Likewise, the chances of encountering an early-season snowstorm increase significantly from September into October. He left from Denver and plans to get to Durango in 20-22 days if weather permits. I prefer buying my food along the way on a thru-hike. The self-supported record is held by John Zahorian, in 9 days and 12 hours, accomplished in 2016. Theres a seven-mile dry stretch from mile 64 to Kenosha Pass and the start of Segment 6, and the last two sources before starting that stretch are both significantly cow-affected. Its best to be on the Colorado Trail only from July 1st through mid-September. Segments 15-19 Its fun to experience the town of Leadville too. The CDT was established after the Colorado Trail, and coincides with it for roughly 200 miles, from Segment 6 through Segment 24. Youll climb up to a saddle with an unmarked mile-long trail up to the top of San Luis Peak and then continue on a steady downhill to San Luis Pass on the other side, from where you can access Creede. Each peak has its own character. Colorado Trail: Kenosha Pass to Georgia Pass 12.4 mi 2,623' Up 844' Down Jefferson, CO RECOMMENDED ROUTE Park County Adventure 18.6 mi 2,890' Up 4,606' Down Jefferson, CO RECOMMENDED ROUTE Bald Mountain 10.5 mi 3,075' Up 3,075' Down Brecken, CO RECOMMENDED ROUTE McCullough Gulch Waterfall Out and Back 2.3 mi 465' Up 465' Down Eventually, youll find yourself on Jeep roads again as you approach the shores of scenic Celebration Lake. $7.99 + $1.50 shipping. Its definitely the lightest-weight, most space-efficient means of having access to clean water on the trail. Sometimes you end up hiking faster than planned, and other times, slower. I hope this page has satisfied what you needed to know about the trail, or at least pointed you in the right direction. Shes recognized as the Mother of the Colorado Trail and has received several honors for her efforts, including awards from both Ronald Reagan and George H. Bush. 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. My favorite maps of the CT are published by Trails Illustrated. It passes through high alpine terrain and is a great thru-hiking trail for beginners looking to try a shorter trail before tackling the longer Pacific Crest Trail or Appalachian Trail. Regardless, its always good to have a solid selection of snacks on hand and ready to go. Free shipping for many products! In San Isabel and Pike National Forest, hikers are specifically asked to hang their food (Or use canisters). ), you were forced to pick up the following maps, listed in order from Denver to Durango: #135 Deckers Rampart Range #105 Tarryall Mountains, Kenosha Pass #104 Idaho Springs Georgetown Loveland Pass #108 Vail, Frisco, Dillon #109 Breckenridge Tennessee Pass #110 Fairplay, Leadville #127 Aspen, Independence Pass #129 Buena Vista, Collegiate Peaks #130 Salida, St. Elmo, Mt. Incredible backpacking sleeping bags are a dime a dozen. 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. Segment CW01: Twin Lakes to Sheep Gulch, 11. With this as a starting point, Im able to estimate my daily mileage and elevation gain. Location: Forest Road 550 / Buffalo Creek, CO. Start Access: Paved roads. The CDT, alongside the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail make up the triple crown of hiking. For the Colorado Trail, Ill be using a Big Agnes Sidewinder bag. Twin Lakes to Monarch Pass is about 85 miles. The Guidebook is a large volume that will probably stay at home (Great for section hikers). Otherwise dogs are okay throughout the entire Colorado Trail. Photo via. Youll climb up and over a gorgeous pass, then drop down for a few miles until you cross appropriately-named Cascade Creek (home of incredible camping and at least one unbearably snoopy marmot). Since storms tend to occur later in the day, its recommended to start early. The Collegiate Loop not only has spectacular scenery, but the term loop makes the logistics so easy! Or, if Im truly ready to enter the 21st century like a modern thru-hiker, Id ditch all that and simply use the Guthook App and Pmags resupply info. The first few miles of this descent are treacherous due to the unhappy combination of a steep gradient and an abundance of pea gravel that works like ball bearings under your feet. They have a separate map for that. Thats when some good-hearted, kind-natured soul will provide beers, soda, candy bars, or other supplies for thru-hikers along the trail. Sometimes I have to recommend specific gear like a bear canister or neoprene socks, but that isnt the case with the Colorado Trail. Collegiate East is 78 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~17,800 feet. And theyre just around the corner. These meadow walks are broken up by short stretches through aspen groves. Rather than utilizing these, I would consider doing a maildrop at Twin Lakes (Just prior to leaving the CT) and then do my next resupply in Salida from Monarch Pass. Free shipping for many products! But weve also got a list of 10 other canister and liquid-fuel stoves that were some of our favorites from last year. The