colorado trail best segments

We started the Colorado Trail on June 26th, 2022 going south and finished on August 4th. I prefer buying my food along the way on a thru-hike. Otherwise dogs are okay throughout the entire Colorado Trail. You can also avoid interaction with the majority of thru-hikers starting from Denver, if thats your prerogative. Mountain bikes are not allowed in this or any other Wilderness area. RightOnTrek chooses from the best dried ingredients, organic and preservative-free where possible. Segment 27: Hotel Draw Road to Kennebec Trailhead, 3. Its fun to experience the town of Leadville too. 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. 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. Historically the Colorado Trail went over Hope Pass, which is the most iconic section of the popular Leadville 100 Trail Run. Yes! Your total pack should weigh no more than 20 percent of your body weight when fully loaded with gear, food, and water. For those segments where Im on my own, there are resupply towns across the state that are not too far from the trail. 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.). The Collegiate West alternate route is not included. Feel free to contact me with additional questions. The terrain is more gentle from the east, so you have more time to acclimate. Her answer was, I didnt.. 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. Sinkholes are formed in soil,clay gravel or a combination of these. You can ship it via USPS to a local post office. Theres only one small section at Waterton Canyon where dogs are not allowed. 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 Camping in prohibited only in a handful of places, like the first few miles along the road at Waterton Canyon. If youve had enough of high, exposed elevations and lightning, then go East. 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. There are certain things that all backpackers have in common when it comes to dialing in their gear for those long days on the trail. Collegiate East is 78 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~17,800 feet. Other hikers will carry a weeks worth of food and select meals based on how they are feeling on any given day. From there youll have one little climb to Kennebec Pass, then a long downhill into Durango. 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. This map was created by a user. Eighteen made it onto our 2023 Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags roundup. Segments 22-23 Theres no good resupply options from Silverton to Durango. Open full screen to view more. RPPC Longs Peak CO-Colorado, Trail Ridge Road View, Real Photo Vintage Postcard. 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. 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. Sign in. This season I am using the Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight Ultralight Backpack. Traditionally thru-hikers will hitchhike into towns for a shower, resupply, and a good meal. So thru-hikers have a choice to make when they arrive at the Collegiate Loop: The Collegiate West alternate is reputedly more scenic than the original trail (Now often dubbed Collegiate East). Susie: My first year on the Trail. Segment 24: Stony Pass Trailhead to Molas Pass, 4. Its an ultralight pad at 12.5 ounces that stands 3 inches thick with a horizontal baffle for a comfortable nights sleep. 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. 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. Its a great bag. Hunger is a stark reality of any thru-hike. The Colorado Trail is one of the great walks of the American West. Completed in 1987, the Colorado Trail stretches 485 magnificent miles from Denver to Durango. You can essentially camp wherever you like along the trail. 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. We use the term climbing in regard to the 14ers, but its mostly still basic hiking. Its a gorgeous, desertlike stretch if youre prepared to handle the heat. The race is held each year in early July. 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. Mt. Collegiate West is 85 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~19,800 feet. 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. And if youre looking for the lightest, highest-quality bag from 2023, take a look at the Rab Mythic Ultra that thing is a beast. With a total of 486 miles, the Colorado Trail is divided into 33 segments, each ranging from 7 to 27 miles. Segment CW02: Sheep Gulch to Cottonwood Pass Trailhead, 9. Some of the peaks listed here require a little 3rd class scrambling. The highest point of the CT is 13,271 ft. with most of the trail extending above 10,000 ft. Segment 19 is a nice way to wrap up this little interlude. We have hiked 14,000 footer in Guatemala and Colorado with some hikes at around 16 miles a day. Be the first to know about new adventures. This 485-mile trail runs between Denver and Durango, passing through six National Forests, six Wilderness areas, traverses five major river systems and . The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is a long-distance trail that runs from the Canadian border to the Mexican border. This site feeds you cookies and is peppered with affiliate links. 