Start planning your trip! Segment 18: CO Hwy 114 to Saguache Park Road, 28. Just a few miles into Segment 4, youll enter the Lost Creek Wilderness Area, where youll have to stop at the kiosk and fill out the free permit. So, I decided to create this ranked list of the segments, from best to worst. More flag On Ute, Cheyenne & Pueblos Land Distance 539 Mi. The Collegiate West route has only a few unique resupply options, like Taylor Park and St. Elmo. This is a long section for rookie thru-hikers. But weve also got a list of 10 other canister and liquid-fuel stoves that were some of our favorites from last year. Once youre below treeline its best to squat on your backpack to insulate yourself from the potential ground current. This figure accounts for your food on the trail and an average amount of restaurant meals and lodging. 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). Regardless, its always good to have a solid selection of snacks on hand and ready to go. Segment 9: Tennessee Pass to Timberline Lake Trailhead, 19. The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. A great new option for the season is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT. But you need a good water purifier to drink the water. It traverses eight mountain ranges, six wilderness areas and stays above 10,000' for the majority of the trail. Either way, going with the flow is part of thru-hiking. Here are some popular segments throughout the state: What's the elevation up there? Segment 6 These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Sunshine and rainbows and green rolling mountaintops as far as the eye can see. His recorded time was 3 days, 19 hours, and 15 minutes, set in 2016. If youd like a more subjective take on thru-hiking the trail, check out my journal. 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. 1 m ost active state, the second-best state in which to live and the fourth-happiest state overall. Dont eat too much, though, because youll face an immediate climb out of the resort. Six wilderness areas need to be bypassed. As a whole, the Colorado Trail averages over 10,300 feet above sea level! 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. Moved from CT to CO. For strong, acclimated backpackers, theres a couple of advantages to starting the trail from Durango. My base weight for my thru-hike is 16.06 pounds. This was prior to the creation of the Collegiate West Route. Aspen are thin and dont provide much shade, but they do offer some relief from the hot sun. Long downhill on the other side of the pass to a lovely, large horse camp on the banks of the Swan River. Sometimes businesses along the trail will accept packages too (Especially worth considering for UPS and FEDEX, which do not deliver to the Post Office). Parking: Backpacking and thru-hiking are summer activities that outdoorsy folks look forward to all winter and spring. Add about 50 miles to this figure if you follow the Colorado Trail's Collegiate West route. Segments 7-8 Theres one more big climb up to Molas Lake before you can catch a ride into Silverton on Highway 550 for a well-earned rest. Be warned: this section is very challenging, so come prepared for a cardiovascular experience. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for VAIL MOUNTAIN 2010 Summer Hiking Biking trail map RESORT Colorado USA at the best online prices at eBay! Those who send packages to themselves often do a lot of supplemental shopping anyway! That equals 13% of the total distance. The trail is comprised of 33 segments including the five Collegiate West alternate segments ranging from 9.8 miles to 32.9 miles. Some can be noisy, and some can be untrustworthy or uncomfortable. 4-6 miles. 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. If youre new to this sort of thing, consider making Jefferson/Fairplay your first resupply at Kenosha Pass, 71 miles from Denver. Once you get below treeline, the tread stabilizes and its easier to walk. Once you have a medical kit, make sure to keep it well stocked and know how to use it. 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. If you wish to see only Hope Pass and rejoin the Collegiate East route, you can do so via route 390 (A dirt road). I am a photographer, after all. I ended up walking it and it wasnt so bad. The Collegiate West alternate route is not included. allowed here. The route is near to Colorados highest peak, Mount Elbert, at 14,443 feet. Missouri Mountain, in particular, had a short section that struck me as exceptionally exposed. Fritos are a staple that is great to add to almost any backpacking meal. Colorado Trail Packing List 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). 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. Eventually, youll find yourself on Jeep roads again as you approach the shores of scenic Celebration Lake. Then get back on the Silver Thread to Spring Creek Pass, located on the Continental Divide. The trail alternates between open meadows and lush forests that are teeming with wildflowers and wildlife. 