Colorado Trail Segments 2-10 An eight-day, 160-mile through-hike into the wilderness alone First step: go into the wilderness alone. It appears to be formed in solid rock. It just takes one big storm, wildfire, or injury to derail the best-laid plans. Eventually the official trail was re-routed to the east, but several hikers still chose to incorporate Hope Pass into a thru-hike. Segment 17: Sargents Mesa to CO Hwy 114. 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. The hiking community is a very friendly group and is always willing to help out newbies or even experienced hikers looking for some insight. Taking a month or so to thru-hike the entire length would be a dream for most backpacking enthusiasts. Hiking just one 14er offers an unparalleled experience, with views that arent found along the official trail. I went over both Hope Pass and Elkhead Pass (Missouri Gulch) on my hike, and I loved it! Segments 9-11 OR you can continue to Missouri Gulch, a great option to bag some fourteeners. Colorados Little Alaska: Cameron Pass Is a Hidden Gem for Backcountry Skiers, No Money, No Problem: Watch onX Ambassadors Build and Run Budget Off-Road Rigs, Digital Coaching, Dynamic Resistance: Tonal Is the Fitness Gimmick I Wanted to Hate but Didnt, Salomon Prototypers Find Gold Mine in Trash, Build Snowboards From Scraps. Segment 24 For any long-distance thru-hike, such as the Colorado Trail, planning a route and resupply points is key. Each peak has its own character. allowed here. The campsite is adjacent to a dirt road and you may encounter car campers on summer weekends: consider yourself warned. 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. June is a possibility if theres been a dry winter, but snow at the high elevations usually lingers late into the month. We like to think the Centennial State's extensive trail network has a lot to do with that. Or not. Free shipping for many products! Why not? I weigh 250 pounds, so my pack fully loaded should never be more than 50 pounds. 357.8 Hwy 149: Lake City, Creede 411.1 US Hwy 550: Silverton. No. The drawback to prepackaged dehydrated meals? I have not hiked the official Collegiate West route, but I recommend it based on my experience through Hope Pass and Missouri Gulch. Collegiate East is 78 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~17,800 feet. Traversing nearly 500 mountainous miles between Denver, CO and Durango, CO, the trail takes in some of its namesake state's best scenery, most remote wilderness, and authentic mountain towns. This is the widest possible window for hiking. The race is held each year in early July. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Colorado Trail Packing List You should try and go as light as possible. Breaking Down | Segments 18-21 Resupply on the Colorado Trail GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. The CDT was established after the Colorado Trail, and coincides with it for roughly 200 miles, from Segment 6 through Segment 24. 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. Just before getting to Taylor Lake, youll cross Indian Trail Ridge, a long, knife-edge spine of rock thats well above treeline and is notorious for bad weather. More flag On Ute, Cheyenne & Pueblos Land Distance 539 Mi. Segments 7-8 These were our experiences from segments twenty-one through twenty-four of the Colorado Trail. Georgia Pass was really the first time I felt like I was hiking in the Rocky Mountains on this trail. Start planning your trip! The pocket map is worth mentioning, but only because it exists. Gudy served as the first president of the CTF through 1998. 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 Colorado Trail is broken up into 28 segments, each with its own individual entry points at the beginning and end. 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. Eighteen made it onto our 2023 Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags roundup. 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. and be aware that the only cure is to go back down! Because of heavy winter snow along the the trail, hiking season is only from late June through early October. Youll connect with the CT near Strontia Springs Dam. Its definitely the lightest-weight, most space-efficient means of having access to clean water on the trail. Thanks for your support! Theres a beautiful campsite there, but bear activity has been on the rise in the area due to food trash left out by hikers in the past. Now is the time to bust out that backpacking checklist. 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). Peanut butter is one of my must-haves on any thru-hike. The CDT, alongside the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail make up the triple crown of hiking. There was already talk of creating a Rocky Mountain Trail among the Colorado Mountain Club when Bill Lucas spurred the initial push to make it a reality in 1970. Throughout the dry stretch leading up to Kenosha, youll pop in and out of cow pastures that afford nice views of the surroundings. Ive crossed it both and have indeed had crappy, dangerous weather both times (lightning and freezing rain, respectively). You can get as elaborate with your food as you like. 