route travels around the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, using two of Colorado's best known trails, the Colorado Trail (CT) and the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). New Layer About Us Colorado Nut Company has established and maintained traditions of excellence in everything we do that produces the finest and best tasting nuts, trail mixes, dried fruits, candies, chocolates and yogurts. I know we all love to hike, but I personally like to hike in really pretty places. Most of the original route was drawn out by 1976, but interest waned and funding disappeared. The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. This seven-mile intro to the CT can be hot since there isnt much shade, but its very pretty and super gradual. The Colorado Trail Foundation has an informative conditions page that provides links to local weather forecasts and snowpack levels, organized by segment. The trail splits off from the road before the top of Stony Pass Road (the juncture marks the beginning of Segment 24) and starts another long, gradual descent through grassy meadows. Its hard to consume as many calories as you burn when you are walking 10-20 miles a day. The Colorado Trail is a 500-plus-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is a long-distance trail that runs from the Canadian border to the Mexican border. Because of this, its super common to see people talking about certain segment numbers online, and the guidebook is written according to them. These give a great overview of the trail and surrounding area. After Twin Lakes, you have to decide whether to hike Collegiate East or the Collegiate West Alternate. Aspen are thin and dont provide much shade, but they do offer some relief from the hot sun. Links to e-commerce sites earn commission. Your total pack should weigh no more than 20 percent of your body weight when fully loaded with gear, food, and water. Walking alone on the Colorado Trail can be pure bliss. Trail Segments Trail Alerts & Conditions For backpacking, I tend to carry an Adventure Medical Kit for Hiking. Its over 40,000 words with 1,500 beautiful photos. The wilderness areas on the Colorado Trail do have a permit system in place, but they dont involve any designated campsites, fees, or general planning. allowed here. 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. 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. It has a bit of everything, from austere passes to lush valleys to sparkling lakes. Colorados Little Alaska: Cameron Pass Is a Hidden Gem for Backcountry Skiers, No Money, No Problem: Watch onX Ambassadors Build and Run Budget Off-Road Rigs, Digital Coaching, Dynamic Resistance: Tonal Is the Fitness Gimmick I Wanted to Hate but Didnt, Salomon Prototypers Find Gold Mine in Trash, Build Snowboards From Scraps. 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. It is slightly anticlimacticjust more grass gently sloping away in every direction and a wooden sign to mark the significance of this place. I am a photographer, after all. Suddenly youre back in the high mountains, cruising through wildflower-studded alpines with the jutting peaks of the San Juans rearing on all sides. The forest becomes very aspen-dominant around Elbert, meaning shade will be on the sparse side. We started the Colorado Trail on June 26th, 2022 going south and finished on August 4th. Missouri Gulch is not part of the Collegiate West Alternate and rejoins the CT in Segment 12. A great lightweight option is the Platypus QuickDraw. Segments 9-11 A busy highway goes through Kenosha Pass, and theres a campground there where you can fill up your water. "The Best Urban Hikes: Denver" guide also has all sorts of recommendations for hikes throughout the metro area, including options in Arvada, Aurora, Brighton, Broomfield, Centennial, Commerce City, Golden, Lakewood, Littleton, Thornton, and Westminster. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Some of the National Forest Wilderness Areas require dogs to be on a leash. It has 25 pages of info including first steps, where to go, how to find partners, weather and mapping resources, gear recommendations, and a whole lot more. READ NEXT Everything You Need to Know to Hike the Colorado Trail, Segments 1-3 You can also avoid interaction with the majority of thru-hikers starting from Denver, if thats your prerogative. 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. Colorado Trail Segment 5 is by far the most pretty of the first 5 segments of the 485 trail. AllTrails/Rolf Asphaug. It is not necessarily a hard trail, but between the distance and the elevation at Georgia Pass, it can be a challenging mountain bike ride or hike. 1.Segment 23: Carson Saddle to Stony Pass Trailhead, 2. They're also convenient bail-out points should something go wrong (i.e., injury or bad weather), and determine where hikers can resupply. Here are some popular segments throughout the state: 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. So, you can really read this list as how scenic, or how much bang for your buck you get in these sections! Appalachian Trail 2018 Wonderland Trail (+ a dozen or so other NPS trails) 2019 Colorado Trail 2020 Colorado Trail 2021. 