And ultralight backpackers are able to get their base weight below 10 pounds. My base weight for my thru-hike is 16.06 pounds. One of the best resources for any thru-hike is other hikers who have done the hike before. David Young is the Contributing Writer for Gear Junkie. 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! The Colorado Trail is about 485 miles long and is split up into 28 segments. . A technicolor array of big peaks and crags off in the not-too-far distance clues you in that youre still in the mountains. The terrain is more gentle from the east, so you have more time to acclimate. Theyre typically more expensive and can get old if youre eating them day in and day out. 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. Our intent was to hike the 11 miles , camp and . The Colorado Trail is a 486-mile-long greatest hits collection of the Centennial State's most picturesque scenery, from wildflower-strewn meadows to sky-high rocky ridges, that runs from Denver to Durango. . "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-hikers start from the east end of the trail at Waterton Canyon, on the west end of the greater Denver metro area (Technically Littleton, Colorado). Or, you can weigh yourself on a scale without your gear, and weigh yourself a second time with your base gear. The Guidebook and Data Book also have useful maps tucked away in their pages. 11 Highlights of the Colorado Trail You Wont Want to Miss And if you dont, you can be at risk of falling victim to ailments like Rhabdo (look it up it isnt fun). Walking alone on the Colorado Trail can be pure bliss. His recorded time was 3 days, 19 hours, and 15 minutes, set in 2016. WINTER PARK 2009 2010 Winter Downhill ski resort trail map RESORT Colorado USA. The pocket map is worth mentioning, but only because it exists. The trail alternates between open meadows and lush forests that are teeming with wildflowers and wildlife. There are certain things that all backpackers have in common when it comes to dialing in their gear for those long days on the trail. Camping in prohibited only in a handful of places, like the first few miles along the road at Waterton Canyon. 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). In my experience, the section from Creede to Silverton is the most scenic (Segments 21 through 24). Merrill Hastings, as editor of Colorado Magazine, played a big roll in drumming up early support. Those who send packages to themselves often do a lot of supplemental shopping anyway! The standard hiking trail is 486 miles, but the biking bypasses extend a full length adventure to approximately 540 miles. 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. This is easily bypassed via the Indian Creek trailhead (see above). The Colorado Trail is broken down into 28 Segments. Rather than diving deeply into each individual segment, Im going to break down the main sections of the trail according to my own thru-hiking resupply strategy. 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. This is not the John Muir Trail. Ive crossed it both and have indeed had crappy, dangerous weather both times (lightning and freezing rain, respectively). As of 2021, the trees in this area were still mostly alive. The Colorado Trail is one of the great walks of the American West. Still, if youre like me and manage to go across the high point on a summer afternoon, with impending thunderheads of doom nipping at your heels, it will be dramatic enough regardless. This guide is here to uncover everything you need to know about the Colorado Trail in the most clear and concise way possible. The corresponding Trails Illustrated maps for Hope Pass and Missouri Gulch are #127 and #129. 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. Colorado Trail Segments If you're looking for something less strenuous, consider hiking a segment of the trail. Favorite sign sighting on the whole CT. Add about 50 miles to this figure if you follow the Colorado Trails Collegiate West route. Among these is 14,439-foot Mount Elbert, the tallest peak in Colorado and second-tallest in the continental US after California's Mount Whitney. The Colorado Trail is a 500-plus-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. 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. The drawback to prepackaged dehydrated meals? For any long-distance thru-hike, such as the Colorado Trail, planning a route and resupply points is key. 2. For more information various trailheads to access these sections, pick up a copy of the Official Guidebook. I weigh 250 pounds, so my pack fully loaded should never be more than 50 pounds. You should try and go as light as possible. Just remember that youre bound to see plenty of other hikers in this section. Once youre below treeline its best to squat on your backpack to insulate yourself from the potential ground current. If youre looking for some more advice on backpacking gear, start with my ultimate gear list. Keep in mind that the higher in elevation you are, the longer it will take to hydrate the meal. 