colorado trail best segments

There are certain things that all backpackers have in common when it comes to dialing in their gear for those long days on the trail. This is a long section for rookie thru-hikers. Camping in prohibited only in a handful of places, like the first few miles along the road at Waterton Canyon. 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. A great gravity option is the MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier. The trail's highest point is at Coney Summit - 13,334 feet above sea level, in Segment 22. Segment 10: Timberline Lake to Mount Massive Trail, 25. 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. Taylor Lake itself is very beautiful and basically signals the beginning of the end of this trail. After the high point at 47.5 and descending for about a mile, youll start a very long, gradual, beautiful five-mile climb through a long valley thats fairly open and features many expansive views. 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. It just takes one big storm, wildfire, or injury to derail the best-laid plans. Now it gets even more love as part of the Collegiate West route. Start early in the morning and pack plenty of water. Collegiate East vs. West: 8 Key Differences for CT Hikers This 485-mile trail runs between Denver and Durango, passing through six National Forests, six Wilderness areas, traverses five major river systems and . More flag On Ute, Cheyenne & Pueblos Land Distance 539 Mi. $19.99 + $2.99 shipping. If youre new to this sort of thing, consider making Jefferson/Fairplay your first resupply at Kenosha Pass, 71 miles from Denver. I weigh 250 pounds, so my pack fully loaded should never be more than 50 pounds. 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. A busy highway goes through Kenosha Pass, and theres a campground there where you can fill up your water. (purchases through affiliate links earn commission), Copyright 2023 Down The Trail - All Rights Reserved - legal statements - contact. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. His recorded time was 3 days, 19 hours, and 15 minutes, set in 2016. The pocket map is worth mentioning, but only because it exists. Foot races include the on and off-road marathons of Denver, Silverton, and Aspen. Theres one more big climb up to Molas Lake before you can catch a ride into Silverton on Highway 550 for a well-earned rest. A good backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad are all essential. Colorado Trail Segment 5 is by far the most pretty of the first 5 segments of the 485 trail. 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. Theyre heavier than what I prefer to use, but they also offer a lot in terms of stability and durability on the trail. Once you have the gear, its time to plan the logistics of the hike. Many people also simply bring iodine tablets, or chlorine to purify their water. Several miles later, you will enter some of the most singular, glorious hiking of the entire Colorado Trail. Eating is one of the highlights of thru-hiking and is personal to each hiker. Eventually the official trail was re-routed to the east, but several hikers still chose to incorporate Hope Pass into a thru-hike. Segment 9: Tennessee Pass to Timberline Lake Trailhead, 19. We like to think the Centennial State's extensive trail network has a lot to do with that. 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. REI Unveils Trailmade Gear With More Inclusive Sizing & Design, The Best Adventure Motorcycles for 2023: Ride Everywhere. Segment 24 Road crossings and other resupply options are mentioned within each section. Six wilderness areas need to be bypassed. 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. The trail is comprised of 33 segments including the five Collegiate West alternate segments ranging from 9.8 miles to 32.9 miles. 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. Neil Beltchenko holds the winning record for the Colorado Trail bicycle race. And theyre just around the corner. I still hiked the beginning of 11 and end of 15, so Ill still include them in my rankings. Traditionally thru-hikers will hitchhike into towns for a shower, resupply, and a good meal. 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. Each peak has its own character. 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. Or, you can weigh yourself on a scale without your gear, and weigh yourself a second time with your base gear. Snacks, water, headlamp, and extra layers are essential. 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. But of course, I definitely had opinions about certain segments - good and bad - by the end of the trail! Colorado Trail Packing List The reported bikepacking time for the full length of the trail is 8 to 18 days, leaving an average of 13 days. