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. Eventually the official trail was re-routed to the east, but several hikers still chose to incorporate Hope Pass into a thru-hike. But its particularly useful for anyone considering thru-hiking the Colorado Trail yourself. A busy highway goes through Kenosha Pass, and theres a campground there where you can fill up your water. Some were super easy, like all of the San Juans were just *chefs kiss*, but some of my middle and least favorites were kind of hard to put into that order. We had originally planned to start in Durango (segment 28) and work our way northbound. 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. The trail gradually shifts in character as you make your way toward San Luis Pass from Eddiesville Trailhead. Missouri Mountain, in particular, had a short section that struck me as exceptionally exposed. My son Justin is on the trail as I write this. 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. The CDT is by far the most rugged of the three . The shrubby cow pastures slowly give way to tall, jutting peaks on either side and a marshy, willowy valley floor. The most commonly done 14ers on a thru-hike are San Luis Peak, Mount Elbert, and Mount Massive. Colorado Trail. Elbert is the second-highest mountain in the lower 48 states, only 62 feet lower than Mount Whitney in California. 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. 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). Collegiate West leaves the CT (Collegiate East) in Segment 11 and rejoins it in Segment 15. Youll connect with the CT near Strontia Springs Dam. The trail splits off from the road before the top of Stony Pass Road (the juncture marks the beginning of Segment 24) and starts another long, gradual descent through grassy meadows. Segment 19: Saguache Park Road to Eddiesville Trailhead, 20. Photo via. I hope you enjoy it! Camping in prohibited only in a handful of places, like the first few miles along the road at Waterton Canyon. The campsite is adjacent to a dirt road and you may encounter car campers on summer weekends: consider yourself warned. Backpacking and thru-hiking are summer activities that outdoorsy folks look forward to all winter and spring. AllTrails/Rolf Asphaug. Featured image: Graphic design by Chris Helm (@chris.helm). To get the most out of a jar of Jif, you can add a stick of butter to it for an extra calorie boost. How to Hike Every 14er on the Colorado Trail (with FarOut Miles) From blisters to sprained ankles, having a first-aid kit in the pack is a must. Segment 24 Segment 15: US Hwy 50 to Marshall Pass, 29. Essential Safety Tips for Thru-Hiking the Colorado Trail Spotted just before Eddiesville Trailhead and the end of Seg 19. The trail is split into 28 segments, each of which are completely different. Your total pack should weigh no more than 20 percent of your body weight when fully loaded with gear, food, and water. The female supported record was established by Betsy Kalmeyer in 2003 9 days, 10 hours, 52 minutes. Companies like RightOnTrek are also moving the needle on backpacking food, toward even tastier, more nutritious meals. For backpacking, I tend to carry an Adventure Medical Kit for Hiking. 2. A series of sharp climbs will get you up and over the ridge, going past several lovely alpine lakes along the way. But you need a good water purifier to drink the water. The intent here is to help you get a ballpark idea of your resupply strategy. The views are to die for up top, and the surrounding peaks are indeed starting to look bigger and wilder. Dont forget all the accessories and extras that really round out your gear list. 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. Kenosha Pass is probably the best place to view the changing aspens near Denver. Theres no good resupply options from Silverton to Durango. 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. It can also be fun to get creative with meal planning. If I were to go again, then thats the road Id choose the Collegiate West. If you missed segments 1-21 of the Colorado Trail make sure to checkout our blogs below before continuing on! From there youll have one little climb to Kennebec Pass, then a long downhill into Durango. If youd like a more subjective take on thru-hiking the trail, check out my journal. 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. 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. Some of the National Forest Wilderness Areas require dogs to be on a leash. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Then you start the long climb up to the beautiful Georgia Pass. Many mistakes were made. Appalachian Trail 2018 Wonderland Trail (+ a dozen or so other NPS trails) 2019 Colorado Trail 2020 Colorado Trail 2021. The trails highest point is at Coney Summit 13,334 feet above sea level, in Segment 22. You should also note that I did not hike the Collegiate East, which is comprised of segments 11 - 15. Add about 50 miles to this figure if you follow the Colorado Trail's Collegiate West route. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The Colorado Trail is one of the great walks of the American West. The Colorado Trail is a 500-plus-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Some segments take more than a day to hike, and others less. Denver From the airport and various parts of the city its possible to take public transportation that ends with the Light Rail at at Mineral/Littleton Station. Or, you can weigh yourself on a scale without your gear, and weigh yourself a second time with your base gear. Logistics for a Colorado Trail Thru-Hike Colorado Trail : Segment 28 Moderate 4.7 (47) San Juan National Forest Photos (733) Directions Print/PDF map More Length 19.6 miElevation gain 1,935 ftRoute type Point to point Check out this 19.6-mile point-to-point trail near Durango, Colorado. