The Colorado Trail, one of the nation’s premier long-distance hiking trails, spans
500 miles
from Denver to Durango, and it’s arguably one of Colorado’s greatest outdoor recreation and education achievements.
How many miles a day is the Colorado Trail?
The treks are still rigorous with hiking days averaging around
15 miles
. See the Trekking section on this website for more information.
How much does it cost to do the Colorado Trail?
In general assuming an average hike of The Colorado Trail of 4-5 weeks, figure roughly
$1200 +/-
taking into the account of inflation vs years past. This price does not include the cost of gear or transportation costs to and from the trail.
When should you start 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 difficult is Colorado Trail?
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.
How long is the first section 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.
Can you drive on the Colorado Trail?
There are dozens of access points to the CT’s 567 miles of trail. These are
accessible by car, 4-wheel-drive
, bike, horse, on foot, or even by train. Numerous resources including maps, guidebooks and websites can help you with your planning.
How cold does the Colorado Trail get in July?
The Colorado Trail Foundation tells hikers to expect temperatures from
80 to 30 Fahrenheit
—potentially even lower, if you’re hiking at the tail end of the season. Summer thunderstorms are frequent; if you see lightning, descend and seek shelter.
How long does it take to bike 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.
Can you camp on the Colorado Trail?
Can I camp anywhere I want on the Colorado Trail? With the exception of a few miles at both ends, and a few very specific restrictions throughout,
free dispersed camping is legal along the entire length of the CT
.
Can you have fires on the Colorado Trail?
Campfires Are Prohibited
– Campfires are prohibited. This prohibition means that CT travelers cannot legally make a campfire. The only exception does not usually pertain to Colorado Trail travelers as it deals with metal fire grates in campgrounds where CT folks seldom stay.
Has anyone done the Colorado Trail in winter?
Although
a successful winter thru-hike of the CDT has yet to be completed
, there has been at least one recorded mission along a large chunk of the CDT.
How many 14ers are on the Colorado Trail?
Fifteen of Colorado’s
53 14ers
(summits above 14,000 feet)can be accessed directly from the Colorado Trail.
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.
How do I plan for the Colorado Trail?
Hike (or bike) hills, rugged ones if possible, and gradually build up mileage and pack weight
. If you have hilly trails nearby, ramp up your miles and elevation on them. If not, you’ll find stair climbing and descending is really good preparation. Work toward more.
Is it safe to hike alone in Colorado?
CO is a pretty safe place in general, low levels of personal crime
. over a year ago. Absolutely! It’s probably really nice to hike alone and just be in nature.
Are there shelters on the Colorado Trail?
Shelters –
There are no shelters on the CT
, nor are there many formal campgrounds. Travelers can camp almost anywhere they choose, usually in one of the many dispersed sites along the way.
How long is Segment 6 of the Colorado Trail?
Enjoy this
30.8-mile
point-to-point trail near Jefferson, Colorado.
Where does Colorado Trail start and stop?
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. 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).
How long is Segment 5 of the Colorado Trail?
Segment 5 is
14.6 miles
long with 1,858 feet of elevation gain. The segment is mostly through open fields, rolling hills and ends on beautiful Kenosha Pass which is littered with Aspen Trees.
Does the Colorado Trail follow the CDT?
Once I realized how often the two trails get conflated in Colorado, my go-to answer became, “I think you’re thinking of The Colorado Trail, rather than the Continental Divide Trail.
They do overlap in Colorado, but the CDT takes 4 – 6 months to hike over 3,000 miles in 5 states
.”
Does it rain a lot on the Colorado Trail?
During the Colorado trail season, particularly at higher elevations,
fierce thunderstorms and lightning are common and snow and hail are not unusual
. Bluebird skies in the morning can turn into blinding rainstorms in a manner of minutes.
What are the best segments of the Colorado Trail?
- Segment 1: Waterton Canyon to South Platte River Trailhead.
- Segment 18: CO Hwy 114 to Saguache Park Road.
- Segment 15: US Hwy 50 to Marshall Pass.
- Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargent’s Mesa.
- Segment 17: Sargent’s Mesa to CO Hwy 114.
How many segments are in 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.
