The Colorado Trail is a 500 mile hike from Denver to Durango, across the high mountains of the state. Staying above 10,000 feet for the majority of the trail, it is known for its incredible views, difficult thunder storms, and steep climbs. In the Spring there are endless wildflowers, and wildlife. We started our hike July 13th and hoped this trail would be smooth sailing... unfortunately it wasn't!
Colorado Trail Gear List:
Shorts - http://tinyurl.com/ykdx7fwe
Hat - https://amzn.to/4fGQ8Ft
Shirt - https://amzn.to/4a9cRaU
Shoes Altra - https://amzn.to/3wvKKnm
Watch - https://amzn.to/3mz7ePp
Backpack - http://tinyurl.com/ykhnu4fh
Pack Liner - http://tinyurl.com/2p8uvn7w
Shelter (Two Person) - https://tinyurl.com/3x8ckvw7
Shelter (solo) - https://tinyurl.com/yc8kdj35
Inflatable Pad - https://amzn.to/3Jx85cB
Pillow - https://amzn.to/3NZnELp
Quilt (Two Person) - https://tinyurl.com/ycxbas3t
Quilt (Solo) - https://tinyurl.com/yc2h5d54
Stakes - https://amzn.to/3TXTMTF
Rain Jacket - http://tinyurl.com/bdadk452
Fleece - http://tinyurl.com/4hxdpden
Beanie - Melanzana Grid Fleece
Wind Pants - https://tinyurl.com/mtdxxztb
Socks - https://amzn.to/3DDlk73
Sunglasses - https://tinyurl.com/mrx785s6
Fishing - https://amzn.to/3ChVxo5
Water Filter - https://amzn.to/3UQXI9t
Water - 3x 1L Bottles
Spoon - https://amzn.to/3cA3mVG
Flashlight - http://tinyurl.com/5n6jkrmd
Battery - https://amzn.to/4fEe3FB
Charger - Ravpower PD Pioneer 30w 2-port
Camera - https://amzn.to/3wjb6sG
Lens - https://amzn.to/3IRQV8q
Microphone - https://amzn.to/4cBW6GY
Camera Clip - https://amzn.to/4cvIgpT
Watch Charger - https://amzn.to/3PJ5zm3
Toothbrush - https://amzn.to/3tkN4GY
Knife - https://amzn.to/3r3psb7
Trowel - https://amzn.to/3u6VIMr
Blister Tape - https://amzn.to/3qZ55f9
Chaffe Cream - https://amzn.to/3bNorNu
Wallet - http://tinyurl.com/3bbsup83
Stats from my Colorado Trail Thru Hike:
- July 13 - August 9
- Total of 27 days
- 6 Zero Days
- 14 Days of Rain
- 3 Showers
- 2 Trail magics
- 2 Porcupine
- 0 Moose
- 1 Bear
0 - 17m - Waterton canyon, so many other hikers
1 - 9.7m - sprocket is injured, behind knee/calf pain
2 - zero - two bridges lodge hostel
3 - zero - feeling marginally better
4 - 14.9m - leaving bailey, Florida man
5 - 24.3m - big rain, normal day, wilderness vs road
6 - 25.1m - more rain, Georgia pass, CDT
7 - 11.6m - Breckenridge & Frisco
8 - 13.9m - awesome ridge, jo foot pain
9 - 21.6m - Kokomo pass, copper mtn resort
10 - 12.4m - Leadville in and out
11 - 25.4m - massive and elbert, didn't do them
12 - 15.5m - leaving twin lakes, big climb west
13 - 17.2m - sprocket has stomach problems
14 - 2.6m - sprocket is done (211.2m total)
15 - (27th)
16 - (28th)
17 - (29th)
18 - 12.4m - on trail alone at 5pm, cottonwood pass
19 - 30.5m - bad sleep, lots of climbing to monarch
20 - 24.4m - end collegiate west, thousand cows
21 - 34m - road walk and cow water
22 - 30.7m - San Luis pass, beginning San Juans
23 - 12.2m - spring Creek pass resupply
24 - 19.7m - big lightning storms at high point of CT
25 - 30m - big hail and thunder storm, San Juans!
26 - 25.8m - Silverton, bear, hail & lightning again
27 - 37.2m - more storms, big day final summit
END - 15.4m - finished at 11:50am, big rain soaked
- 483.5 total miles
- 272.3 hiked alone
I really enjoyed the Colorado Trail, and was happy to finally get to thru hike it! Unfortunate that my partner got giardia early on before getting to experience the Collegiate Mountains or the San Juans. She will be back however when she does the Continental Divide Trail, as the CT and CDT share tread for most of Colorado.
I had really bad luck with weather and storms on the CT, with more than half of my days on trail involving some kind of rain or storm. Often I had to setup my tent and just sit in it for a few hours before things cleared and I could hike a few more miles at the end of the day. It kind of wore me down by the end, but overall still had a great time. It was cool to see the state in this way, rather than just driving around as the trail often cuts across mountains where there are no direct roads. It has really given me a lot of inspiration for what I would like to do next time I am in the state. From fly fishing, hiking 14ers, or some off trail routes.
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