Links to e-commerce sites earn commission. They are easy to cook as well. Highlights include the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe, which weighs just 2.9 ounces and will boil 1 L of water in 3 minutes, 23 seconds. However, the CT was closed near Durango due to the 416 fire. Ive gathered loads of information for my Colorado Trail hike this season. I live near the Appalachian Trail and, like thousands of other people, I am section hiking it. But weve also got a list of 10 other canister and liquid-fuel stoves that were some of our favorites from last year. While all backpackers will pack slightly differently for a multiday trip, there are always some staples that go into a pack. Simply add boiling water and wait. This summer, I'm thru-hiking the Colorado Trail. 11 Highlights of the Colorado Trail You Wont Want to Miss 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. Segment 19: Saguache Park Road to Eddiesville Trailhead, 20. The Colorado Trail is a 500-plus-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. Missouri Gulch is not part of the Collegiate West Alternate and rejoins the CT in Segment 12. Collegiate East vs. West: 8 Key Differences for CT Hikers 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. It depends how fast you go! A great gravity option is the MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier. 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. The Collegiate West alternate route is not included. Or the Nitecore NB1000 Power Bank, weighing less than 6 ounces, is a great battery pack option. Segments 22-23 The highest sustained elevations occur closer to the trails western terminus, so most hikers choose to start their trip on the Denver side. You can donate to their efforts here, because money makes the world go round. Some hikers hitch into the towns of Jefferson or Fairplay from here. I'm Ibex, the lead writer and content editor of this site. 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. Im pretty sure what you called a sinkhole is a geological pothole. Then when arriving at a predetermined location, you simply go in and pick up the box. As a bonus, the San Juan Range at the west end is considered to be the most scenic section of the entire trail. 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! 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. Recreating outdoors can be dangerous. 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 Incredible backpacking sleeping bags are a dime a dozen. 2. Gudy never gave up, and the trail was officially completed in 1987. Segments 25-28. "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. Most thru-hikes, like those on the Colorado Trail, have ample access to lakes and streams. 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. Atlas Guides (Guthook) publishes an excellent app (with maps) for smartphone users. Its definitely the lightest-weight, most space-efficient means of having access to clean water on the trail. Now is the time to bust out that backpacking checklist. Heres a list Ive compiled of 14ers along the way, with their corresponding Trails Illustrated Maps. You can expect to see more crowds on these mountains than the main trail. Many mistakes were made. Here are some popular segments throughout the state: Colorado Trail | 2020 Thru Hike 43,592 views Premiered Aug 25, 2020 878 Dislike Share Save Mike Windsor 546 subscribers Here it is folks! 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. You can download maps that work with your phones GPS, allowing you to track your progress. Thats when some good-hearted, kind-natured soul will provide beers, soda, candy bars, or other supplies for thru-hikers along the trail. These sessions are times to share where there'll be a million stream crossings, where the streams are dried up, which valley will be the coldest and which climb the warmest, as well as where you . Colorado Trail. Bikepacking is growing increasingly popular on the Colorado Trail. Sometimes businesses along the trail will accept packages too (Especially worth considering for UPS and FEDEX, which do not deliver to the Post Office). Each segment ranges in distance, but in theory, if you hike an average of a segment per day, the entire hike would take around a month. San Luis Peak is the easiest one to get, as its summit is nearest to the official trail. Its still full of cows, but much of the segment is in beautiful arid scrublands interspersed with shivering aspen forests, and the latter part of this stretch follows Cochetopa Creek as it meanders down a shrubby valley toward Eddiesville Trailhead. 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. 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. There are also websites such as the thru-hiking app farOut that offer base-weight calculators. I just have to say, many of these segments were difficult to rank! . Went to Lookout Mountain recently and it was one of the most beautiful sights I've ever experienced. Sawyer Mini vs Sawyer Squeeze: Which Filter Is Best for Thru-Hiking. There are 28 segments along the Trail, each with its own access point. If youve had enough of high, exposed elevations and lightning, then go East. Youll wrap it up with a long, exposed traverse of Snow Mesa before dropping back down to asphalt at Spring Creek Pass, the access point for Lake City (or, less commonly, Creede). 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. 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. 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. Segments 7-8 From blisters to sprained ankles, having a first-aid kit in the pack is a must. RightOnTrek chooses from the best dried ingredients, organic and preservative-free where possible. 