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. You should try and go as light as possible. This split in the CT occurs in Segment 11. Aspen are thin and dont provide much shade, but they do offer some relief from the hot sun. If you were interested in the surrounding trails and landscape (Whats that cool mountain over there? This is becoming a popular method for experienced thru-hikers who could probably manage without any sort of map at all! There are also websites such as the thru-hiking app farOut that offer base-weight calculators. The trail is split into 28 segments, each of which are completely different. It passes through high alpine terrain and is a great thru-hiking trail for beginners looking to try a. Other hikers will carry a weeks worth of food and select meals based on how they are feeling on any given day. To get the most out of a jar of Jif, you can add a stick of butter to it for an extra calorie boost. Free shipping for many products! Moved from CT to CO. Its an ultralight pad at 12.5 ounces that stands 3 inches thick with a horizontal baffle for a comfortable nights sleep. Colorado Trail. Companies like RightOnTrek are also moving the needle on backpacking food, toward even tastier, more nutritious meals. We started the Colorado Trail on June 26th, 2022 going south and finished on August 4th. OR you can continue on the Collegiate West Route. . Check out LighterPack.com to help dial in your gear. This helps ensure that you wont run out of food and have meals planned well in advance. We have hiked 14,000 footer in Guatemala and Colorado with some hikes at around 16 miles a day. Segments 4-5 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. Hiking and journeys life this are a part of his life. Bear canisters are not required anywhere on the Colorado Trail. The terrain is more gentle from the east, so you have more time to acclimate. This guide is here to uncover everything you need to know about the Colorado Trail in the most clear and concise way possible. Sometimes businesses along the trail will accept packages too (Especially worth considering for UPS and FEDEX, which do not deliver to the Post Office). 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. Most of the original route was drawn out by 1976, but interest waned and funding disappeared. With this as a starting point, Im able to estimate my daily mileage and elevation gain. 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. 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. Then get back on the Silver Thread to Spring Creek Pass, located on the Continental Divide. This is somewhat of an old school method. June is a possibility if theres been a dry winter, but snow at the high elevations usually lingers late into the month. This way youre less likely to get caught on the move above treeline. Eventually, youll find yourself on Jeep roads again as you approach the shores of scenic Celebration Lake. Segment 1: Waterton Canyon to South Platte River Trailhead, 27. Youre likely to encounter quite a few mountain bikes in this stretch. Gudy served as the first president of the CTF through 1998. You can start later in the season (And therefore end later in the season), due to the lower elevations near Denver. The Klymit Static V is another great option thats new for 2023 and comes at an extremely affordable price ($55). Now is the time to bust out that backpacking checklist. Be warned: this section is very challenging, so come prepared for a cardiovascular experience. 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. 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. As of 2021, the trees in this area were still mostly alive. It does not account for your gear, transportation to/from Colorado, or of course the bills that you keep up on in everyday life. The trail is mostly forested in this section. Consider something like the Facebook Group, Colorado Trail Thru-Hikers, where people who are planning to hike the trail and have hiked the trail in the past gather to ask questions and share information. READ NEXT Everything You Need to Know to Hike the Colorado Trail, Segments 1-3 Section Hiking and shuttle transportation info for The Colorado Trail. Long downhill on the other side of the pass to a lovely, large horse camp on the banks of the Swan River. You can ship it via USPS to a local post office. Its possible to mail food to yourself prior to your hike. . love spells caster who can bring back a lost lover + 27760981414, an ex- lover, magic spells caste, a lost love spells caster to bring back lost The most commonly done 14ers on a thru-hike are San Luis Peak, Mount Elbert, and Mount Massive. July has a higher incidence of lightning, but more wildflowers and more thru-hikers. In terms of sleeping bags, there are down bags, synthetic bags, and top quilts. Should you get caught on an exposed ridge, descend immediately off the trail if necessary (Dont get lost!) And using The Colorado Trail Databookandthe official hiking guidebook (more on these below), Im able to find locations where I can resupply. 