Five bypasses from the official route are necessary to go around the designated wilderness areas (more on this down the page). 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. 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. All segments had at least one bright spot in them. I hope this page has satisfied what you needed to know about the trail, or at least pointed you in the right direction. Eventually, youll find yourself on Jeep roads again as you approach the shores of scenic Celebration Lake. Aspen are thin and dont provide much shade, but they do offer some relief from the hot sun. OR you can continue to Missouri Gulch, a great option to bag some fourteeners. If youre looking for some more advice on backpacking gear, start with my ultimate gear list. As a whole, the Colorado Trail averages over 10,300 feet above sea level! Companies like RightOnTrek are also moving the needle on backpacking food, toward even tastier, more nutritious meals. CPW issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high priority wildlife . 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. Here's a checklist of what I'm bringing and how I'm planning for any backpacker to use as a jumping-off point. This alternate became popular a few years ago, when Waterton Canyon was closed for almost an entire season. Theres a sacred rule of thumb when it comes to loading gear into your bag. Near the summit of Carpenter Peak will be a singed junction that leads you to the official Colorado Trail. 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. This way youre less likely to get caught on the move above treeline. Colorado also hosts many road and mountain races. Favorite sign sighting on the whole CT. Holy Cross & Mount Massive segments 9-11, Collegiate Peaks Wilderness segments 11-13. Finally, a number of other Trails Illustrated maps can be pieced together to cover the entire trail. The Colorado Trail, Denver to Durango location Colorado, USA We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. You can also avoid interaction with the majority of thru-hikers starting from Denver, if thats your prerogative. 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. Sinkholes are formed in soil,clay gravel or a combination of these. As of 2021, the trees in this area were still mostly alive. Segment 19 is a nice way to wrap up this little interlude. Segment 8: Copper Mountain to Tennessee Pass, 14. I spend three to five weeks out there every summer hiking a segment or two and acting as a . But its particularly useful for anyone considering thru-hiking the Colorado Trail yourself. 11 Highlights of the Colorado Trail You Wont Want to Miss 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 loop, both Collegiate East and Collegiate West, follow alternatives on the CT with the Collegiate West as part of the CDT. The Data Book shows a number of campsites marked on its maps. Segment 2: South Platte River Trailhead to Little Scraggy Trailhead, 23. Then you start the long climb up to the beautiful Georgia Pass. From blisters to sprained ankles, having a first-aid kit in the pack is a must. 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). Follow along as I hike my way across the wonderful. For any long-distance thru-hike, such as the Colorado Trail, planning a route and resupply points is key. 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. The drawback to prepackaged dehydrated meals? To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. Segment 15: US Hwy 50 to Marshall Pass, 29. Dehydrated camping meals are also easy, light, and pretty tasty these days. Divided into 28 segments, the trail end points are Denver and Durango. Start early in the morning and pack plenty of water. It does not account for your gear, transportation to/from Colorado, or of course the bills that you keep up on in everyday life. The air is thin up there, even for thru-hikers, but remember to bring your brains! 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. 465.9 accessible via 171 485 Route 171 at Junction Creek end of the trail! The Colorado Trail is a 486-mile-long greatest hits collection of the Centennial State's most picturesque scenery, from wildflower-strewn meadows to sky-high rocky ridges, that runs from Denver to Durango. Youll connect with the CT near Strontia Springs Dam. Find more details here. The campsite is adjacent to a dirt road and you may encounter car campers on summer weekends: consider yourself warned. And the Iron Horse Classic cannot be ignored; road cyclists race the Durango-Silverton Railroad steam train over 5000 . Segment Six of the Colorado Trail This is the longest of the 28 Colorado Trail segments. Some of the National Forest Wilderness Areas require dogs to be on a leash. 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 The Colorado Trail is broken up into 28 segments, each with its own individual entry points at the beginning and end. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, David loves exploring the Rocky Mountains on skis, mountain bikes, or with a fly rod in hand. The website will calculate your base weight, total weight, and worn weight based on what gear you own and use. There is a range of great first-aid kits to choose from. The trail is split into 28 segments, each of which are completely different. Just before getting to Taylor Lake, youll cross Indian Trail Ridge, a long, knife-edge spine of rock thats well above treeline and is notorious for bad weather. The trail is split into 28 segments, each of which are completely different. The Colorado Trail Foundation has an informative conditions page that provides links to local weather forecasts and snowpack levels, organized by segment. Segment 7: Gold Hill Trailhead to Copper Mountain, 15. 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. All but six miles of the trail are dog friendly, and pack animals are allowed along the entire length. Segment 6: Kenosha Pass to Gold Hill Trailhead, 13. You should also note that I did not hike the Collegiate East, which is comprised of segments 11 - 15. The race is held each year in early July. The Collegiate West alternate route is not included. 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. Some segments take more than a day to hike, and others less. Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa, 30. Segment 9: Tennessee Pass to Timberline Lake Trailhead, 19. You can hitch into the charming town of Leadville pretty easily from here. While all backpackers will pack slightly differently for a multiday trip, there are always some staples that go into a pack. The Colorado Trail is a 500-plus-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. Its equal parts warmth and comfort. The CT isnt especially crowded like the AT or PCT, so more thru-hikers is generally a good thing. Some trekkers also consider getting medevac insurance to help in case they need to be airlifted off the trail. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. You can enter Waterton Canyon Trailhead on Google Maps to see the precise location. The trails highest point is at Coney Summit 13,334 feet above sea level, in Segment 22. This figure accounts for your food on the trail and an average amount of restaurant meals and lodging. Segment 11: Mount Massive Trailhead to Clear Creek Road, 22. And if you dont, you can be at risk of falling victim to ailments like Rhabdo (look it up it isnt fun). Mt. It appears to be formed in solid rock. The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. For those segments where Im on my own, there are resupply towns across the state that are not too far from the trail. Moved from CT to CO. Its worth stopping off at the scenic Molas Pass overlook near the highway crossing first, though. Segment 21: San Luis Pass to Spring Creek Pass Trailhead, 6. Nothing will take the air out of your sails faster than a deflating sleeping pad. You can expect to see more crowds on these mountains than the main trail. There are 28 segments along the Trail, each with its own access point. This is easily bypassed via the Indian Creek trailhead (see above). The last major piece of gear is the sleeping pad. 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. Often at high elevations on the Colorado Trail, it can take twice as long for a freeze-dried meal to be ready to consume. Segments 15-19 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. 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. The pass is above treeline, so if youre worried about afternoon thunderstorms, you may choose to camp (or siesta) partway up. Meals such as Good To-Gos new Breakfast Hash or Thai Curry provide plenty of calories in a light, compact meal. Towns like Durango, Winter Park, Vail, Caon City, Crested Butte host pro mountain bike races. Photo via. Start planning your trip! Feel free to contact me with additional questions. Just hang a bag of water in camp and the Gravity filter provides clean water for the entire group. The most commonly done 14ers on a thru-hike are San Luis Peak, Mount Elbert, and Mount Massive. If you hike or ride the entire segment, it is 32.9 miles. AllTrails/Rolf Asphaug. 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. If you were interested in the surrounding trails and landscape (Whats that cool mountain over there? Either way, going with the flow is part of thru-hiking. Travelers from out of state should take at least a day or two to acclimate before the trip. Free shipping for many products! Trail Surface: Smooth single-track with rocks and sand. To get the most out of a jar of Jif, you can add a stick of butter to it for an extra calorie boost. Weve called Jetboils Stash stove the lightest, most efficient backpacking stove ever. And we dont make claims like that lightly. The trail gradually shifts in character as you make your way toward San Luis Pass from Eddiesville Trailhead. In terms of sleeping bags, there are down bags, synthetic bags, and top quilts. . As a bonus, the San Juan Range at the west end is considered to be the most scenic section of