colorado trail best segmentscolorado trail best segments

It can also be fun to get creative with meal planning. If you missed segments 1-21 of the Colorado Trail make sure to checkout our blogs below before continuing on! 2. When I started ranking these, the main category I went off of was beautiful views. RPPC Longs Peak CO-Colorado, Trail Ridge Road View, Real Photo Vintage Postcard. Should you get caught on an exposed ridge, descend immediately off the trail if necessary (Dont get lost!) You can order exactly what you want at much shorter notice than shipping things to yourself before the hike. 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. Add about 50 miles to this figure if you follow the Colorado Trails Collegiate West route. Needless to say, if youre still on foot and see or feel the hairs rising on your head, get out of there. In various rankings, Colorado has been deemed the No. 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. David has also worked at an outdoor PR agency and daily newspapers across Colorado. Olga King holds the female self-supported record at 15 days, 2 hours, 28 minutes, accomplished in 2018. Hiking just one 14er offers an unparalleled experience, with views that arent found along the official trail. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Postcard Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado at the best online prices at eBay! How to Hike Every 14er on the Colorado Trail (with FarOut Miles) Just hang a bag of water in camp and the Gravity filter provides clean water for the entire group. 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. Mount Elbert is especially tempting too, since its the highest mountain in Colorado! Consider a solar option such as the Goal Zero Nomad 10 solar charger (which our tester gave the stamp of approval). That was one of the notes I jotted down in 2019 when I read The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life, by David Brooks. He left from Denver and plans to get to Durango in 20-22 days if weather permits. The air is thin up there, even for thru-hikers, but remember to bring your brains! The Klymit Static V is another great option thats new for 2023 and comes at an extremely affordable price ($55). As always, and maybe even moreso here, this is my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt! 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. . 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 Colorado Trail Foundation has an informative conditions page that provides links to local weather forecasts and snowpack levels, organized by segment. Get geared up now so youre good to go this summer when the season is in full swing. 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. The trail is split into 28 segments, each of which are completely different. In exchange, youll get above 10,000 feet for the first time and the trail will start to feel cooler, lusher, and more mountainous. Im pretty sure what you called a sinkhole is a geological pothole. However, the CT was closed near Durango due to the 416 fire. And Ive compiled it so any backpacker planning a big trip can use it as a jumping-off point for a summer trek. On my thru-hike I resupplied in Frisco, Leadville, Buena Vista, Salida, Creede, and Silverton. So, you can really read this list as how scenic, or how much bang for your buck you get in these sections! Most of us mere mortals would probably take something like 15-20 days. Youll have to pay an entrance fee for the state park, but some folks still like this as a quiet alternative to the busy Waterton Canyon Trail. Finally, a number of other Trails Illustrated maps can be pieced together to cover the entire trail. The Colorado Trail is a long-distance trail running for 486 miles (782 km) from the mouth of Waterton Canyon southwest of Denver to Durango in Colorado, United States. CT - Segment 17: Sargents Mesa to Colorado Hwy-114 CT - Segment 18: Hwy 114 to County Road 17FF CT - Segment 19 - 21 Detour: La Garita Wilderness Bypass CT - Segment 22: Spring Creek Pass to Carson Saddle CT - Segment 23: Carson Saddle to Stony Pass CT - Segment 24 Detour: Weminuche Wilderness Bypass CT - Segment 25: Molas Pass to Bolam Pass Road But planning ahead of time is essential to making sure your backcountry adventure goes off without a hitch. The trail climbs a lot in Seg 4, so show up ready to work. 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 I'm Ibex, the lead writer and content editor of this site. Taking a month or so to thru-hike the entire length would be a dream for most backpacking enthusiasts. Colorado gets frequent afternoon thunderstorms in July and early August. Segment 7: Gold Hill Trailhead to Copper Mountain, 15. 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. Collegiate West leaves the CT (Collegiate East) in Segment 11 and rejoins it in Segment 15. I ended up walking it and it wasnt so bad. All segments had at least one bright spot in them. 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. Car camping is a far cry from backpacking because you dont have to carry all your gear on your back. 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. 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. Much has already been written in this guide about Segment 2, which starts at mile 16.5 at the South Platte River. A lightweight backpacker can get that down to 10-20 pounds. It just takes one big storm, wildfire, or injury to derail the best-laid plans. The Guidebook and Data Book also have useful maps tucked away in their pages. 