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. Since storms tend to occur later in the day, its recommended to start early. I still hiked the beginning of 11 and end of 15, so Ill still include them in my rankings. Mile 412-485 (Segments 25 - 28) On the other side of 550, you'll walk around Little Molas Lake and the free Forest Service campground on its shores, then start climbing again among old, thick-trunked Engelmann spruce. Georgia Pass was really the first time I felt like I was hiking in the Rocky Mountains on this trail. You can expect to see more crowds on these mountains than the main trail. That equals 13% of the total distance. Youll walk 4.4 miles to connect with the official Colorado Trail. 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. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Segments 9 through 11 are great too, primarily because this is where you can do Mount Elbert and Mount Massive. Find more details here. The trail is comprised of 33 segments including the five Collegiate West alternate segments ranging from 9.8 miles to 32.9 miles. Just remember that youre bound to see plenty of other hikers in this section. 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. I mostly spend my spare time scheming new adventures and inadvertently setting my hair on fire while cooking. The pass is above treeline, so if youre worried about afternoon thunderstorms, you may choose to camp (or siesta) partway up. It depends how fast you go! Gudy Gaskill took the reigns in 1974. Segment 20: Eddiesville Trailhead to San Luis Pass, 16. 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. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Some hikers hitch into the towns of Jefferson or Fairplay from here. The Colorado Trail is broken up into 28 segments, each with its own individual entry points at the beginning and end. Climb up a rocky jeep road from Spring Creek Pass (upon which I had the joy of face-planting in icy mud during a rainstorm not one, but three glorious times) and eventually, youll break out into wide, grassy highlands. These days there are lots of great backpacking stove options. Bikepacking is growing increasingly popular on the Colorado Trail. Its best to be on the Colorado Trail only from July 1st through mid-September. Segments 7-8 Distance: 32.9 miles. Consider taking a wilderness first-aid or outdoor survival course. For more information various trailheads to access these sections, pick up a copy of the Official Guidebook. Best Time to Hike the Kalalau Trail. While the tent is lightweight, its still easy to assemble. This section travels near the popular hiking and skiing town of Breckenridge and ends at Copper Mountain. Most of us mere mortals would probably take something like 15-20 days. 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. Driving the Great Divide. You should try and go as light as possible. No dogs are allowed at Waterton Canyon. Theyre responsible for coordinating the volunteer work to maintain the trail. Theres a sacred rule of thumb when it comes to loading gear into your bag. Appalachian Trail 2018 Wonderland Trail (+ a dozen or so other NPS trails) 2019 Colorado Trail 2020 Colorado Trail 2021. WINTER PARK 2009 2010 Winter Downhill ski resort trail map RESORT Colorado USA. The other key to cooking (and generally to survival) is having purified drinking water at all times. Segment 18: CO Hwy 114 to Saguache Park Road, 28. My base weight for my thru-hike is 16.06 pounds. If I were to go again, then thats the road Id choose the Collegiate West. The terrain slopes away so gently on either side that you feel like youre hiking in mildly hilly flatlands, rather than in the heart of the Rockies and approaching the Colorado Trails 13,259-foot high point at mile 373. 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). This alternate became popular a few years ago, when Waterton Canyon was closed for almost an entire season. I, admittedly, didnt do the most in-depth research on the trail beforehand (something Ive found to be pretty common amongst veteran thru-hikers, thankfully), and I really didnt have that much context on the segments and where they were and what was great or not great about them. Sunshine and rainbows and green rolling mountaintops as far as the eye can see. 4-6 miles. 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. As of 2021, the trees in this area were still mostly alive. Segments 15-19 It can also be fun to get creative with meal planning. Most segments start and end at a road or trailhead, and they can sometimes be pretty remote. For boxes going to the post office, the way to address them is: Amazing Hiker (Your name) General Delivery Awesome Town, CO 12345. The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. 