the entire trail. You can ask for rides from other hikers, hitchhike, or call a taxi/uber/lyft. Not really. Simply add boiling water and wait. You'll find that the trail is broken down into 28 segments, with each piece spanning from 11 miles to 32 miles. You wont go so long again without water as you did in Segment 2, but the environment will continue to be arid and shrubby with sparse shade from tall shrubs and evergreens. It was ambitious to think we could traverse segments 21-18 of the Colorado Trail in only 2 days. If youd like a more subjective take on thru-hiking the trail, check out my journal. Jeannie Dreyer set the female course record in 2015 at 5 days, 15 hours, 36 minutes. Walking alone on the Colorado Trail can be pure bliss. Breaking Down | Segments 18-21 Resupply on 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. Bikepacking is growing increasingly popular on the Colorado Trail. Hiking just one 14er offers an unparalleled experience, with views that arent found along the official trail. These apps, while no replacement for physical topographic maps, are a great resource to have on hand. Dont eat too much, though, because youll face an immediate climb out of the resort. Durango Its only about 4 miles from the end of the trail to downtown Durango. Segment 5: Long Gulch to Kenosha Pass, 18. 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. They have a separate map for that. 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. Ranging from 4,000 to 14,000 feet, the completed sections of the CDT provide a variety of recreational activities to many hundreds of thousands of people each year, including hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, and sightseeing. ELEVATION: average ~10,300 feet ROUTE: well maintained, popular trail, signed junctions GUIDEBOOK: Colorado Trail 9th Edition DATA BOOK: 7th Edition. Thats it. Its hard to consume as many calories as you burn when you are walking 10-20 miles a day. RPPC Longs Peak CO-Colorado, Trail Ridge Road View, Real Photo Vintage Postcard. 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. But if the Fortius doesnt strike your fancy, check out GearJunkies best backpacking tents. Colorado Trail Packing List Dont be afraid to turn around. Free shipping for many products! 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. One of the best resources for any thru-hike is other hikers who have done the hike before. Segments 9 through 11 are great too, primarily because this is where you can do Mount Elbert and Mount Massive. This effectively created a 160-mile loop hike for those not wanting to tackle the entire Colorado Trail. 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. About a half mile from Roxboroughs Visitor Center youll go up the Carpenter Peak Trail. Collegiate West is 85 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~19,800 feet. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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.). At miles 166 and 170, you will pass junctions with the Mount Massive Trailhead, your first opportunity to summit a 14er, followed closely by the Mount Elbert Trail junctions at miles 170 and 175. Segments 11-14 What's the elevation up there? 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. These were our experiences from segments twenty-one through twenty-four of the Colorado Trail. Indian Creek Campground Sedalia on Google Maps will essentially get you there, but youll want to have a copy of this PDF file with precise directions. Its a bit heavier at 2 pounds, 4 ounces, but Im willing to take on that extra weight. As of 2021, the trees in this area were still mostly alive. Pmags.com has a lot more great info regarding travel logistics, including options for long-term parking. Then just calculate the difference. Sometimes you end up hiking faster than planned, and other times, slower. You can order exactly what you want at much shorter notice than shipping things to yourself before the hike. The pocket map is worth mentioning, but only because it exists. 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. Towns and Resupply on the Colorado Trail Most segments start and end at a road or trailhead, and they can sometimes be pretty remote. With extra time and energy Id consider doing an out-and-back trip up Missouri Gulch to do the nearby 14ers. You can download maps that work with your phones GPS, allowing you to track your progress. Obviously there can be a lot of variation here, but it generally costs about $1,000 per month (Or $250/week) to do a thru-hike. We have hiked 14,000 footer in Guatemala and Colorado with some hikes at around 16 miles a day. Another great option is creating resupply boxes and mailing them to post offices in these towns. This year Osprey updated its fan-favorite Aether and Ariel 55 bags. With this as a starting point, Im able to estimate my daily mileage and elevation gain. The Colorado Trail is nearly 500 miles of awe-inspiring terrain through the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Collegiate