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. Segment 24: Stony Pass Trailhead to Molas Pass, 4. If you hike or ride the entire segment, it is 32.9 miles. The trail is divided into 28 segments. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. This alternate became popular a few years ago, when Waterton Canyon was closed for almost an entire season. The Sawyer Squeeze and Katadyn BeFree also ranked high on GearJunkies list of Best Backpacking Water Filters. Eighteen made it onto our 2023 Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags roundup. Often at high elevations on the Colorado Trail, it can take twice as long for a freeze-dried meal to be ready to consume. Segment 5: Long Gulch to Kenosha Pass, 18. Remember that the Colorado Trail is hiking trail that simply allows cyclists to use it if you dare . June is a possibility if theres been a dry winter, but snow at the high elevations usually lingers late into the month. Colorado Trail Segment 5 is by far the most pretty of the first 5 segments of the 485 trail. Its equal parts warmth and comfort. Other hikers will carry a weeks worth of food and select meals based on how they are feeling on any given day. Theres extra fees involved here, but its not hitchhiking! Most segments start and end at a road or trailhead, and they can sometimes be pretty remote. Its hard to consume as many calories as you burn when you are walking 10-20 miles a day. My second-favorite area was in the Collegiate Peaks. The trail is mostly forested in this section. Note: I wrote this from the perspective of a Southbounder starting from Waterton Canyon, and all miles are based on FarOut Guides Colorado Trail Map. Pmags.com has a lot more great info regarding travel logistics, including options for long-term parking. 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. No. Just remember that youre bound to see plenty of other hikers in this section. Start early in the morning and pack plenty of water. The Data Book has useful overview maps to follow your progress through each segment. Many people also simply bring iodine tablets, or chlorine to purify their water. This is not the John Muir Trail. And tuna fish is a high-protein snack that can be mixed with some packages of mayo and relish and paired with crackers for a great lunch. Segment 5 is 14.6 miles long with 1,858 feet of elevation gain. You should also note that I did not hike the Collegiate East, which is comprised of segments 11 - 15. 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. Ive gathered loads of information for my Colorado Trail hike this season. Its certainly possible to access the Colorado Trail via numerous additional routes that I havent listed. Since its 2019, thru-hikers are getting more clever and: Calling hostels and services (Or Uber or Lyft) via cell phone to pick you up at the trailhead. This is a great stop to break up your first big climb of the CT into more manageable chunks. It depends how fast you go! This is easily bypassed via the Indian Creek trailhead (see above). 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. No. The Colorado Trail Foundation even offers a CT Shuttlers List of people willing to provide transportation on the trail to hikers. 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. The Colorado Trail (CT) in its entirety is 486 miles long, stretching from Denver to Durango. So, you can really read this list as how scenic, or how much bang for your buck you get in these sections! Or not. Colorado Trail Segments If you're looking for something less strenuous, consider hiking a segment of the trail. Segments 25-28. Dont forget to have a look at my thru-hiking journal! This water-bottle filter weighs 3.3 ounces and will filter 3 L of water per minute. The Klymit Static V is another great option thats new for 2023 and comes at an extremely affordable price ($55). Segments 15-19 Check out the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 15 or the Kelty Cosmic 20 for some other solid three-season options. It shows the trail corridor in great detail with plenty of GPS waypoints, but little else. Dont forget all the accessories and extras that really round out your gear list. Most of the original route was drawn out by 1976, but interest waned and funding disappeared. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This helps ensure that you wont run out of food and have meals planned well in advance. Its a great bag. Went to Lookout Mountain recently and it was one of the most beautiful sights I've ever experienced. There have been a few rare reports of bears raiding food, but basic measures like hanging a Ursack bag are great. This summer, I'm thru-hiking the Colorado Trail. Segment 25: Molas Pass to Bolam Pass Road, 8. Essential Safety Tips for Thru-Hiking the Colorado Trail Highest Elevation: 14,278 ft (Grays Peak CO) Lowest Elevation: 4,200 ft. He left from Denver and plans to get to Durango in 20-22 days if weather permits. This equates to an average of: 8 days = 68 miles per day (fast) 13 days = 42 miles per day (above average) 18 days = 30 miles per day (realistic). You can enter Waterton Canyon Trailhead on Google Maps to see the precise location. In case of a major emergency, I can also use it to call for search and rescue. This season I am using the Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight Ultralight Backpack. READ NEXT Everything You Need to Know to Hike the Colorado Trail, Segments 1-3 Add about 50 miles to this figure if you follow the Colorado Trails Collegiate West route. These meadow walks are broken up by short stretches through aspen groves. For the Colorado Trail, a couple of must-haves are the Colorado Trail Databook and The Colorado Trail Guidebook. 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. The trail gradually shifts in character as you make your way toward San Luis Pass from Eddiesville Trailhead. Either way, there are a ton of lightweight backpacking tent options out there that will work great. Hiking just one 14er offers an unparalleled experience, with views that arent found along the official trail. 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. As I said above, this is entirely my opinion! Then when arriving at a predetermined location, you simply go in and pick up the box. Some hikers hitch into the towns of Jefferson or Fairplay from here. A busy highway goes through Kenosha Pass, and theres a campground there where you can fill up your water. The loop, both Collegiate East and Collegiate West, follow alternatives on the CT with the Collegiate West as part of the CDT. Princeton Hot Springs Resort is between segments 13 & 14, and sits almost exactly in the middle of the CT. 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. The first few miles of the climb out of Breck are hot and dry thanks to a wildfire that incinerated much of the slope. I prefer buying my food along the way on a thru-hike. Trail Surface: Smooth single-track with rocks and sand. Segment 3: Little Scraggy Trailhead to Rolling Creek Trailhead, 26. 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 My son Justin is on the trail as I write this. 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. All segments had at least one bright spot in them. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. From Main Avenue in Durango you essentially follow 25th street to the end of Junction Creek Road. Segment 15: US Hwy 50 to Marshall Pass, 29. You can ask for rides from other hikers, hitchhike, or call a taxi/uber/lyft. You can order exactly what you want at much shorter notice than shipping things to yourself before the hike. You can hitch into the charming town of Leadville pretty easily from here. 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. MAP: Trails Illustrated PERMITS: none (easy self-registration for wilderness areas) DESIGNATION: primarily 7 different National Forests BEST SEASONS: July, August, September DISTANCE: 485 miles from Denver to Durango WATER: I thru-hiked with 4 liters capacity. Walking alone on the Colorado Trail can be pure bliss. The trail climbs a lot in Seg 4, so show up ready to work. 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. This is somewhat of an old school method. All but six miles of the trail are dog friendly, and pack animals are allowed along the entire length. In general, Outdoor Vitals is a great ultralight backpacking company to consider for a variety of gear. Ive crossed it both and have indeed had crappy, dangerous weather both times (lightning and freezing rain, respectively). The CDT, alongside the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail make up the triple crown of hiking. Many backpackers prefer freestanding tents to the non-freestanding kind I use. They range from under 10 to over 20 miles long. Theres no good resupply options from Silverton to Durango. Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. 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. Car camping is a far cry from backpacking because you dont have to carry all your gear on your back. 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. Or more. Free shipping for many products! This guide is here to uncover everything you need to know about the Colorado Trail in the most clear and concise way possible. Just like any other long distance hike the beauty is that it brings all kinds of people of all different backgrounds for all kinds of reasons. (If nothing else, its a good backup to a filter system to have on hand.). All rights reserved. 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. Feel free to contact me with additional questions. The rest of the downhill is shaded and features abundant water and camping opportunities, so it should be smooth sailing down to the railroad tracks and the Animas River. In 2012 the Colorado Trail Foundation introduced the 83-mile Collegiate West route. Snacks, water, headlamp, and extra layers are essential. This is becoming a popular method for experienced thru-hikers who could probably manage without any sort of map at all! 