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. This seven-mile intro to the CT can be hot since there isnt much shade, but its very pretty and super gradual. 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. . The Sawyer Squeeze and Katadyn BeFree also ranked high on GearJunkies list of Best Backpacking Water Filters. Now is the time to bust out that backpacking checklist. My favorite maps of the CT are published by Trails Illustrated. I hope this page has satisfied what you needed to know about the trail, or at least pointed you in the right direction. Eventually, youll find yourself on Jeep roads again as you approach the shores of scenic Celebration Lake. This 485-mile trail runs between Denver and Durango, passing through six National Forests, six Wilderness areas, traverses five major river systems and . Segment 11: Mount Massive Trailhead to Clear Creek Road, 22. ), 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. Segment 20: Eddiesville Trailhead to San Luis Pass, 16. Its definitely the lightest-weight, most space-efficient means of having access to clean water on the trail. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Many mistakes were made. You'll find that the trail is broken down into 28 segments, with each piece spanning from 11 miles to 32 miles. Highest Elevation: 14,278 ft (Grays Peak CO) Lowest Elevation: 4,200 ft. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, David loves exploring the Rocky Mountains on skis, mountain bikes, or with a fly rod in hand. A great gravity option is the MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier. Because of this, its super common to see people talking about certain segment numbers online, and the guidebook is written according to them. It is slightly anticlimacticjust more grass gently sloping away in every direction and a wooden sign to mark the significance of this place. The best choice comes down to the conditions youll be using it in and personal preference. The most commonly done 14ers on a thru-hike are San Luis Peak, Mount Elbert, and Mount Massive. They're also convenient bail-out points should something go wrong (i.e., injury or bad weather), and determine where hikers can resupply. While all backpackers will pack slightly differently for a multiday trip, there are always some staples that go into a pack. There are 28 segments along the Trail, each with its own access point. Collegiate East is 78 miles with a southbound elevation gain of ~17,800 feet. Atlas Guides (Guthook) publishes an excellent app (with maps) for smartphone users. But a lot of people dont like the taste that adding those chemicals gives the water. Once you have a medical kit, make sure to keep it well stocked and know how to use it. The route is near to Colorados highest peak, Mount Elbert, at 14,443 feet. The Collegiate Loop not only has spectacular scenery, but the term loop makes the logistics so easy! You can ship it via USPS to a local post office. Its fun to experience the town of Leadville too. 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. 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. 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). Not really. to Waterton Canyon. Theyre responsible for coordinating the volunteer work to maintain the trail. The steady climb up to Sargents Mesa is a section highlight, offering a more pastoral vibe than the CT normally serves up. Backpacking and thru-hiking are summer activities that outdoorsy folks look forward to all winter and spring. Snacks, water, headlamp, and extra layers are essential. Segment 8: Copper Mountain to Tennessee Pass, 14. The trail is divided into 28 segments. In 2012 the Colorado Trail Foundation introduced the 83-mile Collegiate West route. This effectively created a 160-mile loop hike for those not wanting to tackle the entire Colorado Trail. You can hitch into the charming town of Leadville pretty easily from here. 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. 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 hiking community is a very friendly group and is always willing to help out newbies or even experienced hikers looking for some insight. . David has been writing about skiing, fly fishing, and outdoor gear for 10+ years. CPW issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high priority wildlife . 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). 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. Segment 1: Waterton Canyon to South Platte River Trailhead, 27. Shavano #139 La Garita, Cochetopa Hills #140 Weminuche Wilderness #141 Telluride, Silverton, Ouray, Lake City #144 Durango, Cortez. Needless to say, if youre still on foot and see or feel the hairs rising on your head, get out of there. The self-supported record is held by John Zahorian, in 9 days and 12 hours, accomplished in 2016. Depending on the season and the year, many of them may still be graced with snowy caps. Via the Indian Creek Trailhead ( see above ) sloping away in every direction and a wooden to... 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