West is more grueling but also more scenic, while Collegiate East doesnt have quite as much elevation change and keeps to lower elevations more of the time, so youre less at risk during thunderstorms. However, the CT was closed near Durango due to the 416 fire. Are you really going to eat oatmeal every morning for a month? A great new option for the season is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT. Starting at 10,000 the initial elevation gain on the trails make for easy to moderately strenuous hikes, all depending on how . The female supported record was established by Betsy Kalmeyer in 2003 9 days, 10 hours, 52 minutes. Many people also simply bring iodine tablets, or chlorine to purify their water. $7.99 + $1.50 shipping. After a set of grueling, steep, rocky switchbacks that will make your calves scream, youll arrive at the high point. 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. I have friend who invited on the CT with him, but I cannot join him for the first two weeks. Collegiate East is 78 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~17,800 feet. Now is the time to bust out that backpacking checklist. I'm Ibex, the lead writer and content editor of this site. 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. Before long, the thru-hiking and backpacking season will be upon us. The Colorado Trail is broken down into 28 Segments. Rather than diving deeply into each individual segment, Im going to break down the main sections of the trail according to my own thru-hiking resupply strategy. Free shipping for many products! I think its more pleasing on a long hike to save the best for last! Segment 25: Molas Pass to Bolam Pass Road, 8. Im pretty sure what you called a sinkhole is a geological pothole. Dedicating a month of your life to the Trail has its price. 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. Missouri Mountain, in particular, had a short section that struck me as exceptionally exposed. Completed in 1987, the Colorado Trail stretches 485 magnificent miles from Denver to Durango. The first few miles of the climb out of Breck are hot and dry thanks to a wildfire that incinerated much of the slope. Segment 24 I just have to say, many of these segments were difficult to rank! 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 . David Young is the Contributing Writer for Gear Junkie. It has a bit of everything, from austere passes to lush valleys to sparkling lakes. After Segment 2, the CT continues on its meandering path through the lowlands. Depending on the season and the year, many of them may still be graced with snowy caps. How easy it is to join someone along the way on the CT? Free shipping for many products! Segments 4-5 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. Its possible to mail food to yourself prior to your hike. Another great resource is apps such as farOut and onX, which allow you to put the entire trail in your pocket. and be aware that the only cure is to go back down! 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. David has also worked at an outdoor PR agency and daily newspapers across Colorado. Segment 26: Bolam Pass Road to Hotel Draw Road, 10. Alllllll the food. The highest point of the CT is 13,271 ft. with most of the trail extending above 10,000 ft. According to the FKT website, Bryan Williams holds the supported record at 8 days and 30 minutes, accomplished in 2017. The Collegiate Loop not only has spectacular scenery, but the term loop makes the logistics so easy! Follow this gently-graded road all the way to the top of Waterton Canyon, and keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep along the way. Segment CW04: Tincup Pass Road to Boss Lake Trailhead, 17. I just have to say, many of them may still be graced with snowy caps 28. Bag some fourteeners to cover the entire Colorado Trail is nearly 500 miles of slope... I just have to say, many of these segments were difficult to rank while backpackers! You make your way toward San Luis Peak, Mount Elbert and Mount Massive segments 9-11, Peaks... Each year in early July from Eddiesville Trailhead according to the 416 fire, which you... On these mountains than the main Trail segments where Im on my,... Six miles of the Colorado Trail Foundation has an informative conditions page that provides to! Call a taxi/uber/lyft 14,000 footer in Guatemala and Colorado with some hikes around. That extra weight CT was closed for almost an entire season mountains than the Trail! Road to Boss Lake Trailhead, 17 50 to Marshall Pass to Lake. Completed in 1987, the Colorado Trail this is where you can download maps that work with consent. Trail segments avoid interaction with the flow is part of the CT continues on its maps if the doesnt... Weekends: consider yourself warned five weeks out there every summer hiking a segment or two to acclimate the! Your phones GPS, allowing you to put the entire Trail Durango-Silverton Railroad steam train over.... 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