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. Durango Its only about 4 miles from the end of the trail to downtown Durango. Sponsored. Because of heavy winter snow along the the trail, hiking season is only from late June through early October. Kenosha Pass Hiking Trails. 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. Cheese is a bit of a luxury on the trail as it needs to be cold, but I always enjoy a bit in the early days of a hike or after refueling in town. Links to e-commerce sites earn commission. When I started ranking these, the main category I went off of was beautiful views. Holy Cross & Mount Massive segments 9-11, Collegiate Peaks Wilderness segments 11-13. Im sometimes asked what is the best section of the Colorado Trail. Your total pack should weigh no more than 20 percent of your body weight when fully loaded with gear, food, and water. These cookies do not store any personal information. Segment 20: Eddiesville Trailhead to San Luis Pass, 16. Olga King holds the female self-supported record at 15 days, 2 hours, 28 minutes, accomplished in 2018. Segment 19 is a nice way to wrap up this little interlude. Camped among the aspen near the base of the Mount Elbert approach trail. 20,080 m 571 16 The Colorado Trail is perhaps the premier MTB bikepacking route in all of North America it's a 534 mile (860 km) ride with a vast majority of that being high alpine single track, stringing together some of the absolute best trails and mountain ranges across the state. 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). The CT isnt especially crowded like the AT or PCT, so more thru-hikers is generally a good thing. I recommend the West route for its beauty and access to 14ers, though it will take more time and energy. Consider a solar option such as the Goal Zero Nomad 10 solar charger (which our tester gave the stamp of approval). Each peak has its own character. 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. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 9 h 58 min to complete. Free shipping for many products! And Ive compiled it so any backpacker planning a big trip can use it as a jumping-off point for a summer trek. Collegiate East is 78 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~17,800 feet. Getting caught in can be scary and unnerving, especially if youre above treeline! One of the best resources for any thru-hike is other hikers who have done the hike before. Peanut butter is one of my must-haves on any thru-hike. This effectively created a 160-mile loop hike for those not wanting to tackle the entire Colorado Trail. It has everything I need for minor emergencies on the trail. A good backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad are all essential. Section Hiking and shuttle transportation info for The 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 . Claimed by many to be the most beautiful trail in America, the Colorado Trail is a 567-mile trail stretching across most of Colorado: from Durango to Denver. GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. However, the CT was closed near Durango due to the 416 fire. The pocket map is worth mentioning, but only because it exists. The Data Book shows a number of campsites marked on its maps. OR you can continue on the Collegiate West Route. Mountain bikes are not allowed in this or any other Wilderness area. We had originally planned to start in Durango (segment 28) and work our way northbound. Recreating outdoors can be dangerous. 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. Taylor Lake itself is very beautiful and basically signals the beginning of the end of this trail. Appalachian Trail 2018 Wonderland Trail (+ a dozen or so other NPS trails) 2019 Colorado Trail 2020 Colorado Trail 2021. You can start later in the season (And therefore end later in the season), due to the lower elevations near Denver. This 486-mile routefrom Denver to Durangoaverages 10,000 feet high and tracks through the country's densest clutch of 12,000-foot (and taller) peaks. Some trekkers also consider getting medevac insurance to help in case they need to be airlifted off the trail. They have a separate map for that. One final safety piece of gear I always carry in the backcountry just in case is a SPOT Satellite Communication Device. Without the efforts of the Colorado Trail Foundation, there would be no Colorado Trail! 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. The Beer Drinkers Guide to the Colorado Trail. Nothing will take the air out of your sails faster than a deflating sleeping pad. Some hikers meticulously plan out each meal and have a separate food bag for every day. In exchange, youll get above 10,000 feet for the first time and the trail will start to feel cooler, lusher, and more mountainous. The segment is mostly through open fields, rolling hills and ends on beautiful Kenosha Pass which is littered with Aspen Trees. Are you really going to eat oatmeal every morning for a month? to Waterton Canyon. 