Colorado Trail

Hiking the Colorado Trail

I have done a lot of hiking in my lifetime. Each time I explore a new place, I just want to keep going, and keep exploring until I have seen it all. I have completed flat hikes, and I have completed hikes in the amazing and wild Rocky Mountains.

If you’re like me and want more exploring and adventure with each time you hike, you may be doing a lot of research on where you can fulfill this need.

I have done a lot of research on what it takes to hike the Colorado Trail, because it is an epic almost 500 mile trail that has been completed by a lot of people.

It is not as intense as the Appalachian Trail, but it is still an insane hike to accomplish and I want to tell my readers a little bit about what it takes to be able to hike this trail.

Bare with me, I have not yet hiked this trail, I am planning to but have not had official experience hiking the trail. This is a page about what I have learned through my research!

About the Colorado Trail:

  • Almost 500 miles in length
  • Starts near Denver, Colorado and ends in Durango, Colorado
  • Highest point of the trail is about 13,000 feet
  • Trail is marked well so it is easy to navigate
  • Usually take 4 to 6 weeks to hike
  • There are 28 segments of the trail
  • Backpacking is a must


So, we see that this trail takes around 4 to 6 weeks to travel. Packing light is definitely necessary, and may be difficult to do if you are going alone. I suggest going with a group of people so that you can have more spread against more people. 

The necessary items you will want to have on you include:

  • Some type of shelter (tent or hammock)
  • Food
  • Change of clothes
  • Clothes for all seasons because of drastic weather changes
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Bug spray

While you can take more, these are definitely some necessities that should be on your list. Like I said, 4 to 6 weeks with everything you need on your back, you will want to pack as light as possible.

You will also want to take note of the fact that there will be severe weather changes. From really cold at night, to hot during the day, and lets not forget about the fact that there could be rain and lightning. 

Make sure to be prepared for all of this by taking with you extra clothing, as well as a hat and maybe an umbrella if you feel that is necessary. Or even a poncho! Anything that will make you feel prepared in case of weather changes. These are bound to happen, given you will be hiking for 6 weeks straight.

A BREAK DOWN OF SEGMENTS TO HIKE

The trail is divided by different segments. In case you’re wondering, “Where do I start?”, “Where do I end?”, “What can I expect?”, I am hoping to answer these questions for you coming up.

Segment 1: Starts at Waterton Canyon near Denver. The total stretch of segment one is around 17 miles, and ends in South Platte River.

Segment 2: Total stretch of 13 miles, and ends at Shinglemill Trail.

Segment 3 and 4: around 15 miles, gaining significant elevation. Ends at Lost Creek Wilderness.

Segment 5: Still gaining more elevation. This segment is around 27 miles, and ends at Kenosha Pass.

Segment 6: This is almost a 30 mile stretch. This may take a day or two depending on how sore you are from the miles hiked previously. Segment 6 ends at Horseshoe Gulch. Horseshoe Gulch will eventually lead you to Frisco, Colorado after another 3 miles.

Segment 7: Around 10 miles. Takes you to the Ten Mile Range.

Segment 8 through 10: Takes you from Ten Mile Range to Kokomo Pass, to Elk Ridge, Leadville, Tennessee Pass, Rock Creek, and ending at Mount Massive. These three segments have a total of 60 miles between them.

Segment 11 through 14: Staring at Mount Elbert, going through Twin Lakes, Three Elk Creek, Buena Vista, Princeton Hot Springs, Squaw Creek, and Salida. This stretch is about 80 miles in total.

Segment 15 through 20: Starts at Monarch Pass, and goes through Marshall Pass, Tank Seven Creek, Lujan Creek, Cochetopa Creek, and ends at San Luis Pass. The total miles traveled through these passes come in at around 100 miles.

Segment 21 through 25: Starting at Creede, you travel through Jarosa Mesa, Lost Trail Creek, Pole Creek Trail, Molas Pass, and ends at Rolling Mountain. This stretch is about 85 miles.

Segment 26 through 28: Starts at Blackhawk Pass, goes through Indian Trail Ridge, and ends at Junction Creek. This stretch finishes the Colorado Trail with 81 miles.

This hike is INSANE as you can see.

You are backpacking literally almost 500 miles. Possibly more, if you head off the trail for any reason.

LAST FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
  • Pack a lot of food to keep you going. This is extremely difficult for a person to do, and staying nourished is super important to be able to keep going.
  • You can always stop in the towns you are traveling to, to stay at a motel for the night or grab some more food for the hike.
  • Think about bringing a water purifier, or a water filer with you, in case of areas that you cannot access clean water.
  • Wear shoes that are already broken in and comfy for you, because you don’t want blisters or shoe problems to slow you down at any point.
  • It is best to hike the trail no earlier than the month of July, due to excessive snow.


If you are curious to learn more about the Colorado Trail and what it takes to hike it, I recommend checking out a free guide written by Paul Mags, called “The Colorado Trail End-to-End”. He gives information on everything you could possibly want to know about hiking the Colorado Trail!

I have also come across a great blogger who has a ton of experience hiking long distance trails, who can offer a lot of information on what it takes to hike the Colorado Trail. You can access his blog here!

I hope you enjoyed the basics I have offered about the Colorado Trail. 

Any questions or comments, feel free to contact me!



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