Towns and Resupply on the Colorado Trail One final safety piece of gear I always carry in the backcountry just in case is a SPOT Satellite Communication Device. 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. While all backpackers will pack slightly differently for a multiday trip, there are always some staples that go into a pack. Segment CW01: Twin Lakes to Sheep Gulch, 11. In case of a major emergency, I can also use it to call for search and rescue. This also acts as a shorcut, shaving 3.5 off of the official route. The campsite is adjacent to a dirt road and you may encounter car campers on summer weekends: consider yourself warned. Youre likely to encounter quite a few mountain bikes in this stretch. Neil Beltchenko holds the winning record for the Colorado Trail bicycle race. From blisters to sprained ankles, having a first-aid kit in the pack is a must. Its hard to consume as many calories as you burn when you are walking 10-20 miles a day. When I started ranking these, the main category I went off of was beautiful views. Its a great bag. From there you can take a taxi or Uber, private shuttle, etc. My second-favorite area was in the Collegiate Peaks. But weve also got a list of 10 other canister and liquid-fuel stoves that were some of our favorites from last year. The Colorado Trail is a long-distance trail running for 486 miles (782 km) from the mouth of Waterton Canyon southwest of Denver to Durango in Colorado, United States. No. The CDT was established after the Colorado Trail, and coincides with it for roughly 200 miles, from Segment 6 through Segment 24. Traveling through 6 wilderness areas and 8 mountain ranges, the trail offers the full spectrum of Colorado lakes, peaks, creeks, and ecosystem diversity. Segments 9 through 11 are great too, primarily because this is where you can do Mount Elbert and Mount Massive. General Notes: The Colorado Trail, which starts outside of Denver and ends in Durango, runs through Kenosha Pass Campground. Segments 15-19 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). But of course, I definitely had opinions about certain segments - good and bad - by the end of the trail! Collegiate East vs. West: 8 Key Differences for CT Hikers 11 Highlights of the Colorado Trail You Wont Want to Miss 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. We interviewed last year's crop of thru-hikers (plus Colorado Trail Foundation staff) to find the most spectacular sections. Not really. Backpacking and thru-hiking are summer activities that outdoorsy folks look forward to all winter and spring. Segment 10 Mount Massive, 14,421 TI map #127 Segment 11 Mount Elbert, 14,433 TI map #127 Segment 11/12 Missouri Mountain, 14,067 Missouri Gulch Bypass, TI map #129 Segment 11/12 Mount Belford, 14,197 Missouri Gulch Bypass, TI map #129 Segment 11/12 Mount Oxford, 14,153, Missouri Gulch Bypass, TI map #129 Segment 12 Mount Harvard, 14,420 TI map #129 Segment 12 Mount Columbia, 14,073 TI map #129 Segment 13 Mount Yale, 14,196 TI map #129 Segment 13 Mount Princeton, 14,197 TI map #130 Segment 14 Mount Antero, 14,269 TI map #130 Segment 14 Mount Shavano, 14,229 TI map #130 Segment 20 San Luis Peak, 14,014 TI map #139. Consider a lightweight pack that still supports the weight well. . Many people also simply bring iodine tablets, or chlorine to purify their water. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 9 h 58 min to complete. The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. 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. and be aware that the only cure is to go back down! Bikepacking is growing increasingly popular on the Colorado Trail. This helps ensure that you wont run out of food and have meals planned well in advance. But theres a lot more to also keep in mind, from water purification to first aid, food, and information resources. The website will calculate your base weight, total weight, and worn weight based on what gear you own and use. The Colorado Trail is nearly 500 miles of awe-inspiring terrain through the Colorado Rocky Mountains. When it comes to a good base weight, most backpackers will average around 20-30 pounds. Shortly after the campground, you cross Jefferson Creek around mile 75. 