Find more details here. Towns like Durango, Winter Park, Vail, Caon City, Crested Butte host pro mountain bike races. 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. Starting in Segment 6, the Continental Divide Trail joins the Colorado Trail for the next 253 miles. Theres no good resupply options from Silverton to Durango. Segments 11-14 Some hikers hitch into the towns of Jefferson or Fairplay from here. Some can be noisy, and some can be untrustworthy or uncomfortable. Nothing will take the air out of your sails faster than a deflating sleeping pad. However, the CT was closed near Durango due to the 416 fire. Segment 26: Bolam Pass Road to Hotel Draw Road, 10. READ NEXT Everything You Need to Know to Hike the Colorado Trail, Segments 1-3 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. Featured image: Graphic design by Chris Helm (@chris.helm). The race is held each year in early July. The female supported record was established by Betsy Kalmeyer in 2003 9 days, 10 hours, 52 minutes. Segment 24: Stony Pass Trailhead to Molas Pass, 4. Gudy never gave up, and the trail was officially completed in 1987. Throughout the dry stretch leading up to Kenosha, youll pop in and out of cow pastures that afford nice views of the surroundings. 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. 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. Free shipping for many products! The air is thin up there, even for thru-hikers, but remember to bring your brains! Not really. Since its 2019, thru-hikers are getting more clever and: Calling hostels and services (Or Uber or Lyft) via cell phone to pick you up at the trailhead. All rights reserved. . 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. The trails highest point is at Coney Summit 13,334 feet above sea level, in Segment 22. 2. They range from under 10 to over 20 miles long. This alternate became popular a few years ago, when Waterton Canyon was closed for almost an entire season. For strong, acclimated backpackers, theres a couple of advantages to starting the trail from Durango. No dogs are allowed at Waterton Canyon. The most common figure given for walking the full length of the Colorado Trail is from four to six weeks, or from 28 to 42 days. 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. 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). Segments 9 through 11 are great too, primarily because this is where you can do Mount Elbert and Mount Massive. $7.99 + $1.50 shipping. Segment 6 The CT isnt especially crowded like the AT or PCT, so more thru-hikers is generally a good thing. 230 County Rd 162: Mount Princeton Hot Springs 252.9 US Hwy 50: Salida. If I were to go again, then thats the road Id choose the Collegiate West. About fifty so-called Fourteeners are in the state, and a few are within striking distance of The Colorado Trail. Theyre typically more expensive and can get old if youre eating them day in and day out. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. Either way, there are a ton of lightweight backpacking tent options out there that will work great. Now it gets even more love as part of the Collegiate West route. 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. Collegiate West is 85 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~19,800 feet. The trail gradually shifts in character as you make your way toward San Luis Pass from Eddiesville Trailhead. Shortly after parting from the Continental Divide Trail for the last time, youll be treated to a dramatic view down Elk Creek Canyon that is absolutely to die for. How Much Should Your Backpack Weigh on a Thru-Hike? After a set of grueling, steep, rocky switchbacks that will make your calves scream, youll arrive at the high point. 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. 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. 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. And theyre just around the corner. My favorite maps of the CT are published by Trails Illustrated. 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. Traditionally thru-hikers will hitchhike into towns for a shower, resupply, and a good meal. 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. The intent here is to help you get a ballpark idea of your resupply strategy. The brand also makes an ultralight medical kit too, which is another great option. The Collegiate West route has only a few unique resupply options, like Taylor Park and St. Elmo. For those segments where Im on my own, there are resupply towns across the state that are not too far from the trail. Our secret comes from selecting and mixing the finest ingredients in small batches to achieve optimal taste and flavor profiles. Best Time to Hike the Kalalau Trail. Hiking and journeys life this are a part of his life. 465.9 accessible via 171 485 Route 171 at Junction Creek end of the trail! This guide is here to uncover everything you need to know about the Colorado Trail in the most clear and concise way possible. Elbert is the second-highest mountain in the lower 48 states, only 62 feet lower than Mount Whitney in California. Collegiate East is 78 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~17,800 feet. Distance: 32.9 miles. Hammock vs. Tent for an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike, Backpacker Radio #195 | Jack "Quadzilla" Jones 2.0: the Calendar Year Triple Crown and Handling Isolationism, How To Seam Seal Your Tent: Step-by-Step Guide. This summer, I'm thru-hiking the Colorado Trail. Companies like RightOnTrek are also moving the needle on backpacking food, toward even tastier, more nutritious meals. Shortly after the campground, you cross Jefferson Creek around mile 75. Appalachian Trail 2018 Wonderland Trail (+ a dozen or so other NPS trails) 2019 Colorado Trail 2020 Colorado Trail 2021. The Colorado Trail Foundation even offers a CT Shuttlers List of people willing to provide transportation on the trail to hikers. Biking is most popular on the sections of trail nearest to Denver and Durango. And using The Colorado Trail Databookandthe official hiking guidebook (more on these below), Im able to find locations where I can resupply. The Guidebook and Data Book also have useful maps tucked away in their pages. 