3) Breckenridge/Frisco at mile 104.4 - Resupply with 4.5 days food; shower/laundry at hostel. Thanks. Between Twin Lakes and Monarch Pass, the CT splits for ~80 miles between the two Collegiate routes. (* While In-person training is always better for this type of skill, various organizations offer online 1 hr training classes to get you the basics before you practice in the field. It it will be full of what we call rotten snow: hard in parts, full of dirt and ice, easy to post hole through, not consistent enough for snowshoes or skis. Also, do you know anything about the quality of these maps: $3.74. Learn more or say hi. Wear sunscreen and/or a large hat, long sleeves and long pants. However, they're both basically on-trail for Collegiate East hikers, but require hitches of 15 and 10 miles respectively from Collegiate West. All.. Thank you so much for this info!! CT Segment 12 travelers will need a valid fishing or hunting license or risk being fined, typically $100, though authorities indicate theyll get more serious with fines starting in 2021. Please see the Colorado Trail Foundation blog for updated 2021 details. Feeling keen! No surprise, these SAR groups are very busy in Colorado. If you are using a VPN, try disabling it. This plan highlights the trail towns most appreciated for their good vibes and memorable experiences. Justin Simoni also has very detailed information on accessing the 14ers from The Colorado Trail. Consider it a scenic alternative for more experienced hikers. To access this route (Durango-bound), take the Brookside-McCurdy Trail north off the CT. At a saddle between two peaks, head off-trail and west towards Kenosha Pass along the ridge. Another alternate start could be to take this alternate not far from Waterton Canyon. You should be able to park there for a week. Northeast / Denver Bound:You do face some of the hardest terrain and higher elevation right away, end in the more subtle Waterton Canyon. ETB pocket atlas is essentially a map guide and town guide in one. For example, Mt. If possible, you may want to mail a package directly to a hostel or business rather than the post office. Would appreciate any info and again thanks for everything. Ill update it now. Various ways to reach including two-mile hike down a jeep road. At least that is how it is for me. Sign up here for occasional emails full of inspiration and information about backpacking and hiking. Basic camping items asSasquatch OutpostandKnotty Pine. Consider shipping one resupply box to yourself somewhere around halfway, so you can restock on all those little things that are hard to find in small towns (contact solution, your favorite brand of energy bar, etc). United Airlines also has one-way flights from Durango to Denver; which reported being expensive. Set up more like an indoor pool area with showers. Some hiker supplies in store per website. Monarch Crest Gift Shop & Tramway 24500 Hwy 50 W Salida, CO 81201 [email protected] 719.539.4091 719.339.8567 Open 8am to 6pm 7 days a week The manager said that she will be getting her complete stock of snacks in next week, but she has no plans to order dehydrated hiker food or major grocery items. Salida, CO 81201http://salidachamber.org/monarch-crest/. Also, the small towns stores can change or run out of inventory esp as more people hike The Colorado Trail and the CDT. $4.99 + $1.70 shipping. Good guy! ), Missouri Gulch:Not too long after Hope Pass, you can get to the historic town of Vicksburg that is accessed by the short Sheep Gulch spur trail off the CT. Were two ladies who dont object to hitching, but also really want to be safe Our guidebook is designed for Denver- Durango direction, so well probably stick with that. Feedback always welcome. We did two carries of 7-8 days: 104 miles to Frisco and then 107 from Monarch Mountain Lodge to Lake City. Bailey Platte River Outfitters 303-816-9383/ 303-895-7229, Fairplay High Alpine Sports (719) 836-0201, Breckenridge Mt Outfitters 970-453-2201, Frisco Walmart (970) 668-3959 larger 8oz or 16oz isobutane, Silverthorne Wilderness Sports -(970) 468-5687, Twin Lakes General Store 719-486-2196 Limited quantity reported; may want to call ahead, Leadville Leadville Outdoors (719) 486-7392, Buena Vista Trailhead Sports 719-395-8002. Would rather be on the safe side and also feel secure. Map provided of this area by The Colorado Trail Foundation: Naturally, getting to and from this area will require more than the standard logistics. Lodging avail too. Best regards, When I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail the least enjoyable part (besides the Tehachapi wind storms) was worrying about food resupplies in and between towns. thanks for the forward on the c.t. Monarch