colorado trail best segments
The actual Knife Edge is a quarter-mile-long shelf found within a shale rock cliff on the Continental Divide and is easiest accessed via the Williams Creek Trailhead. It just takes one big storm, wildfire, or injury to derail the best-laid plans. . For more information about specific services and hostels available in towns, check out Pmags guide. Find more details here. One of the best resources for any thru-hike is other hikers who have done the hike before. Six wilderness areas need to be bypassed. Most of the original route was drawn out by 1976, but interest waned and funding disappeared. Highlights include the Collegiate Range, where . Oh hey there! Most of us mere mortals would probably take something like 15-20 days. A great lightweight option is the Platypus QuickDraw. The air is thin up there, even for thru-hikers, but remember to bring your brains! This is the widest possible window for hiking. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. You can donate to their efforts here, because money makes the world go round. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Foot races include the on and off-road marathons of Denver, Silverton, and Aspen. This is becoming a popular method for experienced thru-hikers who could probably manage without any sort of map at all! 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. It offers both an East and West trail option with gradual ascents to stunning views. 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. Appalachian Trail 2018 Wonderland Trail (+ a dozen or so other NPS trails) 2019 Colorado Trail 2020 Colorado Trail 2021. 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. No. 465.9 accessible via 171 485 Route 171 at Junction Creek end of the trail! Its best to be on the Colorado Trail only from July 1st through mid-September. Resupply for thru-hiking is where you are able to get more supplies, food, wash clothes, and maybe even take a rest day here or there in a soft bed at a nice hotel. 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. Try entering Junction Creek Campground Durango in Google maps to get on the right track. Avoid camping above treeline, unless the weather looks absolutely perfect. A great new option for the season is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT. Some segments take more than a day to hike, and others less. As I said above, this is entirely my opinion! Collegiate West is 85 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~19,800 feet. That's a long way of saying I have the last five segments left. 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. The west route maintains a significantly higher elevation and adds just 5 miles to a thru-hike. These days there are lots of great backpacking stove options. 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. Vintage Vail Ski Pin Colorado Crossed . 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). Get geared up now so youre good to go this summer when the season is in full swing. But of course, I definitely had opinions about certain segments - good and bad - by the end of the trail! 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. But a lot of people dont like the taste that adding those chemicals gives the water. After miles of fairly monotonous pasture walking, youre launched back into sensory overload in Segments 20 and 21. Consult your backpacking checklist, organize and check your gear, start thinking about your itinerary, and set yourself up for success on the trail whether its the Colorado Trail or any other. Im not a big fan of the map book thats published by the Colorado Trail Foundation. $19.99 + $2.99 shipping. We have hiked 14,000 footer in Guatemala and Colorado with some hikes at around 16 miles a day. 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. They range from under 10 to over 20 miles long. Much has already been written in this guide about Segment 2, which starts at mile 16.5 at the South Platte River. Many people also simply bring iodine tablets, or chlorine to purify their water. Segment CW03: Cottonwood Pass Trailhead to Tincup Pass Road, 7. The fact that air-conditioned motorists can appreciate this view just as easily as flea-bitten thru-hikers does not negate the fact that it is one of the most spectacular vistas on the trail. 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. . OR you can continue to Missouri Gulch, a great option to bag some fourteeners. 28 days (4 weeks) = 17.4 miles per day (fast) 35 days (5 weeks) = 13.9 miles per day (average) 42 days (6 weeks) = 11.6 miles per day (roses). Segment 10: Timberline Lake to Mount Massive Trail, 25. One final safety piece of gear I always carry in the backcountry just in case is a SPOT Satellite Communication Device. I can see roughly where I will be on the trail each day and where there are good campsites in relation to water sources. 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. 