Then when arriving at a predetermined location, you simply go in and pick up the box. Long downhill on the other side of the pass to a lovely, large horse camp on the banks of the Swan River. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Postcard Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado at the best online prices at eBay! 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 This water-bottle filter weighs 3.3 ounces and will filter 3 L of water per minute. The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. The shrubby cow pastures slowly give way to tall, jutting peaks on either side and a marshy, willowy valley floor. The first few miles of the climb out of Breck are hot and dry thanks to a wildfire that incinerated much of the slope. No dogs are allowed at Waterton Canyon. Segment 18: CO Hwy 114 to Saguache Park Road, 28. 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. 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, Denver to Durango location Colorado, USA We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. Just remember that youre bound to see plenty of other hikers in this section. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Its a great bag. 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. Dont forget all the accessories and extras that really round out your gear list. 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. A lightweight backpacker can get that down to 10-20 pounds. Needless to say, if youre still on foot and see or feel the hairs rising on your head, get out of there. 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. For boxes going to the post office, the way to address them is: Amazing Hiker (Your name) General Delivery Awesome Town, CO 12345. Segments 15-19 This is a great stop to break up your first big climb of the CT into more manageable chunks. This is a long section for rookie thru-hikers. $19.99 + $2.99 shipping. This is somewhat of an old school method. But its particularly useful for anyone considering thru-hiking the Colorado Trail yourself. As always, and maybe even moreso here, this is my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt! Peanut butter is one of my must-haves on any thru-hike. And with six storm points and two end panel guylines, its sturdy enough to stand up to storms on the trail. Everything You Need to Know to Hike the Colorado Trail The Data Book has useful overview maps to follow your progress through each segment. From the top of the climb, you can see down to Copper Mountain Ski Resort on the other side. RPPC Longs Peak CO-Colorado, Trail Ridge Road View, Real Photo Vintage Postcard. Segments 9 through 11 are great too, primarily because this is where you can do Mount Elbert and Mount Massive. Completed in 1987, the Colorado Trail stretches 485 magnificent miles from Denver to Durango. The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. Mileages are listed from Denver. With a total of 486 miles, the Colorado Trail is divided into 33 segments, each ranging from 7 to 27 miles. The trail is split into 28 segments, each of which are completely different. 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. Segment 25: Molas Pass to Bolam Pass Road, 8. Beyond talking to people who have hiked these trails before, theres a wealth of information online and in books that are invaluable so you know what to expect when hiking this summer. I hope this page has satisfied what you needed to know about the trail, or at least pointed you in the right direction. Once youre below treeline its best to squat on your backpack to insulate yourself from the potential ground current. Segments 9-11 You should also note that I did not hike the Collegiate East, which is comprised of segments 11 - 15. Some segments take more than a day to hike, and others less. Collegiate West is 85 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~19,800 feet. Towns and Resupply on the Colorado Trail 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. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Free shipping for many products! Several miles later, you will enter some of the most singular, glorious hiking of the entire Colorado Trail. 4-6 miles. 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. Its worth stopping off at the scenic Molas Pass overlook near the highway crossing first, though. The trail climbs a lot in Seg 4, so show up ready to work. By Distance. Segment 2: South Platte River Trailhead to Little Scraggy Trailhead, 23. The self-supported record is held by John Zahorian, in 9 days and 12 hours, accomplished in 2016. I think its more pleasing on a long hike to save the best for last! Throughout the dry stretch leading up to Kenosha, youll pop in and out of cow pastures that afford nice views of the surroundings. Without the efforts of the Colorado Trail Foundation, there would be no Colorado Trail! That's a long way of saying I have the last five segments left. 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. According to the FKT website, Bryan Williams holds the supported record at 8 days and 30 minutes, accomplished in 2017. 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. Feel free to contact me with additional questions. 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. Most of us mere mortals would probably take something like 15-20 days. Depending on the season and the year, many of them may still be graced with snowy caps. Its lowest point is at 5,520 feet in Waterton Canyon the trails eastern terminus near Denver. From there youll have one little climb to Kennebec Pass, then a long downhill into Durango. Theres a sacred rule of thumb when it comes to loading gear into your bag. However, the CT was closed near Durango due to the 416 fire. Road crossings and other resupply options are mentioned within each section. Im not a big spender, but I found myself longing for a $400 GoPro all throughout this stretch. In addition to the pack, Ive been using its Fortius one-person trekking pole tent as well (pictured above). You can always find something valuable about a segment even if its not your favorite. Likewise, the chances of encountering an early-season snowstorm increase significantly from September into October. The CDT was established after the Colorado Trail, and coincides with it for roughly 200 miles, from Segment 6 through Segment 24. If you hike or ride the entire segment, it is 32.9 miles. This 485-mile trail runs between Denver and Durango, passing through six National Forests, six Wilderness areas, traverses five major river systems and . As of 2021, the trees in this area were still mostly alive. Along the way it meanders through high alpine mountains and valleys, offering a glimpse at some of the finest terrain Colorado has to offer. 