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. A busy highway goes through Kenosha Pass, and theres a campground there where you can fill up your water. It traverses eight mountain ranges, six wilderness areas and stays above 10,000' for the majority of the trail. If youd like a more subjective take on thru-hiking the trail, check out my journal. By signing up for email newsletters, you agree to GearJunkie's, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). Durango Its only about 4 miles from the end of the trail to downtown Durango. The trail is divided into 28 segments. 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 Segment 9: Tennessee Pass to Timberline Lake Trailhead, 19. Youll walk 4.4 miles to connect with the official Colorado Trail. Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa, 30. Long downhill on the other side of the pass to a lovely, large horse camp on the banks of the Swan River. The Colorado Trail Foundation has an informative conditions page that provides links to local weather forecasts and snowpack levels, organized by segment. Thats when some good-hearted, kind-natured soul will provide beers, soda, candy bars, or other supplies for thru-hikers along the trail. The Colorado Trail (CT) in its entirety is 486 miles long, stretching from Denver to Durango. Segment CW02: Sheep Gulch to Cottonwood Pass Trailhead, 9. Once youre below treeline its best to squat on your backpack to insulate yourself from the potential ground current. Colorado gets frequent afternoon thunderstorms in July and early August. Hammock vs. Tent for an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike, Backpacker Radio #195 | Jack "Quadzilla" Jones 2.0: the Calendar Year Triple Crown and Handling Isolationism, How To Seam Seal Your Tent: Step-by-Step Guide. Segment 19: Saguache Park Road to Eddiesville Trailhead, 20. Consider taking a wilderness first-aid or outdoor survival course. So thru-hikers have a choice to make when they arrive at the Collegiate Loop: The Collegiate West alternate is reputedly more scenic than the original trail (Now often dubbed Collegiate East). Some hikers meticulously plan out each meal and have a separate food bag for every day. Theres only one small section at Waterton Canyon where dogs are not allowed. Youll have prime wildflower-viewing opportunities as you make your way up a tough climb to Elk Ridge and Kokomo Pass and then down the other side to Camp Hale, a WWII-era Army training camp that is now retired. Section (segment) hiking is a great way to see the trail and being able to do the trail a weekend, week or more at a time. Appalachian Trail 2018 Wonderland Trail (+ a dozen or so other NPS trails) 2019 Colorado Trail 2020 Colorado Trail 2021. Segment 5 is 14.6 miles long with 1,858 feet of elevation gain. The forest becomes very aspen-dominant around Elbert, meaning shade will be on the sparse side. Or, if Im truly ready to enter the 21st century like a modern thru-hiker, Id ditch all that and simply use the Guthook App and Pmags resupply info. That equals 13% of the total distance. 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. The trail is mostly forested in this section. These days there are lots of great backpacking stove options. Segments 25-28. Car camping is a far cry from backpacking because you dont have to carry all your gear on your back. Mt. Obviously there can be a lot of variation here, but it generally costs about $1,000 per month (Or $250/week) to do a thru-hike. Although Collegiate East is the official route of the CT, both paths are accepted by the Colorado Trail Foundation as part of a CT thru-hike. So Ill just summarize here: 10 miles, very hot, very dry. Either way, youll pop out of the Collegiates at Highway 50 some 75 miles later and most likely hitch down to Poncha Springs or Salida to resupply. Base weight is the total weight of all of your gear minus food and water. The views are to die for up top, and the surrounding peaks are indeed starting to look bigger and wilder. Use this as a jumping-off point for the Colorado Trail, a 567-mile trek that stretches from Denver to Durango. And theyre just around the corner. Some of the National Forest Wilderness Areas require dogs to be on a leash. For more information various trailheads to access these sections, pick up a copy of the Official Guidebook. When you see it, know that this view signifies the beginning of a steep, knee-crunching, nine-mile descent down to the Animas River. Spotted just before Eddiesville Trailhead and the end of Seg 19. The best way to mitigate lightning danger is to avoid traveling at high elevations above treeline during the time of day most likely to generate powerful storms (roughly 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.). If youre hiking with a partner, create some distance from each other to decrease the likelihood of both of you getting zapped by a single strike. 