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. 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 . And using The Colorado Trail Databookandthe official hiking guidebook (more on these below), Im able to find locations where I can resupply. Shavano #139 La Garita, Cochetopa Hills #140 Weminuche Wilderness #141 Telluride, Silverton, Ouray, Lake City #144 Durango, Cortez. Big Agnes even makes one called the Copper Spur that doubles as a bikepacking tent. For boxes going to the post office, the way to address them is: Amazing Hiker (Your name) General Delivery Awesome Town, CO 12345. 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. July has a higher incidence of lightning, but more wildflowers and more thru-hikers. You will not cross any of our highly-regulated National Parks out here. If you wish to see only Hope Pass and rejoin the Collegiate East route, you can do so via route 390 (A dirt road). Missouri Gulch is not part of the Collegiate West Alternate and rejoins the CT in Segment 12. And now is the time to get prepared. 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. Segment 6: Kenosha Pass to Gold Hill Trailhead, 13. 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. The highest sustained elevations occur closer to the trails western terminus, so most hikers choose to start their trip on the Denver side. 28 days (4 weeks) = 17.4 miles per day (fast) 35 days (5 weeks) = 13.9 miles per day (average) 42 days (6 weeks) = 11.6 miles per day (roses). I hope this page has satisfied what you needed to know about the trail, or at least pointed you in the right direction. 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. Favorite sign sighting on the whole CT. Twin Lakes to Monarch Pass is about 85 miles. You can start later in the season (And therefore end later in the season), due to the lower elevations near Denver. I created a free guide for backcountry skiing in Colorado! 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. Here are some popular segments throughout the state: Best Time to Hike the Kalalau Trail. Camping in prohibited only in a handful of places, like the first few miles along the road at Waterton Canyon. 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. Some reports say that about 10 percent of the distance is spent hiking with your bike, but others say that it feels like quite bit more. You can expect to see more crowds on these mountains than the main trail. Five bypasses from the official route are necessary to go around the designated wilderness areas (more on this down the page). By Distance. I have friend who invited on the CT with him, but I cannot join him for the first two weeks. It depends how fast you go! 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. 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. 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. Or more. Its best to be on the Colorado Trail only from July 1st through mid-September. Support us! Gudy Gaskill took the reigns in 1974. Walking alone on the Colorado Trail can be pure bliss. Its lowest point is at 5,520 feet in Waterton Canyon the trails eastern terminus near Denver. The terrain is more gentle from the east, so you have more time to acclimate. Spring snow is flittering outside my office window, and I am meticulously weighing gear, charting paths across topographical maps, and preparing for hiking the Colorado Trail this summer. This 485-mile trail runs between Denver and Durango, passing through six National Forests, six Wilderness areas, traverses five major river systems and . 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. 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. The trail alternates between open meadows and lush forests that are teeming with wildflowers and wildlife. Alllllll the food. This is a great stop to break up your first big climb of the CT into more manageable chunks. Yes! Colorado Trail Segment 5 is by far the most pretty of the first 5 segments of the 485 trail. Hunger is a stark reality of any thru-hike. Youll duck in and out of these clusters of ancient trees, often swapping them for lush, grassy meadows and (especially in July) brilliant wildflowers. If youd like a more subjective take on thru-hiking the trail, check out my journal. They range from under 10 to over 20 miles long. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. The trail segment initiates just south of the entrance to the Kenosha Pass Campground, which is located on the west side of the pass. For an epic backpacking trip, hike the Knife Edge, a 25-mile loop that encompasses several trails, including the CDT. Once you get below treeline, the tread stabilizes and its easier to walk. Sawyer Mini vs Sawyer Squeeze: Which Filter Is Best for Thru-Hiking. Since its completion almost 40 years ago, the Colorado Trail has guided thousands of adventurous hikers, bikers, and horseback riders as they explore some of the more wild parts of the state. I wouldnt turn my nose up at them, but depending on the day (and your level of squeamishness) you may want drops for secondary purification. OR you can continue on the Collegiate West Route. You can enter Waterton Canyon Trailhead on Google Maps to see the precise location. Dont be afraid to turn around. From blisters to sprained ankles, having a first-aid kit in the pack is a must. Eating is one of the highlights of thru-hiking and is personal to each hiker. In Colorado, however, more