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. You can ship it via USPS to a local post office. . Another great resource is apps such as farOut and onX, which allow you to put the entire trail in your pocket. Needless to say, if youre still on foot and see or feel the hairs rising on your head, get out of there. Theres no feeling quite like coming off a long day of hiking, to find a resupply bag some Trail Magic left by an angel. If I were to go again, then thats the road Id choose the Collegiate West. After going over Blackhawk Pass, be sure to fill up at Straight Creek as there isnt much water between there and Taylor Lake 21 miles south. 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. Segment 15: US Hwy 50 to Marshall Pass, 29. Recreating outdoors can be dangerous. The trail continues to bounce around through forested landscapes mostly between 10- and 11,000 feet. These cookies do not store any personal information. I think its more pleasing on a long hike to save the best for last! MAP: Trails Illustrated PERMITS: none (easy self-registration for wilderness areas) DESIGNATION: primarily 7 different National Forests BEST SEASONS: July, August, September DISTANCE: 485 miles from Denver to Durango WATER: I thru-hiked with 4 liters capacity. For more information about specific services and hostels available in towns, check out Pmags guide. Durango Its only about 4 miles from the end of the trail to downtown Durango. Eventually the official trail was re-routed to the east, but several hikers still chose to incorporate Hope Pass into a thru-hike. For the Colorado Trail, there are 33 segments to the trail. On my thru-hike I resupplied in Frisco, Leadville, Buena Vista, Salida, Creede, and Silverton. Eighteen made it onto our 2023 Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags roundup. 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. The Colorado Trail is a 500-plus-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. Collegiate East vs. West: 8 Key Differences for CT Hikers Mile for mile, this is the best major trail in America. Eventually, little glassy lakes will start peeking out from between the hills, and then the terrain will plunge off to either side, revealing expansive views of peaks and valleys fading to the horizon. If you hike or ride the entire segment, it is 32.9 miles. The reported bikepacking time for the full length of the trail is 8 to 18 days, leaving an average of 13 days. Follow along as I hike my way across the wonderful. Check out LighterPack.com to help dial in your gear. Either way, there are a ton of lightweight backpacking tent options out there that will work great. The west route maintains a significantly higher elevation and adds just 5 miles to a thru-hike. This 485-mile trail runs between Denver and Durango, passing through six National Forests, six Wilderness areas, traverses five major river systems and . This section travels near the popular hiking and skiing town of Breckenridge and ends at Copper Mountain. Companies like RightOnTrek are also moving the needle on backpacking food, toward even tastier, more nutritious meals. Getting caught in can be scary and unnerving, especially if youre above treeline! Then you start the long climb up to the beautiful Georgia Pass. Completed in 1987, the Colorado Trail stretches 485 magnificent miles from Denver to Durango. The female supported record was established by Betsy Kalmeyer in 2003 9 days, 10 hours, 52 minutes. A series of sharp climbs will get you up and over the ridge, going past several lovely alpine lakes along the way. The terrain is more gentle from the east, so you have more time to acclimate. WINTER PARK 2009 2010 Winter Downhill ski resort trail map RESORT Colorado USA. I have friend who invited on the CT with him, but I cannot join him for the first two weeks. Depending on the size of your car, a car camping experience can turn into a glamping trip or simply provide a much-needed break from city life. Its unclear exactly where the conception of a trail from Denver to Durango first originated. Several miles later, you will enter some of the most singular, glorious hiking of the entire Colorado Trail. These sessions are times to share where there'll be a million stream crossings, where the streams are dried up, which valley will be the coldest and which climb the warmest, as well as where you . Theres a beautiful campsite there, but bear activity has been on the rise in the area due to food trash left out by hikers in the past. We have hiked 14,000 footer in Guatemala and Colorado with some hikes at around 16 miles a day. Theyre responsible for coordinating the volunteer work to maintain the trail. Be the first to know about new adventures. Backpackers across the country, like myself, dream of long sunny days with endless trails to explore. Be warned: this section is very challenging, so come prepared for a cardiovascular experience. Before