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! Altitude sickness is a serious consideration when youre hiking in Colorados high mountains. Segments 4-5 Logistics for a Colorado Trail Thru-Hike $19.99 + $2.99 shipping. I hope you enjoy it! Section Hiking and shuttle transportation info for The Colorado Trail. You can enter Waterton Canyon Trailhead on Google Maps to see the precise location. The highest sustained elevations occur closer to the trails western terminus, so most hikers choose to start their trip on the Denver side. He is a Colorado native and when not in the backcountry, David is at the keyboard writing and listening to vinyl records or sitting by a fire with a glass of whiskey in hand. Ive gathered loads of information for my Colorado Trail hike this season. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Your total pack should weigh no more than 20 percent of your body weight when fully loaded with gear, food, and water. 357.8 Hwy 149: Lake City, Creede 411.1 US Hwy 550: Silverton. Some hikers hitch into the towns of Jefferson or Fairplay from here. Depending on the season and the year, many of them may still be graced with snowy caps. The trail will often close due to issues related to its nearby dam, so there are two alternate trailheads: This is the primary alternate for those with dogs. Several miles later, you will enter some of the most singular, glorious hiking of the entire Colorado Trail. For more information various trailheads to access these sections, pick up a copy of the Official Guidebook. 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. Traditionally thru-hikers will hitchhike into towns for a shower, resupply, and a good meal. Mount Elbert is especially tempting too, since its the highest mountain in Colorado! Are you really going to eat oatmeal every morning for a month? Theres one more big climb up to Molas Lake before you can catch a ride into Silverton on Highway 550 for a well-earned rest. Peanut butter is one of my must-haves on any thru-hike. 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. The trail is split into 28 segments, each of which are completely different. How to Hike Every 14er on the Colorado Trail (with FarOut Miles) This way, youre able to help yourself or others on the trail as needed. From there you can take a taxi or Uber, private shuttle, etc. I hope this page has satisfied what you needed to know about the trail, or at least pointed you in the right direction. Camped among the aspen near the base of the Mount Elbert approach trail. GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. The CT isnt especially crowded like the AT or PCT, so more thru-hikers is generally a good thing. Dont forget to have a look at my thru-hiking journal! The website will calculate your base weight, total weight, and worn weight based on what gear you own and use. Some of the National Forest Wilderness Areas require dogs to be on a leash. Resupply for thru-hiking is where you are able to get more supplies, food, wash clothes, and maybe even take a rest day here or there in a soft bed at a nice hotel. Olga King holds the female self-supported record at 15 days, 2 hours, 28 minutes, accomplished in 2018. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The trail is comprised of 33 segments including the five Collegiate West alternate segments ranging from 9.8 miles to 32.9 miles. The standard hiking trail is 486 miles, but the biking bypasses extend a full length adventure to approximately 540 miles. The CDT was established after the Colorado Trail, and coincides with it for roughly 200 miles, from Segment 6 through Segment 24. A great gravity option is the MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier. Really? With a total distance of 567 miles, including a choice of two routes in the middle ( Collegiate East and Collegiate West ), the Trail's segments are broken down below. Backpackers across the country, like myself, dream of long sunny days with endless trails to explore. Some trekkers also consider getting medevac insurance to help in case they need to be airlifted off the trail. I weigh 250 pounds, so my pack fully loaded should never be more than 50 pounds. Its lowest point is at 5,520 feet in Waterton Canyon the trails eastern terminus near Denver. I live near the Appalachian Trail and, like thousands of other people, I am section hiking it. I recommend the West route for its beauty and access to 14ers, though it will take more time and energy. Eighteen made it onto our 2023 Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags roundup. Just a few miles into Segment 4, youll enter the Lost Creek Wilderness Area, where youll have to stop at the kiosk and fill out the free permit. 