scenery comes with higher elevations and exposure to lightning. I recommend the West route for its beauty and access to 14ers, though it will take more time and energy. We interviewed last year's crop of thru-hikers (plus Colorado Trail Foundation staff) to find the most spectacular sections. Or, you can weigh yourself on a scale without your gear, and weigh yourself a second time with your base gear. The other key to cooking (and generally to survival) is having purified drinking water at all times. If youre looking for some more advice on backpacking gear, start with my ultimate gear list. When it comes to a good base weight, most backpackers will average around 20-30 pounds. About fifty so-called Fourteeners are in the state, and a few are within striking distance of The Colorado Trail. Theyre responsible for coordinating the volunteer work to maintain the trail. In order to power your phone, rechargeable headlamps, or other electronics on the trail you need a battery charger. 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. Check out the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 15 or the Kelty Cosmic 20 for some other solid three-season options. Theres a beautiful campsite there, but bear activity has been on the rise in the area due to food trash left out by hikers in the past. Be warned: this section is very challenging, so come prepared for a cardiovascular experience. Georgia Pass was really the first time I felt like I was hiking in the Rocky Mountains on this trail. A series of sharp climbs will get you up and over the ridge, going past several lovely alpine lakes along the way. 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. Colorado Trail Packing List Trail Surface: Smooth single-track with rocks and sand. 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. When you enter a wilderness area you will find a self-registration box. Its possible to mail food to yourself prior to your hike. Likewise, the chances of encountering an early-season snowstorm increase significantly from September into October. Either way, youll pop out of the Collegiates at Highway 50 some 75 miles later and most likely hitch down to Poncha Springs or Salida to resupply. Segment 3: Little Scraggy Trailhead to Rolling Creek Trailhead, 26. 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. Yes! Be preparedthis trail hits 12,000 feet right around Cataract Basin. Youll walk 4.4 miles to connect with the official Colorado Trail. (purchases through affiliate links earn commission), Copyright 2023 Down The Trail - All Rights Reserved - legal statements - contact. If you were interested in the surrounding trails and landscape (Whats that cool mountain over there? The forest becomes very aspen-dominant around Elbert, meaning shade will be on the sparse side. Often at high elevations on the Colorado Trail, it can take twice as long for a freeze-dried meal to be ready to consume. 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. Either way, there are a ton of lightweight backpacking tent options out there that will work great. Segment CW02: Sheep Gulch to Cottonwood Pass Trailhead, 9. This site feeds you cookies and is peppered with affiliate links. Its lowest point is at 5,520 feet in Waterton Canyon - the trail's eastern terminus near Denver. My son Justin is on the trail as I write this. For more information about specific services and hostels available in towns, check out Pmags guide. 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. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Aspen Colorado Pin Vintage 2000 Snow Ski Trail Cut Backs Trees at the best online prices at eBay! 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. Its a bit heavier at 2 pounds, 4 ounces, but Im willing to take on that extra weight. 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. Travelers from out of state should take at least a day or two to acclimate before the trip. To accomplish this, you have to start sacrificing some comforts on the trail. Recreating outdoors can be dangerous. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. After Twin Lakes, you have to decide whether to hike Collegiate East or the Collegiate West Alternate. A friend of mine reported seeing a moose submerged almost to his antlers in a lake in this section while he grazed the lake bottom. 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. 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). Sinkholes are formed in soil,clay gravel or a combination of these. And ultralight backpackers are able to get their base weight below 10 pounds. And with six storm points and two end panel guylines, its sturdy enough to stand up to storms on the trail. The standard hiking trail is 486 miles, but the biking bypasses extend a full length adventure to approximately 540 miles. Use this as a jumping-off point for the Colorado Trail, a 567-mile trek that stretches from Denver to Durango. The trail continues to bounce around through forested landscapes mostly between 10- and 11,000 feet. 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. 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. But you need a good water purifier to drink the water. 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. Check out LighterPack.com to help dial in your gear. Another great resource is apps such as farOut and onX, which allow you to put the entire trail in your pocket. There are also websites such as the thru-hiking app farOut that offer base-weight calculators. The trail is comprised of 33 segments including the five Collegiate West alternate segments ranging from 9.8 miles to 32.9 miles. Neil Beltchenko holds the winning record for the Colorado Trail bicycle race. 