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. Alllllll the food. The CDT is by far the most rugged of the three . Twin Lakes to Monarch Pass is about 85 miles. And it tastes pretty damn good too. With a communication device such as this, Im able to check in and text with family on the trail even if theres no cell service. All but six miles of the trail are dog friendly, and pack animals are allowed along the entire length. Theres a seven-mile dry stretch from mile 64 to Kenosha Pass and the start of Segment 6, and the last two sources before starting that stretch are both significantly cow-affected. There have been a few rare reports of bears raiding food, but basic measures like hanging a Ursack bag are great. In various rankings, Colorado has been deemed the No. 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 . So, I decided to create this ranked list of the segments, from best to worst. The highest sustained elevations occur closer to the trails western terminus, so most hikers choose to start their trip on the Denver side. 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! Its hard to consume as many calories as you burn when you are walking 10-20 miles a day. Links to e-commerce sites earn commission. Her answer was, I didnt.. Either way, there are a ton of lightweight backpacking tent options out there that will work great. You can hitch into the charming town of Leadville pretty easily from here. Shavano #139 La Garita, Cochetopa Hills #140 Weminuche Wilderness #141 Telluride, Silverton, Ouray, Lake City #144 Durango, Cortez. The Colorado Trail Foundation even offers a CT Shuttlers List of people willing to provide transportation on the trail to hikers. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, David loves exploring the Rocky Mountains on skis, mountain bikes, or with a fly rod in hand. The Colorado Trail is a long-distance trail running for 486 miles (782 km) from the mouth of Waterton Canyon southwest of Denver to Durango in Colorado, United States. Consult your backpacking checklist, organize and check your gear, start thinking about your itinerary, and set yourself up for success on the trail whether its the Colorado Trail or any other. Your total pack should weigh no more than 20 percent of your body weight when fully loaded with gear, food, and water. Segment 15: US Hwy 50 to Marshall Pass, 29. You . After going over Blackhawk Pass, be sure to fill up at Straight Creek as there isnt much water between there and Taylor Lake 21 miles south. 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. After Waterton, youll dip into scrubby trees and enjoy cooler temperatures and more abundant water for the next few miles. General Notes: The Colorado Trail, which starts outside of Denver and ends in Durango, runs through Kenosha Pass Campground. (867 KM) Days 13 % Unpaved 80% % Singletrack 55% % Rideable (time) 92% Total Ascent 72,500' (22,098 M) High Point 13,270' (4,045 M) Difficulty (1-10) 9? Theyre heavier than what I prefer to use, but they also offer a lot in terms of stability and durability on the trail. Segment 25: Molas Pass to Bolam Pass Road, 8. Then when arriving at a predetermined location, you simply go in and pick up the box. Segment Six of the Colorado Trail This is the longest of the 28 Colorado Trail segments. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. This summer, I'm thru-hiking the Colorado Trail. This was prior to the creation of the Collegiate West Route. Segment 27: Hotel Draw Road to Kennebec Trailhead, 3. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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). They are easy to cook as well. I spend three to five weeks out there every summer hiking a segment or two and acting as a . 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. But its particularly useful for anyone considering thru-hiking the Colorado Trail yourself. Sunshine and rainbows and green rolling mountaintops as far as the eye can see. Indian Creek Campground Sedalia on Google Maps will essentially get you there, but youll want to have a copy of this PDF file with precise directions. 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. About a half mile from Roxboroughs Visitor Center youll go up the Carpenter Peak Trail. The Collegiate West alternate route is not included. Those who send packages to themselves often do a lot of supplemental shopping anyway! Then you start the long climb up to the beautiful Georgia Pass. Justin Simoni has compiled a detailed page about climbing the 14ers along the Colorado Trail, too. Dedicating a month of your life to the Trail has its price. 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. Because of this, its super common to see people talking about certain segment numbers online, and the guidebook is written according to them. It shows the trail corridor in great detail with plenty of GPS waypoints, but little else. Fortunately the logistics of traveling to Denver and Durango are fairly simple. If youve had enough of high, exposed elevations and lightning, then go East. San Luis Peak is the easiest one to get, as its summit is nearest to the official trail. Six wilderness areas need to be bypassed. 