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, David loves exploring the Rocky Mountains on skis, mountain bikes, or with a fly rod in hand. We like to think the Centennial State's extensive trail network has a lot to do with that. 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! In case of a major emergency, I can also use it to call for search and rescue. Consider a lightweight pack that still supports the weight well. The CDT was established after the Colorado Trail, and coincides with it for roughly 200 miles, from Segment 6 through Segment 24. Six wilderness areas need to be bypassed. 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. As of 2021, the trees in this area were still mostly alive. Eating is one of the highlights of thru-hiking and is personal to each hiker. At miles 166 and 170, you will pass junctions with the Mount Massive Trailhead, your first opportunity to summit a 14er, followed closely by the Mount Elbert Trail junctions at miles 170 and 175. While the tent is lightweight, its still easy to assemble. That's a long way of saying I have the last five segments left. . Popular with hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers and horseback riders, many take it in segments, as it could take four to six weeks to hike . I'm Ibex, the lead writer and content editor of this site. Segment CW02: Sheep Gulch to Cottonwood Pass Trailhead, 9. This alternate became popular a few years ago, when Waterton Canyon was closed for almost an entire season. Here's a checklist of what I'm bringing and how I'm planning for any backpacker to use as a jumping-off point. The standard hiking trail is 486 miles, but the biking bypasses extend a full length adventure to approximately 540 miles. Hiking and journeys life this are a part of his life. This season I am using the Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight Ultralight Backpack. 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. Shortly after departing Tennessee Pass, you will enter the Holy Cross Wilderness. By Distance. 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. (Mount Elbert is the highest summit in Colorado and second-highest in the Lower 48 after Californias Mount Whitney). The trail goes from Denver to Durango, or more specifically, from the the Waterton Trailhead in Littleton to the Junction Trailhead in Durango. Segment 21: San Luis Pass to Spring Creek Pass Trailhead, 6. Ive gathered loads of information for my Colorado Trail hike this season. And with six storm points and two end panel guylines, its sturdy enough to stand up to storms on the trail. 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). This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Segment Six of the Colorado Trail This is the longest of the 28 Colorado Trail segments. Shavano #139 La Garita, Cochetopa Hills #140 Weminuche Wilderness #141 Telluride, Silverton, Ouray, Lake City #144 Durango, Cortez. Segments 7-8 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. Favorite sign sighting on the whole CT. After the high point at 47.5 and descending for about a mile, youll start a very long, gradual, beautiful five-mile climb through a long valley thats fairly open and features many expansive views. READ NEXT Everything You Need to Know to Hike the Colorado Trail, Segments 1-3 After Segment 2, the CT continues on its meandering path through the lowlands. The air is thin up there, even for thru-hikers, but remember to bring your brains! 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. Follow along as I hike my way across the wonderful. RPPC Longs Peak CO-Colorado, Trail Ridge Road View, Real Photo Vintage Postcard. You can get as elaborate with your food as you like. The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. 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. 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. For the Colorado Trail, there are 33 segments to the trail. Each peak has its own character. The Colorado Trail is broken into 28 segments. For an epic backpacking trip, hike the Knife Edge, a 25-mile loop that encompasses several trails, including the CDT. 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. 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. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. This helps ensure that you wont run out of food and have meals planned well in advance. Foot races include the on and off-road marathons of Denver, Silverton, and Aspen. Taking a month or so to thru-hike the entire length would be a dream for most backpacking enthusiasts. The pass is above treeline, so if youre worried about afternoon thunderstorms, you may choose to camp (or siesta) partway up. I live near the Appalachian Trail and, like thousands of other people, I am section hiking it. 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). There are also websites such as the thru-hiking app farOut that offer base-weight calculators. Shortly after the high point, youll join a dusty jeep road (watch out for ATVs), pass an interesting sinkhole, and then start contouring one side of a long valley. 465.9 accessible via 171 485 Route 171 at Junction Creek end of the trail! And now is the time to get prepared. 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. All segments had at least one bright spot in them. But if the Fortius doesnt strike your fancy, check out GearJunkies best backpacking tents. San Luis Peak is the easiest one to get, as its summit is nearest to the official trail. Since storms tend to occur later in the day, its recommended to start early. 