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 route travels around the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, using two of Colorado's best known trails, the Colorado Trail (CT) and the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). That's a long way of saying I have the last five segments left. Jeannie Dreyer set the female course record in 2015 at 5 days, 15 hours, 36 minutes. Ive gathered loads of information for my Colorado Trail hike this season. The best choice comes down to the conditions youll be using it in and personal preference. The best times to be on the Colorado Trail are July, August, and early September. 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. You . Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. A good backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad are all essential. Base weight is the total weight of all of your gear minus food and water. 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. 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. 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. Dont forget all the accessories and extras that really round out your gear list. Suddenly youre back in the high mountains, cruising through wildflower-studded alpines with the jutting peaks of the San Juans rearing on all sides. When it comes to a good base weight, most backpackers will average around 20-30 pounds. This effectively created a 160-mile loop hike for those not wanting to tackle the entire Colorado Trail. As of 2021, the trees in this area were still mostly alive. Starting at 10,000 the initial elevation gain on the trails make for easy to moderately strenuous hikes, all depending on how . Near the summit of Carpenter Peak will be a singed junction that leads you to the official Colorado Trail. Finally, a number of other Trails Illustrated maps can be pieced together to cover the entire trail. 357.8 Hwy 149: Lake City, Creede 411.1 US Hwy 550: Silverton. Durango Its only about 4 miles from the end of the trail to downtown Durango. As always, and maybe even moreso here, this is my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt! Its website has a meal planner that allows backpackers to pick meal plans, select for dietary restrictions or allergies, pick ingredients, and even choose meals based on daily caloric use. Colorado Trail Segments If you're looking for something less strenuous, consider hiking a segment of the trail. A lightweight backpacker can get that down to 10-20 pounds. This 485-mile trail runs between Denver and Durango, passing through six National Forests, six Wilderness areas, traverses five major river systems and . Elevation profiles are listed in the Data Book. Peanut butter is one of my must-haves on any thru-hike. Completed in 1987, the Colorado Trail stretches 485 magnificent miles from Denver to Durango. Kenosha Pass Hiking Trails. Theyre responsible for coordinating the volunteer work to maintain the trail. Start early in the morning and pack plenty of water. 1 m ost active state, the second-best state in which to live and the fourth-happiest state overall. 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. 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. Theres no feeling quite like coming off a long day of hiking, to find a resupply bag some Trail Magic left by an angel. 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. 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. Bikepacking is growing increasingly popular on the Colorado Trail. RightOnTrek chooses from the best dried ingredients, organic and preservative-free where possible. GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. 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. Some of my favorite go-tos include Honey Stingers new Oat + Honey Bar, energy Clif Bloks, and some convenient travel supplements such as Gnarly Nutritions Fuel O2 packs. The campsite is adjacent to a dirt road and you may encounter car campers on summer weekends: consider yourself warned. These are: These bypasses are described in detail (with maps) in the official guidebook. The route is near to Colorados highest peak, Mount Elbert, at 14,443 feet. 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. Camped among the aspen near the base of the Mount Elbert approach trail. If youre like most CT hikers, youll start your thru-hike from Waterton Canyon, a popular day-use hiking and biking area for Denverites. Our intent was to hike the 11 miles , camp and . But weve also got a list of 10 other canister and liquid-fuel stoves that were some of our favorites from last year. Neil Beltchenko holds the winning record for the Colorado Trail bicycle race. 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 bought this prior to my thru-hike it ended up staying at home, and I later sold it after the hike. The highest point of the CT is 13,271 ft. with most of the trail extending above 10,000 ft. As a whole, the Colorado Trail averages over 10,300 feet above sea level! Backpacking and thru-hiking are summer activities that outdoorsy folks look forward to all winter and spring. 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 Hiking in my home state of Colorado, Im able to get some resupplies from friends and family who are able to come out and meet me on the trail. 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. As a bonus, the San Juan Range at the west end is considered to be the most scenic section of the entire trail. It depends how fast you go! Most of us mere mortals would probably take something like 15-20 days. From Main Avenue in Durango you essentially follow 25th street to the end of Junction Creek Road. If you hike or ride the entire segment, it is 32.9 miles. Thats when some good-hearted, kind-natured soul will provide beers, soda, candy bars, or other supplies for thru-hikers along the trail. Divided into 28 segments, the trail end points are Denver and Durango. Eventually, youll find yourself on Jeep roads again as you approach the shores of scenic Celebration Lake. Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa, 30. This was prior to the creation of the Collegiate West Route. But of course, I definitely had opinions about certain segments - good and bad - by the end of the trail! Depending on the season and the year, many of them may still be graced with snowy caps. 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). Segment 5: Long Gulch to Kenosha Pass, 18. And ultralight backpackers are able to get their base weight below 10 pounds. 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 . OR you can continue on the Collegiate West Route. It just takes one big storm, wildfire, or injury to derail the best-laid plans. 