230 County Rd 162: Mount Princeton Hot Springs 252.9 US Hwy 50: Salida. 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. Eventually, youll find yourself on Jeep roads again as you approach the shores of scenic Celebration Lake. The other key to cooking (and generally to survival) is having purified drinking water at all times. Hold plans loosely. 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. The Colorado Trail is a 500-plus-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. The Data Book shows a number of campsites marked on its maps. Segment CW04: Tincup Pass Road to Boss Lake Trailhead, 17. As a bonus, the San Juan Range at the west end is considered to be the most scenic section of the entire trail. The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. Hiking and journeys life this are a part of his life. 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. When it comes to a good base weight, most backpackers will average around 20-30 pounds. Starting at 10,000 the initial elevation gain on the trails make for easy to moderately strenuous hikes, all depending on how . 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). WINTER PARK 2009 2010 Winter Downhill ski resort trail map RESORT Colorado USA. (purchases through affiliate links earn commission), Copyright 2023 Down The Trail - All Rights Reserved - legal statements - contact. We interviewed last year's crop of thru-hikers (plus Colorado Trail Foundation staff) to find the most spectacular sections. 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. ), you were forced to pick up the following maps, listed in order from Denver to Durango: #135 Deckers Rampart Range #105 Tarryall Mountains, Kenosha Pass #104 Idaho Springs Georgetown Loveland Pass #108 Vail, Frisco, Dillon #109 Breckenridge Tennessee Pass #110 Fairplay, Leadville #127 Aspen, Independence Pass #129 Buena Vista, Collegiate Peaks #130 Salida, St. Elmo, Mt. 1.Segment 23: Carson Saddle to Stony Pass Trailhead, 2. and hunker down. Its over 40,000 words with 1,500 beautiful photos. This is becoming a popular method for experienced thru-hikers who could probably manage without any sort of map at all! Some can be noisy, and some can be untrustworthy or uncomfortable. Here's a checklist of what I'm bringing and how I'm planning for any backpacker to use as a jumping-off point. They have a separate map for that. The Colorado Trail is broken into 28 segments. Depending on the season and the year, many of them may still be graced with snowy caps. Kenosha Pass is probably the best place to view the changing aspens near Denver. If youre looking for an ultralight pack, Id recommend checking out the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest Pack its got a 40L capacity and weighs in at just 1 pound, 14 ounces. From the top of the climb, you can see down to Copper Mountain Ski Resort on the other side. 4-6 miles. For backpacking, I tend to carry an Adventure Medical Kit for Hiking. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Postcard Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado at the best online prices at eBay! Consider a solar option such as the Goal Zero Nomad 10 solar charger (which our tester gave the stamp of approval). While all backpackers will pack slightly differently for a multiday trip, there are always some staples that go into a pack. I, admittedly, didnt do the most in-depth research on the trail beforehand (something Ive found to be pretty common amongst veteran thru-hikers, thankfully), and I really didnt have that much context on the segments and where they were and what was great or not great about them. Towns and Resupply on the Colorado Trail The trail gradually shifts in character as you make your way toward San Luis Pass from Eddiesville Trailhead. Climb up a rocky jeep road from Spring Creek Pass (upon which I had the joy of face-planting in icy mud during a rainstorm not one, but three glorious times) and eventually, youll break out into wide, grassy highlands. It depends how fast you go! The Colorado Trail Foundation was founded in the same year, and still serves as the trails primary steward. Essential Safety Tips for Thru-Hiking the Colorado Trail Youll bounce around in these curious hills for some miles. Its a great bag. Life is distilled into its most basic elements. The intent here is to help you get a ballpark idea of your resupply strategy. 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. Free shipping for many products! 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). Free shipping for many products! CPW issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high priority wildlife . Meals such as Good To-Gos new Breakfast Hash or Thai Curry provide plenty of calories in a light, compact meal. It was envisioned as a project to be completed in 1976 for Americas Bicentennial. This is somewhat of an old school method. Photo via. After Twin Lakes, you have to decide whether to hike Collegiate East or the Collegiate West Alternate. . Susie: My first year on the Trail. This is a long section for rookie thru-hikers. Princeton Hot Springs Resort is between segments 13 & 14, and sits almost exactly in the middle of the CT. My son Justin is on the trail as I write this. 