The Collegiates – The Walk

East is East and West is West

The Colorado Trail winds through the Rocky Mountains from Denver to Durango (484 miles). Approximately 180 miles in hikers have a choice: they can turn left and hike the Eastern Collegiates or turn right and hike the Western Collegiates. Each section is approximately 80 miles long.

The University Peaks are part of the Sawatch Range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. They are called Collegiates because many of their mountains are named after famous universities such as Mount Yale and Mount Princeton.

The Collegiates of the East are considered the quietest and safest section to walk. The Western Collegiates are more challenging and spectacular, with higher peaks and better views. Of course, we went for the dramatic. And what we have seen has been spectacular, although somewhat contaminated by the ever-present smoke. This beautiful sunrise comes over a mountain, not on the horizon where this color should be.

Day 13 – Camping to Hunt Lake (19 miles)

Day 14: Hunt Lake to Monarch Pass (9 miles)

Day 15 – Very necessary -0- in the town of Salida

Day 16 – Monarch Pass to camp (16 miles)

Above the tree line

When hiking above the tree line, which varies in elevation but generally hovers around 11,000 feet, you must deal with exposure, including sun, wind, cold temperatures, and sometimes dramatic thunderstorms. Sometimes you see beautiful alpine lakes or have to deal with some snow…

When there is a little topsoil, the hardy alpine flowers bloom…

And sometimes it’s just rocky…

And look at this ancient landslide…

For history buffs

Take a couple of minutes to enlarge these photos and learn how our ancestors hunted above the tree line.

More favorite photos

That should be enough. Special thanks to NatGeo, our resident photographer for several of the photographs, including the featured image.

A special shout out to my favorite people: Kaibella and Kailani. Let me know if there’s anything you want to see more of.

Thanks for listening.

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