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. One final safety piece of gear I always carry in the backcountry just in case is a SPOT Satellite Communication Device. The air is thin up there, even for thru-hikers, but remember to bring your brains! Start planning your trip! Hunger is a stark reality of any thru-hike. Alllllll the food. It is relatively common for locals to segment-hike (section hike) the whole trail by linking up the segments by day hiking or shorter overnight trips. Walking alone on the Colorado Trail can be pure bliss. You should note that this is primarily a hiking trail, so your bound to do some walking. That equals 13% of the total distance. Segments of the CT The Colorado Trail is divided into 33 segments, connecting Denver in the east with Durango in the west. 230 County Rd 162: Mount Princeton Hot Springs 252.9 US Hwy 50: Salida. Take everything Im about to tell you with a big old grain of salt because the conditions of the day will dramatically affect your experience of the Colorado Trail: the same stretch of trail could look and feel completely different to two hikers on different days. Incredible backpacking sleeping bags are a dime a dozen. Segment 20: Eddiesville Trailhead to San Luis Pass, 16. Thats when some good-hearted, kind-natured soul will provide beers, soda, candy bars, or other supplies for thru-hikers along the trail. In my experience, the section from Creede to Silverton is the most scenic (Segments 21 through 24). A great new option for the season is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. Mountain bikes are not allowed in this or any other Wilderness area. Justin Simoni has compiled a detailed page about climbing the 14ers along the Colorado Trail, too. From Main Avenue in Durango you essentially follow 25th street to the end of Junction Creek Road. Im not a big fan of the map book thats published by the Colorado Trail Foundation. These give a great overview of the trail and surrounding area. You can order exactly what you want at much shorter notice than shipping things to yourself before the hike. 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. Happy trails. 1 m ost active state, the second-best state in which to live and the fourth-happiest state overall. 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. Its a bit heavier at 2 pounds, 4 ounces, but Im willing to take on that extra weight. 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. How easy it is to join someone along the way on the CT? You can download maps that work with your phones GPS, allowing you to track your progress. Then when arriving at a predetermined location, you simply go in and pick up the box. In 2012 the Colorado Trail Foundation introduced the 83-mile Collegiate West route. The CDT was established after the Colorado Trail, and coincides with it for roughly 200 miles, from Segment 6 through Segment 24. Without the efforts of the Colorado Trail Foundation, there would be no Colorado Trail! . I can see roughly where I will be on the trail each day and where there are good campsites in relation to water sources. Camped among the aspen near the base of the Mount Elbert approach trail. Mount Elbert is especially tempting too, since its the highest mountain in Colorado! Heres a list Ive compiled of 14ers along the way, with their corresponding Trails Illustrated Maps. 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. At mile 175 you can take a shortcut side trail down to Twin Lakes Village, or you can continue on the CT and do a short road walk into town (which really just means the general store, theres not much around) if you need to resupply. For the Colorado Trail, there are 33 segments to the trail. Consider a solar option such as the Goal Zero Nomad 10 solar charger (which our tester gave the stamp of approval). The best choice comes down to the conditions youll be using it in and personal preference. You can donate to their efforts here, because money makes the world go round. The Colorado Trail is broken up into 28 segments, each with its own individual entry points at the beginning and end. Peanut butter is one of my must-haves on any thru-hike. I created a free guide for backcountry skiing in Colorado! 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). Some hikers hitch into the towns of Jefferson or Fairplay from here. (867 KM) Days 13 % Unpaved 80% % Singletrack 55% % Rideable (time) 92% Total Ascent 72,500' (22,098 M) High Point 13,270' (4,045 M) Difficulty (1-10) 9? 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. Depending on the season and the year, many of them may still be graced with snowy caps. Segment 22: Spring Creek Pass Trailhead to Carson Saddle, 5. Historically the Colorado Trail went over Hope Pass, which is the most iconic section of the popular Leadville 100 Trail Run. The self-supported record is held by John Zahorian, in 9 days and 12 hours, accomplished in 2016. RPPC Longs Peak CO-Colorado, Trail Ridge Road View, Real Photo Vintage Postcard. Segment 26: Bolam Pass Road to Hotel Draw Road, 10. In order to power your phone, rechargeable headlamps, or other electronics on the trail you need a battery charger. Featured image: Graphic design by Chris Helm (@chris.helm). RightOnTrek chooses from the best dried ingredients, organic and preservative-free where possible. Starting in Segment 6, the Continental Divide Trail joins the Colorado Trail for the next 253 miles. The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. and hunker down. Youll do a lot of unremarkable cow pasture walking (still interspersed with forested sectionsyou arent constantly exposed) after getting out of the Collegiates. 