Mountain Lodge is a great stopping place to rest your head, restock on supplies or just take advantage of our showers and laundry room. See https://www.monarchbutterflyhouse.com/, On trail store. Thanks for the incredibly thorough post about the Colorado Trail. Princeton Hot Springs PHS Store (719) 395-2447- Store reported to have some canisters in stock. Are theer any addendums I need to brush up on? I am looking for a breathtaking experience to take my sullen teenager on. Thanks for the guide! Hard work, but lots of fun too. Well, I go skiing on Mt Toll (13k) at theRead more , FOLLOW-UP: It is now May 12th. The extra gray space between the rows is based roughly on mileage, to help you quickly understand the distances between stops. The focus here is more on your schedule than the towns themselves. Very windy today with excellent scenery. This is out of our control now, as an access point. A bear canister is an overkill (IMO); standard bear precautions should be plenty. We are no longer able to accept USPS or Fed-Ex packages as we are now an official UPS access point. On-trail resort. For the increasing amount of people hiking the Colorado Trail from out-of-state, July 1st or later is a safe date to plan in advance for a start. Excited about backpacking but need help getting started? Americas Outdoor Recreation Act Boon or bust? We live just 5 miles from the Dgo TH so we literally waked home. Be sure to have an ID ready when you pick up your package. What a wonderful resource. Prospector Hotel in Silverton likes hikers. For recent updates on the trail itself, be sure to check out The CTF webpage with current trail conditions. This website is such an amazing resource! New info and feedback are always welcome too! Change up your menu when you get tired of something (and you WILL get tired of something), Save money; mailing food boxes is expensive. When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. Contrary to popular belief, PCT hikers commonly leave the trail and venture into towns to buy more food; they don't carry all their food (for the entire hike) from the beginning. There are very few old and bold mountaineers. If in doubt about the weather head down and dont climb up to the summit. Almost like clockwork! Id do the Collegiate West option. The End to End Colorado Trail guide assists on this form of planning. I appreciated your article post. I suggest starting from either the trail town or no hitchhiking plan above and then adding stops as needed. if you want a private room). You probably have an excellent ccardio base, but it is a different set of muscles. Near water and lower elevations will be noticeable esp at the start of the summer. On free bus line and next to Breck brew pub (or a .5 mile walk)! Princeton Hot Springs and Monarch Spur RV & Campground are listed as resupply options for both Collegiate East and West in the CT Databook. Check outcreede.comif you need more information. Air BnB and VRBO are increasingly popular options for lodgingin some of the more popular tourist towns the CT goes through as an FYI. Though written for the Pacific Crest Trail, this. In between those two points are sweeping views, gorgeous wildflowers and an experience in the mountains you will not forget. On weekends, there could be a decent amount of traffic. We are coming from Canada, and neither of us drive, and were broke so were hoping for bus. Consider an ammobox instead: Inexpensive, used in NPS units for bear proofing and was used successfully by other CT hikers. Creede, CO 81130, The Sportsman will shuttle to and from Spring Creek Pass for $41.20 one way. The post office will generally hold your package for up to two weeks. Many thx for the info! Amazon and other online resources also carry the guidebook. My 2017 Collegiate Loop hike also has some photos that contrast the two routes. Theres more where this came from! The Latitude 40 series and the Guthhook app /Bear Creek Survey Maps also have this route, including the 2014 re-routes, in detail. No need to purchase entire cases of Clif Bars at a time and get burned out. https://bearsafety.com/services/bear-spray-training ). Do consider that arranging a shuttle requires sticking to a predetermined plan, and can be expensive depending on the shuttlers fee. and, finally, a nice video from Wesley Crusher Trimble to whet the appetite! Creede seems slightly more popular. Used some of your tips on the trail. see above for info on Gunni, The official length of the trail is 486.4 miles, Northeastern terminus just outside of Denver in Waterton Canyon State Park, Southwestern terminus just outside of Durango, CO. snacks - just a boost to your current stocks to get you through to the next resupply point) routes between Hope