Heres a list Ive compiled of 14ers along the way, with their corresponding Trails Illustrated Maps. Completed in 1987, the Colorado Trail stretches 485 magnificent miles from Denver to Durango. You should try and go as light as possible. This water-bottle filter weighs 3.3 ounces and will filter 3 L of water per minute. Taking a month or so to thru-hike the entire length would be a dream for most backpacking enthusiasts. By Distance. This way, youre able to help yourself or others on the trail as needed. As a whole, the Colorado Trail averages over 10,300 feet above sea level! 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. Segments 9-11 You can always find something valuable about a segment even if its not your favorite. Another great resource is apps such as farOut and onX, which allow you to put the entire trail in your pocket. Vintage Vail Ski Pin Colorado Crossed . In exchange, youll get above 10,000 feet for the first time and the trail will start to feel cooler, lusher, and more mountainous. Much has already been written in this guide about Segment 2, which starts at mile 16.5 at the South Platte River. Segments 20-21 The Sawyer Squeeze and Katadyn BeFree also ranked high on GearJunkies list of Best Backpacking Water Filters. Or not. Once you have a medical kit, make sure to keep it well stocked and know how to use it. Segment 26: Bolam Pass Road to Hotel Draw Road, 10. These cookies do not store any personal information. Missouri Mountain, in particular, had a short section that struck me as exceptionally exposed. Distance: 32.9 miles. And the Iron Horse Classic cannot be ignored; road cyclists race the Durango-Silverton Railroad steam train over 5000 . But you need a good water purifier to drink the water. Shortly after you first break out of the trees (warning: the section right around treeline is particularly steep and exhausting), youll have an incredible view of Tenmile Peak (Peak 1). The website will calculate your base weight, total weight, and worn weight based on what gear you own and use. The route is near to Colorados highest peak, Mount Elbert, at 14,443 feet. 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. (Mount Elbert is the highest summit in Colorado and second-highest in the Lower 48 after Californias Mount Whitney). Near the summit of Carpenter Peak will be a singed junction that leads you to the official Colorado Trail. Neil Beltchenko holds the winning record for the Colorado Trail bicycle race. I created a spreadsheet with seven columns: date, starting location, segment number, mileage, elevation gain, campsite location, and resupply. My son Justin is on the trail as I write this. Trail Surface: Smooth single-track with rocks and sand. 2022 Backcountry Emily Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions. Some segments take more than a day to hike, and others less. Be the first to know about new adventures. Note: I wrote this from the perspective of a Southbounder starting from Waterton Canyon, and all miles are based on FarOut Guides Colorado Trail Map. Hikers will cross alpine tundra, see 14,000-foot peaks, and be rewarded with a pristine alpine lake, all while staying above 10,000 feet. It has a bit of everything, from austere passes to lush valleys to sparkling lakes. Hiking just one 14er offers an unparalleled experience, with views that arent found along the official trail. 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. Driving the Great Divide. OR you can continue on the Collegiate West Route. And it tastes pretty damn good too. Segment 24: Stony Pass Trailhead to Molas Pass, 4. Kenosha Pass Hiking Trails. This way youre less likely to get caught on the move above treeline. Segment 3: Little Scraggy Trailhead to Rolling Creek Trailhead, 26. Theyre heavier than what I prefer to use, but they also offer a lot in terms of stability and durability on the trail. This alternate shaves about a mile off of the official route. General Notes: The Colorado Trail, which starts outside of Denver and ends in Durango, runs through Kenosha Pass Campground. As of 2021, the trees in this area were still mostly alive. Elevation gains along segments span from 1,447 to 6,122 feet. 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. Check out LighterPack.com to help dial in your gear. Add about 50 miles to this figure if you follow the Colorado Trail's Collegiate West route. Thats it. When you enter a wilderness area you will find a self-registration box. Segment Six of the Colorado Trail This is the longest of the 28 Colorado Trail segments. 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. I still hiked the beginning of 11 and end of 15, so Ill still include them in my rankings. Car camping is a far cry from backpacking because you dont have to carry all your gear on your back. Dedicating a month of your life to the Trail has its price. Once you have the gear, its time to plan the logistics of the hike. Its possible to mail food to yourself prior to your hike. The Collegiate West alternate route is not included. Not really. Consider taking a wilderness first-aid or outdoor survival course. Mile for mile, this is the best major trail in America. The first few miles of the climb out of Breck are hot and dry thanks to a wildfire that incinerated much of the slope. 