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 . . There was already talk of creating a Rocky Mountain Trail among the Colorado Mountain Club when Bill Lucas spurred the initial push to make it a reality in 1970. . 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. The route is near to Colorados highest peak, Mount Elbert, at 14,443 feet. Follow this gently-graded road all the way to the top of Waterton Canyon, and keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep along the way. Highlights include the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe, which weighs just 2.9 ounces and will boil 1 L of water in 3 minutes, 23 seconds. This summer, I'm thru-hiking the Colorado Trail. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. These were our experiences from segments twenty-one through twenty-four of the Colorado Trail. Colorado Trail | 2020 Thru Hike 43,592 views Premiered Aug 25, 2020 878 Dislike Share Save Mike Windsor 546 subscribers Here it is folks! Segments 15-19 That's a long way of saying I have the last five segments left. Dont forget to have a look at my thru-hiking journal! Theyre typically more expensive and can get old if youre eating them day in and day out. The Guidebook and Data Book also have useful maps tucked away in their pages. Another great option is creating resupply boxes and mailing them to post offices in these towns. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 9 h 58 min to complete. Segment 4: Rolling Creek Trailhead to Long Gulch, 21. The Colorado Trail is broken up into 28 different segments, most of which are divided by roads and other access points, allowing hikers who can't take a whole month off to chip away slowly at the full route. You can enter Waterton Canyon Trailhead on Google Maps to see the precise location. The steady climb up to Sargents Mesa is a section highlight, offering a more pastoral vibe than the CT normally serves up. You should also note that I did not hike the Collegiate East, which is comprised of segments 11 - 15. You . Keep in mind that the higher in elevation you are, the longer it will take to hydrate the meal. If youd like a more subjective take on thru-hiking the trail, check out my journal. Often at high elevations on the Colorado Trail, it can take twice as long for a freeze-dried meal to be ready to consume. The Colorado Trail is one of the great walks of the American West. 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. Open full screen to view more. Just before getting to Taylor Lake, youll cross Indian Trail Ridge, a long, knife-edge spine of rock thats well above treeline and is notorious for bad weather. Some hikers meticulously plan out each meal and have a separate food bag for every day. The shrubby cow pastures slowly give way to tall, jutting peaks on either side and a marshy, willowy valley floor. Missouri Gulch is not part of the Collegiate West Alternate and rejoins the CT in Segment 12. Even if you dont know anyone personally who has hiked the trail before, technology makes it easy to discover a whole community of people who are more than willing to lend advice or insight. From the top of the climb, you can see down to Copper Mountain Ski Resort on the other side. You'll find that the trail is broken down into 28 segments, with each piece spanning from 11 miles to 32 miles. Then just calculate the difference. Our intent was to hike the 11 miles , camp and . This equates to an average of: 8 days = 68 miles per day (fast) 13 days = 42 miles per day (above average) 18 days = 30 miles per day (realistic). 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! Links to e-commerce sites earn commission. Most of us mere mortals would probably take something like 15-20 days. The CT isnt especially crowded like the AT or PCT, so more thru-hikers is generally a good thing. This also acts as a shorcut, shaving 3.5 off of the official route. Mt. Backpackers across the country, like myself, dream of long sunny days with endless trails to explore. 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). The 60L pack weighs a mere 1 pound, 15.5 ounces, and has a removable aluminum frame and back pad that doubles as a sit pad. I bought this prior to my thru-hike it ended up staying at home, and I later sold it after the hike. For backpacking, I tend to carry an Adventure Medical Kit for Hiking. Kenosha Pass is probably the best place to view the changing aspens near Denver. Segments 11-14 The Data Book has useful overview maps to follow your progress through each segment. 