Pass and Monarch Pass. Also, have a brief description of each town for supply purposes. Horses and mountain bikers (in non-wilderness areas) are also allowed in addition to hikers, walk to the nearby light rail station on 16th Street mall. When to use maildrop (package of supplies mailed to yourself)? It is a labor of love and good to give back to something I love. Thanks for reading! Scroll down the page until you see the appropriate section. The lower (Eastern) route may be OK for the most part, but even that will have a good amount of snow in spots. Take care to not mix up resupply stops on Collegiate West vs. East. This way, I would only carry 2 days' worth of food for the section between Boss Lake and Monarch Pass today, enabling me to . Hey Paul, thanks so much for putting together this guide! T. Taxi to Waterton Canyon TH. Pre-arranged shuttles work best for hikers who prefer to make a detailed plan and then stick to it. These are the places where major state or US highways intersect with the CT: Ah, the age old debate: should I prepackage and mail all my food, or buy it as I go along? You may have to find a willing friend in the area or contact a shuttle service. . Even Spring Creek pass is an easier hitch due to increased awareness of the trail. CACHING: Every so often, I get an inquiry asking about caching supplies along the trail. Id love to detour off the CT and stop in Telluride on the way to Durango. Thank you Dana and Jerry. The Thru-Hiker Facebook Group for dogs is also a valuable resource. Any thoughts? This post from the FKT Proboards by Eric Truhe nicely sums up the stat differences between the Collegiate East and the Collegiate West options: For CT East versus CT West clarification, according to the CT Guidebook (9th Edition): The CT via the CT East is 484.6 miles with 87,645 feet of climbing (Durango to Denver), The CT via the CT West is 489.7 miles with 89,665 feet of climbing (Durango to Denver), Specifically: There isMad Jacks MountainBrewery in town. As the saying goes There are old mountaineers and there are bold mountaineers. No worries we know not all hikers want dogs around so we will make sure to not trail to close to ppl unless they ask to hang with the pack lol once again thank you for this great info on we weRead more . Outside of this segment, mobile device coverage is spotty. Will come back to show-off if I do end up thru-hiking it The hours will be longer and more flexible. Not only will this help give variety to your meals, but it will also help the environment as we avoid waste and recycle the retail cardboard packaging products arrive in. NatGeo Trails Illustrated has a map set avail as of Summer 2017. He has never done a hike like this before, and it has been about 15 years for me, however we are both in great shape and love to climb. Our mobile app stores product data offline, allowing you to plan meals and orders wherever you are. Resupply Box orders over $65 ship free. The last column is cut off from view. Also, ask at the trailhead for a ride usually works too. Very Clean and New. Cafeteria. Just starting planning. Mobile device coverage: For the stretch from Denver to Copper Mountain (with the exception of Lost Creek Wilderness) mobile device coverage can be OK to excellent. It does NOT have the 2014 Collegiate West re-route however. The hotel itself is pretty run down so I don't necessarily recommend staying there. As more people are now hiking The Colorado Trail and the coinciding Continental Divide Trail, strongly suggested calling ahead to be sure of availability in these sometimes smaller stores esp with supply chain issues expected to continue into 2022. Take the Lost Creek High Route! Do you want to hitchhike, or avoid it as much as possible? Newer low-key hostel:The Colorado Trail House . But I think the folks at the motel know her. Bar and grill. The locals are much more aware of hikers than before. Some Town, CO 55555 Hiking solo:Enough people are hiking The Colorado Trail, especially in July and August, it will be very easy to hike with others if so desired. By The Colorado Trail Foundation. Its very beneficial blog. in some cases. Could be an an in and out, or something that gets off the CT and then reconnects if you are not too concerned about purity (I tend to not care about that concept myself! on a weekend and/or during hunting season as people are heading back to town. All post offices along the trail will hold packages for you - at no extra charge - for up to 30 days (then they return them). This is wondrous information. It hooks up again just after Waterton Canyon at Lennys Rest. You have stated that a bear vault is an overkill and that the bears of Colorado are not as aggressive as those of California (I hopeRead more , Hi Inbar! Heading to Moab for a visit this winter, loved reading your articles and cant wait to check it out! Thank you! there is also a campground about two miles from the Durango Terminus of The Colorado Trail. Im planning to hike from Molas Pass to Junction Creek. You could rent a car at this airport as well. Stickman, [] hikers. Monarch Crest Store 1058.1 1918.3 CO 289.5 Monarch Pass, Hwy 50 0 Snacks, Fuel Send resupply boxes UPS ONLY. Note:I was hesitant to add this info, but I have received some e-mails about it. Princeton hot springs and although they are right off the trail, the woman assured me they offer nothing cheaper than 230 a night. The Scenic Alternate Roxborough State Park. We subsidize our already discounted commercial shipping rates. The views from up to and at Elk Head Pass are stunning. , Aloha, T. Take a taxi to Roxborough State Park (~$35). Thank you so much for posting. I think youll like them, but you can unsubscribe at any time. Hover to zoom. I have a camo 4x 3 pic cylinder I turned into a sealed container w end caps and lined with odor barrier bag.Im thinking about hiding this near cotton wood pass..thoughtsI plan to go back for itRead more , A cache could work..but I would not use something that is not bear resistant personally. Once into Durango, it is a ~4-mile walk from the downtown area to the Durango terminus of The Colorado Trail (Kennebec Trailhead) at Junction Creek Road. Is it possible to email the resupply chart. i just might make it out that way this summer. I apologize for any confusion. Because of the relatively short length of the CT, mail drops are a viable option for many thru-hikers esp those on a fast pace with limited time. Obviously, do not depend upon a cell phone for safety. Best of luck on your Colorado Trail journey! You can reverse the route to get into Durango. At ~$30, an affordable alternative as well. Small restaurant and snack-type store. More lodging, stores, and BREW PUBS! The Colorado Trail Foundation website for $40: http://bearcreeksurvey.com/colorado_trail_mapbook.htm. Thanks for the kind words. Well see what Ma Nature does. At best, youll use the tool ineffectively when it counts. Hiking five miles to a camp and then relaxing all weekend is a much different pace than a long hike on The Colorado Trail. One solution many of us have found is to make a sign (Need ride to town or ride to trail) out of some cardboard scrap or, this isRead more . If you are not a purist, you can even veer off the CT and hike directly into Frisco via the Peaks Trail right to the Frisco Backcountry Brewery! I realize you can't mail fuel in your package..any ideas? Written quite a few years ago for the Appalachian Trail, the guidelines work equally well for the growing amount of hikers on The Colorado Trail. Thanks for posting this and making it completely free and available. It is 10 MINUTES by drivingdoh! I didnt call her myself to arrange the shuttle so I dont have her number. The Colorado Trail is a 485-mile footpath that starts in the foothills just outside of Denver and extends through to the majestic and rugged San Juans. These sites include Amazon, REI, Moose Jaw, Gaia GPS, Six Moon Designs, Squak Mountain Co, and ULA Equipment. Hiker Name, c/o Monarch Crest Store, 24500 Hwy 50W, Salida, CO 81201. You will see fellow CT travelers along the way. The village has a population of 140. TH at 240 is for Angel of Shavano, a 14er. The Summit County, Salida/BV and Durango mapsRead more , This is fantastic! You could do this dog-friendly alternate (with somewhat hard logistics). My goal is to help you figure out which of the many options YOU actually want to stop at, depending on your hiking style. Trails Illustrated maps can be found atwww.trailsillustrated.com, Amazon,and many local outfitting stores in Colorado. Be able to park there for a visit this winter, loved reading your and! Us drive, and can be expensive depending on the Colorado Trail control now, an! As an FYI to take this alternate not far from Waterton Canyon at Lennys Rest to add info... Excellent ccardio base, but you can & # x27 ; t necessarily recommend staying.! From Durango to Denver ; which reported being expensive plan, and were broke so were hoping bus... Visit this winter, loved reading your articles and cant wait to check out the CTF with... 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Is an easier hitch due to increased awareness of the Trail itself, be to... More like an indoor pool area with showers mailed to yourself ) of these maps: $ 3.74 to you... Id love to detour off the Trail the start of the Trail orders wherever you.... This alternate not far from Waterton Canyon with somewhat hard logistics ) hotel itself is run!