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 This way youre less likely to get caught on the move above treeline. Youll be tempted to leave all of your backpacking gear behind to bag these summits. The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. If you were interested in the surrounding trails and landscape (Whats that cool mountain over there? Looking at length and elevation gain is a good way to gauge each segment's difficulty. It is not necessarily a hard trail, but between the distance and the elevation at Georgia Pass, it can be a challenging mountain bike ride or hike. This 485-mile trail runs between Denver and Durango, passing through six National Forests, six Wilderness areas, traverses five major river systems and . 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. 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. Completed in 1987, the Colorado Trail stretches 485 magnificent miles from Denver to Durango. The self-supported record is held by John Zahorian, in 9 days and 12 hours, accomplished in 2016. How easy it is to join someone along the way on the CT? Collegiate East is 78 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~17,800 feet. Hiking just one 14er offers an unparalleled experience, with views that arent found along the official trail. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Our intent was to hike the 11 miles , camp and . I bought this prior to my thru-hike it ended up staying at home, and I later sold it after the hike. 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. This alternate became popular a few years ago, when Waterton Canyon was closed for almost an entire season. Mount Elbert is especially tempting too, since its the highest mountain in Colorado! 230 County Rd 162: Mount Princeton Hot Springs 252.9 US Hwy 50: Salida. On the other side of 550, youll walk around Little Molas Lake and the free Forest Service campground on its shores, then start climbing again among old, thick-trunked Engelmann spruce. Regardless, if you are just planning a long weekend backpacking trip or a multimonth thru-hike, this is the season to start planning those summer treks. Needless to say, if youre still on foot and see or feel the hairs rising on your head, get out of there. 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. It can also be fun to get creative with meal planning. Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado Distance: 25 miles Difficulty: strenuous Time allotment: 2-3 days This also acts as a shorcut, shaving 3.5 off of the official route. Justin Simoni has compiled a detailed page about climbing the 14ers along the Colorado Trail, too. Or not. Breaking Down | Segments 18-21 Resupply on the Colorado Trail . 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. Its equal parts warmth and comfort. It appears to be formed in solid rock. It does not account for your gear, transportation to/from Colorado, or of course the bills that you keep up on in everyday life. Mt. The Colorado Trail is broken up into 28 segments, each with its own individual entry points at the beginning and end. That equals 13% of the total distance. The Beer Drinkers Guide to the Colorado Trail. Otherwise dogs are okay throughout the entire Colorado Trail. If youre like most CT hikers, youll start your thru-hike from Waterton Canyon, a popular day-use hiking and biking area for Denverites. 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. Some of the peaks listed here require a little 3rd class scrambling. Feel free to contact me with additional questions. Without the efforts of the Colorado Trail Foundation, there would be no Colorado Trail! The trails highest point is at Coney Summit 13,334 feet above sea level, in Segment 22. You can download maps that work with your phones GPS, allowing you to track your progress. In San Isabel and Pike National Forest, hikers are specifically asked to hang their food (Or use canisters). 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. With this as a starting point, Im able to estimate my daily mileage and elevation gain. AllTrails/Rolf Asphaug. Dehydrated camping meals are also easy, light, and pretty tasty these days. A great gravity option is the MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier. You can ship it via USPS to a local post office. The website will calculate your base weight, total weight, and worn weight based on what gear you own and use. Consider taking a wilderness first-aid or outdoor survival course. If youre new to this sort of thing, consider making Jefferson/Fairplay your first resupply at Kenosha Pass, 71 miles from Denver. Taking a month or so to thru-hike the entire length would be a dream for most backpacking enthusiasts. 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. A busy highway goes through Kenosha Pass, and theres a campground there where you can fill up your water. There were lots of sheep grazing in this area when I went through, but the herds move around quite a bit so theres no guarantee youll see them here (youre likely to encounter them somewhere in the course of your hike, though). 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. Sponsored. Throughout the dry stretch leading up to Kenosha, youll pop in and out of cow pastures that afford nice views of the surroundings. Its a gorgeous, desertlike stretch if youre prepared to handle the heat. Traveling through 6 wilderness areas and 8 mountain ranges, the trail offers the full spectrum of Colorado lakes, peaks, creeks, and ecosystem diversity. Segment CW01: Twin Lakes to Sheep Gulch, 11. Weve called Jetboils Stash stove the lightest, most efficient backpacking stove ever. And we dont make claims like that lightly. Segment 24 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. I live near the Appalachian Trail and, like thousands of other people, I am section hiking it. Georgia Pass was really the first time I felt like I was hiking in the Rocky Mountains on this trail. The trail's highest point is at Coney Summit - 13,334 feet above sea level, in Segment 22. The pass is above treeline, so if youre worried about afternoon thunderstorms, you may choose to camp (or siesta) partway up. 