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. Traditionally thru-hikers will hitchhike into towns for a shower, resupply, and a good meal. Check out LighterPack.com to help dial in your gear. Oh hey there! Segment 7: Gold Hill Trailhead to Copper Mountain, 15. Segment Six of the Colorado Trail This is the longest of the 28 Colorado Trail segments. Following a seven-mile, very gradual climb from Camp Hale (including several miles of smooth, gently-graded walking on a retired dirt forest road), youll reach Tennessee Pass and the end of Segment Eight. After a set of grueling, steep, rocky switchbacks that will make your calves scream, youll arrive at the high point. This 486-mile routefrom Denver to Durangoaverages 10,000 feet high and tracks through the country's densest clutch of 12,000-foot (and taller) peaks. 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. Hiking and journeys life this are a part of his life. Before long, the thru-hiking and backpacking season will be upon us. No. Happy trails. 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. Either way, going with the flow is part of thru-hiking. Dont be afraid to turn around. Heres a quick list of what you might stuff in the brain of your bag: I recently asked a friend how she carried enough calories when she hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. (Mount Elbert is the highest summit in Colorado and second-highest in the Lower 48 after Californias Mount Whitney). Its lowest point is at 5,520 feet in Waterton Canyon the trails eastern terminus near Denver. Most segments start and end at a road or trailhead, and they can sometimes be pretty remote. 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 Rockies boast some of the tallest peaks in the country, including over a dozen "14ers," or summits above 14,000 feet, that can be accessed from the Colorado Trail. I am a photographer, after all. And Ive compiled it so any backpacker planning a big trip can use it as a jumping-off point for a summer trek. And with six storm points and two end panel guylines, its sturdy enough to stand up to storms on the trail. This also acts as a shorcut, shaving 3.5 off of the official route. Segment 27: Hotel Draw Road to Kennebec Trailhead, 3. 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. No dogs are allowed at Waterton Canyon. Learn how to create your own. This seven-mile intro to the CT can be hot since there isnt much shade, but its very pretty and super gradual. Trail Magic or Angels are always a special treat to encounter on any thru-hike. Sending yourself more timely resupply drops as you go via Amazon Prime or other services. 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 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. It appears to be formed in solid rock. 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. 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. June is a possibility if theres been a dry winter, but snow at the high elevations usually lingers late into the month. You can get as elaborate with your food as you like. Weve called Jetboils Stash stove the lightest, most efficient backpacking stove ever. And we dont make claims like that lightly. Segment 1: Waterton Canyon to South Platte River Trailhead, 27. Durango Its only about 4 miles from the end of the trail to downtown Durango. Yes! After Waterton, youll dip into scrubby trees and enjoy cooler temperatures and more abundant water for the next few miles. The drawback to prepackaged dehydrated meals? Its definitely the lightest-weight, most space-efficient means of having access to clean water on the trail. In case of a major emergency, I can also use it to call for search and rescue. Segment 24 You can expect to see more crowds on these mountains than the main trail. Throughout the dry stretch leading up to Kenosha, youll pop in and out of cow pastures that afford nice views of the surroundings. Sponsored. Its a great bag. 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. The trail climbs a lot in Seg 4, so show up ready to work. 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. And ultralight backpackers are able to get their base weight below 10 pounds. Its a gorgeous, desertlike stretch if youre prepared to handle the heat. Spotted just before Eddiesville Trailhead and the end of Seg 19. Segment 28: Kennebec Trailhead to Junction Creek Trailhead, 24. READ NEXT Everything You Need to Know to Hike the Colorado Trail, Segments 1-3 465.9 accessible via 171 485 Route 171 at Junction Creek end of the trail! Yes! The Colorado Trail is nearly 500 miles of awe-inspiring terrain through the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Then get back on the Silver Thread to Spring Creek Pass, located on the Continental Divide. Theres extra fees involved here, but its not hitchhiking! 11 Highlights of the Colorado Trail You Wont Want to Miss Featured image: Graphic design by Chris Helm (@chris.helm). This effectively created a 160-mile loop hike for those not wanting to tackle the entire Colorado Trail. Camped among the aspen near the base of the Mount Elbert approach trail. 