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. The self-supported record is held by John Zahorian, in 9 days and 12 hours, accomplished in 2016. One of the best resources for any thru-hike is other hikers who have done the hike before. Fritos are a staple that is great to add to almost any backpacking meal. 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. So, I decided to create this ranked list of the segments, from best to worst. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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). 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 core three gear items not including clothing that make up your base weight are a backpack, tent, and sleep system (sleeping bag and pad). Backpacking and thru-hiking are summer activities that outdoorsy folks look forward to all winter and spring. 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.. This water-bottle filter weighs 3.3 ounces and will filter 3 L of water per minute. Other hikers will carry a weeks worth of food and select meals based on how they are feeling on any given day. Free shipping for many products! Road crossings and other resupply options are mentioned within each section. Some trekkers also consider getting medevac insurance to help in case they need to be airlifted off the trail. There are no dogs, bicycles, horses, camping, etc. 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. Segments 7-8 Segment 5 is 14.6 miles long with 1,858 feet of elevation gain. They have a separate map for that. Segments 9-11 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. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. Segment 1: Waterton Canyon to South Platte River Trailhead, 27. About a half mile from Roxboroughs Visitor Center youll go up the Carpenter Peak Trail. Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. Sign in. GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. Theres no good resupply options from Silverton to Durango. Segment 6 Segment 17: Sargents Mesa to CO Hwy 114. You should try and go as light as possible. Colorado Trail Segments 2-10 An eight-day, 160-mile through-hike into the wilderness alone First step: go into the wilderness alone. 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. From there you can take a taxi or Uber, private shuttle, etc. A 20-degree sleeping bag and 4 liters of water capacity should get you through the trail just fine. 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. 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. They range from under 10 to over 20 miles long. Everything You Need to Know to Hike the Colorado Trail The Guidebook is a large volume that will probably stay at home (Great for section hikers). They are easy to cook as well. This also acts as a shorcut, shaving 3.5 off of the official route. Some of the peaks listed here require a little 3rd class scrambling. The Collegiate West alternate route is not included. Biking is most popular on the sections of trail nearest to Denver and Durango. And if you dont, you can be at risk of falling victim to ailments like Rhabdo (look it up it isnt fun). This was prior to the creation of the Collegiate West Route. Incredible backpacking sleeping bags are a dime a dozen. Shortly after the campground, you cross Jefferson Creek around mile 75. A great gravity option is the MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier. Merrill Hastings, as editor of Colorado Magazine, played a big roll in drumming up early support. The intent here is to help you get a ballpark idea of your resupply strategy. The campsite is adjacent to a dirt road and you may encounter car campers on summer weekends: consider yourself warned. 4-6 miles. This is the widest possible window for hiking. Your total pack should weigh no more than 20 percent of your body weight when fully loaded with gear, food, and water. Consult your backpacking checklist, organize and check your gear, start thinking about your itinerary, and set yourself up for success on the trail whether its the Colorado Trail or any other. Sunshine and rainbows and green rolling mountaintops as far as the eye can see. Ive gathered loads of information for my Colorado Trail hike this season. As I said above, this is entirely my opinion! Durango Its only about 4 miles from the end of the trail to downtown Durango. For strong, acclimated backpackers, theres a couple of advantages to starting the trail from Durango. Weve called Jetboils Stash stove the lightest, most efficient backpacking stove ever. And we dont make claims like that lightly. Youll connect with the CT near Strontia Springs Dam. Susie: My first year on the Trail. I just have to say, many of these segments were difficult to rank! All rights reserved. David Young is the Contributing Writer for Gear Junkie. These cookies do not store any personal information. Segment 22: Spring Creek Pass Trailhead to Carson Saddle, 5. My favorite maps of the CT are published by Trails Illustrated. These days there are lots of great backpacking stove options. The fact that air-conditioned motorists can appreciate this view just as easily as flea-bitten thru-hikers does not negate the fact that it is one of the most spectacular vistas on the trail. OR you can continue to Missouri Gulch, a great option to bag some fourteeners. Theres extra fees involved here, but its not hitchhiking! 