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. Merrill Hastings, as editor of Colorado Magazine, played a big roll in drumming up early support. Elevation Gain: 5,196 feet. The pocket map is worth mentioning, but only because it exists. Jeannie Dreyer set the female course record in 2015 at 5 days, 15 hours, 36 minutes. The loop, both Collegiate East and Collegiate West, follow alternatives on the CT with the Collegiate West as part of the CDT. 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 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. It is not for the faint-hearted. Starting at 10,000 the initial elevation gain on the trails make for easy to moderately strenuous hikes, all depending on how . Gudy never gave up, and the trail was officially completed in 1987. July has a higher incidence of lightning, but more wildflowers and more thru-hikers. Theyre responsible for coordinating the volunteer work to maintain the trail. 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. Once you have the gear, its time to plan the logistics of the hike. More flag On Ute, Cheyenne & Pueblos Land Distance 539 Mi. The Collegiate Loop not only has spectacular scenery, but the term loop makes the logistics so easy! There have been a few rare reports of bears raiding food, but basic measures like hanging a Ursack bag are great. Towns and Resupply on the Colorado Trail 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. Its over 40,000 words with 1,500 beautiful photos. Sometimes businesses along the trail will accept packages too (Especially worth considering for UPS and FEDEX, which do not deliver to the Post Office). All rights reserved. 16.8 County Rd 97: Conifer 26.9 County Rd 126: Buffalo Creek 40.5 FS 543/68: to Bailey 71.7 US Hwy 285: Kenosha Pass, Jefferson, Fairlplay 104.4 Hwy 9: Breckenridge, Frisco, 117.6 Hwy 91: Copper Mountain 143 US Hwy 24: Leadville, 176.9 Hwy 82: Twin Lakes 183.4 Collegiate East/West Divide 209.7 County Rd 365: Buena Vista 216.3 County Rd 306: Buena Vista, There are several paved roads in Segment 13. Trail Magic or Angels are always a special treat to encounter on any thru-hike. Just remember that youre bound to see plenty of other hikers in this section. 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. 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. Starting in Segment 6, the Continental Divide Trail joins the Colorado Trail for the next 253 miles. With extra time and energy Id consider doing an out-and-back trip up Missouri Gulch to do the nearby 14ers. 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. Once upon a time, the narrowly-focused map book was your only option. You . Open full screen to view more. Section Hiking and shuttle transportation info for The Colorado Trail. Either way, going with the flow is part of thru-hiking. Life is distilled into its most basic elements. The Colorado Trail is nearly 500 miles of awe-inspiring terrain through the Colorado Rocky Mountains. 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. If youre looking for some more advice on backpacking gear, start with my ultimate gear list. 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. All but six miles of the trail are dog friendly, and pack animals are allowed along the entire length. 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. These meadow walks are broken up by short stretches through aspen groves. For strong, acclimated backpackers, theres a couple of advantages to starting the trail from Durango. Kenosha Pass Hiking Trails. About fifty so-called Fourteeners are in the state, and a few are within striking distance of The Colorado Trail. Heres a list Ive compiled of 14ers along the way, with their corresponding Trails Illustrated Maps. After Twin Lakes, you have to decide whether to hike Collegiate East or the Collegiate West Alternate. 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. In order to power your phone, rechargeable headlamps, or other electronics on the trail you need a battery charger. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. However, the CT was closed near Durango due to the 416 fire. It traverses eight mountain ranges, six wilderness areas and stays above 10,000' for the majority of the trail. CPW issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high priority wildlife . This figure accounts for your food on the trail and an average amount of restaurant meals and lodging. Although Collegiate East is the official route of the CT, both paths are accepted by the Colorado Trail Foundation as part of a CT thru-hike. Youre likely to encounter quite a few mountain bikes in this stretch. Photo via. Links to e-commerce sites earn commission. He left from Denver and plans to get to Durango in 20-22 days if weather permits. Simply add boiling water and wait. (purchases through affiliate links earn commission), Copyright 2023 Down The Trail - All Rights Reserved - legal statements - contact. Fortunately the logistics of traveling to Denver and Durango are fairly simple. But weve also got a list of 10 other canister and liquid-fuel stoves that were some of our favorites from last year. David Young is the Contributing Writer for Gear Junkie. Some of the basic gear you will need for an overnight trip includes: But before we get into all the sweet gear youll need, we should start with a scale and a little something called base weight.. For more information various trailheads to access these sections, pick up a copy of the Official Guidebook. He is a Colorado native and when not in the backcountry, David is at the keyboard writing and listening to vinyl records or sitting by a fire with a glass of whiskey in hand. If I were to go again, then thats the road Id choose the Collegiate West. They're also convenient bail-out points should something go wrong (i.e., injury or bad weather), and determine where hikers can resupply. For backpacking, I tend to carry an Adventure Medical Kit for Hiking. Then you start the long climb up to the beautiful Georgia Pass. 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. I mostly spend my spare time scheming new adventures and inadvertently setting my hair on fire while cooking. Princeton Hot Springs Resort is between segments 13 & 14, and sits almost exactly in the middle of the CT. Then just calculate the difference. As always, and maybe even moreso here, this is my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt! Or check out the GSI Outdoors Glacier Camp Stove, which was our Best Budget backpacking stove at just $30. Collegiate West leaves the CT (Collegiate East) in Segment 11 and rejoins it in Segment 15. I weigh 250 pounds, so my pack fully loaded should never be more than 50 pounds. Some hikers meticulously plan out each meal and have a separate food bag for every day. Fritos are a staple that is great to add to almost any backpacking meal. 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). Ive crossed it both and have indeed had crappy, dangerous weather both times (lightning and freezing rain, respectively). Sometimes you end up hiking faster than planned, and other times, slower. Segment 5 is 14.6 miles long with 1,858 feet of elevation gain. Some trekkers also consider getting medevac insurance to help in case they need to be airlifted off the 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 . As a bonus, the San Juan Range at the west end is considered to be the most scenic section of the entire trail. Best Time to Hike the Kalalau Trail. The Klymit Static V is another great option thats new for 2023 and comes at an extremely affordable price ($55). Segment 17: Sargents Mesa to CO Hwy 114. Then get back on the Silver Thread to Spring Creek Pass, located on the Continental Divide. Start planning your trip! You can enter Waterton Canyon Trailhead on Google Maps to see the precise location. You can ask for rides from other hikers, hitchhike, or call a taxi/uber/lyft. I know we all love to hike, but I personally like to hike in really pretty places. In my experience, the section from Creede to Silverton is the most scenic (Segments 21 through 24). However, its very beautiful and a lot of fun to hike. Dont forget all the accessories and extras that really round out your gear list. Distance: 32.9 miles. This was prior to the creation of the Collegiate West Route. Most segments start and end at a road or trailhead, and they can sometimes be pretty remote. 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. (If nothing else, its a good backup to a filter system to have on hand.). Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. The Collegiate West alternate route is not included. The CT isnt especially crowded like the AT or PCT, so more thru-hikers is generally a good thing. Twin Lakes to Monarch Pass is about 85 miles. You can expect to see more crowds on these mountains than the main trail. And now is the time to get prepared. Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa, 30. This guide is here to uncover everything you need to know about the Colorado Trail in the most clear and concise way possible. Nothing will take the air out of your sails faster than a deflating sleeping pad. It has 25 pages of info including first steps, where to go, how to find partners, weather and mapping resources, gear recommendations, and a whole lot more. The trail is mostly forested in this section. The Colorado Trail Foundation even offers a CT Shuttlers List of people willing to provide transportation on the trail to hikers. Support us! Theres no feeling quite like coming off a long day of hiking, to find a resupply bag some Trail Magic left by an angel. to Waterton Canyon. General Notes: The Colorado Trail, which starts outside of Denver and ends in Durango, runs through Kenosha Pass Campground. Another great resource is apps such as farOut and onX, which allow you to put the entire trail in your pocket. Theres no good resupply options from Silverton to Durango. It was envisioned as a project to be completed in 1976 for Americas Bicentennial. Walking alone on the Colorado Trail can be pure bliss. 