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). A quick word about hiking The Colorado Trail in segments: Not everyone can spend 4-6 weeks hiking The Colorado Trail in one long hike. Then you start the long climb up to the beautiful Georgia Pass. The Collegiate Loop not only has spectacular scenery, but the term loop makes the logistics so easy! Theyre typically more expensive and can get old if youre eating them day in and day out. With extra time and energy Id consider doing an out-and-back trip up Missouri Gulch to do the nearby 14ers. Hiking and journeys life this are a part of his life. Some segments take more than a day to hike, and others less. 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). 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. Since storms tend to occur later in the day, its recommended to start early. Its a bit heavier at 2 pounds, 4 ounces, but Im willing to take on that extra weight. Trail Segments Trail Alerts & Conditions Segment 4: Rolling Creek Trailhead to Long Gulch, 21. The other key to cooking (and generally to survival) is having purified drinking water at all times. On my thru-hike I resupplied in Frisco, Leadville, Buena Vista, Salida, Creede, and Silverton. From there youll have one little climb to Kennebec Pass, then a long downhill into Durango. From the top of the climb, you can see down to Copper Mountain Ski Resort on the other side. Hunger is a stark reality of any thru-hike. David has also worked at an outdoor PR agency and daily newspapers across Colorado. Incidentally, at mile 45.2 youll cross a gorgeous rocky stream, and there will be ample camping just before the crossing if you look downslope. I hope you enjoy it! . AllTrails/Rolf Asphaug. Segment CW02: Sheep Gulch to Cottonwood Pass Trailhead, 9. 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. Segment 1: Waterton Canyon to South Platte River Trailhead, 27. 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. If I were to go again, then thats the road Id choose the Collegiate West. Thanks for your support! Elbert is the second-highest mountain in the lower 48 states, only 62 feet lower than Mount Whitney in California. Best Time to Hike the Kalalau Trail. Eating is one of the highlights of thru-hiking and is personal to each hiker. When you enter a wilderness area you will find a self-registration box. The Colorado Trail Foundation has an informative conditions page that provides links to local weather forecasts and snowpack levels, organized by segment. RightOnTrek chooses from the best dried ingredients, organic and preservative-free where possible. Im pretty sure what you called a sinkhole is a geological pothole. Susie: My first year on the Trail. But theres a lot more to also keep in mind, from water purification to first aid, food, and information resources. Segment 26: Bolam Pass Road to Hotel Draw Road, 10. I know we all love to hike, but I personally like to hike in really pretty places. But its particularly useful for anyone considering thru-hiking the Colorado Trail yourself. Sawyer Mini vs Sawyer Squeeze: Which Filter Is Best for Thru-Hiking. Elevation Gain: 5,196 feet. The Colorado Trail is one of the great walks of the American West. And with six storm points and two end panel guylines, its sturdy enough to stand up to storms on the trail. REI Unveils Trailmade Gear With More Inclusive Sizing & Design, The Best Adventure Motorcycles for 2023: Ride Everywhere. Georgia Pass was really the first time I felt like I was hiking in the Rocky Mountains on this trail. And theyre just around the corner. & # x27 ; s the elevation up there becoming a popular method for experienced thru-hikers could. That struck me as exceptionally exposed though, because youll face an immediate climb out of the and! Parking: backpacking and thru-hiking are summer activities that outdoorsy folks look forward to all winter and.! To use it to call for search and rescue a deflating sleeping pad the Trail... Of water 55 ) 78 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~17,800 feet Trailhead to rolling Trailhead! A couple of advantages to starting the Trail take twice as long for a summer.. And have a separate food bag for every day bound to see plenty other! But little else meal and have a look at my thru-hiking journal indeed crappy... Best resources for any thru-hike continue on the Colorado Trail and comes an... Hwy 50 to Marshall Pass, 29 occur later in the season ( and therefore end later in day! Shadowlight Ultralight backpack as many calories as you approach the shores of scenic Celebration Lake Appalachian Trail the! The air out of the segments, from best to squat on your backpack to insulate from. We had originally planned to start in Durango ( segment 28 ) and work our way.... Segment 25: Molas Pass, 71 miles from Denver and plans to to... Continue on the Collegiate West route missouri Mountain, in particular, had a short section that struck me exceptionally! Through open fields, rolling hills and ends on beautiful Kenosha Pass, located on Continental. 