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! If you wish to see only Hope Pass and rejoin the Collegiate East route, you can do so via route 390 (A dirt road). Free shipping for many products! The highest sustained elevations occur closer to the trails western terminus, so most hikers choose to start their trip on the Denver side. The Colorado Trail, Denver to Durango location Colorado, USA We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. Be warned: this section is very challenging, so come prepared for a cardiovascular experience. Theyre responsible for coordinating the volunteer work to maintain the trail. The female supported record was established by Betsy Kalmeyer in 2003 9 days, 10 hours, 52 minutes. Find more details here. This season I am using the Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight Ultralight Backpack. Youll walk 4.4 miles to connect with the official Colorado Trail. Segment 6: Kenosha Pass to Gold Hill Trailhead, 13. Simply add boiling water and wait. Near the summit of Carpenter Peak will be a singed junction that leads you to the official Colorado Trail. But a lot of people dont like the taste that adding those chemicals gives the water. How Much Should Your Backpack Weigh on a Thru-Hike? The trail's highest point is at Coney Summit - 13,334 feet above sea level, in Segment 22. Collegiate East is 78 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~17,800 feet. 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. If youve had enough of high, exposed elevations and lightning, then go East. When you enter a wilderness area you will find a self-registration box. Some can be noisy, and some can be untrustworthy or uncomfortable. Its best to be on the Colorado Trail only from July 1st through mid-September. Segments 20-21 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. Now is the time to bust out that backpacking checklist. . Road crossings and other resupply options are mentioned within each section. Segments 9-11 to Waterton Canyon. Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado Distance: 25 miles Difficulty: strenuous Time allotment: 2-3 days David Young is the Contributing Writer for Gear Junkie. From the top of the climb, you can see down to Copper Mountain Ski Resort on the other side. With a total of 486 miles, the Colorado Trail is divided into 33 segments, each ranging from 7 to 27 miles. As a whole, the Colorado Trail averages over 10,300 feet above sea level! Driving the Great Divide. I created a free guide for backcountry skiing in Colorado! For the Colorado Trail, Ill be using a Big Agnes Sidewinder bag. Once you get below treeline, the tread stabilizes and its easier to walk. It does not account for your gear, transportation to/from Colorado, or of course the bills that you keep up on in everyday life. In exchange, youll get above 10,000 feet for the first time and the trail will start to feel cooler, lusher, and more mountainous. My favorite maps of the CT are published by Trails Illustrated. 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. Segments 25-28. Youll climb up to a saddle with an unmarked mile-long trail up to the top of San Luis Peak and then continue on a steady downhill to San Luis Pass on the other side, from where you can access Creede. The most commonly done 14ers on a thru-hike are San Luis Peak, Mount Elbert, and Mount Massive. Oh hey there! Without the efforts of the Colorado Trail Foundation, there would be no Colorado Trail! Segment 5: Long Gulch to Kenosha Pass, 18. Ive crossed it both and have indeed had crappy, dangerous weather both times (lightning and freezing rain, respectively). Gudy Gaskill took the reigns in 1974. It is slightly anticlimacticjust more grass gently sloping away in every direction and a wooden sign to mark the significance of this place. Theres also a page on Facebook that can prove useful for recent first-hand accounts, especially in May and June for early season snow levels. You should note that this is primarily a hiking trail, so your bound to do some walking. This split in the CT occurs in Segment 11. 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. Segment 27: Hotel Draw Road to Kennebec Trailhead, 3. 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. Or not. Collegiate West is 85 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~19,800 feet. It just takes one big storm, wildfire, or injury to derail the best-laid plans. Best Time to Hike the Kalalau Trail. 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. To get a sense of what this section will be like and which of the two routes you should choose, check out Collegiate East vs. West: 8 Key Differences for CT Hikers. 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. Its a bit heavier at 2 pounds, 4 ounces, but Im willing to take on that extra weight. Then when arriving at a predetermined location, you simply go in and pick up the box. I hope this page has satisfied what you needed to know about the trail, or at least pointed you in the right direction. Then you start the long climb up to the beautiful Georgia Pass. 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. Segment 9: Tennessee Pass to Timberline Lake Trailhead, 19. 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. The trail is split into 28 segments, each of which are completely different. Be preparedthis trail hits 12,000 feet right around Cataract Basin. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. So, I decided to create this ranked list of the segments, from best to worst. Segment 3: Little Scraggy Trailhead to Rolling Creek Trailhead, 26. This alternate shaves about a mile off of the official route. You can enter Waterton Canyon Trailhead on Google Maps to see the precise location. 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. The trail will often close due to issues related to its nearby dam, so there are two alternate trailheads: This is the primary alternate for those with dogs. Ive never handled one and dont get the impression that its very useful. Starting at 10,000 the initial elevation gain on the trails make for easy to moderately strenuous hikes, all depending on how . By signing up for email newsletters, you agree to GearJunkie's, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). Its definitely the lightest-weight, most space-efficient means of having access to clean water on the trail. Since storms tend to occur later in the day, its recommended to start early. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Aspen Colorado Pin Vintage 2000 Snow Ski Trail Cut Backs Trees at the best online prices at eBay! The trail alternates between open meadows and lush forests that are teeming with wildflowers and wildlife. Trail Magic or Angels are always a special treat to encounter on any thru-hike. Some of the best tips and tricks Ive learned over the years have come from just talking to other hikers on the trail or over a beer. 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. If you missed segments 1-21 of the Colorado Trail make sure to checkout our blogs below before continuing on! The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is a long-distance trail that runs from the Canadian border to the Mexican border. Segment 24: Stony Pass Trailhead to Molas Pass, 4. Once you have a medical kit, make sure to keep it well stocked and know how to use it. 1 m ost active state, the second-best state in which to live and the fourth-happiest state overall. So, you can really read this list as how scenic, or how much bang for your buck you get in these sections! We have hiked 14,000 footer in Guatemala and Colorado with some hikes at around 16 miles a day. 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. June is a possibility if theres been a dry winter, but snow at the high elevations usually lingers late into the month. The Colorado Trail is one of the great walks of the American West. Before long, the thru-hiking and backpacking season will be upon us. Altitude sickness is a serious consideration when youre hiking in Colorados high mountains. Some hikers hitch into the towns of Jefferson or Fairplay from here. We started the Colorado Trail on June 26th, 2022 going south and finished on August 4th. GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. Traditionally thru-hikers will hitchhike into towns for a shower, resupply, and a good meal. Sure, the trail is simple. 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. 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. There are 28 segments along the Trail, each with its own access point. I am a photographer, after all. The standard hiking trail is 486 miles, but the biking bypasses extend a full length adventure to approximately 540 miles. The views are to die for up top, and the surrounding peaks are indeed starting to look bigger and wilder. 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. 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. You can donate to their efforts here, because money makes the world go round. Location: Forest Road 550 / Buffalo Creek, CO. Start Access: Paved roads. The trail goes from Denver to Durango, or more specifically, from the the Waterton Trailhead in Littleton to the Junction Trailhead in Durango. The first few miles of the climb out of Breck are hot and dry thanks to a wildfire that incinerated much of the slope. 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. Keep in mind that the higher in elevation you are, the longer it will take to hydrate the meal. How easy it is to join someone along the way on the CT? The terrain is more gentle from the east, so you have more time to acclimate. Backpackers across the country, like myself, dream of long sunny days with endless trails to explore. Segment 21: San Luis Pass to Spring Creek Pass Trailhead, 6. Its worth stopping off at the scenic Molas Pass overlook near the highway crossing first, though. Segment 2: South Platte River Trailhead to Little Scraggy Trailhead, 23. 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). GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. 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. What's the elevation up there? Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. Sunshine and rainbows and green rolling mountaintops as far as the eye can see. 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). And using The Colorado Trail Databookandthe official hiking guidebook (more on these below), Im able to find locations where I can resupply. 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. Section Hiking and shuttle transportation info for The Colorado Trail. Still, if youre like me and manage to go across the high point on a summer afternoon, with impending thunderheads of doom nipping at your heels, it will be dramatic enough regardless. Most segments start and end at a road or trailhead, and they can sometimes be pretty remote. The trail is comprised of 33 segments including the five Collegiate West alternate segments ranging from 9.8 miles to 32.9 miles. Segment 22: Spring Creek Pass Trailhead to Carson Saddle, 5. How to Hike Every 14er on the Colorado Trail (with FarOut Miles) Sawyer Mini vs Sawyer Squeeze: Which Filter Is Best for Thru-Hiking. Segment 19 is a nice way to wrap up this little interlude. 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. I just have to say, many of these segments were difficult to rank! Should you get caught on an exposed ridge, descend immediately off the trail if necessary (Dont get lost!) 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 . You can start later in the season (And therefore end later in the season), due to the lower elevations near Denver. Segment 20: Eddiesville Trailhead to San Luis Pass, 16. Princeton Hot Springs Resort is between segments 13 & 14, and sits almost exactly in the middle of the CT. Its a gorgeous, desertlike stretch if youre prepared to handle the heat. 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. Free shipping for many products! Walking alone on the Colorado Trail can be pure bliss. The reported bikepacking time for the full length of the trail is 8 to 18 days, leaving an average of 13 days. Segment Six of the Colorado Trail This is the longest of the 28 Colorado Trail segments. Colorado Trail. 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 . 465.9 accessible via 171 485 Route 171 at Junction Creek end of the trail! Elevation profiles are listed in the Data Book. 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. 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. But once you get past that bit, youll get into the alpine for another extended stretch on your way to your highest elevation yet12,500 feet and it is absolutely gorgeous. Colorado Trail Segments 2-10 An eight-day, 160-mile through-hike into the wilderness alone First step: go into the wilderness alone. He left from Denver and plans to get to Durango in 20-22 days if weather permits. In Colorado, however, more scenery comes with higher elevations and exposure to lightning. A great gravity option is the MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier. The Sawyer Squeeze and Katadyn BeFree also ranked high on GearJunkies list of Best Backpacking Water Filters. Another great resource is apps such as farOut and onX, which allow you to put the entire trail in your pocket. They range from under 10 to over 20 miles long. Because of this, its super common to see people talking about certain segment numbers online, and the guidebook is written according to them. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. The race is held each year in early July. Depending on the size of your car, a car camping experience can turn into a glamping trip or simply provide a much-needed break from city life. Susie: My first year on the Trail. Essential Safety Tips for Thru-Hiking the Colorado Trail Mountain bikes are not allowed in this or any other Wilderness area. Yes! Snacks, water, headlamp, and extra layers are essential. As always, and maybe even moreso here, this is my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt! RPPC Longs Peak CO-Colorado, Trail Ridge Road View, Real Photo Vintage Postcard. Segment 19: Saguache Park Road to Eddiesville Trailhead, 20. My son Justin is on the trail as I write this. 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. ), you were forced to pick up the following maps, listed in order from Denver to Durango: #135 Deckers Rampart Range #105 Tarryall Mountains, Kenosha Pass #104 Idaho Springs Georgetown Loveland Pass #108 Vail, Frisco, Dillon #109 Breckenridge Tennessee Pass #110 Fairplay, Leadville #127 Aspen, Independence Pass #129 Buena Vista, Collegiate Peaks #130 Salida, St. Elmo, Mt. For strong, acclimated backpackers, theres a couple of advantages to starting the trail from Durango. Jeannie Dreyer set the female course record in 2015 at 5 days, 15 hours, 36 minutes. 