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. There are no dogs, bicycles, horses, camping, etc. Sunshine and rainbows and green rolling mountaintops as far as the eye can see. Its fun to experience the town of Leadville too. In general, Outdoor Vitals is a great ultralight backpacking company to consider for a variety of gear. It should be noted that the trail hasnt broken above 8,000 feet so far, so if youre hiking in the summertime like most people, conditions will likely be pretty toasty. Collegiate East is 78 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~17,800 feet. This is somewhat of an old school method. Segments 9 through 11 are great too, primarily because this is where you can do Mount Elbert and Mount Massive. After miles of fairly monotonous pasture walking, youre launched back into sensory overload in Segments 20 and 21. In terms of sleeping bags, there are down bags, synthetic bags, and top quilts. For the Colorado Trail, Ill be using a Big Agnes Sidewinder bag. Theres a sacred rule of thumb when it comes to loading gear into your bag. Consider a lightweight pack that still supports the weight well. Free shipping for many products! Before long, the thru-hiking and backpacking season will be upon us. REI Unveils Trailmade Gear With More Inclusive Sizing & Design, The Best Adventure Motorcycles for 2023: Ride Everywhere. 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. Colorado gets frequent afternoon thunderstorms in July and early August. This is not the John Muir Trail. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. My favorite maps of the CT are published by Trails Illustrated. While all backpackers will pack slightly differently for a multiday trip, there are always some staples that go into a pack. The segment is mostly through open fields, rolling hills and ends on beautiful Kenosha Pass which is littered with Aspen Trees. Colorado Trail | 2020 Thru Hike 43,592 views Premiered Aug 25, 2020 878 Dislike Share Save Mike Windsor 546 subscribers Here it is folks! 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). The Colorado Trail is nearly 500 miles of awe-inspiring terrain through the Colorado Rocky Mountains. 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. Theres only one small section at Waterton Canyon where dogs are not allowed. 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. The trail is divided into 28 segments. The Collegiate West route has only a few unique resupply options, like Taylor Park and St. Elmo. 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. On the other side of 550, youll walk around Little Molas Lake and the free Forest Service campground on its shores, then start climbing again among old, thick-trunked Engelmann spruce. Once you have the gear, its time to plan the logistics of the hike. You can get as elaborate with your food as you like. From blisters to sprained ankles, having a first-aid kit in the pack is a must. The trail alternates between open meadows and lush forests that are teeming with wildflowers and wildlife. It was envisioned as a project to be completed in 1976 for Americas Bicentennial. The most commonly done 14ers on a thru-hike are San Luis Peak, Mount Elbert, and Mount Massive. If youre looking for a quick small-scale topo map to do your own research, look no further than the wonderful resource that is CalTopo, free on the internet. Try to go over in the morning if you can to give yourself the best chance of avoiding afternoon storms. Or, if youre looking to stay as light as possible, Therm-a-Rest also makes the NeoAir UberLite which, as its name implies, is uber light. Segment 17: Sargents Mesa to CO Hwy 114. This 485-mile trail runs between Denver and Durango, passing through six National Forests, six Wilderness areas, traverses five major river systems and . In case of a major emergency, I can also use it to call for search and rescue. Remember that the Colorado Trail is hiking trail that simply allows cyclists to use it if you dare . The core three gear items not including clothing that make up your base weight are a backpack, tent, and sleep system (sleeping bag and pad). The Colorado Trail is broken up into 28 segments, each with its own individual entry points at the beginning and end. 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. These days there are lots of great backpacking stove options. They're also convenient bail-out points should something go wrong (i.e., injury or bad weather), and determine where hikers can resupply. Atlas Guides (Guthook) publishes an excellent app (with maps) for smartphone users. I created a spreadsheet with seven columns: date, starting location, segment number, mileage, elevation gain, campsite location, and resupply. Trail Segments Trail Alerts & Conditions Breaking Down | Segments 18-21 Resupply on the Colorado Trail Trail Surface: Smooth single-track with rocks and sand. Theyre responsible for coordinating the volunteer work to maintain the trail. Alllllll the food. Its a gorgeous, desertlike stretch if youre prepared to handle the heat. CT - Segment 17: Sargents Mesa to Colorado Hwy-114 CT - Segment 18: Hwy 114 to County Road 17FF CT - Segment 19 - 21 Detour: La Garita Wilderness Bypass CT - Segment 22: Spring Creek Pass to Carson Saddle CT - Segment 23: Carson Saddle to Stony Pass CT - Segment 24 Detour: Weminuche Wilderness Bypass CT - Segment 25: Molas Pass to Bolam Pass Road As I said above, this is entirely my opinion! Looking at length and elevation gain is a good way to gauge each segment's difficulty. When you enter a wilderness area you will find a self-registration box. Segment 21: San Luis Pass to Spring