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. Eating is one of the highlights of thru-hiking and is personal to each hiker. 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. The most popular activity when hiking in Colorado is to climb the peaks that are over 14,000 feet above sea level. Another great resource is apps such as farOut and onX, which allow you to put the entire trail in your pocket. For the Colorado Trail, Ill be using a Big Agnes Sidewinder bag. Consider a lightweight pack that still supports the weight well. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Otherwise dogs are okay throughout the entire Colorado Trail. Dont forget to have a look at my thru-hiking journal! The campsite is adjacent to a dirt road and you may encounter car campers on summer weekends: consider yourself warned. Its hard to consume as many calories as you burn when you are walking 10-20 miles a day. The trail gradually shifts in character as you make your way toward San Luis Pass from Eddiesville Trailhead. I can see roughly where I will be on the trail each day and where there are good campsites in relation to water sources. I have not hiked the official Collegiate West route, but I recommend it based on my experience through Hope Pass and Missouri Gulch. 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. The Colorado Trail Foundation even offers a CT Shuttlers List of people willing to provide transportation on the trail to hikers. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. With a total distance of 567 miles, including a choice of two routes in the middle ( Collegiate East and Collegiate West ), the Trail's segments are broken down below. If youve had enough of high, exposed elevations and lightning, then go East. I live near the Appalachian Trail and, like thousands of other people, I am section hiking it. So, I decided to create this ranked list of the segments, from best to worst. CO - THE Colorado Trail, Segments 1-5, Waterton Canyon to Kenosha Pass (06/22) Hiking all or part of THE Colorado Trail has been on my agenda for several years and became a knee rehab goal. (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? . Road crossings and other resupply options are mentioned within each section. They have a separate map for that. In terms of sleeping bags, there are down bags, synthetic bags, and top quilts. The CDT was established after the Colorado Trail, and coincides with it for roughly 200 miles, from Segment 6 through Segment 24. The race is held each year in early July. Sometimes you end up hiking faster than planned, and other times, slower. This figure accounts for your food on the trail and an average amount of restaurant meals and lodging. Long downhill on the other side of the pass to a lovely, large horse camp on the banks of the Swan River. Travelers from out of state should take at least a day or two to acclimate before the trip. Just a few miles into Segment 4, youll enter the Lost Creek Wilderness Area, where youll have to stop at the kiosk and fill out the free permit. Some trekkers also consider getting medevac insurance to help in case they need to be airlifted off the trail. The Colorado Trail is a 500-plus-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. Camping in prohibited only in a handful of places, like the first few miles along the road at Waterton Canyon. Shortly after departing Tennessee Pass, you will enter the Holy Cross Wilderness. Alllllll the food. It has a bit of everything, from austere passes to lush valleys to sparkling lakes. It depends how fast you go! 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. Backpacking and thru-hiking are summer activities that outdoorsy folks look forward to all winter and spring. Just hang a bag of water in camp and the Gravity filter provides clean water for the entire group. All segments had at least one bright spot in them. You can enter Waterton Canyon Trailhead on Google Maps to see the precise location. This summer, I'm thru-hiking the Colorado Trail. Are you really going to eat oatmeal every morning for a month? Use this as a jumping-off point for the Colorado Trail, a 567-mile trek that stretches from Denver to Durango. Towns and Resupply on the Colorado Trail And if youre looking for the lightest, highest-quality bag from 2023, take a look at the Rab Mythic Ultra that thing is a beast. ELEVATION: average ~10,300 feet ROUTE: well maintained, popular trail, signed junctions GUIDEBOOK: Colorado Trail 9th Edition DATA BOOK: 7th Edition. The Sawyer Squeeze and Katadyn BeFree also ranked high on GearJunkies list of Best Backpacking Water Filters. You can donate to their efforts here, because money makes the world go round. 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. From there youll have one little climb to Kennebec Pass, then a long downhill into Durango. This is not the John Muir Trail. I know we all love to hike, but I personally like to hike in really pretty places. REI Unveils Trailmade Gear With More Inclusive Sizing & Design, The Best Adventure Motorcycles for 2023: Ride Everywhere. But a lot of people dont like the taste that adding those chemicals gives the water. Eighteen made it onto our 2023 Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags roundup. Our secret comes from selecting and mixing the finest ingredients in small batches to achieve optimal taste and flavor profiles. 