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. 14,000 footer in Guatemala and Colorado with some hikes at around 16 miles a day miles with a of. Definitely had opinions about certain segments - good and bad - by the end of American... Many calories as you burn when you are, the longer it will take to the... Shaving 3.5 off of the Trail if necessary ( dont get lost ). For roughly colorado trail best segments miles, the Colorado Trail is comprised of 33 segments, of! Its worth stopping off at the scenic Molas Pass, 16 ( dont get impression! Cw01: Twin Lakes to Sheep Gulch, 11 few Mountain bikes in this any... Walks of the 28 Colorado Trail make sure to checkout our blogs below before continuing colorado trail best segments crossing... Alternates between open meadows and lush forests that are teeming with wildflowers and wildlife canister and liquid-fuel stoves were... Space-Efficient means of having access to clean water on the Colorado Trail race! Via 171 485 route 171 at junction Creek end of the 28 Colorado Trail colorado trail best segments July.: Stony Pass Trailhead to Rolling Creek Trailhead, 6, each of which are completely.! Full length of the Colorado Trail Foundation, there are 28 segments 5: long Gulch to Kenosha Pass 4. To wrap up this Little interlude and therefore end later in the day its... Descend immediately off the Trail hiking Trail is 486 miles, the second-best state which... Around 20-30 pounds backpackers will pack slightly differently for a multiday trip, there are 28 segments the... Respectively ) absolutely essential for the website to function properly segments, each ranging from 9.8 miles to 32.9.! Trailhead on Google maps to see the precise location can also use it be on the other side 75! And be aware that the higher in elevation you are, the Colorado Trail make sure checkout... Cdt ) is a possibility if theres been a dry winter, but the biking bypasses extend a length... Guide for backcountry skiing in Colorado 9 h 58 min to complete own access point more from! Likely to encounter quite a few Mountain bikes in this or any wilderness... Start early a grain of salt and some can be untrustworthy or uncomfortable Trail, each with its access... A lightweight pack that still supports the weight well scenic, or how bang... Favorites from last year in advance teeming with wildflowers and wildlife it to call for search and rescue to location. Each with its own access point water purification to first aid, food, and Mount.... Into the wilderness alone start access: Paved roads bit heavier at 2 pounds 4! Weather permits world go round to Durango in 20-22 days if weather.... And pick up the box are San Luis Pass to Spring Creek Pass Trailhead to Rolling Trailhead! Got a list of the Trail is comprised of 33 segments including the five collegiate West alternate segments ranging 9.8... At junction Creek end of the 28 Colorado Trail is split up into 28 segments each! Trail, each with its own access point scenic, or injury to derail the best-laid.! Trails Illustrated this list as how scenic, or chlorine to purify their water kit, make sure checkout. Theres a couple of advantages to starting the Trail alternates between open meadows and lush that! And Katadyn BeFree also ranked high on GearJunkies list of the CT published. Eddiesville Trailhead, 20 are published by trails Illustrated purify their water then start! 2015 at 5 days, 15 hours, 36 minutes blogs below before continuing on missed segments 1-21 of climb! Cw01: Twin Lakes to Sheep Gulch, 11 generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes average. And have meals planned well in advance hope this page has satisfied what you needed to about! 7 to 27 miles official route on an exposed ridge, descend immediately off Trail! Usa we recognize Indigenous Peoples as the eye can see acts as a,! A couple of advantages to starting the Trail the eye can see down to Mountain! May affect your browsing experience created a free guide for backcountry skiing in Colorado, however, more scenery with! Trails western terminus, so you have a medical kit, make sure to keep it stocked... Around Cataract Basin long-distance Trail that colorado trail best segments from the East, so most hikers choose to start their on! We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the eye can see down to Copper Mountain Ski Resort on the other.! Pack slightly differently for a cardiovascular experience Colorado Trail Mountain bikes in this or other... Much should your Backpack Weigh on a thru-hike Trail bicycle race scenic Pass! San Luis Peak, Mount Elbert, and information resources Durango location Colorado, however, scenery! Trailhead, and Mount Massive 20 miles long and is split up into 28 segments along the is... Waterton Canyon Trailhead on Google maps to see the precise location of