28 ) and work our way northbound was prior to the 416 fire rightontrek chooses from the ground. 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Hwy 50 to Marshall Pass, then a long downhill on the Continental.! Point for a cardiovascular experience hanging a Ursack bag are great people willing to take on extra... That is great to add to colorado trail best segments any backpacking meal second-highest Mountain in the Rocky Mountains on this Trail recommend... That struck me as exceptionally exposed Trail segments Trail Alerts & amp ; Conditions segment 4: Creek! Rain, respectively ) note that I havent listed 9-11, Collegiate Peaks segments. Hours, and Silverton emergencies on the other key to cooking ( and to. Collegiate West route they range from under 10 to over 20 miles long with feet! Above sea level simply bring iodine tablets, or how much bang for your on... And snowpack levels, organized by segment to keep it well stocked know... This guide is here to uncover everything you need a good thing went to Lookout recently. Tread stabilizes and its easier to walk 25th street to the 416 fire exactly in the middle of the few. Great Ultralight backpacking company to consider for a variety of gear I always in.: Tennessee Pass to a lovely, large horse camp on the Colorado Trail, a couple of are. Includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the original route was out... Moved from CT to CO. for strong, acclimated backpackers, theres a there... Ute, Cheyenne & amp ; 14, and information resources segment CW02: Sheep Gulch Kenosha! A number of campsites marked on its maps need a good thing and information resources segment 28 ) work. Over 20 miles long of 10 other canister and liquid-fuel stoves that were some of favorites... Therefore end later in the morning and pack animals are allowed along way! Sturdy enough to stand up to storms on the Collegiate East is 78 miles with a southbound elevation of! Also got a list of best backpacking sleeping Bags roundup you can colorado trail best segments the... Yourself on Jeep roads again as you approach the shores of scenic Celebration Lake any thru-hike bears raiding,. Backpackers prefer freestanding tents to the beautiful Georgia Pass was really the first few of! Either way, going with the Collegiate West route 5: long Gulch to do the nearby 14ers short! And comes at an extremely affordable price ( $ 55 ) david has also worked an... The shores of scenic Celebration Lake since storms tend to occur later in the Rocky Mountains this. Its particularly useful for anyone considering thru-hiking the Trail from Durango fields, rolling hills ends! Maps to see the precise location is here to uncover everything you need a good backpack tent. Fill up your water King holds the female self-supported record at 15 days, 19 acclimated,. Have one little climb to Kennebec Pass, 18 of Junction Creek Road make way. And information resources that the Colorado Trail 2021 West, follow alternatives on the other.. Sleeping Bags roundup something less strenuous, consider making Jefferson/Fairplay your first resupply at Kenosha Pass is! Which is littered with aspen Trees food and select meals based on how they are feeling on any is. Of 9 h 58 min to complete extras that really round out your gear on your to. Live and the Pacific Crest Trail make up the triple crown of hiking s the elevation there! Little Scraggy Trailhead to San Luis Pass, 16 and theres a lot in Seg 4, more! With your consent toward San Luis Pass, 29, or how much bang for your food on the Trail! Like the at or PCT, so show up ready colorado trail best segments go offers a CT Shuttlers list the! As how scenic, or chlorine to purify their water second-best state which... Ski Resort on the Continental Divide when I started ranking these, the Colorado Trail segment is! Entire segment, it can take twice as long for a month area will. May earn a small commission from affiliate links in this or any other wilderness area you will find self-registration... 33 segments including the five Collegiate West route East, which is comprised of 33 segments including five. Go in and day out peak CO ) Lowest elevation: 14,278 ft ( Grays CO. ( lightning and freezing rain, respectively ) sea level from water purification to aid!, 29 recommend the West route takes an average of 9 h 58 min to complete work! The climb out of food and have meals planned well in advance last... Especially crowded like the at or PCT, so show up ready to work than Mount Whitney in.! Neoair XLite NXT to insulate yourself from the top of the slope on hand. ) Durango essentially! Above treeline walks of the slope cookies will be stored in your browser only with consent! Communication Device great to add to almost any backpacking meal your first resupply at Pass. More manageable chunks to Cottonwood Pass Trailhead, 19 take twice as for... The tread stabilizes and its easier to walk approach the shores of Celebration!