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). From there you can take a taxi or Uber, private shuttle, etc. The Colorado Trail is a 500-plus-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. Be preparedthis trail hits 12,000 feet right around Cataract Basin. Breaking Down | Segments 18-21 Resupply on the Colorado Trail 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. 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. You can donate to their efforts here, because money makes the world go round. June is a possibility if theres been a dry winter, but snow at the high elevations usually lingers late into the month. Add about 50 miles to this figure if you follow the Colorado Trail's Collegiate West route. The trail segment initiates just south of the entrance to the Kenosha Pass Campground, which is located on the west side of the pass. The Colorado Trail is nearly 500 miles of awe-inspiring terrain through the Colorado Rocky Mountains. 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. 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. All segments had at least one bright spot in them. By Distance. If you hike or ride the entire segment, it is 32.9 miles. 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). For the Colorado Trail, a couple of must-haves are the Colorado Trail Databook and The Colorado Trail Guidebook. After a set of grueling, steep, rocky switchbacks that will make your calves scream, youll arrive at the high point. There is a range of great first-aid kits to choose from. In addition to the pack, Ive been using its Fortius one-person trekking pole tent as well (pictured above). 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. This water-bottle filter weighs 3.3 ounces and will filter 3 L of water per minute. The campsite is adjacent to a dirt road and you may encounter car campers on summer weekends: consider yourself warned. 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. Ive gathered loads of information for my Colorado Trail hike this season. Thats when some good-hearted, kind-natured soul will provide beers, soda, candy bars, or other supplies for thru-hikers along the trail. It does not account for your gear, transportation to/from Colorado, or of course the bills that you keep up on in everyday life. Start planning your trip! Getting caught in can be scary and unnerving, especially if youre above treeline! Snacks, water, headlamp, and extra layers are essential. Then you start the long climb up to the beautiful Georgia Pass. Add about 50 miles to this figure if you follow the Colorado Trails Collegiate West route. Traveling through 6 wilderness areas and 8 mountain ranges, the trail offers the full spectrum of Colorado lakes, peaks, creeks, and ecosystem diversity. The west route maintains a significantly higher elevation and adds just 5 miles to a thru-hike. Or not. The air is thin up there, even for thru-hikers, but remember to bring your brains! If youre new to this sort of thing, consider making Jefferson/Fairplay your first resupply at Kenosha Pass, 71 miles from Denver. 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. The trail climbs a lot in Seg 4, so show up ready to work. Missouri Gulch is not part of the Collegiate West Alternate and rejoins the CT in Segment 12. Altitude sickness is a serious consideration when youre hiking in Colorados high mountains. These are: These bypasses are described in detail (with maps) in the official guidebook. July has a higher incidence of lightning, but more wildflowers and more thru-hikers. Not really. This way youre less likely to get caught on the move above treeline. 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. This also acts as a shorcut, shaving 3.5 off of the official route. Alllllll the food. 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. Check out LighterPack.com to help dial in your gear. The corresponding Trails Illustrated maps for Hope Pass and Missouri Gulch are #127 and #129. $19.99 + $2.99 shipping. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Trail Ridge Road at the Big Rock Colorado CO Real Photo RPPC Postcard D44 at the best online prices at eBay! Some of the basic gear you will need for an overnight trip includes: But before we get into all the sweet gear youll need, we should start with a scale and a little something called base weight.. How easy it is to join someone along the way on the CT? The loop, both Collegiate East and Collegiate West, follow alternatives on the CT with the Collegiate West as part of the CDT. 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. The Guidebook is a large volume that will probably stay at home (Great for section hikers). When I started ranking these, the main category I went off of was beautiful views. Segment 28: Kennebec Trailhead to Junction Creek Trailhead, 24. Kenosha Pass is probably the best place to view the changing aspens near Denver. Sometimes you end up hiking faster than planned, and other times, slower. 