However, because of its length, altitude — and in many places, sheer ruggedness —
the Colorado Trail can be hard to get your hands around at first
. It can take four to six weeks to hike the whole thing, but you can hike it in smaller segments.
What is the longest hike in Colorado?
The Colorado Trail
It runs 486 miles from Waterton Canyon to Durango, topping out at 13,271 feet and spending a good portion of time above treeline. The trail traverses six national forests and six wilderness areas – and for most hikers, takes between four to six weeks.
How long are the segments of the Colorado Trail?
New for the 2016 trail season, this is the most up-to-date, official CT Guidebook. This book covers the entire Colorado Trail, all
567 miles
between Denver and Durango, including Segments 1-28 plus CW01-CW05. This is the first edition that covers both the CT Collegiate East and CT Collegiate West.
Do you need a pass to hike in Colorado?
A valid entrance fee or park pass is always required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
. This includes, but is not exclusive to, Lumpy Ridge, Lily Lake, Longs Peak, Wild Basin, East Inlet, and North Inlet.
What do you need to hike the Colorado Trail?
Whether planning to be out for two hours or ten hours, plan to carry essential equipment, including
warm clothing, rain gear, sunscreen and bug repellent, water, snacks, maps or guidebook, compass
. Don’t expect to have cell service, which can be spotty all along the Trail.
What is the best time to hike the Colorado Trail?
Late summer
is generally the best time to hike the Colorado Trail due to altitude and snowpack conditions. The Colorado Trail Foundation recommends a hiking window of July 1 to September 30. Start too early (May or June) and much of the trail will still be covered by late-melting snow.
How much water should you carry on the Colorado Trail?
For much of the trail, I think
3 liters
of capacity is sufficient. If you stop to filter often you can carry 1-2 liters at a time for much of the trail, filtering from the frequent, clear mountain streams and only filling up to 3 liters for the odd dry stretch or dry camp.
How many miles is the Colorado Trail?
The CT comprises
567 miles
of trail between Denver and Durango and passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Colorado Rockies. Users traveling end to end encounter the high mountain lakes and towering peaks of six wilderness areas and eight mountain ranges as they climb nearly 90,000 vertical feet.
How long is the first segment of the Colorado Trail?
Although Colorado Trail Segment 1 is
16.7 miles
long, it has relatively little elevation gain, making it a long day hike for those hikers who are capable of putting in the miles.
How long does it take to Bikepack the Colorado Trail?
Thru-bikers should allow
15-20 days
for the trip. Supported trips can be done in even shorter time. Riding a mountain bike is a great way to travel the Trail, but riders are likely to have to push or carry their bikes through snow earlier in the season and on some of the steeper, rockier pitches.
Where is the beginning of the Colorado Trail?
Most thru-hikers and bikers begin their trips from The Colorado Trail’s northern terminus at
Waterton Canyon, southwest of the Denver metro area
.
What is the easiest segment of the Colorado Trail?
Most of
segment 20
is a long but gradual climb up to the saddle below San Luis Peak at 12,612 feet. The peak itself can be summited from here and is probably the easiest 14er to bag from the Colorado Trail.
Do I need a permit to backpack in Colorado?
Fortunately, Colorado is filled with world-class backpacking destinations—
no permit required
.
Can you hike up Lookout Mountain Colorado?
The museum overlooks beautiful Golden, Colorado.
Visitors and locals enjoy hiking, mountain biking and cycling up Lookout Mountain
. Although steep, you get fabulous views of Golden and the front range as well as an intense workout!
Can dogs hike the Colorado Trail?
Dogs are allowed on The Colorado Trail, except for six miles of Segment 1
. The Segment 1 no-dogs section begins at the northern terminus of the Trail at Waterton Canyon and extends to where the Trail leaves the gravel road adjacent to the South Platte River and moves onto singletrack.
How should I dress for hiking in Colorado?
Wear Layers
In the Colorado summer, we like to hike in
athletic shorts and a T-shirt
, but we pack a fleece pullover or a light jacket in our daypack as well. In fact, it’s never a bad idea to carry a waterproof jacket that doubles as a windbreaker, pants, beanie, and gloves — especially when hiking at higher altitudes.
Do I need rain pants on the Colorado Trail?
If it is dry and too cold for shorts the longies go on under the shorts.
Wet and cold for any length of time, rain pants, unless I brought regular pants which I do in late season
.
What should I pack for a day hike in Colorado?
- Navigation: map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon or satellite messenger.
- Headlamp: plus extra batteries.
- Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen.
- First aid: including foot care and insect repellent (as needed)
- Knife: plus a gear repair kit.
How many segments are on the Colorado Trail?
The Colorado Trail is divided into
33 segments
which includes a choice of two routes in the middle, Collegiate East and Collegiate West. See the map on our maps page for a quick look at the segments.
How long is segment 4 of the Colorado Trail?
Try this
16.10 mile
, point to point trail near Pine, Colorado. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 8 h 40 min to complete. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
How do you resupply on the Colorado Trail?
There is a bus stop on Highway 9 about 0.2 miles south of the trailhead. Pick up northbound buses on the east side of the highway and southbound buses on the west side
. The CT crosses the lower slopes of Copper Mtn ski area, making this one of the easiest resupply points.
What is best to drink while hiking?
You should replenish fluids and electrolytes by drinking
one half to one quart of water
every hour you’re hiking. You may need to drink more depending upon the temperature and the intensity of the hike. For variety, consider alternating between plain water and a sports drink with electrolytes.
How much food should I take on a hike?
A reasonable goal is about
11⁄2 to 21⁄2 lbs. of food (or 2,500 to 4,500 calories) per person per day
. A person doing 10 miles of strenuous hiking with a 4,000-foot climb will obviously burn more calories—and need a lot more food—than someone covering a few miles of relatively flat trail who plans to chill at the campsite.
How long does it take to hike 5 miles?
For the average hiker, a 5 mile hike should take about
one and a half to three hours
. However, there are several variables that can affect that time. I have outlined the most common factors that will affect your 5 mile hike time.
