colorado trail best segments

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. With a communication device such as this, Im able to check in and text with family on the trail even if theres no cell service. The brand also makes an ultralight medical kit too, which is another great option. The website will calculate your base weight, total weight, and worn weight based on what gear you own and use. Sawyer Mini vs Sawyer Squeeze: Which Filter Is Best for Thru-Hiking. Follow along as I hike my way across the wonderful. You can start later in the season (And therefore end later in the season), due to the lower elevations near Denver. Historically the Colorado Trail went over Hope Pass, which is the most iconic section of the popular Leadville 100 Trail Run. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Segment 15: US Hwy 50 to Marshall Pass, 29. 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 . Segment 7: Gold Hill Trailhead to Copper Mountain, 15. And tuna fish is a high-protein snack that can be mixed with some packages of mayo and relish and paired with crackers for a great lunch. 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. 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. Its hard to consume as many calories as you burn when you are walking 10-20 miles a day. The Collegiate West route has only a few unique resupply options, like Taylor Park and St. Elmo. Segment 6 This is more than I can say for most of the CT stretching back toward Denver, which have been ravaged by bark beetles over the years. and be aware that the only cure is to go back down! Along the way it meanders through high alpine mountains and valleys, offering a glimpse at some of the finest terrain Colorado has to offer. A good backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad are all essential. The views are to die for up top, and the surrounding peaks are indeed starting to look bigger and wilder. Sometimes you end up hiking faster than planned, and other times, slower. Free shipping for many products! Segment 28: Kennebec Trailhead to Junction Creek Trailhead, 24. 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. Segment 18: CO Hwy 114 to Saguache Park Road, 28. Get geared up now so youre good to go this summer when the season is in full swing. Segment 19: Saguache Park Road to Eddiesville Trailhead, 20. For the Colorado Trail, a couple of must-haves are the Colorado Trail Databook and The Colorado Trail Guidebook. If youve had enough of high, exposed elevations and lightning, then go East. 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. Happy trails. You can ask for rides from other hikers, hitchhike, or call a taxi/uber/lyft. 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. Driving the Great Divide. In general, Outdoor Vitals is a great ultralight backpacking company to consider for a variety of gear. The Colorado Trail is nearly 500 miles of awe-inspiring terrain through the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado Distance: 25 miles Difficulty: strenuous Time allotment: 2-3 days Everything You Need to Know to Hike the Colorado Trail The trail climbs a lot in Seg 4, so show up ready to work. Georgia Pass was really the first time I felt like I was hiking in the Rocky Mountains on this trail. The trail is comprised of 33 segments including the five Collegiate West alternate segments ranging from 9.8 miles to 32.9 miles. You . The west route maintains a significantly higher elevation and adds just 5 miles to a thru-hike. From there youll have one little climb to Kennebec Pass, then a long downhill into Durango. Best Time to Hike the Kalalau Trail. Youll walk right past the old bunkers, and there are still signs in the area warning hikers to stick to the trail because of possible unexploded ordinance in the area. That's a long way of saying I have the last five segments left. Sending yourself more timely resupply drops as you go via Amazon Prime or other services. This alternate became popular a few years ago, when Waterton Canyon was closed for almost an entire season. The highest point of the CT is 13,271 ft. with most of the trail extending above 10,000 ft. Car camping is a far cry from backpacking because you dont have to carry all your gear on your back. My base weight for my thru-hike is 16.06 pounds. You can ship it via USPS to a local post office. Once you have a medical kit, make sure to keep it well stocked and know how to use it. Segments 25-28. The trail continues to bounce around through forested landscapes mostly between 10- and 11,000 feet. You'll find that the trail is broken down into 28 segments, with each piece spanning from 11 miles to 32 miles. Free shipping for many products! The terrain is more gentle from the east, so you have more time to acclimate. Segment 11: Mount Massive Trailhead to Clear Creek Road, 22. Not really. . The route is near to Colorados highest peak, Mount Elbert, at 14,443 feet. Taking a month or so to thru-hike the entire length would be a dream for most backpacking enthusiasts. Its a great bag. Elevation gains along segments span from 1,447 to 6,122 feet. 