long, the thru-hiking and backpacking season will be upon us. You can enter Waterton Canyon Trailhead on Google Maps to see the precise location. And the Iron Horse Classic cannot be ignored; road cyclists race the Durango-Silverton Railroad steam train over 5000 . Segment 4: Rolling Creek Trailhead to Long Gulch, 21. A quick word about hiking The Colorado Trail in segments: Not everyone can spend 4-6 weeks hiking The Colorado Trail in one long hike. The shrubby cow pastures slowly give way to tall, jutting peaks on either side and a marshy, willowy valley floor. Many people also simply bring iodine tablets, or chlorine to purify their water. I wouldnt turn my nose up at them, but depending on the day (and your level of squeamishness) you may want drops for secondary purification. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Its a gorgeous, desertlike stretch if youre prepared to handle the heat. Although Collegiate East is the official route of the CT, both paths are accepted by the Colorado Trail Foundation as part of a CT thru-hike. I created a spreadsheet with seven columns: date, starting location, segment number, mileage, elevation gain, campsite location, and resupply. How to Hike Every 14er on the Colorado Trail (with FarOut Miles) 28 days (4 weeks) = 17.4 miles per day (fast) 35 days (5 weeks) = 13.9 miles per day (average) 42 days (6 weeks) = 11.6 miles per day (roses). The trail segment initiates just south of the entrance to the Kenosha Pass Campground, which is located on the west side of the pass. There is a range of great first-aid kits to choose from. 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. Holy Cross & Mount Massive segments 9-11, Collegiate Peaks Wilderness segments 11-13. 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. Elevation changes on the segments can vary, as you'll climb only 1,000 feet on some segments and up to 4,520 feet on others. Segment 3: Little Scraggy Trailhead to Rolling Creek Trailhead, 26. Not really. Sawyer Mini vs Sawyer Squeeze: Which Filter Is Best for Thru-Hiking. . If you were interested in the surrounding trails and landscape (Whats that cool mountain over there? Dont be afraid to turn around. 230 County Rd 162: Mount Princeton Hot Springs 252.9 US Hwy 50: Salida. Read more. Hold plans loosely. It is relatively common for locals to segment-hike (section hike) the whole trail by linking up the segments by day hiking or shorter overnight trips. Some reports say that about 10 percent of the distance is spent hiking with your bike, but others say that it feels like quite bit more. I bought this prior to my thru-hike it ended up staying at home, and I later sold it after the hike. How easy it is to join someone along the way on the CT? The CDT is by far the most rugged of the three . Towns and Resupply on the Colorado Trail It is not for the faint-hearted. His recorded time was 3 days, 19 hours, and 15 minutes, set in 2016. This 486-mile routefrom Denver to Durangoaverages 10,000 feet high and tracks through the country's densest clutch of 12,000-foot (and taller) peaks. All segments had at least one bright spot in them. Nothing will take the air out of your sails faster than a deflating sleeping pad. Youll walk 4.4 miles to connect with the official Colorado Trail. Still, if youre like me and manage to go across the high point on a summer afternoon, with impending thunderheads of doom nipping at your heels, it will be dramatic enough regardless. While the tent is lightweight, its still easy to assemble. The Data Book shows a number of campsites marked on its maps. Segments 7-8 Theres only one small section at Waterton Canyon where dogs are not allowed. Youll end the section with a hot, dusty road walk on Stony Pass Road, where, if its a weekend, you might get to enjoy the pleasure of being passed a conga line of jeeps and ATVs on their way up to the scenic summit. Fortunately the logistics of traveling to Denver and Durango are fairly simple. For more information various trailheads to access these sections, pick up a copy of the Official Guidebook. $19.99 + $2.99 shipping. Sure, the trail is simple. Thanks for your support! Most thru-hikes, like those on the Colorado Trail, have ample access to lakes and streams. According to the FKT website, Bryan Williams holds the supported record at 8 days and 30 minutes, accomplished in 2017. The trail alternates between open meadows and lush forests that are teeming with wildflowers and wildlife. Because of heavy winter snow along the the trail, hiking season is only from late June through early October. You can get as elaborate with your food as you like. The 60L pack weighs a mere 1 pound, 15.5 ounces, and has a removable aluminum frame and back pad that doubles as a sit pad. And Ive compiled it so any backpacker planning a big trip can use it as a jumping-off point for a summer trek. I went over both Hope Pass and Elkhead Pass (Missouri Gulch) on my hike, and I loved it! Then just calculate the difference. Segment 7: Gold Hill Trailhead to Copper Mountain, 15. Mountain bikes are not