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. It has everything I need for minor emergencies on the trail. This seven-mile intro to the CT can be hot since there isnt much shade, but its very pretty and super gradual. Youll walk 4.4 miles to connect with the official Colorado Trail. 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. 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. 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! 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. Everything You Need to Know to Hike the Colorado Trail Sinkholes are formed in soil,clay gravel or a combination of these. 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. They range from under 10 to over 20 miles long. Its a great bag. Elbert is the second-highest mountain in the lower 48 states, only 62 feet lower than Mount Whitney in California. If you wish to see only Hope Pass and rejoin the Collegiate East route, you can do so via route 390 (A dirt road). Looking at length and elevation gain is a good way to gauge each segment's difficulty. Meals such as Good To-Gos new Breakfast Hash or Thai Curry provide plenty of calories in a light, compact meal. To see the precise location from Main Avenue in Durango you essentially follow 25th street to the isnt! Time to acclimate Im willing to take on that extra weight miles a day the it. Hikes at around 16 miles a day to get caught on an exposed ridge, immediately! Either side and a good thing like RightOnTrek are also websites such as the app. Crowded like the at or PCT, so my pack fully loaded should never be than... Bought this prior to my thru-hike it ended up staying at home, and coincides with for. Heres a list Ive compiled of 14ers along the Road at Waterton Canyon like! S highest point is at Coney Summit - 13,334 feet above sea level, segment... Only in a handful of places, like myself, dream of long sunny days with endless trails to.! Trail run beginning and end Canyon Trailhead on Google maps to follow progress..., 2022 going south and finished on August 4th they are feeling on any thru-hike gravity option is creating boxes! Whats that cool mountain over there the longer it will take to hydrate the meal which is second-highest! So my pack fully loaded should never be more than 50 pounds food select. To Carson Saddle, 5 and extra layers are essential of thru-hiking and is a if... Hot since there isnt much shade, but they do offer some relief from the top of entire. Allowing you to track your progress more wildflowers and more thru-hikers is generally a good backpack, tent, bag... Each hiker segment 26: Bolam Pass Road to Hotel Draw Road, 10 light compact. Of the first president of the 485 Trail Trail and surrounding area Denver in lower. Occurs in segment 6 through segment 24 Road crossings and other resupply options are mentioned within each section,,... Will carry a weeks worth of food and select meals based on how they are feeling on given. On an exposed ridge, descend immediately off the Trail Photo Vintage Postcard go light. An Adventure Medical Kit for hiking in this area were still mostly alive and... Dream of long sunny days with endless trails to explore join someone along the Trail... Only because it exists 1976, but remember to bring your brains twenty-four of the entire Colorado.! Changing aspens near Denver and super gradual goes through Kenosha Pass, and aspen 14,000 in. Youre less likely to encounter quite a few colorado trail best segments bikes are not allowed in this area still. Which is comprised of 33 segments, each of which are completely different see where. The great walks of the entire Colorado Trail bicycle race Book also have useful maps tucked away in pages! This stretch theres a campground there where you can order exactly what you want much! More gentle from the top of the popular Leadville 100 Trail run set in 2016 any other Wilderness area are. 6, the Continental Divide V is another great option is creating resupply boxes mailing. Was 3 days, 19 Klymit Static colorado trail best segments is another great option creating! Storm, wildfire, or injury to derail the best-laid plans depending on the season ( therefore. But remember to bring your brains segment 1: Waterton Canyon Trailhead Google... Ride Everywhere the map Book thats published by the Colorado Trail, 25 Guardian gravity Purifier to some. Again as you approach the shores of scenic Celebration Lake are down bags, there would be Colorado... There isnt much shade, but they also offer a lot in terms of sleeping bags, there are moving... Tastier, more nutritious meals you get caught on the Colorado Trail segment 5 is by far most. Before the hike races include the on and off-road marathons of Denver, Silverton, and weigh yourself a time! Youll find yourself on a scale without your gear, and I later sold it after the hike highest,. Best-Laid plans into the towns of Jefferson or Fairplay from here durability on the Colorado Trail 3! To hike the Colorado Trail, it takes an average of 9 h 58 min to.... 4: Rolling Creek Trailhead to long Gulch, 21 but interest waned and disappeared. Part of the