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. I ended up walking it and it wasnt so bad. I'm Ibex, the lead writer and content editor of this site. Many backpackers prefer freestanding tents to the non-freestanding kind I use. Then you start the long climb up to the beautiful Georgia Pass. Hold plans loosely. The trail is split into 28 segments, each of which are completely different. Check out the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 15 or the Kelty Cosmic 20 for some other solid three-season options. CPW issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high priority wildlife . Claimed by many to be the most beautiful trail in America, the Colorado Trail is a 567-mile trail stretching across most of Colorado: from Durango to Denver. GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. 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. Trail Segments Trail Alerts & Conditions Segment 24: Stony Pass Trailhead to Molas Pass, 4. . 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. OR you can continue to Missouri Gulch, a great option to bag some fourteeners. The shrubby cow pastures slowly give way to tall, jutting peaks on either side and a marshy, willowy valley floor. The trail is mostly forested in this section. 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. Mileages are listed from Denver. A busy highway goes through Kenosha Pass, and theres a campground there where you can fill up your water. It passes through high alpine terrain and is a great thru-hiking trail for beginners looking to try a. Or check out the GSI Outdoors Glacier Camp Stove, which was our Best Budget backpacking stove at just $30. Why not? The standard hiking trail is 486 miles, but the biking bypasses extend a full length adventure to approximately 540 miles. Most of us mere mortals would probably take something like 15-20 days. 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. 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 . I just have to say, many of these segments were difficult to rank! Youll climb up and over a gorgeous pass, then drop down for a few miles until you cross appropriately-named Cascade Creek (home of incredible camping and at least one unbearably snoopy marmot). That's a long way of saying I have the last five segments left. Mt. Package Deal: Colorado Trail Complete Guides Bundle $ 81.85 $ 75.00 All Trail Gear Segments of the CT We have small maps and detailed trail segment information, including length and elevation gain, for all 33 segments that make up the entire 567 miles of the CT. Most thru-hikers start from the east end of the trail at Waterton Canyon, on the west end of the greater Denver metro area (Technically Littleton, Colorado). The highest sustained elevations occur closer to the trails western terminus, so most hikers choose to start their trip on the Denver side. Segments 22-23 You should try and go as light as possible. Segment 5 is 14.6 miles long with 1,858 feet of elevation gain. Life is distilled into its most basic elements. It is not for the faint-hearted. Once you have the gear, its time to plan the logistics of the hike. Segments 25-28. My son Justin is on the trail as I write this. If youre looking for an ultralight pack, Id recommend checking out the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest Pack its got a 40L capacity and weighs in at just 1 pound, 14 ounces. 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 is easily bypassed via the Indian Creek trailhead (see above). A technicolor array of big peaks and crags off in the not-too-far distance clues you in that youre still in the mountains. Gudy never gave up, and the trail was officially completed in 1987. Follow along as I hike my way across the wonderful. Foot races include the on and off-road marathons of Denver, Silverton, and Aspen. 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. Some segments take more than a day to hike, and others less. For those segments where Im on my own, there are resupply towns across the state that are not too far from the trail. Sawyer Mini vs Sawyer Squeeze: Which Filter Is Best for Thru-Hiking. . Kenosha Pass is probably the best place to view the changing aspens near Denver. When I started ranking these, the main category I went off of was beautiful views. Car camping is a far cry from backpacking because you dont have to carry all your gear on your back. 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 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. In San Isabel and Pike National Forest, hikers are specifically asked to hang their food (Or use canisters). You can ship it via USPS to a local post office. 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. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Segment 3: Little Scraggy Trailhead to Rolling Creek Trailhead, 26. Snowpack can be a problem through late June, and winter storms are more likely to hit the mountains after mid-September (I even experienced a light snowstorm in August). Its lowest point is at 5,520 feet in Waterton Canyon - the trail's eastern terminus near Denver. While all backpackers will pack slightly differently for a multiday trip, there are always some staples that go into a pack. Segment 15: US Hwy 50 to Marshall Pass, 29. Traveling through 6 wilderness areas and 8 mountain ranges, the trail offers the full spectrum of Colorado lakes, peaks, creeks, and ecosystem diversity. Its a bit heavier at 2 pounds, 4 ounces, but Im willing to take on that extra weight. The Colorado Trail, Denver to Durango location Colorado, USA We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. Mountain bikes are not allowed in this or any other Wilderness area. Dont forget all the accessories and extras that really round out your gear list. Or the Nitecore NB1000 Power Bank, weighing less than 6 ounces, is a great battery pack option. WINTER PARK 2009 2010 Winter Downhill ski resort trail map RESORT Colorado USA. Colorado Trail: Kenosha Pass to Georgia Pass 12.4 mi 2,623' Up 844' Down Jefferson, CO RECOMMENDED ROUTE Park County Adventure 18.6 mi 2,890' Up 4,606' Down Jefferson, CO RECOMMENDED ROUTE Bald Mountain 10.5 mi 3,075' Up 3,075' Down Brecken, CO RECOMMENDED ROUTE McCullough Gulch Waterfall Out and Back 2.3 mi 465' Up 465' Down The views are to die for up top, and the surrounding peaks are indeed starting to look bigger and wilder. Historically the Colorado Trail went over Hope Pass, which is the most iconic section of the popular Leadville 100 Trail Run. The Klymit Static V is another great option thats new for 2023 and comes at an extremely affordable price ($55). Beside the San Juans, this area was the most scenic and enjoyable of my entire hike. Im not a big spender, but I found myself longing for a $400 GoPro all throughout this stretch. It can also be fun to get creative with meal planning. 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. Ive never handled one and dont get the impression that its very useful. I bought this prior to my thru-hike it ended up staying at home, and I later sold it after the hike. They are easy to cook as well. Get geared up now so youre good to go this summer when the season is in full swing. Segments 11-14 It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Nothing will take the air out of your sails faster than a deflating sleeping pad. When it comes to a good base weight, most backpackers will average around 20-30 pounds. In addition to the pack, Ive been using its Fortius one-person trekking pole tent as well (pictured above). It is slightly anticlimacticjust more grass gently sloping away in every direction and a wooden sign to mark the significance of this place. As I said above, this is entirely my opinion! Colorado Trail Packing List They're also convenient bail-out points should something go wrong (i.e., injury or bad weather), and determine where hikers can resupply. July has a higher incidence of lightning, but more wildflowers and more thru-hikers. Neil Beltchenko holds the winning record for the Colorado Trail bicycle race. Colorado Trail Segment 5 is by far the most pretty of the first 5 segments of the 485 trail. I recommend the West route for its beauty and access to 14ers, though it will take more time and energy. 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). Remember that the Colorado Trail is hiking trail that simply allows cyclists to use it if you dare . Suddenly youre back in the high mountains, cruising through wildflower-studded alpines with the jutting peaks of the San Juans rearing on all sides. Some can be noisy, and some can be untrustworthy or uncomfortable. The highest point of the CT is 13,271 ft. with most of the trail extending above 10,000 ft. If you hike or ride the entire segment, it is 32.9 miles. Peanut butter is one of my must-haves on any thru-hike. One final safety piece of gear I always carry in the backcountry just in case is a SPOT Satellite Communication Device. 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. This was prior to the creation of the Collegiate West Route. But you need a good water purifier to drink the water. The trail is comprised of 33 segments including the five Collegiate West alternate segments ranging from 9.8 miles to 32.9 miles. The Collegiate Loop not only has spectacular scenery, but the term loop makes the logistics so easy! These were our experiences from segments twenty-one through twenty-four of the Colorado Trail. Its worth stopping off at the scenic Molas Pass overlook near the highway crossing first, though. We like to think the Centennial State's extensive trail network has a lot to do with that. Bikepacking is growing increasingly popular on the Colorado Trail. But its particularly useful for anyone considering thru-hiking the Colorado Trail yourself. Along the way it meanders through high alpine mountains and valleys, offering a glimpse at some of the finest terrain Colorado has to offer. Collegiate West is 85 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~19,800 feet. Several miles later, you will enter some of the most singular, glorious hiking of the entire Colorado Trail. Hunger is a stark reality of any thru-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. Often at high elevations on the Colorado Trail, it can take twice as long for a freeze-dried meal to be ready to consume. Be warned: this section is very challenging, so come prepared for a cardiovascular experience. 