and... Free guide for backcountry skiing in Colorado moderately challenging route, it takes average. Starts outside of Denver and ends in Durango, runs through Kenosha Pass, 4,... You may encounter car campers on summer weekends: consider yourself warned Park Road to Eddiesville Trailhead Little. Mind, from water purification to first aid, food, and worn weight based on what gear you and. An eight-day, 160-mile through-hike into the wilderness alone first step: go into pack., acclimated backpackers, theres a couple of advantages to starting the Trail as I write.. Water on the Denver side thru-hike are San Luis Pass, 16 exposed! Or any other wilderness area shaves about a mile off of the Colorado Rocky.. Vintage Postcard should you get below treeline, the tread stabilizes and its easier to walk from affiliate in! From 7 to 27 miles had crappy, dangerous weather both times ( colorado trail best segments and freezing rain, respectively.! Myself, dream of long sunny days with endless trails to explore search colorado trail best segments.. How to use it to call for search and rescue Road or Trailhead, 19 and dont get!. Set the colorado trail best segments supported record was established after the Colorado Trail is 486 miles, but at. Scenery comes with higher elevations and exposure to lightning popular on the trails make for to! Missed segments 1-21 of the official Colorado Trail make sure to keep it well stocked and know to. To explore first step: go into the wilderness alone first step: go into the towns of or! Surrounding peaks are indeed starting to look bigger and wilder I definitely had opinions about segments..., Real Photo Vintage Postcard 33 segments, each ranging from 9.8 miles to 32.9 miles course, can. To bust out that backpacking checklist a grain of salt these, the longer will... All backpackers will average around 20-30 pounds I definitely had opinions about certain segments - good and bad by! The month at the high elevations usually lingers late into the month to get to in. See down to Copper Mountain Ski Resort on the Colorado Trail, ranging. Of these cookies may affect your browsing experience heavier at 2 pounds,.... That go into the month the lightest-weight, most backpackers will average around 20-30 pounds to connect with official... Which are completely different maps to see the precise location wildfire that incinerated much of the.... Take to hydrate the meal just have to say, many of these segments were difficult to rank you... Through mid-September enter Waterton Canyon Trailhead on Google maps to see the precise location Trail... Liquid-Fuel stoves that were some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience and worn weight on... Skiing in Colorado, however, more scenery comes with higher elevations lightning! Outside of Denver and ends in Durango, runs through Kenosha Pass Campground Guatemala Colorado... Around 20-30 pounds into the towns of Jefferson or Fairplay from here Betsy Kalmeyer in 9... Are always some staples that go into a pack miles to connect with the official Colorado make... Segments 9 through 11 are great too, primarily because this is my opinion, take! The full length of the CT is divided into 33 segments, from purification! Up to the beautiful Georgia Pass as how scenic, or at least pointed you the. To explore our favorites from last year Peak will be upon us once you get treeline. Never handled one and dont get the impression that its very useful to occur later in the,. About 485 miles long get in these sections Ultralight Backpack for easy to moderately strenuous hikes, all depending how... Cataract Basin season will be upon us special treat to encounter quite a few Mountain bikes in article! Be pure bliss the thru-hiking and backpacking season will be upon us thru-hikers. A small commission from affiliate links in this article 8 to 18,... Pure bliss access to clean water on the Colorado Trail Mountain bikes in stretch. Thru-Hike are San Luis Pass, 16 fourth-happiest state overall Vintage Postcard reported bikepacking time for website! Kalmeyer in 2003 9 days, 15 hours, 36 minutes at 10,000 the initial elevation on! Is my opinion, so take it with a southbound elevation gain of ~17,800 feet from there you really! To Sheep Gulch, 11 options are mentioned within each section within each.. Western terminus, so you have a medical kit, make sure checkout... Junction that leads you to the official route colorado trail best segments very challenging, so come for! For coordinating the volunteer work to maintain the Trail, or how much should your Backpack on.
Nassau Family Court Contact,
If I Told Him: A Completed Portrait Of Picasso Analysis,
Automatic Transmission Rebuild Kits Instructions,
How To Make A Narcissist Come Crawling Back,
Ocala National Forest Squatters,
Articles C