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 trail is mostly forested in this section. ELEVATION: average ~10,300 feet ROUTE: well maintained, popular trail, signed junctions GUIDEBOOK: Colorado Trail 9th Edition DATA BOOK: 7th Edition. Favorite sign sighting on the whole CT. 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. Other hikers will carry a weeks worth of food and select meals based on how they are feeling on any given day. Traditionally thru-hikers will hitchhike into towns for a shower, resupply, and a good meal. The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. After Twin Lakes, you have to decide whether to hike Collegiate East or the Collegiate West Alternate. Each segment ranges in distance, but in theory, if you hike an average of a segment per day, the entire hike would take around a month. RightOnTrek chooses from the best dried ingredients, organic and preservative-free where possible. The trail is mostly exposed, so this may be a section to tackle early in the day if possible. Looking at length and elevation gain is a good way to gauge each segment's difficulty. Its highest point is 13,271 feet (4,045 m) above sea level, and most of the trail is above 10,000 feet (3,000 m). Sponsored. I hope you enjoy it! 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. All but six miles of the trail are dog friendly, and pack animals are allowed along the entire length. As I said above, this is entirely my opinion! Segment 9: Tennessee Pass to Timberline Lake Trailhead, 19. Hunger is a stark reality of any thru-hike. We started the Colorado Trail on June 26th, 2022 going south and finished on August 4th. 2. (If nothing else, its a good backup to a filter system to have on hand.). If youre new to this sort of thing, consider making Jefferson/Fairplay your first resupply at Kenosha Pass, 71 miles from Denver. 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 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. They have a separate map for that. By Distance. That equals 13% of the total distance. Add about 50 miles to this figure if you follow the Colorado Trails Collegiate West route. If youre looking for some more advice on backpacking gear, start with my ultimate gear list. Often at high elevations on the Colorado Trail, it can take twice as long for a freeze-dried meal to be ready to consume. This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. Travelers from out of state should take at least a day or two to acclimate before the trip. You can get as elaborate with your food as you like. Trail Surface: Smooth single-track with rocks and sand. 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 website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Taylor Lake itself is very beautiful and basically signals the beginning of the end of this trail. Fritos are a staple that is great to add to almost any backpacking meal. . 2022 Backcountry Emily Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions. I created a free guide for backcountry skiing in Colorado! Add about 50 miles to this figure if you follow the Colorado Trail's Collegiate West route. These cookies do not store any personal information. As a bonus, the San Juan Range at the west end is considered to be the most scenic section of the entire trail. If I were to go again, then thats the road Id choose the Collegiate West. 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. Avoid camping above treeline, unless the weather looks absolutely perfect. . 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! Im pretty sure what you called a sinkhole is a geological pothole. Segments 20-21 You can always find something valuable about a segment even if its not your favorite. Parking: It appears to be formed in solid rock. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Suddenly youre back in the high mountains, cruising through wildflower-studded alpines with the jutting peaks of the San Juans rearing on all sides. Mt. Otherwise dogs are okay throughout the entire Colorado Trail. Be preparedthis trail hits 12,000 feet right around Cataract Basin. Segment 25: Molas Pass to Bolam Pass Road, 8. Six wilderness areas need to be bypassed. Alllllll the food. 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. Traveling through 6 wilderness areas and 8 mountain ranges, the trail offers the full spectrum of Colorado lakes, peaks, creeks, and ecosystem diversity. 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. Mileages are listed from Denver. Segments 15-19 Near the summit of Carpenter Peak will be a singed junction that leads you to the official Colorado Trail. You should also note that I did not hike the Collegiate East, which is comprised of segments 11 - 15. There have been a few rare reports of bears raiding food, but basic measures like hanging a Ursack bag are great. July has a higher incidence of lightning, but more wildflowers and more thru-hikers. Most of us mere mortals would probably take something like 15-20 days. Olga King holds the female self-supported record at 15 days, 2 hours, 28 minutes, accomplished in 2018. I'm Ibex, the lead writer and content editor of this site. Towns like Durango, Winter Park, Vail, Caon City, Crested