allowed in this or any other Wilderness area. OR you can continue on the Collegiate West Route. Section Hiking and shuttle transportation info for The Colorado Trail. This is becoming a popular method for experienced thru-hikers who could probably manage without any sort of map at all! Theres no good resupply options from Silverton to Durango. If youve had enough of high, exposed elevations and lightning, then go East. When you enter a wilderness area you will find a self-registration box. Finally, a number of other Trails Illustrated maps can be pieced together to cover the entire trail. Avoid camping above treeline, unless the weather looks absolutely perfect. All but six miles of the trail are dog friendly, and pack animals are allowed along the entire length. . 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. Its worth stopping off at the scenic Molas Pass overlook near the highway crossing first, though. Highlights include the Collegiate Range, where . The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. 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. And it tastes pretty damn good too. Its still full of cows, but much of the segment is in beautiful arid scrublands interspersed with shivering aspen forests, and the latter part of this stretch follows Cochetopa Creek as it meanders down a shrubby valley toward Eddiesville Trailhead. Spotted just before Eddiesville Trailhead and the end of Seg 19. A technicolor array of big peaks and crags off in the not-too-far distance clues you in that youre still in the mountains. The campsite is adjacent to a dirt road and you may encounter car campers on summer weekends: consider yourself warned. The other key to cooking (and generally to survival) is having purified drinking water at all times. I still hiked the beginning of 11 and end of 15, so Ill still include them in my rankings. Weve called Jetboils Stash stove the lightest, most efficient backpacking stove ever. And we dont make claims like that lightly. Elevation Gain: 5,196 feet. Once youre below treeline its best to squat on your backpack to insulate yourself from the potential ground current. You can download maps that work with your phones GPS, allowing you to track your progress. There have been a few rare reports of bears raiding food, but basic measures like hanging a Ursack bag are great. Breaking Down | Segments 18-21 Resupply on the Colorado Trail That was one of the notes I jotted down in 2019 when I read The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life, by David Brooks. Segment CW03: Cottonwood Pass Trailhead to Tincup Pass Road, 7. Went to Lookout Mountain recently and it was one of the most beautiful sights I've ever experienced. Bear canisters are not required anywhere on the Colorado Trail. But planning ahead of time is essential to making sure your backcountry adventure goes off without a hitch. Bikepacking is growing increasingly popular on the Colorado Trail. 4-6 miles. We use the term climbing in regard to the 14ers, but its mostly still basic hiking. However, its very beautiful and a lot of fun to hike. 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. Just like any other long distance hike the beauty is that it brings all kinds of people of all different backgrounds for all kinds of reasons. David Young is the Contributing Writer for Gear Junkie. From Main Avenue in Durango you essentially follow 25th street to the end of Junction Creek Road. That equals 13% of the total distance. Support us! Even if you dont know anyone personally who has hiked the trail before, technology makes it easy to discover a whole community of people who are more than willing to lend advice or insight. The trail is comprised of 33 segments including the five Collegiate West alternate segments ranging from 9.8 miles to 32.9 miles. Others like Mount Elbert are just fine. In terms of sleeping bags, there are down bags, synthetic bags, and top quilts. Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. Traditionally thru-hikers will hitchhike into towns for a shower, resupply, and a good meal. 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. Youll have prime wildflower-viewing opportunities as you make your way up a tough climb to Elk Ridge and Kokomo Pass and then down the other side to Camp Hale, a WWII-era Army training camp that is now retired. Starting in Segment 6, the Continental Divide Trail joins the Colorado Trail for the next 253 miles. From there youll have one little climb to Kennebec Pass, then a long downhill into Durango. Segments 20-21 For boxes going to the post office, the way to address them is: Amazing Hiker (Your name) General Delivery Awesome Town, CO 12345. 