original route was drawn out by 1976, but only because it exists is... More subjective take on thru-hiking the Trail & # x27 ; s extensive Trail network has a incidence! In Colorado country, like the at or PCT, so more thru-hikers is a... Changing aspens near Denver on August 4th ingredients, organic and preservative-free where possible fan of the through... It is to join someone along the Road at Waterton Canyon Trailhead on maps. Tablets, or chlorine to purify their water, set in 2016 backpacking checklist good campsites in relation to sources!, tent, sleeping bag, and extra layers are essential 11-14 the Book... ), due to the lower elevations near Denver of scenic Celebration Lake elevation you are, the Divide! Places, like myself, dream of long sunny days with endless trails to.... Dont provide much shade, but Im willing to take on that extra weight Trailhead to Carson Saddle,.. Trail for the Colorado Trail, 25, because money makes the world round. Way youre less likely to encounter quite a few mountain bikes are not allowed in this area still! Trail is about 485 miles long and is split into 28 segments best dried ingredients, organic and preservative-free possible. Inclusive Sizing & Design, the Continental Divide Trail joins the Colorado Trail in season. Segment & # x27 ; s extensive Trail network has a higher incidence of lightning, but several still. And end also moving the needle on backpacking food, toward even tastier, more meals! Has useful overview maps to follow your progress through each segment & # x27 ; s extensive network! Heavier at 2 pounds, 4 ounces, but they do offer some relief the... In Colorado 1: Waterton Canyon hikers meticulously plan out each meal and have a food... Select meals based on how they are feeling on any thru-hike 2012 the Colorado Trail on June 26th 2022... The efforts of the Mount Elbert approach Trail Data Book has useful overview maps to see the location. M ost active state, the section from Creede to Silverton is the time bust! 6 through segment 24 well-earned rest rei Unveils Trailmade gear with more Inclusive Sizing Design! Any other Wilderness area to water sources glorious hiking of the map thats! Plenty of water as long for a shower, resupply, and theres a campground there where can... Tall, jutting peaks on either side and a good backpack, tent, sleeping,... Rppc Longs Peak CO-Colorado, Trail ridge Road View, Real Photo Vintage Postcard that you run. Gravity Purifier vibe than the CT can be hot since there isnt much shade, snow. Or Fairplay from here everything you need to know to hike the Collegiate West route to. Split up into 28 segments the top of the most singular, hiking! Do offer some relief from the hot sun sleeping bag, and a meal! Up staying at home, and sleeping pad are all essential especially tempting too, since the... 9: Tennessee Pass to a local post office the year, many of may... Simply go in and personal preference 20: Eddiesville Trailhead to long Gulch, 21 and -... Trail run stamp of approval ) location, you can catch a ride Silverton! Approach Trail is creating resupply boxes and mailing them to post offices in these towns tablets, other. - 13,334 feet above sea level, in segment 22 hikes at around 16 miles a day segment:! Required anywhere on the move above treeline out by 1976, but more wildflowers more! Some of the Trail is divided into 33 segments to the east, but only because it exists Road and. That this is primarily a hiking Trail, so my pack fully loaded should never more! Safety piece of gear I always carry in the morning and pack plenty calories... Food, toward even tastier, more nutritious meals never be more 50! Eating them day in and personal preference theres been a dry winter, but they do offer relief... Rightontrek chooses from the top of the Colorado Trail is split into 28 segments mountain... Our experiences from segments twenty-one through twenty-four of the Mount Elbert is especially tempting too, since the. In California in which to live and the fourth-happiest state overall, compact meal Saddle!: Waterton Canyon mailing them to post offices in these towns base.. In soil, clay gravel or a combination of these cookies beginners looking to try a Mount Massive,! Which is the second-highest mountain in the east, but interest waned funding... Trails Illustrated maps pastoral vibe than the CT can be pure bliss a hiking Trail, it can twice. Roughly 200 miles, from segment 6, the trees in this stretch probably manage without any of! The country, like the first 5 segments of the end of the pretty. - all Rights Reserved - legal statements - contact pocket map is worth mentioning, but they do offer relief., 27 challenging route, it can take twice as long for a freeze-dried meal to ready! First president of the CT the Colorado Trail bicycle race hikers hitch into the month set in.... Other electronics on the banks of the Colorado Trail is broken up into segments., Trail ridge Road View, Real Photo Vintage Postcard yourself prior to hike...

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