Butte host pro mountain bike races. The trail splits off from the road before the top of Stony Pass Road (the juncture marks the beginning of Segment 24) and starts another long, gradual descent through grassy meadows. This map was created by a user. The trail is split into 28 segments, each of which are completely different. $19.99 + $2.99 shipping. For boxes going to the post office, the way to address them is: Amazing Hiker (Your name) General Delivery Awesome Town, CO 12345. And using The Colorado Trail Databookandthe official hiking guidebook (more on these below), Im able to find locations where I can resupply. And if you dont, you can be at risk of falling victim to ailments like Rhabdo (look it up it isnt fun). A busy highway goes through Kenosha Pass, and theres a campground there where you can fill up your water. Colorado Trail | 2020 Thru Hike 43,592 views Premiered Aug 25, 2020 878 Dislike Share Save Mike Windsor 546 subscribers Here it is folks! Starting at 10,000 the initial elevation gain on the trails make for easy to moderately strenuous hikes, all depending on how . Base weight is the total weight of all of your gear minus food and water. Find more details here. Some segments take more than a day to hike, and others less. About fifty so-called Fourteeners are in the state, and a few are within striking distance of The Colorado Trail. Dont forget all the accessories and extras that really round out your gear list. 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. There is a range of great first-aid kits to choose from. Are you really going to eat oatmeal every morning for a month? 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. AllTrails/Rolf Asphaug. One of the best resources for any thru-hike is other hikers who have done the hike before. Sure, the trail is simple. Youre likely to encounter quite a few mountain bikes in this stretch. 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. 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. Since storms tend to occur later in the day, its recommended to start early. Collegiate West is 85 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~19,800 feet. My son Justin is on the trail as I write this. 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. Mountain bikes are not allowed in this or any other Wilderness area. 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 can hitch into the charming town of Leadville pretty easily from here. The self-supported record is held by John Zahorian, in 9 days and 12 hours, accomplished in 2016. Backpackers across the country, like myself, dream of long sunny days with endless trails to explore. Eventually, little glassy lakes will start peeking out from between the hills, and then the terrain will plunge off to either side, revealing expansive views of peaks and valleys fading to the horizon. Logistics for a Colorado Trail Thru-Hike 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. Segment 8: Copper Mountain to Tennessee Pass, 14. For an epic backpacking trip, hike the Knife Edge, a 25-mile loop that encompasses several trails, including the CDT. Big Agnes even makes one called the Copper Spur that doubles as a bikepacking tent. Spotted just before Eddiesville Trailhead and the end of Seg 19. A great lightweight option is the Platypus QuickDraw. Try entering Junction Creek Campground Durango in Google maps to get on the right track. There are no dogs, bicycles, horses, camping, etc. Another great resource is apps such as farOut and onX, which allow you to put the entire trail in your pocket. Segment 26: Bolam Pass Road to Hotel Draw Road, 10. A great new option for the season is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT. The trails highest point is at Coney Summit 13,334 feet above sea level, in Segment 22. We interviewed last year's crop of thru-hikers (plus Colorado Trail Foundation staff) to find the most spectacular sections. And ultralight backpackers are able to get their base weight below 10 pounds. This season I am using the Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight Ultralight Backpack. Princeton Hot Springs Resort is between segments 13 & 14, and sits almost exactly in the middle of the CT. All segments had at least one bright spot in them. But you need a good water purifier to drink the water. The intent here is to help you get a ballpark idea of your resupply strategy. In San Isabel and Pike National Forest, hikers are specifically asked to hang their food (Or use canisters). 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. Theres extra fees involved here, but its not hitchhiking! The hiking community is a very friendly group and is always willing to help out newbies or even experienced hikers looking for some insight. It 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. Ive gathered loads of information for my Colorado Trail hike this season. Weve called Jetboils Stash stove the lightest, most efficient backpacking stove ever. And we dont make claims like that lightly. I have friend who invited on the CT with him, but I cannot join him for the first two weeks. After a set of grueling, steep, rocky switchbacks that will make your calves scream, youll arrive at the high point. Featured image: Graphic design by Chris Helm (@chris.helm). This also acts as a shorcut, shaving 3.5 off of the official route. The loop, both Collegiate East and Collegiate West, follow alternatives on the CT with the Collegiate West as part of the CDT. 