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. The Collegiate West route has only a few unique resupply options, like Taylor Park and St. Elmo. Those who send packages to themselves often do a lot of supplemental shopping anyway! The air is thin up there, even for thru-hikers, but remember to bring your brains! Some hikers hitch into the towns of Jefferson or Fairplay from here. Free shipping for many products! As always, and maybe even moreso here, this is my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt! This is the widest possible window for hiking. Segment 20: Eddiesville Trailhead to San Luis Pass, 16. These give a great overview of the trail and surrounding area. RPPC Longs Peak CO-Colorado, Trail Ridge Road View, Real Photo Vintage Postcard. For the Colorado Trail, Ill be using a Big Agnes Sidewinder bag. 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 . We have hiked 14,000 footer in Guatemala and Colorado with some hikes at around 16 miles a day. Colorado Trail Segments 8 and 9 Watch on The Colorado Trail (CT) stretches 486 miles from Denver to Durango, and is divided into 28 segments. Try entering Junction Creek Campground Durango in Google maps to get on the right track. Hiking and journeys life this are a part of his life. Colorado Trail : Segment 28 Moderate 4.7 (47) San Juan National Forest Photos (733) Directions Print/PDF map More Length 19.6 miElevation gain 1,935 ftRoute type Point to point Check out this 19.6-mile point-to-point trail near Durango, Colorado. . Sponsored. This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. 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 terrain is more gentle from the east, so you have more time to acclimate. As for on-trail resources, if I were to thru-hike the Colorado Trail again Id likely carry the Trails Illustrated Maps, Data Book, and saved resupply info from PMags Guide. San Luis Peak is the easiest one to get, as its summit is nearest to the official trail. Then when arriving at a predetermined location, you simply go in and pick up the box. 1.Segment 23: Carson Saddle to Stony Pass Trailhead, 2. Kenosha Pass is probably the best place to view the changing aspens near Denver. A good backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad are all essential. Camping in prohibited only in a handful of places, like the first few miles along the road at Waterton Canyon. Colorado Trail Segment 5 is by far the most pretty of the first 5 segments of the 485 trail. 230 County Rd 162: Mount Princeton Hot Springs 252.9 US Hwy 50: Salida. Segment 8: Copper Mountain to Tennessee Pass, 14. On my thru-hike I resupplied in Frisco, Leadville, Buena Vista, Salida, Creede, and Silverton. I'm Ibex, the lead writer and content editor of this site. I hope you enjoy it! But if the Fortius doesnt strike your fancy, check out GearJunkies best backpacking tents. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Everything You Need to Know to Hike the Colorado Trail, Collegiate East vs. West: 8 Key Differences for CT Hikers, 11 Highlights of the Colorado Trail You Wont Want to Miss, Essential Safety Tips for Thru-Hiking the Colorado Trail, How to Hike Every 14er on the Colorado Trail (with FarOut Miles), The Beer Drinkers Guide to the Colorado Trail. 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. 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. For the Colorado Trail, a couple of must-haves are the Colorado Trail Databook and The Colorado Trail Guidebook. Segment 27: Hotel Draw Road to Kennebec Trailhead, 3. 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. Sure, the trail is simple. That's a long way of saying I have the last five segments left. Each peak has its own character. This helps ensure that you wont run out of food and have meals planned well in advance. There are no dogs, bicycles, horses, camping, etc. Segments 25-28. In general, Outdoor Vitals is a great ultralight backpacking company to consider for a variety of gear. Several miles later, you will enter some of the most singular, glorious hiking of the entire Colorado Trail. Gudy Gaskill took the reigns in 1974. For boxes going to the post office, the way to address them is: Amazing Hiker (Your name) General Delivery Awesome Town, CO 12345. Then you start the long climb up to the beautiful Georgia Pass. So Ill just summarize here: 10 miles, very hot, very dry. When you see it, know that this view signifies the beginning of a steep, knee-crunching, nine-mile descent down to the Animas River. Your total pack should weigh no more than 20 percent of your body weight when fully loaded with gear, food, and water. According to the FKT website, Bryan Williams holds the supported record at 8 days and 30 minutes, accomplished in 2017. Its an ultralight pad at 12.5 ounces that stands 3 inches thick with a horizontal baffle for a comfortable nights sleep. This is a great stop to break up your first big climb of the CT into more manageable chunks. Keep in mind that the higher in elevation you are, the longer it will take to hydrate the meal. David has also worked at an outdoor PR agency and daily newspapers across Colorado. I have not hiked the official Collegiate West route, but I recommend it based on my experience through Hope Pass and Missouri Gulch. And if you dont, you can be at risk of falling victim to ailments like Rhabdo (look it up it isnt fun). While all backpackers will pack slightly differently for a multiday trip, there are always some staples that go into a pack. It passes through high alpine terrain and is a great thru-hiking trail for beginners looking to try a. Segments 9 through 11 are great too, primarily because this is where you can do Mount Elbert and Mount Massive. For backpacking, I tend to carry an Adventure Medical Kit for Hiking. Segment 11: Mount Massive Trailhead to Clear Creek Road, 22. 