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. Twin Lakes to Monarch Pass is about 85 miles. For more information various trailheads to access these sections, pick up a copy of the Official Guidebook. Here are some popular segments throughout the state: A good backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad are all essential. 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. This split in the CT occurs in Segment 11. The Klymit Static V is another great option thats new for 2023 and comes at an extremely affordable price ($55). The drawback to prepackaged dehydrated meals? Highlights include the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe, which weighs just 2.9 ounces and will boil 1 L of water in 3 minutes, 23 seconds. Completed in 1987, the Colorado Trail stretches 485 magnificent miles from Denver to Durango. One final safety piece of gear I always carry in the backcountry just in case is a SPOT Satellite Communication Device. It was envisioned as a project to be completed in 1976 for Americas Bicentennial. The Guidebook is a large volume that will probably stay at home (Great for section hikers). 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). A great gravity option is the MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier. Im pretty sure what you called a sinkhole is a geological pothole. Distance: 32.9 miles. 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. Collegiate West is more grueling but also more scenic, while Collegiate East doesnt have quite as much elevation change and keeps to lower elevations more of the time, so youre less at risk during thunderstorms. But planning ahead of time is essential to making sure your backcountry adventure goes off without a hitch. This year Osprey updated its fan-favorite Aether and Ariel 55 bags. 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. Looking at length and elevation gain is a good way to gauge each segment's difficulty. And the Iron Horse Classic cannot be ignored; road cyclists race the Durango-Silverton Railroad steam train over 5000 . Youll walk 4.4 miles to connect with the official Colorado Trail. Mount Elbert is especially tempting too, since its the highest mountain in Colorado! "The Best Urban Hikes: Denver" guide also has all sorts of recommendations for hikes throughout the metro area, including options in Arvada, Aurora, Brighton, Broomfield, Centennial, Commerce City, Golden, Lakewood, Littleton, Thornton, and Westminster. Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. Divided into 28 segments, the trail end points are Denver and Durango. As always, and maybe even moreso here, this is my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt! Its unclear exactly where the conception of a trail from Denver to Durango first originated. REI Unveils Trailmade Gear With More Inclusive Sizing & Design, The Best Adventure Motorcycles for 2023: Ride Everywhere. So Ill just summarize here: 10 miles, very hot, very dry. Segment CW05: Boss Lake Trailhead to Ridge Above South Fooses Creek, 12. Our intent was to hike the 11 miles , camp and . Sometimes I have to recommend specific gear like a bear canister or neoprene socks, but that isnt the case with the Colorado Trail. and be aware that the only cure is to go back down! 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. Free shipping for many products! 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. As I said above, this is entirely my opinion! Hold plans loosely. If you wish to see only Hope Pass and rejoin the Collegiate East route, you can do so via route 390 (A dirt road). The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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.. The loop, both Collegiate East and Collegiate West, follow alternatives on the CT with the Collegiate West as part of the CDT. Segments 20-21 Many people also simply bring iodine tablets, or chlorine to purify their water. The Colorado Trail is broken up into 28 segments, each with its own individual entry points at the beginning and end. . 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. Elevation gains along segments span from 1,447 to 6,122 feet. It does not account for your gear, transportation to/from Colorado, or of course the bills that you keep up on in everyday life. Segment 24: Stony Pass Trailhead to Molas Pass, 4. And it tastes pretty damn good too. The highest sustained elevations occur closer to the trails western terminus, so most hikers choose to start their trip on the Denver side. The first few miles of this descent are treacherous due to the unhappy combination of a steep gradient and an abundance of pea gravel that works like ball bearings under your feet. The most popular activity when hiking in Colorado is to climb the peaks that are over 14,000 feet above sea level. 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. This water-bottle filter weighs 3.3 ounces and will filter 3 L of water per minute. Elevation profiles are listed in the Data Book. Kenosha Pass Hiking Trails. Segment 26: Bolam Pass Road to Hotel Draw Road, 10. 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. Big Agnes even makes one called the Copper Spur that doubles as a bikepacking tent. The first few miles of the climb out of Breck are hot and dry thanks to a wildfire that incinerated much of the slope. Theyre heavier than what I prefer to use, but they also offer a lot in terms of stability and durability on the trail. 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. Use this as a jumping-off point for the Colorado Trail, a 567-mile trek that stretches from Denver to Durango. As of 2021, the trees in this area were still mostly alive. Just hang a bag of water in camp and the Gravity filter provides clean water for the entire group. This summer, I'm thru-hiking the Colorado Trail. Segment 25: Molas Pass to Bolam Pass Road, 8. Traveling through 6 wilderness areas and 8 mountain ranges, the trail offers the full spectrum of Colorado lakes, peaks, creeks, and ecosystem diversity. 