The Colorado Trail Foundation divides the trail into 28 segments covering the main 485-mile route. Additionally, there is an alternate section of the trail, the Collegiate West route that spans 5 segments. If you take the Collegiate West alternative on a hike, the total mileage will be closer to 500 miles.
Like most hikers, I plan to start with segment 1 at the Waterton Canyon Trailhead outside of Denver and hike south (aka SOBO) to Durango.
In my mind, I’m dividing the path into a few sections that I’ll tackle one by one. This way of dividing it is not described in any book or blog I have seen. It’s more about my city stops and how I’ll mentally approach the trail in more manageable chunks. What’s the old saying…eat the elephant one bite at a time?
Part 1: From Denver to Copper Mountain
I’m starting with a friend who plans to walk with me the first 40 miles from Denver to Bailey. She has never hiked in Colorado and is interested in trying it. It will be fun to have a designated hiking buddy for the beginning. After she leaves, I’ll continue on to Breckenridge and Copper Mountain.
Technically, my chunk 1 lines up with segments 1 through 7 for about 118 miles.
This bit has a lot of dry sections without many natural water sources, which means I’ll have some long, heavy water carries. A liter of water weighs 2.2 pounds. Most guides recommend consuming approximately 1 liter for every 4 miles traveled. So for example, if there is a 12 mile stretch with no water sources, I would plan to carry 3 liters of water to make sure I am hydrated. Maybe more if there is a lot of sun exposure and/or high elevation. So that might be about 7 pounds of extra weight in my backpack when I start that stretch. On the other hand, when there are frequent streams, ponds, and lakes along the trail, you can stop and filter the water as you walk and avoid carrying much more.
Part 2: Copper Mtn to Twin Lakes
From Copper Mountain, the landscape really starts to become incredibly beautiful. At least that’s what I’ve read. It is 24 miles from Copper to a junction where you can visit the town of Leadville. And then another 34 miles to Twin Lakes. Leadville is a fun mountain town, so I’m looking forward to that stop. Twin Lakes is small with only a general store and a couple of small hotels, but I’ll be able to resupply before Collegiate.
My Chunk 2 is essentially segment 8 up to about the middle of segment 11, in terms of Colorado Trail Foundation segments. I’m hoping for wildflowers in this section!
Part 3: The referees
The Collegiate Peaks are a mountain range that includes the highest concentration of peaks over 14,000 feet in the US. Look on a map and find the cities of Granite and Salida, CO. The highway connecting these cities, a 40-mile drive, is known as «the Avenue of Fourteen.»
If you hike, you will cross the mountains! And you have a choice: choose your own adventure. The trail splits north of Granite just after Twin Lakes and rejoins slightly south of Monarch Pass. The original Colorado Trail remains somewhat closer to the towns and highway, east of Collegiate Peaks. It is known as the Collegiate East route. On the other hand, the Collegiate West route is a more exposed section (above tree line) at a slightly higher average elevation that follows the Continental Divide Trail.
The two options have similar mileage (+/- about 10 miles) and similar elevation gain and loss. But bad weather can really affect you if you’re on the Collegiate West route. I’m still not sure which path I’ll take. It will depend on the weather.
Around the town of Garfield, and before the two routes join again, there are a few options to spend a night in a hiker’s lodge and reach the town of Salida to resupply. This is also about the halfway point of the trail, about 250 miles traveled!
My chunk 3 starts in the middle of segment 11 and goes through segment 14 on the original trail, if I take the East Collegiate route. So yes, there are a total of 28 segments, and this would also be halfway there in terms of segment count.
moment of truth
Now I’m going to be honest. I have Garfield/Salida in mind as a possible rescue point. Is that defeatist? I don’t know. I like to be positive but also realistic. If I make it this far, it will be the longest backpacking trip I’ve ever taken. (Hiking the approximately 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail is currently my longest trip.) Not only is Salida the halfway point, but I think it would be relatively easy to get back to Denver from there.
I absolutely hope to feel great and be physically and mentally prepared to complete the entire trail in one hike. Just saying, you may also decide to split this effort into what is affectionately called LASH – a long section hike! And it will return for the second half in 2027.
Part 4: Cattle Country
Well, if I’m still on the road and feeling strong, the next stop is Lake City. But this is a pretty challenging stretch of trail. It is approximately 75 miles and passes through the Cochetopa Hills and livestock area. Water sources are limited and often the water available is impacted by livestock grazing. I’ve seen pictures of hikers scooping water from livestock water tanks that look (and probably smell) pretty bad. Not only will I be using my water filter, but I plan to supplement it with a chemical treatment to ensure clean drinking water. Talk about a mental challenge!
I’ve read that Baldy Lake is often a major water source along this stretch, but it’s about a half mile off the trail. As at the beginning, it will require some long and heavy water transports.
There are also some long stretches above tree line toward the end of this stretch with exposure to thunderstorms. What are the chances of being struck by lightning? Well, it’s rare, but it happens. Being on top of a tall mountain above the tree line certainly doesn’t work in your favor. Among my fears is a healthy fear of lightning. I will be smart and careful. The main strategy is to start early in the morning and time your day to get over the exposed terrain before the afternoon storms arrive.
This part of the livestock area is essentially made up of segments 15 to 21.
Part 5: Lake City to Silverton
Leaving Lake City, this 50-mile stretch eventually crosses the highest point of the trail. at Coney Summit, 13,264 feet. That’s something! And then there’s a 16-mile stretch between Carson Saddle and Stony Pass that’s above 12,000 feet. lLots of exposure and potential for afternoon thunderstorms. Oh. I will have to pay close attention to the weather every day. But, it is the San Juan Mountains and EPIC hikes. Epic views. This is the Colorado trail.
Plus, I really want to stop a train for a stop in nature! There is an old coal-fired steam train that runs between Durango and Silverton for sightseeing trips. At one particular spot right next to the trail, the Elk Park flag stop, you can literally signal the train. you mmust be on this side of the tracks ywHold your hands horizontally on your knees to signal to stop. How fun is that?! It definitely sounds like a highlight.
This fragment aligns with Segment 22 through most of Segment 24.
Part 6: Silverton to Durango
After a stop in the town of Silverton, I can take the train back to the trail and continue the final 78 miles to Durango. The final stretch! Of course, there is another dry stretch. Yuck. And there is more hiking above the tree line. I hope I’m used to those challenges at this stage of the journey.
The last 20 miles are mostly downhill as you descend 6,500 feet into Durango. And that takes me from the end of segment 24 to segment 28 and all the way to the end. Wow!
Will I make it to the end? We’ll see. It’s going to be difficult. A physical and mental challenge. That’s the point!
WISH ME LUCK! I’m going to need all the positive vibes I can get.
Featured image from Colorado Trail via Joellyn.
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