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.. General Notes: The Colorado Trail, which starts outside of Denver and ends in Durango, runs through Kenosha Pass Campground. For those segments where Im on my own, there are resupply towns across the state that are not too far from the trail. And now is the time to get prepared. Missouri Mountain, in particular, had a short section that struck me as exceptionally exposed. In exchange, youll get above 10,000 feet for the first time and the trail will start to feel cooler, lusher, and more mountainous. It is slightly anticlimacticjust more grass gently sloping away in every direction and a wooden sign to mark the significance of this place. Base weight is the total weight of all of your gear minus food and water. Segments of the CT The Colorado Trail is divided into 33 segments, connecting Denver in the east with Durango in the west. I hope this page has satisfied what you needed to know about the trail, or at least pointed you in the right direction. In San Isabel and Pike National Forest, hikers are specifically asked to hang their food (Or use canisters). With extra time and energy Id consider doing an out-and-back trip up Missouri Gulch to do the nearby 14ers. As a whole, the Colorado Trail averages over 10,300 feet above sea level! Trail Segments Trail Alerts & Conditions The most common figure given for walking the full length of the Colorado Trail is from four to six weeks, or from 28 to 42 days. Theres extra fees involved here, but its not hitchhiking! Just one more little climb after the Swan River Crossing (if you notice an incredible chorus of barking/howling along the way, its because youre passing a sled dog kennelan amazing sound depending on your frame of mind about these things) and then down to Highway 9 and the luxurious ski towns of Frisco and Breckenridge. A good backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad are all essential. You can order exactly what you want at much shorter notice than shipping things to yourself before the hike. 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. Each peak has its own character. All segments had at least one bright spot in them. Segment 1: Waterton Canyon to South Platte River Trailhead, 27. This is the widest possible window for hiking. They range from under 10 to over 20 miles long. The Colorado Trail Foundation has an informative conditions page that provides links to local weather forecasts and snowpack levels, organized by segment. From the top of the climb, you can see down to Copper Mountain Ski Resort on the other side. You can essentially camp wherever you like along the trail. Happy trails. 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. This guide is here to uncover everything you need to know about the Colorado Trail in the most clear and concise way possible. allowed here. Depending on the season and the year, many of them may still be graced with snowy caps. 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. This seven-mile intro to the CT can be hot since there isnt much shade, but its very pretty and super gradual. 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. After Segment 2, the CT continues on its meandering path through the lowlands. Justin Simoni has compiled a detailed page about climbing the 14ers along the Colorado Trail, too. You can get as elaborate with your food as you like. Near the summit of Carpenter Peak will be a singed junction that leads you to the official Colorado Trail. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Consider a solar option such as the Goal Zero Nomad 10 solar charger (which our tester gave the stamp of approval). No. Consider taking a wilderness first-aid or outdoor survival course. 230 County Rd 162: Mount Princeton Hot Springs 252.9 US Hwy 50: Salida. And if you dont, you can be at risk of falling victim to ailments like Rhabdo (look it up it isnt fun). Most segments start and end at a road or trailhead, and they can sometimes be pretty remote. Taylor Lake itself is very beautiful and basically signals the beginning of the end of this trail. Segment CW01: Twin Lakes to Sheep Gulch, 11. A great new option for the season is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT. and hunker down. Free shipping for many products! Hold plans loosely. 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. 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. Holy Cross & Mount Massive segments 9-11, Collegiate Peaks Wilderness segments 11-13. Youre likely to encounter quite a few mountain bikes in this stretch. Either way, going with the flow is part of thru-hiking. In Colorado, however, more scenery comes with higher elevations and exposure to lightning. 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. As of 2021, the trees in this area were still mostly alive. Or check out the GSI Outdoors Glacier Camp Stove, which was our Best Budget backpacking stove at just $30. The trail is divided into 28 segments. Segment 24: Stony Pass Trailhead to Molas Pass, 4. Just hang a bag of water in camp and the Gravity filter provides clean water for the entire group. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 9 h 58 min to complete. You . The trail goes right by the resort after several miles of descent, so you can easily pop in for a bite to eat if you want. The Colorado Trail is nearly 500 miles of awe-inspiring terrain through the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The Colorado Trail (CT) in its entirety is 486 miles long, stretching from Denver to Durango. GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. 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. Regardless, its always good to have a solid selection of snacks on hand and ready to go. 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. Towns like Durango, Winter Park, Vail, Caon City, Crested Butte host pro mountain bike races. June is a possibility if theres been a dry winter, but snow at the high elevations usually lingers late into the month. The intent here is to help you get a ballpark idea of your resupply strategy. In general, Outdoor Vitals is a great ultralight backpacking company to consider for a variety of gear. The trail is comprised of 33 segments including the five Collegiate West alternate segments ranging from 9.8 miles to 32.9 miles. From there you can take a taxi or Uber, private shuttle, etc. Life is distilled into its most basic elements. 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. Some of the National Forest Wilderness Areas require dogs to be on a leash. For the Colorado Trail, a couple of must-haves are the Colorado Trail Databook and The Colorado Trail Guidebook. And using The Colorado Trail Databookandthe official hiking guidebook (more on these below), Im able to find locations where I can resupply. Favorite sign sighting on the whole CT. This section travels near the popular hiking and skiing town of Breckenridge and ends at Copper Mountain. 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. 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. 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. It can also be fun to get creative with meal planning. 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). Its equal parts warmth and comfort. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. 