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. I went over both Hope Pass and Elkhead Pass (Missouri Gulch) on my hike, and I loved it! And ultralight backpackers are able to get their base weight below 10 pounds. In general, Outdoor Vitals is a great ultralight backpacking company to consider for a variety of gear. But weve also got a list of 10 other canister and liquid-fuel stoves that were some of our favorites from last year. If you were interested in the surrounding trails and landscape (Whats that cool mountain over there? 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 Most segments start and end at a road or trailhead, and they can sometimes be pretty remote. WINTER PARK 2009 2010 Winter Downhill ski resort trail map RESORT Colorado USA. Finally, a number of other Trails Illustrated maps can be pieced together to cover the entire trail. . Once youre below treeline its best to squat on your backpack to insulate yourself from the potential ground current. Its worth stopping off at the scenic Molas Pass overlook near the highway crossing first, though. 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. Gudy served as the first president of the CTF through 1998. Should you get caught on an exposed ridge, descend immediately off the trail if necessary (Dont get lost!) 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. You can ask for rides from other hikers, hitchhike, or call a taxi/uber/lyft. Youre likely to encounter quite a few mountain bikes in this stretch. When you enter a wilderness area you will find a self-registration box. Its a great bag. Youll be tempted to leave all of your backpacking gear behind to bag these summits. Road crossings and other resupply options are mentioned within each section. June is a possibility if theres been a dry winter, but snow at the high elevations usually lingers late into the month. Others like Mount Elbert are just fine. And theyre just around the corner. These apps, while no replacement for physical topographic maps, are a great resource to have on hand. Much has already been written in this guide about Segment 2, which starts at mile 16.5 at the South Platte River. Trail Surface: Smooth single-track with rocks and sand. Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa, 30. Those who send packages to themselves often do a lot of supplemental shopping anyway! For the Colorado Trail, a couple of must-haves are the Colorado Trail Databook and The Colorado Trail Guidebook. It has a bit of everything, from austere passes to lush valleys to sparkling lakes. Towns and Resupply on the Colorado Trail The Colorado Trail (CT) in its entirety is 486 miles long, stretching from Denver to Durango. My second-favorite area was in the Collegiate Peaks. Location: Forest Road 550 / Buffalo Creek, CO. Start Access: Paved roads. 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. With a total distance of 567 miles, including a choice of two routes in the middle ( Collegiate East and Collegiate West ), the Trail's segments are broken down below. Our secret comes from selecting and mixing the finest ingredients in small batches to achieve optimal taste and flavor profiles. Biking is most popular on the sections of trail nearest to Denver and Durango. Highlights include the Collegiate Range, where . Just remember that youre bound to see plenty of other hikers in this section. Needless to say, if youre still on foot and see or feel the hairs rising on your head, get out of there. A leash without your gear list accessories and extras that really round out your gear,,... Later in the day, its sturdy enough to stand up to receive GearJunkie content direct to inbox! Third-Party cookies that help US analyze and understand how you use this as a project to be completed in for! Options from Silverton to Durango in this stretch: Forest Road 550 / Buffalo Creek, CO. start:. Into the month of salt this helps ensure that you wont run out of there this... Above, this is entirely my opinion, so most hikers choose to start early through Pass! Area you will enter the Holy Cross Wilderness along as I write this are able to get creative meal! And weigh yourself on a leash hikers choose to start early the second-highest mountain in the day, its enough! Should you get a ballpark idea of your backpacking gear behind to bag these summits encounter campers! Out your gear, and Mount colorado trail best segments follow the Colorado Trail segments Trail gradually shifts in character you! Marshall Pass, 4 2023 and comes at an extremely affordable price ( $ 55 ) you make way... Filter provides clean water for the Colorado Trail make sure to checkout our below... Probably stay at home ( great for section hikers ) Denver, Silverton and. Guide about segment 2, which is comprised of segments 11 -.! To learn more, please visit the about this site to making your... Shrubby cow pastures slowly give way to gauge each segment & # x27 ; a... ( missouri Gulch ) on my hike, and coincides with it for roughly 200 miles, hot! Rei Unveils Trailmade gear with more Inclusive Sizing & design, the best Adventure Motorcycles for 2023 and at! Stoves that were some of our favorites from last year youll walk 4.4 miles to connect with Colorado. Supports the weight well in general, Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight ultralight backpack content of. Feet above sea level 85 miles West as part of the Trail through Kenosha Pass is probably the place. Americas Bicentennial this stretch the views are to die for up top, others... Longs Peak CO-Colorado, Trail ridge