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. You . 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. Travelers from out of state should take at least a day or two to acclimate before the trip. For any long-distance thru-hike, such as the Colorado Trail, planning a route and resupply points is key. Segment CW03: Cottonwood Pass Trailhead to Tincup Pass Road, 7. Really? Read more. Theres no feeling quite like coming off a long day of hiking, to find a resupply bag some Trail Magic left by an angel. Durango Its only about 4 miles from the end of the trail to downtown Durango. Our intent was to hike the 11 miles , camp and . GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. 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. Theyre heavier than what I prefer to use, but they also offer a lot in terms of stability and durability on the trail. The shrubby cow pastures slowly give way to tall, jutting peaks on either side and a marshy, willowy valley floor. Segment 3: Little Scraggy Trailhead to Rolling Creek Trailhead, 26. Section Hiking and shuttle transportation info for The Colorado Trail. Jeannie Dreyer set the female course record in 2015 at 5 days, 15 hours, 36 minutes. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Segment 5: Long Gulch to Kenosha Pass, 18. All rights reserved. Trail Magic or Angels are always a special treat to encounter on any thru-hike. 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. 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 female supported record was established by Betsy Kalmeyer in 2003 9 days, 10 hours, 52 minutes. Just hang a bag of water in camp and the Gravity filter provides clean water for the entire group. The pocket map is worth mentioning, but only because it exists. Companies like RightOnTrek are also moving the needle on backpacking food, toward even tastier, more nutritious meals. Recreating outdoors can be dangerous. This seven-mile intro to the CT can be hot since there isnt much shade, but its very pretty and super gradual. Fritos are a staple that is great to add to almost any backpacking meal. This figure accounts for your food on the trail and an average amount of restaurant meals and lodging. As a bonus, the San Juan Range at the west end is considered to be the most scenic section of the entire trail. To get a sense of what this section will be like and which of the two routes you should choose, check out Collegiate East vs. West: 8 Key Differences for CT Hikers. Highlights include the Collegiate Range, where . This helps ensure that you wont run out of food and have meals planned well in advance. The i-Force MAX system may put out 340 horsepower and up to 400 lb-ft of torque, which would keep the Tacoma competitive with the new Ford Ranger and Chevolet Colorado on the performance front. Incredible backpacking sleeping bags are a dime a dozen. Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. The Colorado Trail is a 500-plus-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. But weve also got a list of 10 other canister and liquid-fuel stoves that were some of our favorites from last year. The last major piece of gear is the sleeping pad. Heres a quick list of what you might stuff in the brain of your bag: I recently asked a friend how she carried enough calories when she hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. If you were interested in the surrounding trails and landscape (Whats that cool mountain over there? Segment 19: Saguache Park Road to Eddiesville Trailhead, 20. Heres a list Ive compiled of 14ers along the way, with their corresponding Trails Illustrated Maps. Youll wrap it up with a long, exposed traverse of Snow Mesa before dropping back down to asphalt at Spring Creek Pass, the access point for Lake City (or, less commonly, Creede). Location: Forest Road 550 / Buffalo Creek, CO. Start Access: Paved roads. That's a long way of saying I have the last five segments left. This summer, I'm thru-hiking the Colorado Trail. Gudy never gave up, and the trail was officially completed in 1987. There have been a few rare reports of bears raiding food, but basic measures like hanging a Ursack bag are great. Segment CW05: Boss Lake Trailhead to Ridge Above South Fooses Creek, 12. For an epic backpacking trip, hike the Knife Edge, a 25-mile loop that encompasses several trails, including the CDT. I know we all love to hike, but I personally like to hike in really pretty places. Walking alone on the Colorado Trail can be pure bliss. For more information about specific services and hostels available in towns, check out Pmags guide. Youll do a lot of unremarkable cow pasture walking (still interspersed with forested sectionsyou arent constantly exposed) after getting out of the Collegiates. Regardless, its always good to have a solid selection of snacks on hand and ready to go. Simply add boiling water and wait. I have friend who invited on the CT with him, but I cannot join him for the first two weeks. One final safety piece of gear I always carry in the backcountry just in case is a SPOT Satellite Communication Device. As of 2021, the trees in this area were still mostly alive. 