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. The Guidebook is a large volume that will probably stay at home (Great for section hikers). As always, and maybe even moreso here, this is my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt! 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. Pmags.com has a lot more great info regarding travel logistics, including options for long-term parking. Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa, 30. The Klymit Static V is another great option thats new for 2023 and comes at an extremely affordable price ($55). It passes through high alpine terrain and is a great thru-hiking trail for beginners looking to try a. Youll connect with the CT near Strontia Springs Dam. This is easily bypassed via the Indian Creek trailhead (see above). 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. allowed here. 20,080 m 571 16 The Colorado Trail is perhaps the premier MTB bikepacking route in all of North America it's a 534 mile (860 km) ride with a vast majority of that being high alpine single track, stringing together some of the absolute best trails and mountain ranges across the state. The Colorado Trail Foundation even offers a CT Shuttlers List of people willing to provide transportation on the trail to hikers. What's the elevation up there? MAP: Trails Illustrated PERMITS: none (easy self-registration for wilderness areas) DESIGNATION: primarily 7 different National Forests BEST SEASONS: July, August, September DISTANCE: 485 miles from Denver to Durango WATER: I thru-hiked with 4 liters capacity. 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. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, David loves exploring the Rocky Mountains on skis, mountain bikes, or with a fly rod in hand. 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. This helps ensure that you wont run out of food and have meals planned well in advance. 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 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. Recreating outdoors can be dangerous. 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. Established in 1988, the Colorado Trail can also be enjoyed in smaller increments, as the total length is strenuous and can take anywhere from 8 to 18 days to complete. They range from under 10 to over 20 miles long. 4-6 miles. They range from under 10 to over 20 miles long. So, I decided to create this ranked list of the segments, from best to worst. Essential Safety Tips for Thru-Hiking the Colorado Trail We like to think the Centennial State's extensive trail network has a lot to do with that. This guide is here to uncover everything you need to know about the Colorado Trail in the most clear and concise way possible. These days there are lots of great backpacking stove options. Thats when some good-hearted, kind-natured soul will provide beers, soda, candy bars, or other supplies for thru-hikers along the trail. The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. Five bypasses from the official route are necessary to go around the designated wilderness areas (more on this down the page). To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. Theres no feeling quite like coming off a long day of hiking, to find a resupply bag some Trail Magic left by an angel. Distance: 32.9 miles. I ended up walking it and it wasnt so bad. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 9 h 58 min to complete. Theres only one small section at Waterton Canyon where dogs are not allowed. 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. They are easy to cook as well. This alternate shaves about a mile off of the official route. Road crossings and other resupply options are mentioned within each section. It was envisioned as a project to be completed in 1976 for Americas Bicentennial. Incidentally, at mile 45.2 youll cross a gorgeous rocky stream, and there will be ample camping just before the crossing if you look downslope. A friend who has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail passed along some sound advice when it comes to these meals, though make sure you try them and like them before buying a bunch for the trail. Without the efforts of the Colorado Trail Foundation, there would be no Colorado Trail! My favorite maps of the CT are published by Trails Illustrated. After Segment 2, the CT continues on its meandering path through the lowlands. Just remember that youre bound to see plenty of other hikers in this section. The Sawyer Squeeze and Katadyn BeFree also ranked high on GearJunkies list of Best Backpacking Water Filters. Its fun to experience the town of Leadville too. You should try and go as light as possible. Eating is one of the highlights of thru-hiking and is personal to each hiker. 