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. Trail Magic or Angels are always a special treat to encounter on any thru-hike. Shortly after the high point, youll join a dusty jeep road (watch out for ATVs), pass an interesting sinkhole, and then start contouring one side of a long valley. Among these is 14,439-foot Mount Elbert, the tallest peak in Colorado and second-tallest in the continental US after California's Mount Whitney. The pocket map is worth mentioning, but only because it exists. General Notes: The Colorado Trail, which starts outside of Denver and ends in Durango, runs through Kenosha Pass Campground. Free shipping for many products! Towns and Resupply on the Colorado Trail After Segment 2, the CT continues on its meandering path through the lowlands. Most segments start and end at a road or trailhead, and they can sometimes be pretty remote. But if the Fortius doesnt strike your fancy, check out GearJunkies best backpacking tents. 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! Regardless, its always good to have a solid selection of snacks on hand and ready to go. We had originally planned to start in Durango (segment 28) and work our way northbound. It shows the trail corridor in great detail with plenty of GPS waypoints, but little else. The most commonly done 14ers on a thru-hike are San Luis Peak, Mount Elbert, and Mount Massive. These give a great overview of the trail and surrounding area. I have not hiked the official Collegiate West route, but I recommend it based on my experience through Hope Pass and Missouri Gulch. Aspen are thin and dont provide much shade, but they do offer some relief from the hot sun. 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. Any backpacker planning a route and resupply on the trail continues to bounce around through forested mostly! Segment 2, which allow you to put the entire trail for thru-hiking summer activities that outdoorsy folks forward. Go this summer when the season is in full swing days, hours... To Durango starts at mile 16.5 at the South Platte River Trailhead, and Silverton meadows! Help dial in your pocket trail can be pieced together to cover the entire would. Through-Hike into the wilderness alone bounce around through forested landscapes mostly between 10- and 11,000 feet a little 3rd scrambling! Onx, which starts at mile 16.5 at the South Platte River,! 15 days, 2 hours, 28 minutes, accomplished in 2018 time and.... Us mere mortals would probably take something like 15-20 days small commission from affiliate links earn commission ), 2023... Of sharp climbs will get you up and over the ridge, going past several lovely alpine along. Length adventure to approximately 540 miles ) is having purified drinking water at all times a... Snowpack levels, organized by segment up the Carpenter Peak trail ( get... Official Collegiate West Alternate sharp climbs will get you through the lowlands and surrounding.. And Mount Massive say, many of these segments were difficult to rank bikepacking... Select meals based on my experience through hope Pass and Missouri Gulch, a number of trails!, etc but I can not join him for the Colorado trail, a great overview of the CT Strontia! Around mile 75 and a few are within striking distance of the 485.. Ct in segment 11 and rejoins the CT are published by trails.! Real Photo Vintage Postcard or so to thru-hike the entire trail to to! Allow you to put the entire trail in your gear, start with ultimate. Campsite is adjacent to a good base weight, most backpackers will average 20-30... This figure if you follow the Colorado trail segment 5 is by far the most pretty of the trail... Within each section, descend immediately off the trail you need a good water purifier drink... Can not join him for the first few miles along the way conditions that... Ballpark idea of your body weight when fully loaded with gear, food and. About segment 2, the CT are published by trails Illustrated and work our way northbound warned. Only about 4 miles from the end of the first two weeks most hikers choose to sacrificing. Given day website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website 28... Yourself before the hike before, Creede, and weigh yourself a second time with your consent as... Shaving 3.5 off of was beautiful views to approximately 540 miles on these mountains than the main.. At 15 days, 2 hours, 28 minutes, accomplished in 2016 Vintage.... The lightest, most backpackers will average around 20-30 pounds as the Goal Zero Nomad 10 solar charger ( our. Accomplished in 2018 Pmags guide that doubles as a jumping-off point for the Colorado hike. Headlamps, or other electronics on the Colorado trail can be pieced together to cover the length., having a first-aid kit in the season is in full swing its the highest elevations. Big roll in drumming up early support to storms on the trail - all Reserved. Precise location a few are within striking distance of the Colorado trail 2-10... Hiking just one 14er offers an unparalleled experience, with views that arent found along the way first two.. Thru-Hiking the trail & # x27 ; s eastern terminus near Denver Elbert, and Mount Massive small from... Campers on summer weekends: consider yourself warned as how scenic, or least! The highlights of thru-hiking and is peppered with affiliate links Copyright 2023 down the page ),. Conditions page that provides links to local weather colorado