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 . 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. Popular with hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers and horseback riders, many take it in segments, as it could take four to six weeks to hike . Hunger is a stark reality of any thru-hike. Shortly after the campground, you cross Jefferson Creek around mile 75. 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. The actual Knife Edge is a quarter-mile-long shelf found within a shale rock cliff on the Continental Divide and is easiest accessed via the Williams Creek Trailhead. Just remember that youre bound to see plenty of other hikers in this section. 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). As of 2021, the trees in this area were still mostly alive. His recorded time was 3 days, 19 hours, and 15 minutes, set in 2016. Feel free to contact me with additional questions. Historically the Colorado Trail went over Hope Pass, which is the most iconic section of the popular Leadville 100 Trail Run. 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. You should note that this is primarily a hiking trail, so your bound to do some walking. Take everything Im about to tell you with a big old grain of salt because the conditions of the day will dramatically affect your experience of the Colorado Trail: the same stretch of trail could look and feel completely different to two hikers on different days. Support us! The hiking community is a very friendly group and is always willing to help out newbies or even experienced hikers looking for some insight. It offers both an East and West trail option with gradual ascents to stunning views. Its unclear exactly where the conception of a trail from Denver to Durango first originated. Segment 24 Throughout the dry stretch leading up to Kenosha, youll pop in and out of cow pastures that afford nice views of the surroundings. Collegiate East is 78 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~17,800 feet. 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. But weve also got a list of 10 other canister and liquid-fuel stoves that were some of our favorites from last year. The slope is forested so you typically have at least partial shade, theres plenty of water on the way up, and the generous switchbacks make it an honest climb. For those segments where Im on my own, there are resupply towns across the state that are not too far from the trail. After the high point at 47.5 and descending for about a mile, youll start a very long, gradual, beautiful five-mile climb through a long valley thats fairly open and features many expansive views. Happy trails. Eventually the official trail was re-routed to the east, but several hikers still chose to incorporate Hope Pass into a thru-hike. Appalachian Trail 2018 Wonderland Trail (+ a dozen or so other NPS trails) 2019 Colorado Trail 2020 Colorado Trail 2021. When it comes to a good base weight, most backpackers will average around 20-30 pounds. No dogs are allowed at Waterton Canyon. But a lot of people dont like the taste that adding those chemicals gives the water. It has everything I need for minor emergencies on the trail. You can start later in the season (And therefore end later in the season), due to the lower elevations near Denver. Segment 15: US Hwy 50 to Marshall Pass, 29. Photo via. 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. Meals such as Good To-Gos new Breakfast Hash or Thai Curry provide plenty of calories in a light, compact meal. I spend three to five weeks out there every summer hiking a segment or two and acting as a . 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Some of the peaks listed here require a little 3rd class scrambling. Shavano #139 La Garita, Cochetopa Hills #140 Weminuche Wilderness #141 Telluride, Silverton, Ouray, Lake City #144 Durango, Cortez. You'll find that the trail is broken down into 28 segments, with each piece spanning from 11 miles to 32 miles. Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado Distance: 25 miles Difficulty: strenuous Time allotment: 2-3 days There have been a few rare reports of bears raiding food, but basic measures like hanging a Ursack bag are great. Needless to say, if youre still on foot and see or feel the hairs rising on your head, get out of there. It traverses eight mountain ranges, six wilderness areas and stays above 10,000' for the majority of the trail. You can download maps that work with your phones GPS, allowing you to track your progress. Segments 15-19 Really? Its hard to consume as many calories as you burn when you are walking 10-20 miles a day. 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. Weve called Jetboils Stash stove the lightest, most efficient backpacking stove ever. And we dont make claims like that lightly. If you wish to see only Hope Pass and rejoin the Collegiate East route, you can do so via route 390 (A dirt road). 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). Its a great bag. 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). These are: These bypasses are described in detail (with maps) in the official guidebook. So, you can really read this list as how scenic, or how much bang for your buck you get in these sections! With extra time and energy Id consider doing an out-and-back trip up Missouri Gulch to do the nearby 14ers. If youre new to this sort of thing, consider making Jefferson/Fairplay your first resupply at Kenosha Pass, 71 miles from Denver. Segment CW05: Boss Lake Trailhead to Ridge Above South Fooses Creek, 12. $7.99 + $1.50 shipping. Ive crossed it both and have indeed had crappy, dangerous weather both times (lightning and freezing rain, respectively). All rights reserved. Trail Magic or Angels are always a special treat to encounter on any thru-hike. Camped among the aspen near the base of the Mount Elbert approach trail. In addition to the pack, Ive been using its Fortius one-person trekking pole tent as well (pictured above). 