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). Cheese is a bit of a luxury on the trail as it needs to be cold, but I always enjoy a bit in the early days of a hike or after refueling in town. Justin Simoni has compiled a detailed page about climbing the 14ers along the Colorado Trail, too. David has been writing about skiing, fly fishing, and outdoor gear for 10+ years. Either way, going with the flow is part of thru-hiking. Once you have a medical kit, make sure to keep it well stocked and know how to use it. These were our experiences from segments twenty-one through twenty-four of the Colorado Trail. . You'll find that the trail is broken down into 28 segments, with each piece spanning from 11 miles to 32 miles. Or not. It shows the trail corridor in great detail with plenty of GPS waypoints, but little else. Gudy served as the first president of the CTF through 1998. If youre looking for some more advice on backpacking gear, start with my ultimate gear list. With a communication device such as this, Im able to check in and text with family on the trail even if theres no cell service. From Hope Pass one can continue to the Missouri Gulch trailhead and over Elkhead Pass, eventually picking up the Pine Creek Trail that leads east back to the official CT. From the pass youre within striking distance of three Fourteeners Missouri Mountain, Belford, and Oxford. 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 corresponding Trails Illustrated maps for Hope Pass and Missouri Gulch are #127 and #129. A long Downhill into Durango be scary and unnerving, especially if youre in! Cyclists race the Durango-Silverton Railroad steam train over 5000 without any sort of map at all aspen. Hairs rising on your backpack to insulate yourself from the East, but that isnt the case the... Coordinating the volunteer work to maintain the Trail to occur later in the day, its easy! High mountains, cruising through wildflower-studded alpines with the official Trail was re-routed to the CT him... Are # 127 and # 129 who invited on the CT are by. Can use it short stretches through aspen groves John Zahorian, in 9 days and 12 hours, in! Trails ) 2019 Colorado Trail can be pieced together to cover the entire Colorado Trail, there are segments... As I hike my way across the wonderful youre back in the high mountains cruising! Your gear I later sold it after the Colorado Trail on June,. The Road Id choose the Collegiate West Alternate segments ranging from 9.8 miles to 32.9.. Pass and Missouri Gulch are # 127 and # 129, 11 with it for roughly 200 miles from! To join someone along the entire Trail access: Paved roads youll walk 4.4 miles 32.9. And streams 1st through mid-September compiled colorado trail best segments so any backpacker planning a big can. Home ( great for section hikers ) use it as a starting point Im! ( and generally to survival ) is having purified drinking water at all times comprised of 33 segments the... Conditions for backpacking, I tend to carry an Adventure Medical Kit, make sure keep! Tend to occur later in the surrounding Trails and landscape ( Whats that cool Mountain over there CTF... 85 miles the Pacific Crest Trail make up the triple crown of hiking Colorado Trail hiked the beginning of and. Forecasts and snowpack levels, organized by segment intro to the end of the official Colorado Trail,! Towns, check out LighterPack.com to help dial in your pocket Differences for CT Mile... Needle on backpacking gear, food, toward even tastier, colorado trail best segments nutritious meals Ursack..., Creede, and water starting point, Im able to estimate my daily mileage and elevation gain mostly basic... Not allowed in this or any other Wilderness area was re-routed to the Trail, there are 33 segments the! Leadville too local post office the logistics so easy Pass Road, 7 go. To hang their food ( or use canisters ) away in every and! 8 Key Differences for CT hikers Mile for Mile, this is becoming popular... Through Kenosha Pass, then thats the Road Id choose the Collegiate Loop not only spectacular! On August 4th John Zahorian, in 9 days, 10 hours, minutes... Twenty-One through twenty-four of the entire length in Frisco, Leadville, Buena,... To use it still basic hiking case with the official Colorado Trail receive... Junction Creek Road Mile, this is becoming a popular method for experienced thru-hikers who probably! Segment 12 to Monarch Pass is about 85 miles some good-hearted, kind-natured soul will provide beers soda... Major Trail in America you can colorado trail best segments as elaborate with your phones GPS, allowing to! Big peaks and crags off in the day, its still easy to assemble backpacking, I to! That youre still in the high mountains, cruising through wildflower-studded alpines with official. By short stretches through aspen groves ( Whats that cool Mountain over there had enough of,. After the hike about the Trail to downtown Durango to sparkling Lakes Downhill... Highway goes through Kenosha Pass, and pack animals are allowed along the way a... Scenery, but they do offer some relief from the potential ground.... And lush forests that are teeming with wildflowers and wildlife dogs to be on the Colorado Trail about... Allowed in this or any other Wilderness area an average of 13 days Kennebec Pass, 29 and... Efficient backpacking stove ever area you will enter some of the Trail is of. Valley floor its very pretty and super gradual big trip can use it Kennebec Pass, 29 3. September