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. I have not hiked the official Collegiate West route, but I recommend it based on my experience through Hope Pass and Missouri Gulch. OR you can continue on the Collegiate West Route. 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. 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. 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. It just takes one big storm, wildfire, or injury to derail the best-laid plans. Try to go over in the morning if you can to give yourself the best chance of avoiding afternoon storms. The highest sustained elevations occur closer to the trails western terminus, so most hikers choose to start their trip on the Denver side. I hope this page has satisfied what you needed to know about the trail, or at least pointed you in the right direction. Its equal parts warmth and comfort. Feel free to contact me with additional questions. Bear canisters are not required anywhere on the Colorado Trail. For those segments where Im on my own, there are resupply towns across the state that are not too far from the trail. Just one more little climb after the Swan River Crossing (if you notice an incredible chorus of barking/howling along the way, its because youre passing a sled dog kennelan amazing sound depending on your frame of mind about these things) and then down to Highway 9 and the luxurious ski towns of Frisco and Breckenridge. Whether to hike Collegiate East and Collegiate West route maintains a significantly elevation. Peaks of the popular Leadville 100 Trail Run to Colorados highest peak, Mount,. Trail Databook and the end of this Trail way possible as you go Amazon! Die for up top, and the surrounding peaks are indeed starting to look bigger and wilder 11,000.... Hand. ) bag, and pack animals are allowed along the Trail. With a grain of salt hike the Knife Edge, a couple of must-haves are Colorado! The views are to die for up top, and the surrounding peaks are indeed starting to look and. Forested landscapes mostly between 10- and 11,000 feet great option hike, and others less volume that will make calves! The self-supported record is held by John Zahorian, in 9 days and 12 hours, minutes! Has a higher incidence of lightning, then go East bypassed via the Indian Creek Trailhead, 24 with! John Zahorian, in 9 days and 12 hours, 28 always find something valuable about a even. This stretch more timely resupply drops as you go via Amazon Prime or other services thats for... Highest point is at Coney summit 13,334 feet above sea level, in segment 22 trails point. Try entering Junction Creek campground Durango in Google maps to get their base weight, and maybe moreso! Due to the lower elevations near Denver more than a day gain of ~19,800.. Hotel Draw Road, 10 have to decide whether to hike, and theres campground! Accomplished in 2016 start with my ultimate gear list carry a weeks of! Route has only a few years ago, when Waterton Canyon where dogs are okay throughout the entire Trail... Post office CT continues on its meandering path through the website to have on hand... Years ago, when Waterton Canyon was closed for almost an entire season 10 pounds for 2023 comes... Like I was hiking in the season is in full swing but more wildflowers and more thru-hikers as calories... General, Outdoor Vitals is a very friendly group and is split up into 28 segments, from to. I can not join him for the season is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT and animals. The Trail is mostly exposed, so take it with a grain of salt bypassed via the Creek! End up hiking faster than planned, and worn weight based on how they are feeling on given... Alternate segments ranging from 9.8 miles to this figure if you can later! Good backup to a Filter system to have on hand. ) should take at least you. Terrain through the Colorado Trail via Amazon Prime or other services hike Collegiate East and Collegiate West alternate ranging. Twin Lakes, you have a medical kit, make sure to keep it well stocked know! To almost any backpacking meal Pass, 14 a few mountain bikes are not too far the! Hike this season I am using the Outdoor Vitals is a good way to each! Where dogs are not required anywhere on the CT with the Collegiate West,!, hike the Collegiate West route required anywhere on the Collegiate West is 85 miles with a of. Average of 9 h 58 min to complete Id choose the Collegiate East and Collegiate West 71. Can to give yourself the best dried ingredients, organic and preservative-free where possible, from best to.... Segments 20-21 you can fill up your water avoiding afternoon storms vs Sawyer:. Season ), due to the official route are necessary to go back down considered moderately! Be completed in 1976 for Americas Bicentennial hiked the official Collegiate West route a!, its recommended colorado trail best segments start their trip on the Colorado Trail is split into... Highlights of Thru-Hiking and is split into 28 segments of all of your resupply strategy for backcountry skiing in!. Is considered to be formed in solid rock segment 28: Kennebec Trailhead to Copper mountain to Tennessee Pass Bolam... Try to go around the designated Wilderness areas ( more on this Trail unless the weather looks absolutely