Creek Pass Trailhead, 6. Recreating outdoors can be dangerous. Add about 50 miles to this figure if you follow the Colorado Trail's Collegiate West route. Colorado Trail Segments 2-10 An eight-day, 160-mile through-hike into the wilderness alone First step: go into the wilderness alone. Start planning your trip! A friend who has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail passed along some sound advice when it comes to these meals, though make sure you try them and like them before buying a bunch for the trail. By signing up for email newsletters, you agree to GearJunkie's, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). The trail's highest point is at Coney Summit - 13,334 feet above sea level, in Segment 22. Theres extra fees involved here, but its not hitchhiking! However, its very beautiful and a lot of fun to hike. Shavano #139 La Garita, Cochetopa Hills #140 Weminuche Wilderness #141 Telluride, Silverton, Ouray, Lake City #144 Durango, Cortez. As a bonus, the San Juan Range at the west end is considered to be the most scenic section of the entire trail. No. From Main Avenue in Durango you essentially follow 25th street to the end of Junction Creek Road. Segment 10: Timberline Lake to Mount Massive Trail, 25. For those segments where Im on my own, there are resupply towns across the state that are not too far from the trail. In addition to the pack, Ive been using its Fortius one-person trekking pole tent as well (pictured above). You can essentially camp wherever you like along the trail. Dedicating a month of your life to the Trail has its price. 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. One final safety piece of gear I always carry in the backcountry just in case is a SPOT Satellite Communication Device. . 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). I know we all love to hike, but I personally like to hike in really pretty places. These apps, while no replacement for physical topographic maps, are a great resource to have on hand. Divided into 28 segments, the trail end points are Denver and Durango. As of 2021, the trees in this area were still mostly alive. San Luis Peak is the easiest one to get, as its summit is nearest to the official trail. 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. Segment 20: Eddiesville Trailhead to San Luis Pass, 16. The entire tent weighs less than 2 pounds and packs down into a very small stuff sack taking up almost no room in the pack. 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. To get the most out of a jar of Jif, you can add a stick of butter to it for an extra calorie boost. The Data Book shows a number of campsites marked on its maps. Theyre typically more expensive and can get old if youre eating them day in and day out. 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. Along the way it meanders through high alpine mountains and valleys, offering a glimpse at some of the finest terrain Colorado has to offer. Appalachian Trail 2018 Wonderland Trail (+ a dozen or so other NPS trails) 2019 Colorado Trail 2020 Colorado Trail 2021. Youll bounce around in these curious hills for some miles. The CDT is by far the most rugged of the three . ), 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. During the 2017 Colorado Trail Race the average amount of H.A.B (Hike-A-Bike) was about 70 miles. Our secret comes from selecting and mixing the finest ingredients in small batches to achieve optimal taste and flavor profiles. In my experience, the section from Creede to Silverton is the most scenic (Segments 21 through 24). This season I am using the Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight Ultralight Backpack. Segment 9: Tennessee Pass to Timberline Lake Trailhead, 19. The Colorado Trail, Denver to Durango location Colorado, USA We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. The Colorado Trail Foundation has an informative conditions page that provides links to local weather forecasts and snowpack levels, organized by segment. Segment 19 is a nice way to wrap up this little interlude. Completed in 1987, the Colorado Trail stretches 485 magnificent miles from Denver to Durango. Near the summit of Carpenter Peak will be a singed junction that leads you to the official Colorado Trail. Heres a list Ive compiled of 14ers along the way, with their corresponding Trails Illustrated Maps. OR you can continue on the Collegiate West Route. Incidentally, at mile 45.2 youll cross a gorgeous rocky stream, and there will be ample camping just before the crossing if you look downslope. 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. When you see it, know that this view signifies the beginning of a steep, knee-crunching, nine-mile descent down to the Animas River. Find more details here. 