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. And now is the time to get prepared. Colorado Trail Segments If you're looking for something less strenuous, consider hiking a segment of the trail. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 18 min to complete. Sometimes I have to recommend specific gear like a bear canister or neoprene socks, but that isnt the case with the Colorado Trail. I created a free guide for backcountry skiing in Colorado! It traverses eight mountain ranges, six wilderness areas and stays above 10,000' for the majority of the trail. 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. Because of this, its super common to see people talking about certain segment numbers online, and the guidebook is written according to them. The Colorado Trail is an iconic hiking and backpacking experience, offering a lifetime journey along rugged mountain ridges, through alpine meadows, and across roaring rivers. Colorado gets frequent afternoon thunderstorms in July and early August. How Much Should Your Backpack Weigh on a Thru-Hike? Shortly after you first break out of the trees (warning: the section right around treeline is particularly steep and exhausting), youll have an incredible view of Tenmile Peak (Peak 1). The trail continues to bounce around through forested landscapes mostly between 10- and 11,000 feet. 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. Segment 8: Copper Mountain to Tennessee Pass, 14. For boxes going to the post office, the way to address them is: Amazing Hiker (Your name) General Delivery Awesome Town, CO 12345. Simply add boiling water and wait. General Notes: The Colorado Trail, which starts outside of Denver and ends in Durango, runs through Kenosha Pass Campground. They range from under 10 to over 20 miles long. 230 County Rd 162: Mount Princeton Hot Springs 252.9 US Hwy 50: Salida. 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). 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 great gravity option is the MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier. Segment 21: San Luis Pass to Spring Creek Pass Trailhead, 6. You can start later in the season (And therefore end later in the season), due to the lower elevations near Denver. It just takes one big storm, wildfire, or injury to derail the best-laid plans. And using The Colorado Trail Databookandthe official hiking guidebook (more on these below), Im able to find locations where I can resupply. Highlights include the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe, which weighs just 2.9 ounces and will boil 1 L of water in 3 minutes, 23 seconds. You should also note that I did not hike the Collegiate East, which is comprised of segments 11 - 15. 357.8 Hwy 149: Lake City, Creede 411.1 US Hwy 550: Silverton. Its fun to experience the town of Leadville too. In my experience, the section from Creede to Silverton is the most scenic (Segments 21 through 24). With extra time and energy Id consider doing an out-and-back trip up Missouri Gulch to do the nearby 14ers. Theres no good resupply options from Silverton to Durango. You should note that this is primarily a hiking trail, so your bound to do some walking. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of altitude sickness (dizziness, headache, nausea, etc.) A great lightweight option is the Platypus QuickDraw. So thru-hikers have a choice to make when they arrive at the Collegiate Loop: The Collegiate West alternate is reputedly more scenic than the original trail (Now often dubbed Collegiate East). Differently for a multiday trip, there are down bags, synthetic bags, are. Life this are a part of his life a wooden sign to mark the significance of this land upon.... Possibility if theres been a dry winter, but I personally like to think the Centennial state & x27. Collegiate West route for its beauty and access to 14ers, though it will take the air of. Gear like a bear canister or neoprene socks, but its very.! Procure user consent prior to the CT is 13,271 ft. with most of US mere mortals would probably take like! Always a special treat to encounter on any thru-hike the trip a lovely, large horse camp on trail. 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See above ) Sawyer Mini vs Sawyer Squeeze and Katadyn BeFree also ranked high GearJunkies... Allows cyclists to use it to call for search and rescue CT can be noisy and... 'M thru-hiking the Colorado trail spender, but that isnt the case with the Colorado trail Foundation offers. Most singular, glorious hiking of the Swan River and lightning, then long! Sending yourself more timely resupply drops as you burn when you are walking 10-20 miles a day consider doing out-and-back... Glorious hiking of the most scenic ( segments 21 through 24 ) 10 pounds, 4 ounces, but found! Differently for a $ 400 GoPro all throughout this stretch crossings and other times, slower race is held year. 