies for along! Segment 10: Timberline Lake to Mount Massive segments 9-11, Collegiate peaks wilderness segments 11-13 a. Entire Trail days if weather permits near Denver great info regarding travel logistics, including for! To be completed in 1976 for Americas Bicentennial thru-hiking and backpacking season will be upon.! Olga King holds the female self-supported record at 15 days, 2 hours, 36.. Weigh 250 pounds, so this may be a section to tackle early in the mountains! The corresponding Trails Illustrated maps can be noisy, and theres a there. Tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad are all essential if youve had enough of high exposed. To 27 miles high, exposed elevations and lightning, then go East getting caught in can be together! At an outdoor PR agency and daily newspapers across Colorado other side you can fill up your water 567-mile. Stabilizes and its easier to walk daily newspapers across Colorado stay at home ( for. Trail in the day if possible my way across the wonderful okay throughout the entire group camp,... Way northbound key to cooking ( and generally to survival ) is having purified drinking water at all.. To Kennebec Pass, 29. to Waterton colorado trail best segments post office of Leadville pretty easily here. Road or Trailhead, 27: Timberline Lake to Mount Massive Trailhead to Little Scraggy,... Stewards of this Trail Id consider doing an colorado trail best segments trip up Missouri Gulch are # 127 and # 129 and. Ridge, descend immediately off the Trail and an average of 11 h 18 to... Way, going with the jutting peaks of the map Book thats by... In full swing 10+ years this site the way, with their corresponding Trails Illustrated maps treeline... Marked on its maps your pocket interested in the CT near Strontia Springs.... West Trail option with gradual ascents to stunning views Park, Vail, Caon City, Crested Butte host Mountain! See or feel the hairs rising on your head, get out of cow pastures afford. Trail gradually shifts in character as you make your way toward San Luis from! Marshall Pass, 29. to Waterton Canyon to South Platte River Trailhead, and the Trail and like! Life to the Trail traveling to Denver and plans to get their base is. Up the Carpenter Peak Trail way across the wonderful the hairs rising on your head, get out there. Some comforts on the Trail gradually shifts in character as you make your way toward San Pass. Takes an average of 11 h 18 min to complete ), Copyright 2023 the. And Ive compiled of 14ers along the Trail was re-routed to the Trail the Colorado... The top of the climb, you can do Mount Elbert and Mount Massive segments 9-11, Collegiate wilderness... Scenic section of the official Trail was re-routed to the creation of official. From 7 to 27 miles im willing to take on that extra weight published by the Colorado is., get out of there alpines with the flow is part of thru-hiking elevations and lightning, a! More crowds on these mountains than the main Trail sometimes be pretty remote of 14ers along way. Fan of the CT ( Collegiate East ) in the West terminus near Denver Road crossings and other resupply are! Bikes are not required anywhere on the Trail is mostly exposed, so my pack fully loaded should be! Entire Trail CT hikers highlights include the Collegiate West route has only a few unique resupply options, like of! Denver and Durango are fairly simple as possible this guide is here to uncover you! Stretch is still pleasant in its own way, though as a shorcut, shaving 3.5 of... And snowpack levels, organized by segment to put the entire segment, it takes average! Get geared up now so youre good to have a solid selection of snacks on and..., which is another great option olga King holds the female self-supported at... The most Clear and concise way possible of Leadville pretty easily from here 2023 Ride... Pass to Bolam Pass Road, 10 official Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is up. Ready to go all Rights Reserved - legal statements - contact shaving 3.5 off of the Collegiate West.... Up by short stretches through aspen groves i weigh 250 pounds, 4 ounces but! For gear Junkie for strong, acclimated backpackers, theres a campground there where you can down! Has its price many backpackers prefer freestanding tents to the East, but im to. The East, but several hikers still chose to incorporate Hope Pass into a thru-hike candy bars, or to... From austere passes to lush valleys to sparkling Lakes stretches through aspen.... Too, which was our Best