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. 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. Another great resource is apps such as farOut and onX, which allow you to put the entire trail in your pocket. Many mistakes were made. Elevation profiles are listed in the Data Book. Incredible backpacking sleeping bags are a dime a dozen. 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. Most of us mere mortals would probably take something like 15-20 days. The terrain slopes away so gently on either side that you feel like youre hiking in mildly hilly flatlands, rather than in the heart of the Rockies and approaching the Colorado Trails 13,259-foot high point at mile 373. My base weight for my thru-hike is 16.06 pounds. Add about 50 miles to this figure if you follow the Colorado Trail's Collegiate West route. In case of a major emergency, I can also use it to call for search and rescue. After miles of fairly monotonous pasture walking, youre launched back into sensory overload in Segments 20 and 21. 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. 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. As a whole, the Colorado Trail averages over 10,300 feet above sea level! I created a spreadsheet with seven columns: date, starting location, segment number, mileage, elevation gain, campsite location, and resupply. Historically the Colorado Trail went over Hope Pass, which is the most iconic section of the popular Leadville 100 Trail Run. And Ive compiled it so any backpacker planning a big trip can use it as a jumping-off point for a summer trek. A 20-degree sleeping bag and 4 liters of water capacity should get you through the trail just fine. The most popular activity when hiking in Colorado is to climb the peaks that are over 14,000 feet above sea level. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep in the canyon. Companies like RightOnTrek are also moving the needle on backpacking food, toward even tastier, more nutritious meals. Backpacking and thru-hiking are summer activities that outdoorsy folks look forward to all winter and spring. It can also be fun to get creative with meal planning. This is a great stop to break up your first big climb of the CT into more manageable chunks. Youll be tempted to leave all of your backpacking gear behind to bag these summits. Once you get below treeline, the tread stabilizes and its easier to walk. Elbert is the second-highest mountain in the lower 48 states, only 62 feet lower than Mount Whitney in California. The air is thin up there, even for thru-hikers, but remember to bring your brains! Its highest point is 13,271 feet (4,045 m) above sea level, and most of the trail is above 10,000 feet (3,000 m). 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. Segments 9 through 11 are great too, primarily because this is where you can do Mount Elbert and Mount Massive. Sending yourself more timely resupply drops as you go via Amazon Prime or other services. Location: Forest Road 550 / Buffalo Creek, CO. Start Access: Paved roads. Looking at length and elevation gain is a good way to gauge each segment's difficulty. The entire tent weighs less than 2 pounds and packs down into a very small stuff sack taking up almost no room in the pack. This is one the few long-distance trails that allows bikes and provides for the necessary alternate routes when necessary (The Arizona Trail is another one). For the Colorado Trail, there are 33 segments to the trail. How easy it is to join someone along the way on the CT? This way, youre able to help yourself or others on the trail as needed. For more information about specific services and hostels available in towns, check out Pmags guide. . You can also avoid interaction with the majority of thru-hikers starting from Denver, if thats your prerogative. Sometimes you end up hiking faster than planned, and other times, slower. This seven-mile intro to the CT can be hot since there isnt much shade, but its very pretty and super gradual. These are: These bypasses are described in detail (with maps) in the official guidebook. Divided into 28 segments, the trail end points are Denver and Durango. Dont be afraid to turn around. In general, Outdoor Vitals is a great ultralight backpacking company to consider for a variety of gear. 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). Completed in 1987, the Colorado Trail stretches 485 magnificent miles from Denver to Durango. As always, and maybe even moreso here, this is my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt! The i-Force MAX system may put out 340 horsepower and up to 400 lb-ft of torque, which would keep the Tacoma competitive with the new Ford Ranger and Chevolet Colorado on the performance front. 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.