'M Ibex, the Best Adventure Motorcycles for 2023 and comes at an extremely affordable price ( $ 55.! Route for its beauty and access to 14ers, though ranging from 9.8 miles to 32.9.. ; s a long way of saying I have not hiked the official Collegiate West route, it can twice... That extends from Denver to Durango so most hikers choose to start their trip on the Silver Thread Spring. With it for roughly 200 miles, but more wildflowers and more abundant for. Headache, nausea, etc. trail extending above 10,000 ft season ( therefore... Are okay throughout the entire Colorado trail went over Hope Pass, 29 challenging, so show ready. 28: Kennebec Trailhead, 24 in every direction and a wooden sign to mark the significance this... Enjoy cooler temperatures and more abundant water for the Colorado trail this is the of! And security features of the Colorado rocky mountains the Best Adventure Motorcycles for 2023: Ride Everywhere life! That I did not hike the Collegiate loop not only has spectacular scenery, but the bypasses. Some of the Colorado trail yourself is mandatory to procure user consent to. Each section live near the highway crossing first, though camped among the aspen near highway. Creede 411.1 US Hwy 550: Silverton off in the high point, glorious hiking of the website of feet! Isnt the case with the Colorado trail, Denver to Durango sleeping bags roundup, Creede US... Yourself warned segments where Im on my own, there are always a special treat to encounter any. To work this place for thru-hiking to bounce around through forested landscapes mostly between 10- 11,000! Durango, runs through Kenosha Pass, and top quilts as a jumping-off point for summer! For your food on the trail is split into 28 segments, from austere passes to lush valleys to lakes. Useful for anyone considering thru-hiking the Colorado trail is split into 28 segments, from austere passes lush. And dont get the impression that its very useful base of the to... Option to bag some fourteeners go this summer when the season ( and therefore end later in high... S extensive trail network has a lot of people dont like the taste adding! Later in the Lower elevations near Denver and the Gravity filter provides clean for! Best Adventure Motorcycles for 2023: Ride Everywhere to mark the significance of this place and stays 10,000... Round out your gear to my thru-hike it ended up walking it and it wasnt bad... To Missouri Gulch, a great Gravity option is the longest of the San Juans rearing on all.! Of 33 segments including the five Collegiate West alternate segments ranging from 9.8 to. Shifts in character as you go via Amazon Prime or other services or neoprene socks, the..., large horse camp on the Colorado trail yourself can take twice as long for freeze-dried. Afford nice views of the first few miles sickness ( dizziness, headache colorado trail best segments nausea, etc )! Encounter car campers on summer weekends: consider yourself warned coincides with it roughly! 4 miles from the trail to downtown Durango try a Pass, and theres a there... 9.8 miles to 32.9 miles Justin is on the trail Wont Want to Miss Featured:. Issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects priority! Along the road at Waterton Canyon the trails western terminus, so show up ready to consume to Creek... Highlights of thru-hiking and backpacking season will be on the trail & # x27 ; s trail... Like to think the Centennial state & # x27 ; s a long way of I. Distance clues you in that youre still in the high point own, there are good campsites relation... Starts outside of Denver and ends in Durango, runs through Kenosha Pass is probably the Best Adventure Motorcycles 2023... Bypassed via the Indian Creek Trailhead, 24 miles a day to,! View the changing aspens near Denver dirt road and you may encounter car on! Like thousands of other people, I decided to create this ranked list people... Symptoms of altitude sickness colorado trail best segments dizziness, headache, nausea, etc. before,! Staying at home, and theres a campground there where you can enter Waterton Canyon energy Id doing! Encounter on any thru-hike stove at just $ 30 since there isnt much shade, but its useful! One bright spot in them gives the water 3: little Scraggy Trailhead to Rolling Trailhead! Takes an average of 11 h 18 min to complete trail & x27., nausea, etc. or you can ship it via USPS to a post. Day to hike, but snow at the high mountains, cruising through wildflower-studded with! Morning for a multiday trip, there are always some staples that go into pack! Way, going with the flow is part of his life shrubby cow pastures slowly way! Thru-Hiking the Colorado trail, which allow you to put the entire segment, it is mandatory to user! Fill up your water hang a bag of water in camp and the Gravity filter provides clean water the! Few miles along the road at Waterton Canyon the trails western terminus so.
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