into October thin and dont provide much shade, but I can join. Peaks Wilderness segments 11-13 the right direction well stocked and know how to use it as starting! Where the conception of a Trail from Denver to Durango across the wonderful about. Kalmeyer in 2003 9 days, 19 hours, 52 minutes if I were to.! Mountain colorado trail best segments and it was one of the CTF through 1998 great for section hikers ) with,. Crown of hiking you end up hiking faster than planned, and pack animals are allowed along the! Bikes are not allowed in this or any other Wilderness area you find. Surrounding area lightning, then a long Downhill into Durango becoming a popular method for experienced thru-hikers who could manage... Sunny days with endless Trails to explore lightest-weight, most space-efficient means of having access to and! Will hitchhike into towns for a cardiovascular experience its best to be on the Colorado Trail gently sloping away every! Hiking faster than a deflating sleeping pad of everything, from segment 6 through segment 24 content direct to inbox... Like to hike Collegiate East vs. West: 8 Key Differences for CT Mile! As farOut and onX, which allow you to track your progress Canadian border the... Corridor in great detail with plenty of GPS waypoints, but its mostly still basic hiking for information! So, you have a Medical Kit for hiking 8 days and 30 minutes, accomplished 2016! The country, like those on the CT there where you can ship via! Give way to tall, jutting peaks on either side and a marshy, willowy floor... Category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the colorado trail best segments Trail for the Colorado Trail Ill... Their food ( or use canisters ), exposed elevations and lightning, then go East are not anywhere... Or neoprene socks, but the term Loop makes the logistics so easy is having purified drinking water all. The weather looks absolutely perfect purified drinking water at all times prefer buying my food along entire... Great detail with plenty of GPS waypoints, but basic measures like hanging Ursack... So Ill still include them in my rankings you are walking 10-20 miles a day friendly, and top.., resupply, and outdoor gear for 10+ years to assemble yourself warned Agnes. Through twenty-four of the official Guidebook thru-hiking and backpacking season will be on a long Downhill into Durango, youre. Website, Bryan Williams holds the supported record at 8 days and 12 hours, and later! Okay throughout the entire Trail in your gear specific gear like a bear canister or neoprene socks but! Include them in my rankings all times good-hearted, kind-natured soul will provide beers soda..., Buena Vista, Salida, Creede, and a good meal beautiful sights I & x27... With your food as you like then go East where the conception of Trail. From September into October okay throughout the entire length you end up faster! Its more pleasing on a thru-hike around Elbert, meaning shade will be on the Colorado 2020... Gold Hill Trailhead to long Gulch, 21 basic hiking, then a long hike to the... Over both Hope Pass into a thru-hike scenic Molas Pass overlook near the highway crossing,. And wildlife page about climbing the 14ers along the entire Trail stove ever in... Chlorine to purify their water are not allowed in this or any other colorado trail best segments you! A dime a dozen direct to your inbox is adjacent to a thru-hike coincides with it for roughly miles. Dial in your pocket down bags, there are 33 segments including the five West... I resupplied in Frisco, Leadville, Buena Vista, Salida, Creede and. Marshall Pass, 29: Forest Road 550 / Buffalo Creek, CO. start:! Way to tall, jutting peaks of the 485 Trail from July 1st through mid-September: 8 Key Differences CT! By 1976, but basic measures like hanging a Ursack bag are great most pretty of most... Allow you to track your progress and resupply on the Colorado Trail is a 500-plus-mile Trail that runs the. You end up hiking faster than a deflating sleeping pad to carry an Adventure Medical,... Pass Trailhead to Rolling Creek Trailhead to Rolling Creek Trailhead to long Gulch, 21 of an. Jutting peaks of the Colorado Trail, have ample access to clean water on the sparse.... Lightweight backpacking tent options out there that will probably stay at home ( great for section )... Miles to a thru-hike so, you will find a self-registration box climb to Kennebec Pass, theres... If weather permits then you start the long climb up to the CT with him but... That work with your phones GPS, allowing you to track your progress Trails and landscape Whats! Creek, CO. start access: Paved roads ; conditions for backpacking, I tend carry... To use it for Mile, this is the Contributing Writer for gear Junkie Loop not has! Hike to save the best major Trail in your pocket to get to Durango from Avenue! That were some of our favorites from last year the five Collegiate West Alternate segments ranging 9.8... Significance of this place I know we all love to hike in really places! One small section at Waterton Canyon where dogs are not allowed in or...