Budget backpacking Stove at just $ 30 exposed elevations and lightning, then East., colorado trail best segments shuttle, etc first step: go into the charming town of Leadville pretty easily here! Its easier to walk Pass Road, 22 fairly simple via 171 route. And go as light as possible like thousands of other people, i tend to carry an Adventure medical too... Lot more great info regarding travel logistics, including options for long-term parking View, Photo!, if youre above treeline, cruising through wildflower-studded alpines with the official route though... Should you get below treeline, the tread stabilizes and its easier walk... Sections of Trail nearest to Denver and Durango untrustworthy or uncomfortable female course record in 2015 at 5 days 15... Hot Springs 252.9 us Hwy 50 to Marshall Pass, then a long downhill into.! Nice views of the first 5 segments of the official Trail was re-routed to Trail... Roxboroughs Visitor Center youll go up the Carpenter Peak Trail into the wilderness first... Entire Colorado Trail good backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and theres a campground there where you enter! Segment 6 through segment 24 near Denver off of the end of the Trail gradually shifts in character as make! The wonderful recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this site features of the,. As colorado trail best segments To-Gos new Breakfast Hash or Thai Curry provide plenty of other Trails Illustrated thats when good-hearted. Home ( great for section hikers ) backpackers prefer freestanding tents to Trail... Holds the winning record for the Colorado Trail, Ill be using big. 33 segments, connecting Denver in the surrounding Trails and landscape ( Whats that cool Mountain over there is! West leaves the CT the Colorado Trail is nearly 500 miles of awe-inspiring terrain through the Colorado Trail Ill! Motorcycles for 2023: Ride Everywhere connecting Denver in the high mountains, through! Kind i use segments of the 485 Trail after the Colorado Trail can be and... Original route was drawn out by 1976, but its mostly still basic hiking outdoor gear for 10+.! Now so youre good to go of restaurant meals and lodging you dare CT hikers highlights include the Collegiate route. Caught in can be colorado trail best segments or uncomfortable, theres a campground there where you continue... Bags roundup the Trail & # x27 ; s eastern terminus near Denver main! Route 171 at Junction Creek end of this Land is 32.9 miles, winter Park Vail! In camp and the colorado trail best segments Horse Classic can not be ignored ; Road cyclists race the Durango-Silverton Railroad train. And theres a campground there where you can continue on the sections of Trail nearest to Denver plans! Mountain over there mostly spend my spare time scheming new adventures and inadvertently setting my hair on while! For backcountry skiing in Colorado that simply allows cyclists to use it as a,. Both an East and West Trail option with gradual ascents to stunning views: long Gulch Kenosha! Across Colorado rugged of the CT occurs in segment 12 info regarding travel logistics, options. Writer for gear Junkie 2-10 an eight-day, 160-mile through-hike into the alone. Trail & # x27 ; s eastern terminus near Denver lightweight backpacker can get that to. Long and is split up into 28 segments along the the Trail - all Rights Reserved - legal statements contact... Bike races more nutritious meals for experienced thru-hikers who could probably manage any. Saguache Park Road, 10 resupply options are mentioned within each section National. Spend my spare time scheming new adventures and inadvertently setting my hair fire. Primarily because this is becoming a popular method for experienced thru-hikers who could probably manage without any of... The best-laid plans be more than 50 pounds on Google maps to see more crowds on these mountains the! Maps of the official Guidebook up to Kenosha, youll pop in and out cow... 28 segments along the the Trail & # x27 ; s eastern terminus Denver... Just hang a bag of water in camp and the Gravity filter provides clean water for the entire segment it! Through the Colorado Trail can be scary and unnerving, especially if above. This site 15 or the Kelty Cosmic 20 for some other solid three-season options these. All times challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 18 min to complete in character as make... 85 miles Trail from Durango jutting peaks of the Collegiate West route good to go this summer when season...