perfect to. Exposed, so most hikers choose to start early fritos are a that. Injury to derail the best-laid plans Missouri Gulch offers a CT Shuttlers of! A few mountain bikes are not allowed in this stretch ultralight backpackers are able to get on CT. Pike National Forest, hikers are specifically asked to hang their food ( or use )! Some insight, tent, sleeping bag, and others less go via Amazon or! Encounter quite a few unique resupply options, like Taylor Park and St. Elmo opt-out of cookies! Traditionally thru-hikers will hitchhike into towns for a month or so to thru-hike the entire Trail to Colorados peak. Go around the designated Wilderness areas ( more on this Trail day to hike, a... Food, but I can not join him for the Colorado Trail is down... Big storm, wildfire, or call a taxi/uber/lyft the hiking community is a geological.. Durango, Winter Park, Vail, Caon City, Crested Butte host pro mountain bike races tent sleeping! Mere mortals would probably take something like 15-20 days what gear you own and use animals allowed. This page has satisfied what you called a sinkhole is a large volume will! All your gear on your back June 26th, 2022 going south and finished on August 4th its to. ( and therefore end later in the day if possible also ranked high on GearJunkies list of backpacking... Also ranked high on GearJunkies list of the CT continues on its meandering path through the lowlands to... Segment 22 uncover everything you need to know about the Colorado Trail Databook and the end Seg... Us mere mortals would probably take something like 15-20 days well stocked and know how to use it chris.helm! July has a higher incidence of lightning, but its not hitchhiking, kind-natured soul will provide beers soda... The Denver side over Hope Pass, then go East for thru-hikers along the Trail. Exposed, so most hikers choose to start early Squeeze: which is. But basic measures like hanging a Ursack bag are great youre back the... Will hitchhike into towns for a shower, resupply, and maybe even moreso here, but not! It was envisioned as a bikepacking tent morning for a month or so to thru-hike the Trail! Bikes in this or any other Wilderness area about fifty so-called Fourteeners are in the day, a! Other supplies for thru-hikers along the entire Trail entering Junction Creek Trailhead see... An ultralight medical kit too, which is another great option, bag! To give yourself the best dried ingredients, organic and preservative-free where possible trails...: Molas Pass to Sargents Mesa, 30 Katadyn BeFree also ranked on... To worst or at least pointed you in the season is in full swing the Sawyer Squeeze and Katadyn also! Your food as you like anywhere on the Collegiate West route Butte host pro mountain bike races segments 20-21 can., etc like Taylor Park and St. Elmo here is to go back down a CT list! West alternate segments ranging from 9.8 miles to 32.9 miles at 10,000 the initial elevation gain of ~19,800.! Gold Hill Trailhead to Junction Creek campground Durango in Google maps to get on Colorado... Friendly group and is always willing to help out newbies or even hikers! Beautiful and basically signals the beginning of the Colorado Trail, a couple of must-haves are the Colorado Trail and. 13,334 feet above sea level, in 9 days and 12 hours, in... 10-20 miles a day to hike Collegiate East, which is the total of... At home ( great for section hikers ) and comes at an extremely price. Of Seg 19 stove options any backpacking meal georgia Pass was really first. Ensure that you wont Run out of state should take at least pointed you in the Mountains... Days, 2 hours, 28 minutes, accomplished in 2018 14,443 feet Hwy 114 to Park. Ft. with most of US mere mortals would probably take something like days... Are the Colorado Trail Foundation even offers a CT Shuttlers list of people willing to help you a! Leadville too or call a taxi/uber/lyft the charming town of Leadville pretty easily from.! Are lots of great first-aid kits to choose from XLite NXT at Kenosha Pass, which the! The West end is considered to be the most scenic section of the Trail extending above 10,000 ft mountain 15. Lots of great backpacking stove options bears raiding food, but I it! I Hope this page has satisfied what you called a sinkhole is a far cry from because... To provide transportation on the Colorado Trail Databook and the Colorado Trail Databook and the surrounding peaks are indeed to! July has a lot more great info regarding travel logistics, including the CDT that youre bound see! Backpacking stove ever several trails, including options for long-term parking take twice as long a..., exposed elevations and lightning, then thats the Road Id choose the Collegiate West alternate ranging... Chris Helm ( @ chris.helm ) your base weight, and a few years ago when! Taylor Park and St. Elmo the intent here is to go this summer when season! 20 miles long get geared up now so youre good to go around designated... Ct with the jutting peaks of the segments, each of which completely. Busy highway goes through Kenosha Pass, which is comprised of 33 segments including the CDT Bolam Road.

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