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. Many mistakes were made. Its over 40,000 words with 1,500 beautiful photos. June is a possibility if theres been a dry winter, but snow at the high elevations usually lingers late into the month. 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). There is a range of great first-aid kits to choose from. 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. 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. Altitude sickness is a serious consideration when youre hiking in Colorados high mountains. This guide is here to uncover everything you need to know about the Colorado Trail in the most clear and concise way possible. After a set of grueling, steep, rocky switchbacks that will make your calves scream, youll arrive at the high point. They have a separate map for that. We have hiked 14,000 footer in Guatemala and Colorado with some hikes at around 16 miles a day. The Beer Drinkers Guide to the Colorado Trail. 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. Colorado Trail. Either way, there are a ton of lightweight backpacking tent options out there that will work great. The highest sustained elevations occur closer to the trails western terminus, so most hikers choose to start their trip on the Denver side. Mountain bikes are not allowed in this or any other Wilderness area. Hike: This segment begins with an overall gradual descent to Buffalo Creek, followed by a series of steeper climbs all the way to the end. The terrain also becomes more rolling and the elevation drops into the 9,000-foot range, so the section is both hotter and less mountainous than what youve gotten used to on this trail. Thanks for your support! 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. Happy trails. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Pmags.com has a lot more great info regarding travel logistics, including options for long-term parking. Breaking Down | Segments 18-21 Resupply on the Colorado Trail Foot races include the on and off-road marathons of Denver, Silverton, and Aspen. Having a comfy, quiet, reliable sleeping pad is essential for having a good time on any backpacking 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. Segment 19 is a nice way to wrap up this little interlude. It shows the trail corridor in great detail with plenty of GPS waypoints, but little else. The female supported record was established by Betsy Kalmeyer in 2003 9 days, 10 hours, 52 minutes. This is one the few long-distance trails that allows bikes and provides for the necessary alternate routes when necessary (The Arizona Trail is another one). Should you get caught on an exposed ridge, descend immediately off the trail if necessary (Dont get lost!) A good backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad are all essential. Theyre responsible for coordinating the volunteer work to maintain the trail. The trail goes from Denver to Durango, or more specifically, from the the Waterton Trailhead in Littleton to the Junction Trailhead in Durango. Consider a solar option such as the Goal Zero Nomad 10 solar charger (which our tester gave the stamp of approval). Or, you can weigh yourself on a scale without your gear, and weigh yourself a second time with your base gear. 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. Bear canisters are not required anywhere on the Colorado Trail. Neil Beltchenko holds the winning record for the Colorado Trail bicycle race. Parking: The reported bikepacking time for the full length of the trail is 8 to 18 days, leaving an average of 13 days. 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. Segment 28: Kennebec Trailhead to Junction Creek Trailhead, 24. If youre looking for some more advice on backpacking gear, start with my ultimate gear list. Here are some popular segments throughout the state: 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. For any long-distance thru-hike, such as the Colorado Trail, planning a route and resupply points is key. Either way, going with the flow is part of thru-hiking. The Colorado Trail is a 500-plus-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 9 h 58 min to complete. Sign in. These meadow walks are broken up by short stretches through aspen groves. 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. Some of the peaks listed here require a little 3rd class scrambling. Climb up a rocky jeep road from Spring Creek Pass (upon which I had the joy of face-planting in icy mud during a rainstorm not one, but three glorious times) and eventually, youll break out into wide, grassy highlands. REI Unveils Trailmade Gear With More Inclusive Sizing & Design, The Best Adventure Motorcycles for 2023: Ride Everywhere. 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. Elevation Gain: 5,196 feet. If you missed segments 1-21 of the Colorado Trail make sure to checkout our blogs below before continuing on! Kenosha Pass Hiking Trails. To accomplish this, you have to start sacrificing some comforts on the trail. Her answer was, I didnt.. The CDT, alongside the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail make up the triple crown of hiking. A series of sharp climbs will get you up and over the ridge, going past several lovely alpine lakes along the way. to Waterton Canyon. Fritos are a staple that is great to add to almost any backpacking meal. CPW issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high priority wildlife . 357.8 Hwy 149: Lake City, Creede 411.1 US Hwy 550: Silverton. 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. Most segments start and end at a road or trailhead, and they can sometimes be pretty remote. In my experience, the section from Creede to Silverton is the most scenic (Segments 21 through 24). . 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. 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