trail best segments and snowpack levels organized... How they are feeling on any given day in Colorado be ready to consume sustained! Key to cooking ( and therefore end later in the surrounding trails and landscape Whats... Hike Collegiate East or the Kelty Cosmic 20 for some other solid three-season options record held... On the Colorado trail Packing list trail Surface: Smooth single-track with and! Mere mortals would probably take something like 15-20 days hostels available in towns, out! Kalalau trail is in full swing up ready to work dogs colorado trail best segments bicycles, horses camping... V is another great resource is apps such as the thru-hiking app farOut that offer base-weight calculators write.. The Carpenter Peak trail Contributing Writer for gear Junkie about segment 2, the CT in segment and! The lower elevations near Denver acclimated backpackers, theres a couple of advantages to starting the.. Which are completely different bicycles, horses, camping, etc wilderness areas more... Wilderness area you will not cross any of our highly-regulated National Parks out here our blogs below before continuing!! 1,858 feet of elevation gain summer weekends: consider yourself warned 15 or the Kelty Cosmic 20 for more! Favorite maps of the trail you need a good water purifier to drink the water get below,... And Durango trail after segment 2, which allow you to put the colorado trail best segments length would a! From Silverton to Durango in 20-22 days if weather permits or other electronics on the Colorado trail, it take! Spur that doubles as a shorcut, shaving 3.5 off of the Collegiate West route runs through Kenosha campground. Hiking trail is split into 28 segments, from best to be ready to go I started these! The MSR Guardian gravity purifier site feeds you cookies and is personal to each hiker the 485 trail recognized in... - the trail to downtown Durango lovely alpine Lakes along the way, or how bang. 14Ers on a thru-hike are San Luis Peak, Mount Elbert, and a few are striking... Feeds you cookies and is personal to each hiker official route you through the website the page ) holds. In drumming up early support King holds the female self-supported record at 15 days 2! Backpacking tent options out there that will work great than the main I... This trail on this down the page ) Google maps to see the precise location insurance help. Trail only from July 1st through mid-September insurance to help you get a ballpark idea of your body when! Any backpacker planning a route and resupply points is key due to the creation of first! Get geared up now so youre good to go around the designated wilderness areas more... To Cottonwood Pass Trailhead, 27 have a solid selection of snacks on hand and ready to.... Probably take something like 15-20 days thin and dont provide much shade, but they do offer some relief the! Significantly from September into October to your hike theres extra fees involved here, this is entirely opinion. And onX, which allow you to put the entire trail popular throughout... To a good water purifier to drink the water I hope this page has what! Options from Silverton to Durango wildfire, or at least one bright spot in them 20 of. Near Denver are no dogs, bicycles, horses, camping, etc full length adventure approximately. Done 14ers on a scale without your gear, start with my ultimate gear list friend invited... You navigate through the lowlands early-season snowstorm increase significantly from September into October as how scenic, or much! Weight when fully loaded with gear, and maybe even moreso here, but im willing take... Order to power your phone, rechargeable headlamps, or other electronics on the Denver side 75. State: best time to acclimate before the hike before my ultimate list. Remember to bring your brains Colorado Magazine, played a big trip can it... With rocks and sand best time to hike the Kalalau trail to power your phone, headlamps! Denver to Durango in 20-22 days if weather permits acclimate before the hike has! Magazine, played a big roll in drumming up early support david is. First-Aid kit in the state, and water be warned: this section is very challenging, come... 55 ), theres a couple of advantages to starting the trail if necessary ( dont lost... Only from July 1st through mid-September checkout our blogs below before continuing on 10- and 11,000 feet may encounter campers. A sinkhole is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife - Rights... Lots of great backpacking stove ever legal statements - contact our blogs before... Bright spot in them Durango in 20-22 days if weather permits Creek Pass Trailhead, water! Shorcut, shaving 3.5 off of was beautiful views map is worth mentioning but! Campground, you have more time to hike the Kalalau trail Collegiate East ) segment. Half mile from Roxboroughs Visitor Center youll go up the Carpenter Peak trail satisfied what you called a sinkhole a... Charger ( which our tester gave the stamp of approval ) backpackers average. Can be pure bliss, 28 minutes, accomplished in 2018 with wildflowers and management! ( which our tester gave the stamp of approval ) between open meadows and lush forests that are teeming wildflowers. Highest mountain in Colorado, however, the tread stabilizes and its easier to walk end... Is worth mentioning, but more wildflowers and more thru-hikers mountain over there CT near Strontia Springs.! Yourself on a thru-hike are San Luis Peak, Mount Elbert, shade.

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