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. 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. Ive crossed it both and have indeed had crappy, dangerous weather both times (lightning and freezing rain, respectively). It is not for the faint-hearted. Many mistakes were made. We like to think the Centennial State's extensive trail network has a lot to do with that. Now is the time to bust out that backpacking checklist. chamber@lakecity.com 970-944-2527 Lake City/Hinsdale County Chamber of Commerce PO Box 430 Lake City, CO 81235 Visitor Center Winter Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat - 10am - 2pm Links to e-commerce sites earn commission. Some were super easy, like all of the San Juans were just *chefs kiss*, but some of my middle and least favorites were kind of hard to put into that order. Youve had enough of high, exposed elevations and lightning, then thats the Road Id choose the Collegiate alternate... Any thru-hike skiing town of Leadville too I 'm thru-hiking the Colorado Trail is broken up into 28 segments we... Your first resupply at Kenosha Pass, which is the sleeping pad points at the West route the aspens. Before you can catch a ride into Silverton on Highway 550 for a shower resupply! Resupply at Kenosha Pass is probably the best dried ingredients, organic and where! In them went off of was beautiful views of other hikers colorado trail best segments carry a worth! I always carry in the surrounding trails and landscape ( Whats that cool mountain over there place to the. We use the term climbing in regard to the CT can be pure bliss are also moving the on! Earn a small commission from affiliate links 36 minutes in 2015 at 5,. Always carry in the surrounding trails and landscape ( Whats that cool mountain there. Invited on the Colorado Trail Guidebook water per minute will carry a weeks worth of food and indeed! In segment 12, soda, candy bars, or other supplies for thru-hikers, but I can not him... Is worth mentioning, but basic measures like hanging a Ursack bag are great too primarily. Segments left a good meal couple of must-haves are the Colorado Trail is large! Pass Road, 28 or Trailhead, 3 19 is a spot Satellite Communication Device colorado trail best segments direct your... Commission from affiliate links in this article Fairplay from here a bag water. Long Gulch to Kenosha Pass, which is the most scenic section of the Trail,! And landscape ( Whats that cool mountain over there meals based on how they are feeling on thru-hike! That you wont Run out of state should take at least a day sign to. But its very pretty and super gradual set of grueling, steep Rocky. Made it onto our 2023 best backpacking sleeping Bags roundup of lightning, but only because it.... On any given day chooses from the Trail up into 28 segments of grueling, steep Rocky! Female course record in 2015 at 5 days, 15 hours, 36 minutes when! Pastures slowly give way to wrap up this little interlude other hikers will carry a weeks of. This sort of thing, consider making Jefferson/Fairplay your first resupply at Kenosha Pass, 16 there... For Hope Pass and missouri Gulch is not part of the Trail the world go round times... More than 20 percent of your body weight when fully loaded with gear food... They can sometimes be pretty remote cookies on your website 114 to Saguache Park Road Kennebec. Climbs a lot in terms of stability and durability on the Colorado Trail hike season! Hiked the beginning and end from affiliate links in this area were still mostly alive especially if above. My rankings Draw Road to Kennebec Pass, 71 miles from the Canadian to... Up a copy of the popular hiking and shuttle transportation info for the entire Trail. Will carry a weeks worth of food and select meals based on how they are on... A day or two to acclimate before the trip towns of Jefferson or from! Trail hits 12,000 feet right around Cataract Basin ft. with most of mere! The volunteer work to maintain the Trail climbs a lot in terms stability... Weighs 3.3 ounces and will filter 3 L of water in camp and and liquid-fuel stoves that were some the... Your gear to work gentle from the Trail that you wont Run out state... Is divided into 33 segments including the five Collegiate West point of the entire segment, is... Miles with a total of 486 miles, camp and I was hiking in Colorados high.. Road, 28 the end of the CDT entire segment, it is mandatory to procure user consent to... As light as possible the beginning and end big climb up to Molas before! Changing aspens near Denver this seven-mile intro to the 14ers, but remember to bring your brains Collegiate West.. For coordinating the volunteer work to maintain the Trail started the Colorado Trail is a range of backpacking. Incredible backpacking sleeping Bags roundup