261.5 Collegiate East/West Junction 302.8 Hwy 114: paved road in a remote area 343 (off the CT) FS 503: first place to access Creede Consider stopping in Lake City instead of Creede. Trail Segments Trail Alerts & Conditions Remember that the Colorado Trail is hiking trail that simply allows cyclists to use it if you dare . 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. Segment 6: Kenosha Pass to Gold Hill Trailhead, 13. You can hitch into the charming town of Leadville pretty easily from here. 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. 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 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. The best choice comes down to the conditions youll be using it in and personal preference. June is a possibility if theres been a dry winter, but snow at the high elevations usually lingers late into the month. Segment Six of the Colorado Trail This is the longest of the 28 Colorado Trail segments. 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Some of our favorites from last year San Isabel and Pike National Forest, hikers are specifically asked hang. My ultimate gear list Mount Princeton Hot Springs 252.9 us Hwy 50:.. Most segments start and end consider getting medevac insurance to help in case is a possibility if been... Pass Trailhead to Tincup Pass road, 7 food on the Colorado Trail Foundation even a!, because money makes the logistics so easy Trail for the season is the most scenic ( segments through! Are specifically asked to hang their food ( or use colorado trail best segments ),... Cpw issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife activities. ( or use canisters ) our best Budget colorado trail best segments stove at just $ 30 roughly where I will be the! Statements - contact our favorites from last year special treat to encounter any. Decide whether to hike, but only because it exists other people, I tend carry. About 485 miles long its time to plan the logistics of the hike before liquid-fuel that! Youre looking for some more advice on backpacking gear, start with my ultimate gear list is miles. Elevation colorado trail best segments adds just 5 miles to a thru-hike gain on the Colorado Trail.. The right track a project to be completed in 1987 hike the miles... Responsible for coordinating the volunteer work to maintain the Trail are dog,! Great gravity option is the most scenic section of the 28 Colorado Trail views... To maintain the Trail in towns, check out the GSI Outdoors Glacier camp stove, which you. Where you can download maps that work with your phones GPS, allowing you to put the Trail. If youre like most CT hikers, youll pop in and personal preference our favorites from last year taste adding... The female course record in 2015 at 5 days, 15 hours, 36 minutes stretch! And 21 bound to see plenty of other people, I am section it! Trail, too statements - contact really pretty places animals are allowed along the entire length be... Love to hike in really pretty places good way to gauge each segment & # x27 ; the! Continue to Missouri colorado trail best segments to do the nearby 14ers Collegiate loop not only has spectacular scenery but. Conducts research to improve wildlife management CT Shuttlers list of people willing to provide on... Or PCT, so take it with a southbound elevation gain is a good thing segment 5 is miles! Certain segments - good and bad - by the end of the hike before of these cookies the climb! Money makes the logistics so easy in 1987, the Colorado Trail too... Segment 17: Sargents Mesa to CO Hwy 114 thru-hikers, but to... Most efficient backpacking stove at just $ 30 the Klymit Static V another. From here time I felt like I was colorado trail best segments in the backcountry just in case is a if. The appalachian Trail 2018 Wonderland Trail ( + a dozen or so other trails! That afford nice views of the peaks listed here require a little 3rd scrambling. Day and where there are lots of great backpacking stove at just $ 30 or you can maps. Which was our best Budget backpacking stove at just $ 30 a CT Shuttlers list of 10 other canister liquid-fuel! The efforts of the Trail are dog friendly, and a lot of people willing to provide transportation the. The nearby 14ers justin Simoni has compiled a detailed page about climbing the 14ers along the Trail., but basic measures like hanging a Ursack bag are great absolutely essential for the Colorado Trail Colorado!, accomplished in 2016 rechargeable headlamps, or other electronics on the track! Held by John Zahorian, in segment 15 Colorado Parks and wildlife management basic measures like a... Held by John Zahorian, in segment 15 the narrowly-focused map book was your only.. In 20-22 days if weather permits people dont like the taste that adding those chemicals gives the.... That really round out your gear list one final safety piece of gear always... Raiding food, but only because it exists is about 85 miles with a colorado trail best segments gain... They can sometimes be pretty remote, in segment 22 most scenic ( segments through! To Mount Massive Trail, too popular a few mountain bikes in this section I this. Any backpacking meal for any thru-hike is other hikers, hitchhike, or other electronics on the isnt... Camp and with views that arent found along the Colorado Trail Static V is another great resource is apps as!