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). You can hitch into the charming town of Leadville pretty easily from here. This is a long section for rookie thru-hikers. It is slightly anticlimacticjust more grass gently sloping away in every direction and a wooden sign to mark the significance of this place. 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. Add about 50 miles to this figure if you follow the Colorado Trails Collegiate West route. Another great resource is apps such as farOut and onX, which allow you to put the entire trail in your pocket. Likewise, the chances of encountering an early-season snowstorm increase significantly from September into October. OR you can continue to Missouri Gulch, a great option to bag some fourteeners. Missouri Mountain, in particular, had a short section that struck me as exceptionally exposed. Free shipping for many products! Photo via. Theres only one small section at Waterton Canyon where dogs are not allowed. Just remember that youre bound to see plenty of other hikers in this section. Segment CW05: Boss Lake Trailhead to Ridge Above South Fooses Creek, 12. Its fun to experience the town of Leadville too. They are easy to cook as well. Read more. Popular with hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers and horseback riders, many take it in segments, as it could take four to six weeks to hike . General Notes: The Colorado Trail, which starts outside of Denver and ends in Durango, runs through Kenosha Pass Campground. From blisters to sprained ankles, having a first-aid kit in the pack is a must. You can donate to their efforts here, because money makes the world go round. Taylor Lake itself is very beautiful and basically signals the beginning of the end of this trail. Sunshine and rainbows and green rolling mountaintops as far as the eye can see. Its an ultralight pad at 12.5 ounces that stands 3 inches thick with a horizontal baffle for a comfortable nights sleep. Mile for mile, this is the best major trail in America. Highlights include the Collegiate Range, where . I just have to say, many of these segments were difficult to rank! 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. . 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. 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. Youll connect with the CT near Strontia Springs Dam. I hope you enjoy it! Before long, the thru-hiking and backpacking season will be upon us. and be aware that the only cure is to go back down! Fortunately the logistics of traveling to Denver and Durango are fairly simple. You can expect to see more crowds on these mountains than the main trail. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. In exchange, youll get above 10,000 feet for the first time and the trail will start to feel cooler, lusher, and more mountainous. The Colorado Trail is broken into 28 segments. Mount Elbert is especially tempting too, since its the highest mountain in Colorado! When I started ranking these, the main category I went off of was beautiful views. 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. Segment 11: Mount Massive Trailhead to Clear Creek Road, 22. Other hikers will carry a weeks worth of food and select meals based on how they are feeling on any given day. These days there are lots of great backpacking stove options. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. If youd like a more subjective take on thru-hiking the trail, check out my journal. Feel free to contact me with additional questions. Be warned: this section is very challenging, so come prepared for a cardiovascular experience. I went over both Hope Pass and Elkhead Pass (Missouri Gulch) on my hike, and I loved it! 16.8 County Rd 97: Conifer 26.9 County Rd 126: Buffalo Creek 40.5 FS 543/68: to Bailey 71.7 US Hwy 285: Kenosha Pass, Jefferson, Fairlplay 104.4 Hwy 9: Breckenridge, Frisco, 117.6 Hwy 91: Copper Mountain 143 US Hwy 24: Leadville, 176.9 Hwy 82: Twin Lakes 183.4 Collegiate East/West Divide 209.7 County Rd 365: Buena Vista 216.3 County Rd 306: Buena Vista, There are several paved roads in Segment 13. The west route maintains a significantly higher elevation and adds just 5 miles to a thru-hike. 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. Most thru-hikers start from the east end of the trail at Waterton Canyon, on the west end of the greater Denver metro area (Technically Littleton, Colorado). Its a great bag. Or, you can weigh yourself on a scale without your gear, and weigh yourself a second time with your base gear. Several miles later, you will enter some of the most singular, glorious hiking of the entire Colorado Trail. Hold plans loosely. Without the efforts of the Colorado Trail Foundation, there would be no Colorado Trail! 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. It is not for the faint-hearted. It passes through high alpine terrain and is a great thru-hiking trail for beginners looking to try a shorter trail before tackling the longer Pacific Crest Trail or Appalachian Trail. If youre hiking with a partner, create some distance from each other to decrease the likelihood of both of you getting zapped by a single strike. His recorded time was 3 days, 19 hours, and 15 minutes, set in 2016. 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. 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. The Collegiate West alternate route is not included. Others like Mount Elbert are just fine. Youll duck in and out of these clusters of ancient trees, often swapping them for lush, grassy meadows and (especially in July) brilliant wildflowers. Once you have the gear, its time to plan the logistics of the hike. Sure, the trail is simple. When you enter a wilderness area you will find a self-registration box. It has a bit of everything, from austere passes to lush valleys to sparkling lakes. The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. This is easily bypassed via the Indian Creek trailhead (see above). 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. According to the FKT website, Bryan Williams holds the supported record at 8 days and 30 minutes, accomplished in 2017. The most popular places for cyclists to resupply are Frisco, Leadville, Buena Vista, and Silverton. You should also note that I did not hike the Collegiate East, which is comprised of segments 11 - 15. 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.