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. And using The Colorado Trail Databookandthe official hiking guidebook (more on these below), Im able to find locations where I can resupply. 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. Youll be tempted to leave all of your backpacking gear behind to bag these summits. 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. The Guidebook is a large volume that will probably stay at home (Great for section hikers). For strong, acclimated backpackers, theres a couple of advantages to starting the trail from Durango. If youd like a more subjective take on thru-hiking the trail, check out my journal. The pocket map is worth mentioning, but only because it exists. Add about 50 miles to this figure if you follow the Colorado Trails Collegiate West route. allowed here. Segment 19 is a nice way to wrap up this little interlude. Colorado Trail Segments 2-10 An eight-day, 160-mile through-hike into the wilderness alone First step: go into the wilderness alone. This effectively created a 160-mile loop hike for those not wanting to tackle the entire Colorado Trail. Collegiate East vs. West: 8 Key Differences for CT Hikers 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. Beside the San Juans, this area was the most scenic and enjoyable of my entire hike. 4-6 miles. Its lowest point is at 5,520 feet in Waterton Canyon the trails eastern terminus near Denver. 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. Sometimes businesses along the trail will accept packages too (Especially worth considering for UPS and FEDEX, which do not deliver to the Post Office). The forest becomes very aspen-dominant around Elbert, meaning shade will be on the sparse side. The shrubby cow pastures slowly give way to tall, jutting peaks on either side and a marshy, willowy valley floor. The female supported record was established by Betsy Kalmeyer in 2003 9 days, 10 hours, 52 minutes. This season I am using the Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight Ultralight Backpack. Holy Cross & Mount Massive segments 9-11, Collegiate Peaks Wilderness segments 11-13. Spotted just before Eddiesville Trailhead and the end of Seg 19. Youll connect with the CT near Strontia Springs Dam. Altitude sickness is a serious consideration when youre hiking in Colorados high mountains. How easy it is to join someone along the way on the CT? 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. 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 summer, I'm thru-hiking the Colorado Trail. This is a long section for rookie thru-hikers. They range from under 10 to over 20 miles long. Before long, the thru-hiking and backpacking season will be upon us. 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. 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. For any long-distance thru-hike, such as the Colorado Trail, planning a route and resupply points is key. We started the Colorado Trail on June 26th, 2022 going south and finished on August 4th. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, David loves exploring the Rocky Mountains on skis, mountain bikes, or with a fly rod in hand. If you were interested in the surrounding trails and landscape (Whats that cool mountain over there? Recreating outdoors can be dangerous. 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. Historically its been a big no-no to rely solely on electronics, but I imagine that plenty of experienced folks can get away with it. This is somewhat of an old school method. We interviewed last year's crop of thru-hikers (plus Colorado Trail Foundation staff) to find the most spectacular sections. Learn how to create your own. Segment 17: Sargents Mesa to CO Hwy 114. This split in the CT occurs in Segment 11. 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. 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. 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. The highest sustained elevations occur closer to the trails western terminus, so most hikers choose to start their trip on the Denver side. "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. This is one the few long-distance trails that allows bikes and provides for the necessary alternate routes when necessary (The Arizona Trail is another one). One of the best resources for any thru-hike is other hikers who have done the hike before. However, the CT was closed near Durango due to the 416 fire. A medical kit, make sure to keep it well stocked and know how to use but... But they also offer a lot of people dont like the taste that those. Either side and a marshy, willowy valley floor in segment 11: Mount Princeton Springs. Hiking and journeys life this are a part colorado trail best segments his life note this! Recognized leader in conservation, outdoor Vitals is a nice way to wrap up this little interlude second-highest in surrounding... Move above treeline your phones GPS, allowing you to track your progress bicycles! Hikers ), Buena Vista, Salida, Creede, and Silverton this list as how,. 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