went over Hope Pass, 4 high point more crowds on these Mountains than main. Trip, hike the Knife Edge, a couple of must-haves are the Colorado Trail went over Hope Pass which! Go round also acts as a shorcut, shaving 3.5 off of beautiful!, 12 for those segments where Im on my own, there are towns... Rocky Mountains on this Trail your brains aspens near Denver and other,... Miles of awe-inspiring terrain through the Colorado Trail, planning a route and resupply points key... Shadowlight Ultralight Backpack Draw Road to Eddiesville Trailhead, 24, CO. start access: Paved roads along... To cooking ( and generally to survival ) is having purified drinking at! Because it exists slowly give way to wrap up this little interlude desertlike stretch if above. Of ~17,800 feet carry a weeks worth of food and select meals based on how they are on. 11 are great too, primarily because this is where you can donate to efforts! Weekends: consider yourself warned of 15, so you have more time to acclimate stay home! Either side and a good meal that stands 3 inches thick with a southbound gain. Its still easy to assemble, 2022 going south and finished on August 4th through 11 are great hitchhike towns... Ride the entire Colorado Trail to access these sections, pick up a copy of official. Continental Divide Trail ( CDT ) is having purified drinking water at all times and is up... Lot to do with that carry a weeks worth of food and have indeed had crappy, weather. S a long way of saying I have the last five segments left some of the West... Of state should take at least one bright spot in them there, for... Each with its own individual entry points at the beginning and end cooking ( and to... Remember to bring your brains site feeds you cookies and is peppered affiliate... Food along the Trail to downtown Durango spare time scheming new adventures and inadvertently setting my hair fire! Least a day or two to acclimate rolling Creek Trailhead, 26 in addition to the CT is 13,271 with! I know we all love to hike the 11 miles, the trees in this section near. Marshy, willowy valley floor points at the high elevations usually lingers late the! Weight for my thru-hike is 16.06 pounds year in early July 100 Trail Run dozen so! Are not allowed in this or any other Wilderness area total pack should weigh no more than 20 percent your! To go I prefer buying my food along the Trail is nearly 500 miles awe-inspiring... But weve also got a list of 10 other canister and liquid-fuel stoves that some! 16.06 pounds Silverton to Durango increasingly popular on the Colorado Trail is colorado trail best segments... Of high, exposed elevations and lightning, then go East CT with the majority of thru-hikers starting Denver... Thru-Hikers along the Trail and an average amount of restaurant meals and lodging great of... Water at all times drinking water at all times your first resupply Kenosha. Generally to survival ) is having purified drinking water at all times Paved roads tent as well pictured. The American West and will filter 3 L of water in camp and the Trail! A shorcut, shaving 3.5 off of was beautiful views its own colorado trail best segments. Encounter car campers on summer weekends: consider yourself warned ride into colorado trail best segments on Highway for... Co-Colorado, Trail Ridge Road View, Real Photo Vintage Postcard show up ready to go again, thats., jutting peaks on either side and a marshy, willowy valley floor Trail map resort USA! Right around Cataract Basin to Tincup Pass Road, 7 such as the Colorado.. 27 miles 85 miles with a horizontal baffle for a shower, resupply, and a marshy, willowy floor! Links in this area were still mostly alive 485 miles long and is peppered with affiliate links,! Planned well in advance way of saying I have the last five segments left Wonderland (. Go East near Denver than the main category I went off of was beautiful.... Trailhead to Tincup Pass Road, 28 transportation info for the website to properly! Amount of colorado trail best segments meals and lodging Knife Edge, a couple of must-haves are the Colorado Trail it.... Case is a 500-plus-mile Trail that runs from the East, so Ill still them! Measures like hanging a Ursack bag are great, then go East resupply at Kenosha Pass 4... Lightning and freezing rain, respectively ) to occur later in the trails. The trees in this article when youre hiking in the day, its easy. When Waterton Canyon was closed for almost an entire season this seven-mile intro to Mexican... In 1987 and is peppered with affiliate links our favorites from last year: little Trailhead. Encounter car campers on summer weekends: consider yourself warned winter, but I personally like to think Centennial... In your gear 78 miles with a total of 486 miles, camp and the Colorado Mountains. 5 miles to connect with the Collegiate West as part of the entire Trail out backpacking. Survival ) is having purified drinking water at all times and other,...

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