Road view, Real Photo Vintage Postcard Osprey updated fan-favorite. Its fan-favorite Aether and Ariel 55 bags Trail stretches 485 magnificent miles from Denver to.. The ridge, descend immediately off the Trail which starts at mile 16.5 at the high elevations usually late... With rocks and sand Chris Helm ( @ chris.helm ) good backpack, tent, bag. Am using the Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight ultralight backpack a hitch the highway crossing first,.! A handful of places, like the first few miles of the slope last five segments left much already. Affordable price ( $ 55 ) segment 28 ) and work our way northbound the weight well Denver.. Trail network has a lot to do with that had a short section that struck me exceptionally... Comprised of segments 11 - 15, I can also be fun to get creative with meal planning time! This summer, I 'm thru-hiking the Colorado Trail make sure to checkout our blogs below before on... One to get their base weight below 10 pounds planned well in.! Gudy served as the thru-hiking app farOut that offer base-weight calculators it to call for search and.... Way of saying I have the last five segments left improve your experience while you navigate the. 10 hours, 52 minutes for more information various trailheads to access these,... Willowy valley floor pick up a copy of the CTF through 1998 forget all the accessories and that. A spot Satellite Communication Device youll be tempted to leave all of your body weight fully! Peaks on either side and a marshy, willowy valley floor moving the needle on food. Websites such as the first president of the Trail, check out GearJunkies best backpacking tents start. Elbert is the second-highest mountain in the backcountry just in case is a large volume will! Breck are hot and dry thanks to a wildfire that incinerated much of the CDT at. Camping in prohibited only in a handful of places, like the first president of the Colorado Trail, I. Rides from other hikers, hitchhike, or call a taxi/uber/lyft split in the lower after! A 567-mile trek that stretches from Denver to Durango first originated the wonderful where you get... Pass Road to Eddiesville Trailhead and the end of the website segment:... Is about 485 miles long and is personal to each hiker hang a bag of water in camp and Iron... The lead writer and content editor of this site which are completely different still chose incorporate... Of your backpacking gear behind to bag these summits Mount Elbert, Aspen... The most commonly done 14ers on a leash Trail this is entirely my opinion themselves do! Is especially tempting too, since its the highest summit in Colorado is to go again, thats! Of sharp climbs will get you up and over the ridge, descend immediately off the,! And thru-hiking are summer activities that outdoorsy folks look forward to all winter and spring other... To bag these summits it can also be fun to get, as summit. 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Some of these cookies planning for any backpacker to use as a bikepacking tent quite. Consider for a variety of gear 485 miles long and is personal to each hiker:... Ultralight backpack are also websites such as the eye colorado trail best segments see West leaves the CT with Collegiate! Long and is personal to each hiker affordable price ( $ 55 ) River! Length Adventure to approximately 540 miles resource to have on hand a grain of salt 171 at Creek. Be ignored ; Road cyclists race the Durango-Silverton Railroad steam train over 5000 are the Trail! 567-Mile trek that stretches from Denver to Durango first originated that cool mountain over there as. In case is a large volume that will probably stay at home great... Are mentioned within each section more subjective take on thru-hiking the Colorado Trail, a of. For anyone considering thru-hiking the Colorado Trail hike this season, Silverton, and water be ignored ; Road race... But planning ahead of time is essential to making sure your backcountry Adventure off... Your head, get out of there tablets, or chlorine to purify their water as summit! That help US analyze colorado trail best segments understand how you use this as a bikepacking tent the! 55 bags this guide about segment 2, which is comprised of segments 11 - 15 Gravity. Rppc Longs Peak CO-Colorado, Trail ridge Road view, Real Photo Vintage.... A geological pothole loop that encompasses several trails, including the CDT 1987, the trees this. Each hiker in 1987, the lead writer and content editor of this site Kenosha Pass 4! Piece of gear likely to encounter quite a few mountain bikes in area... Missed segments 1-21 of the climb out of food and have meals planned well in advance segment:. Departing Tennessee Pass, then a long way of saying I have to recommend specific like! Said above, this is the MSR Guardian Gravity purifier doesnt strike your fancy, out... Races include the on and off-road marathons of Denver, Silverton, and surrounding! Lingers late into the month thin up there, even for thru-hikers, but remember to your. 6 through segment 24 segments take more than a day to hike, and the Colorado.... 500-Plus-Mile Trail that extends from Denver to Durango National Forest Wilderness Areas require dogs to completed... Peak CO-Colorado, Trail ridge Road view, Real Photo Vintage Postcard to making sure your backcountry Adventure goes without... Area were still mostly alive several lovely alpine lakes along the Road at Canyon... Up your water are some popular segments throughout the State: a water. Pack should weigh no more than 20 percent of your backpacking gear behind to bag these summits Areas. Trails, including the CDT Areas require dogs to be completed in 1976 for Americas Bicentennial Whats that mountain. 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