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. With extra time and energy Id consider doing an out-and-back trip up Missouri Gulch to do the nearby 14ers. Likewise, the chances of encountering an early-season snowstorm increase significantly from September into October. Before long, the thru-hiking and backpacking season will be upon us. 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. Photo via. 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. Check out the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 15 or the Kelty Cosmic 20 for some other solid three-season options. San Luis Peak is the easiest one to get, as its summit is nearest to the official trail. The trail gradually shifts in character as you make your way toward San Luis Pass from Eddiesville Trailhead. The best choice comes down to the conditions youll be using it in and personal preference. Suddenly youre back in the high mountains, cruising through wildflower-studded alpines with the jutting peaks of the San Juans rearing on all sides. I, admittedly, didnt do the most in-depth research on the trail beforehand (something Ive found to be pretty common amongst veteran thru-hikers, thankfully), and I really didnt have that much context on the segments and where they were and what was great or not great about them. 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. Here's a checklist of what I'm bringing and how I'm planning for any backpacker to use as a jumping-off point. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 18 min to complete. Throughout the dry stretch leading up to Kenosha, youll pop in and out of cow pastures that afford nice views of the surroundings. This also acts as a shorcut, shaving 3.5 off of the official route. Consider a lightweight pack that still supports the weight well. 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. Kenosha Pass Hiking Trails. The Data Book has useful overview maps to follow your progress through each segment. Theres extra fees involved here, but its not hitchhiking! Distance: 32.9 miles. Towns like Durango, Winter Park, Vail, Caon City, Crested Butte host pro mountain bike races. The trail's highest point is at Coney Summit - 13,334 feet above sea level, in Segment 22. Kenosha Pass is probably the best place to view the changing aspens near Denver. But planning ahead of time is essential to making sure your backcountry adventure goes off without a hitch. 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 . Gudy never gave up, and the trail was officially completed in 1987. Youll do a lot of unremarkable cow pasture walking (still interspersed with forested sectionsyou arent constantly exposed) after getting out of the Collegiates. Segment 24: Stony Pass Trailhead to Molas Pass, 4. Sometimes businesses along the trail will accept packages too (Especially worth considering for UPS and FEDEX, which do not deliver to the Post Office). June is a possibility if theres been a dry winter, but snow at the high elevations usually lingers late into the month. For the Colorado Trail, Ill be using a Big Agnes Sidewinder bag. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. 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. All but six miles of the trail are dog friendly, and pack animals are allowed along the entire length. Dont forget all the accessories and extras that really round out your gear list. 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. 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. 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. Are you really going to eat oatmeal every morning for a month? Ive never handled one and dont get the impression that its very useful. Our intent was to hike the 11 miles , camp and . Went to Lookout Mountain recently and it was one of the most beautiful sights I've ever experienced. No dogs are allowed at Waterton Canyon. July has a higher incidence of lightning, but more wildflowers and more thru-hikers. You can always find something valuable about a segment even if its not your favorite. I think its more pleasing on a long hike to save the best for last! You can expect to see more crowds on these mountains than the main trail. It is not for the faint-hearted. Shes recognized as the Mother of the Colorado Trail and has received several honors for her efforts, including awards from both Ronald Reagan and George H. Bush. Once you have a medical kit, make sure to keep it well stocked and know how to use it. According to the FKT website, Bryan Williams holds the supported record at 8 days and 30 minutes, accomplished in 2017. Heres a list Ive compiled of 14ers along the way, with their corresponding Trails Illustrated Maps. 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. Or not. Traversing nearly 500 mountainous miles between Denver, CO and Durango, CO, the trail takes in some of its namesake state's best scenery, most remote wilderness, and authentic mountain towns. Feel free to contact me with additional questions. to Waterton Canyon. This alternate shaves about a mile off of the official route. So, you can really read this list as how scenic, or how much bang for your buck you get in these sections! 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. Many people also simply bring iodine tablets, or chlorine to purify their water. I bought this prior to my thru-hike it ended up staying at home, and I later sold it after the hike. Theyre typically more expensive and can get old if youre eating them day in and day out. These days there are lots of great backpacking stove options. Getting caught in can be scary and unnerving, especially if youre above treeline! But of course, I definitely had opinions about certain segments - good and bad - by the end of the trail! Walking alone on the Colorado Trail can be pure bliss. David has been writing about skiing, fly fishing, and outdoor gear for 10+ years. When it comes to a good base weight, most backpackers will average around 20-30 pounds. Some reports say that about 10 percent of the distance is spent hiking with your bike, but others say that it feels like quite bit more. Companies like RightOnTrek are also moving the needle on backpacking food, toward even tastier, more nutritious meals. Segment 15: US Hwy 50 to Marshall Pass, 29. Needless to say, if youre still on foot and see or feel the hairs rising on your head, get out of there. For the Colorado Trail, there are 33 segments to the trail. Its certainly possible to access the Colorado Trail via numerous additional routes that I havent listed. Beside the San Juans, this area was the most scenic and enjoyable of my entire hike. Sinkholes are formed in soil,clay gravel or a combination of these. . Trail Magic or Angels are always a special treat to encounter on any thru-hike. WINTER PARK 2009 2010 Winter Downhill ski resort trail map RESORT Colorado USA. Since storms tend to occur later in the day, its recommended to start early. Segment 6: Kenosha Pass to Gold Hill Trailhead, 13. Segment 25: Molas Pass to Bolam Pass Road, 8. After Waterton, youll dip into scrubby trees and enjoy cooler temperatures and more abundant water for the next few miles. The Colorado Trail (CT) in its entirety is 486 miles long, stretching from Denver to Durango. To accomplish this, you have to start sacrificing some comforts on the trail. With this as a starting point, Im able to estimate my daily mileage and elevation gain. And if you dont, you can be at risk of falling victim to ailments like Rhabdo (look it up it isnt fun). As of 2021, the trees in this area were still mostly alive. You can enter Waterton Canyon Trailhead on Google Maps to see the precise location. I created a spreadsheet with seven columns: date, starting location, segment number, mileage, elevation gain, campsite location, and resupply. Mount Elbert is especially tempting too, since its the highest mountain in Colorado! If youre new to this sort of thing, consider making Jefferson/Fairplay your first resupply at Kenosha Pass, 71 miles from Denver. Gudy served as the first president of the CTF through 1998. Youll bounce around in these curious hills for some miles. Some of the National Forest Wilderness Areas require dogs to be on a leash. Or more. 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. 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. Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa, 30. Hiking in my home state of Colorado, Im able to get some resupplies from friends and family who are able to come out and meet me on the trail. Colorados Little Alaska: Cameron Pass Is a Hidden Gem for Backcountry Skiers, No Money, No Problem: Watch onX Ambassadors Build and Run Budget Off-Road Rigs, Digital Coaching, Dynamic Resistance: Tonal Is the Fitness Gimmick I Wanted to Hate but Didnt, Salomon Prototypers Find Gold Mine in Trash, Build Snowboards From Scraps. Its worth stopping off at the scenic Molas Pass overlook near the highway crossing first, though. This way youre less likely to get caught on the move above treeline. 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. One of the best resources for any thru-hike is other hikers who have done the hike before. Segments 15-19 Free shipping for many products! And with six storm points and two end panel guylines, its sturdy enough to stand up to storms on the 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. If youre looking for some more advice on backpacking gear, start with my ultimate gear list. 1.Segment 23: Carson Saddle to Stony Pass Trailhead, 2. For an epic backpacking trip, hike the Knife Edge, a 25-mile loop that encompasses several trails, including the CDT. section is one of the areas that had fully eroded back in the 2018 storm but trail builders have gone in and re-created segments of path along the coast. The trail goes right by the resort after several miles of descent, so you can easily pop in for a bite to eat if you want. While those trails can take an entire season, the Colorado Trail can be done in anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks, depending on how fast of a hiker you are. Its equal parts warmth and comfort. The Colorado Trail Race (CTR) is known as one of the hardest, if not the hardest and most scenic bikepacking routes in the entire United States. 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. 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). Consider a solar option such as the Goal Zero Nomad 10 solar charger (which our tester gave the stamp of approval). Altitude sickness is a serious consideration when youre hiking in Colorados high mountains. Completed in 1987, the Colorado Trail stretches 485 magnificent miles from Denver to Durango. (If nothing else, its a good backup to a filter system to have on hand.). Taking a month or so to thru-hike the entire length would be a dream for most backpacking enthusiasts. It is slightly anticlimacticjust more grass gently sloping away in every direction and a wooden sign to mark the significance of this place. Its best to be on the Colorado Trail only from July 1st through mid-September. Its still full of cows, but much of the segment is in beautiful arid scrublands interspersed with shivering aspen forests, and the latter part of this stretch follows Cochetopa Creek as it meanders down a shrubby valley toward Eddiesville Trailhead. David has also worked at an outdoor PR agency and daily newspapers across Colorado. It passes through high alpine terrain and is a great thru-hiking trail for beginners looking to try a shorter trail before tackling the longer Pacific Crest Trail or Appalachian Trail. 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 Because of this, its super common to see people talking about certain segment numbers online, and the guidebook is written according to them. The trail continues to bounce around through forested landscapes mostly between 10- and 11,000 feet. 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. The CDT is by far the most rugged of the three . He left from Denver and plans to get to Durango in 20-22 days if weather permits. 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. 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. But if the Fortius doesnt strike your fancy, check out GearJunkies best backpacking tents. Holy Cross & Mount Massive segments 9-11, Collegiate Peaks Wilderness segments 11-13. Sure, the trail is simple. 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.

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