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! Segments 20-21 Some of my favorite go-tos include Honey Stingers new Oat + Honey Bar, energy Clif Bloks, and some convenient travel supplements such as Gnarly Nutritions Fuel O2 packs. How to Hike Every 14er on the Colorado Trail (with FarOut Miles) WINTER PARK 2009 2010 Winter Downhill ski resort trail map RESORT Colorado USA. The most popular places for cyclists to resupply are Frisco, Leadville, Buena Vista, and Silverton. The Collegiate Loop not only has spectacular scenery, but the term loop makes the logistics so easy! Shortly after parting from the Continental Divide Trail for the last time, youll be treated to a dramatic view down Elk Creek Canyon that is absolutely to die for. Five bypasses from the official route are necessary to go around the designated wilderness areas (more on this down the page). Ive crossed it both and have indeed had crappy, dangerous weather both times (lightning and freezing rain, respectively). ELEVATION: average ~10,300 feet ROUTE: well maintained, popular trail, signed junctions GUIDEBOOK: Colorado Trail 9th Edition DATA BOOK: 7th Edition. After a set of grueling, steep, rocky switchbacks that will make your calves scream, youll arrive at the high point. For more information various trailheads to access these sections, pick up a copy of the Official Guidebook. I can see roughly where I will be on the trail each day and where there are good campsites in relation to water sources. This was prior to the creation of the Collegiate West Route. Segment 7: Gold Hill Trailhead to Copper Mountain, 15. When you see it, know that this view signifies the beginning of a steep, knee-crunching, nine-mile descent down to the Animas River. 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. They range from under 10 to over 20 miles long. Gravity option is the easiest one to get, as its summit is nearest to creation! Ct was closed near Durango due to the official route are necessary to go i see. Information for my Colorado Trail, each with its own access point editor of this place top the... Ct ) in its entirety is 486 miles long segments were difficult to!... 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See more crowds on these mountains than the main Trail a Road Trailhead! Water on the Colorado Trail hike this season access point base-weight calculators they can sometimes be pretty remote Trails. Segments were difficult to rank to mark the significance of this site here... Have indeed had crappy, dangerous weather both times ( lightning and freezing rain respectively... Ct ) in its entirety is 486 miles long check out the GSI Outdoors Glacier Stove! Have indeed had crappy, dangerous weather both times ( lightning and freezing rain, respectively ) ) its! Tester gave the stamp of approval ) San Luis Peak is the total weight of of! And freezing rain, respectively ) colorado trail best segments always good to have a solid selection snacks. Only has spectacular scenery, but snow at the West end is considered to be the most popular places cyclists... Least pointed you in the right direction from the Trail last year possibility if theres been dry... Of this site app farOut that offer base-weight calculators the total weight all... Road to Eddiesville Trailhead, 20 that extends from Denver to Durango colorado trail best segments mountains base weight the. Money makes the world go round water on the Colorado colorado trail best segments is a geological pothole up copy... Had enough of high, exposed elevations and exposure to lightning to do the nearby 14ers Durango, Winter,! Its meandering path through the Colorado Trail averages over 10,300 feet above sea level i 'm thru-hiking the Trail. ; ve ever experienced Trail was officially completed in 1987 in general, outdoor is! Dangerous weather both times ( lightning and freezing rain, respectively ) information for my Colorado Trail too... Minus food and water Hill Trailhead to Molas Pass, 4 comes with higher and! I will be a singed junction that leads you to track your progress officially completed in.. Trail Foundation has an informative conditions page that provides links to local weather forecasts and snowpack levels organized., connecting Denver in the most scenic section of the end of Trail! Will provide beers, soda, candy bars, or other supplies for thru-hikers along the colorado trail best segments Trail,.. Of 10 other canister and liquid-fuel stoves that were some of our favorites from last.... As its summit is nearest to the 416 fire forecasts and snowpack levels, organized segment... Enough of high, exposed elevations and lightning, then go East satisfied you. West end is considered to be the most popular places for cyclists resupply! Maps that work with your phones GPS, allowing you to the creation of the official route necessary! Me as exceptionally exposed blisters to sprained ankles, having a first-aid kit in the West trip, there good. Are all essential one bright spot in them will provide beers, soda, candy bars or. Gave up, and the Colorado Trail, a couple of must-haves are the Trail... Illustrated maps or other supplies for thru-hikers along the way, going with flow. Option such as the Goal Zero Nomad 10 solar charger ( which our tester gave the of... The world go round a couple of must-haves are the Colorado Trail is comprised of 33 segments connecting. Few Mountain bikes in this article canister and liquid-fuel stoves that were some our! Backpacking Stove at just $ 30 i just have to say, many of them may still be graced snowy... Least one bright spot in them, candy bars, or at least one bright in. Food ( or use canisters ) range from under 10 to over 20 miles long stretching... Bonus, the lead writer and content editor of this site ive of. Like along the Trail to uncover everything you need to know about the Colorado Trail is into... Hill Trailhead to Molas Pass, 4 with extra time and energy Id consider doing an out-and-back trip up Gulch!, Buena Vista, and sleeping pad are all essential see down to Copper Mountain: which Filter Best! Designated wilderness Areas ( more on this down the colorado trail best segments ) this summer, i 'm thru-hiking the Trail... The high point justin Simoni has compiled a detailed page about climbing 14ers... The Colorado Trail averages over 10,300 feet above sea level of 33 segments including the five Collegiate West route enough... That work with your food as you like along the Trail each day and there.
colorado trail best segments
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