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. You can expect to see more crowds on these mountains than the main trail. But if the Fortius doesnt strike your fancy, check out GearJunkies best backpacking tents. Its equal parts warmth and comfort. I still hiked the beginning of 11 and end of 15, so Ill still include them in my rankings. For an epic backpacking trip, hike the Knife Edge, a 25-mile loop that encompasses several trails, including the CDT. Dehydrated camping meals are also easy, light, and pretty tasty these days. Ive crossed it both and have indeed had crappy, dangerous weather both times (lightning and freezing rain, respectively). Consider something like the Facebook Group, Colorado Trail Thru-Hikers, where people who are planning to hike the trail and have hiked the trail in the past gather to ask questions and share information. This summer, I'm thru-hiking the Colorado Trail. Highlights include the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe, which weighs just 2.9 ounces and will boil 1 L of water in 3 minutes, 23 seconds. Bear canisters are not required anywhere on the Colorado Trail. The Colorado Trail Foundation was founded in the same year, and still serves as the trails primary steward. Free shipping for many products! How easy it is to join someone along the way on the CT? Weve called Jetboils Stash stove the lightest, most efficient backpacking stove ever. And we dont make claims like that lightly. Some hikers meticulously plan out each meal and have a separate food bag for every day. Location: Forest Road 550 / Buffalo Creek, CO. Start Access: Paved roads. The Data Book has useful overview maps to follow your progress through each segment. Gudy never gave up, and the trail was officially completed in 1987. Colorado also hosts many road and mountain races. "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. Fortunately the logistics of traveling to Denver and Durango are fairly simple. It has a bit of everything, from austere passes to lush valleys to sparkling lakes. All rights reserved. More flag On Ute, Cheyenne & Pueblos Land Distance 539 Mi. On my thru-hike I resupplied in Frisco, Leadville, Buena Vista, Salida, Creede, and Silverton. And theyre just around the corner. 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. Trail Magic or Angels are always a special treat to encounter on any thru-hike. 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. Camping in prohibited only in a handful of places, like the first few miles along the road at Waterton Canyon. Why not? Sawyer Mini vs Sawyer Squeeze: Which Filter Is Best for Thru-Hiking. If youre new to this sort of thing, consider making Jefferson/Fairplay your first resupply at Kenosha Pass, 71 miles from Denver. If youre looking for some more advice on backpacking gear, start with my ultimate gear list. 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). And ultralight backpackers are able to get their base weight below 10 pounds. If you hike or ride the entire segment, it is 32.9 miles. Sometimes businesses along the trail will accept packages too (Especially worth considering for UPS and FEDEX, which do not deliver to the Post Office). After a set of grueling, steep, rocky switchbacks that will make your calves scream, youll arrive at the high point. 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. . Sending yourself more timely resupply drops as you go via Amazon Prime or other services. Follow along as I hike my way across the wonderful. Kenosha Pass Hiking Trails. Colorado Trail : Segment 8 Hard 4.5 (101) White River National Forest Photos (415) Directions Print/PDF map Length 24.1 miElevation gain 4,498 ftRoute type Point to point Explore this 24.1-mile point-to-point trail near Frisco, Colorado. 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. July has a higher incidence of lightning, but more wildflowers and more thru-hikers. It depends how fast you go! The Colorado Trail is one of the great walks of the American West. 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. The drawback to prepackaged dehydrated meals? This helps ensure that you wont run out of food and have meals planned well in advance. This figure accounts for your food on the trail and an average amount of restaurant meals and lodging. section is one of the areas that had fully eroded back in the 2018 storm but trail builders have gone in and re-created segments of path along the coast. Segment 6: Kenosha Pass to Gold Hill Trailhead, 13. The route is near to Colorados highest peak, Mount Elbert, at 14,443 feet. Once you have a medical kit, make sure to keep it well stocked and know how to use it. Beyond talking to people who have hiked these trails before, theres a wealth of information online and in books that are invaluable so you know what to expect when hiking this summer. Section (segment) hiking is a great way to see the trail and being able to do the trail a weekend, week or more at a time. . Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. Five Collegiate West route has only a few unique resupply options, like at... An eight-day, 160-mile through-hike into the wilderness alone first step: into., from segment 6 through segment 24 information various trailheads to access sections. Our secret comes from selecting and mixing the finest ingredients in small batches to achieve optimal taste and profiles! How easy it is to join someone along the Trail above ) are teeming with wildflowers more. And water 20 and 21 Denver and Durango are fairly simple gudy never gave up, and.... 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