I just finished 1-6 and have a place to stay in Breckenridge so I was considering reverse hiking segment 7-8 back to Breckenridge. Is it still possible to be dropped off at Tennessee Pass to hike north?
Due to fires I now plan to park at either Copper or the Wheeler Rec Area and transit my way to the terminus at Waterton Canyon. It looks like I can park free at Wheeler? Haven't found info re: Copper. Probably 7 days. Anyone parked in area or have intel?
I know the trail is currently closed from Tennessee Pass to Twin Lakes due to the Willow fire. I saw there is a shuttle to bypass the closed portion. Does anyone know where I can find more info? All I can really find is that there is shuttle, but I can't find any pickup/drop off points or who's running the shuttle.
Thanks in advance
My friend and I intend to do the section hike of the CT, starting at Elk Pass in segment 24, and going to Durango (77 miles, 4 nights 5 days). Throughout virtually the entire stretch we will be at 10k feet or more, sometimes reaching 12.5k. We are going to spend the night prior in Durango (only about 14 hours there; 6.5k ft) but are worried that just will not be enough, coming from Phoenix (1.1k ft). How much might it help instead staying the night in Silverton (9.8k ft)? How can we prepare for the altitude, long-term (in training) and short term (when there just a day or 2 before). We are both young (20yo), healthy, and fit with a good bit of backpacking experience. Open to suggestions in either form or possibly changing details within our trip.
I’m looking into hiking the Colorado trail but I only have 2 and half weeks to do so. I want to end in Durango, so starting where everyone does won’t really work.
I don’t currently have a drivers license, so renting a car isn’t an option btw.
Hello! I know everything is on fire but I plan on starting my thru hike in a week and taking it as it comes. I’m pretty concerned about my safety solo on the trail, while I’ve only had a few uncomfortable experiences in the past i’m wondering what others do to feel safe. My biggest safety concern is hitchhiking, i’ve done it a few times successfully but any advice with hitchhiking to get into town would be greatly appreciated! Thank you :)
Farout app is very useful and accurate. Survived on 2 liter carry except after section 2 since we dry camped at Little Scraggy mile 27.5. We r moving on to section 6-7 or 8 tomorrow based on smoke and fire direction. Smoke was noticeably on section 5 yesterday. Ended day with blood shot eyes and slight sore throat but great day hiking otherwise. Very few people on trail.. saw maybe 6 over whole section.
Hello, I am planning on starting a thru hike of the CT starting on the 5th. However I’ve seen the news of the fire running through part of the trail. I am from the east coast and don’t have a lot of experience with wildfire… is it even worth it to still go? Will I be hiking in a mask the whole time? I’m a broke college student and my fear is getting there and having to buy a plane ticket immediately back.
Hi all!
Long time lurker (and big admirer of all thru hikers here!)
I have been prepping for a 3 night/4 day trek of CW 1 and CW 2, heading down tomorrow night, but am unsure about what to do given the willow creek fire. The Colorado trail association Facebook said on Monday that CW and CE are unaffected, but comments say there is a lot of smoke in the area.
My backup was going to be section 6 from Kenosha to breck, but just saw here that someone was getting smoked on section 5.
I am trying to monitor local news, maps, and any other information I can get my hands on, but am feeling overwhelmed and definitely don’t want to put myself in an unsafe situation.
I live in Denver, and have looked into other backpacking trips nearby (Rio Alto Loop near westcliffe chiefly), so am open to non CO trail suggestions, although I was sooooooo excited to hike a few sections.
Support, solidarity, and any advice about what to do would be greatly appreciated! Also climate anxiety is so real!!!
Smoke is pretty bad in Breckenridge. Can certainly feel it in breathing and eyes watering.
I’ve consulted with my cousin and chat gpt and just want to make sure this plan seems realistic. Thanks!!
I encourage you to stay elsewhere if you take a town stop in Leadville. I believe the New management is shady. I believe they are paying their manager in a manner that does not comply with Colorado state law. And I have a strong sense of justice. They also continue to raise their rates.
High mountain pies allows free camping in their backyard. You just need to set up when they close and pack up when they open. You can also find free camping near the old mine up 5th street.
Edit: to those saying they’ve never had an issue staying there, my criticism isn’t about the quality or guest experience, it is about what has been going on behind the scenes.
Employee is classified as exempt yet does not receive OT or on call pay. Works 55 hrs/ week on call 5 nights/week. The salary minimum applies to those employees classified as exempt.
Heads up to all out there, I just read on Watch Duty that the Willow fire has resulted in closure of all trails in the Turquoise Lake area including sections of the CT in that area. It’s a rapidly developing fire so be careful out there and keep an eye out for closure areas.
Hey guys, I’m starting my section hike a week from today (July 7th). I’m starting at segment 22 (lake city) and going to Durango. What are the odds the trail will be closed over there due to fires? Can I potentially get lucky and avoid them? Right now it looks okay, but anything can change. Wondering if I should push the trip back a couple weeks. Thanks!
Just wrapped up sections 7/8.
It may be obvious at this point with the snow pack, buts even this early in the season some of those “seasonal” streams are pretty low / none existent.
No issues getting water yet but more of a warning for those starting later in the summer.
Water sources are no joke this year.
Stay safe out there folks
I'm looking at doing the collegiate loop but the only window I have that really works is mid August. I know there's fires there right now, but even if those subside is this a crazy person plan? I'm worried about water given how dry winter seemed to be. for context I went from Denver to Breckenridge 2 years ago on CT, had to leave the trail because I broke my foot and I have a couple 14ers and high points, so some experience. enough to know I should get beta from people out there now. thanks and good luck to everyone on the trail this summer!
Hi All,
I have an odd CT thru hike plan upcoming: start with Collegiate Loop with my partner starting July 1, then after we finish, ride back to the start and go SOBO solo skipping the Collegiates when I arrive there again, ~ July 9-10.
This feels like my first major thru hike, and I'm nervous! Not for the sake of backpacking skills --- I've done the Collegiate Loop before, a West Highland Way variant last summer, plus ~1000 miles of backpacking up and down the Appalachians. But never anything this long.
I'm scared about fueling my body enough. I'm scared about my back pain --- I have /r/Spondylolisthesis , although weirdly backpacking isn't the thing that makes it hurt, but it does make my legs and feet very sore. Ultimately I'm scared about embracing a lack of control and a need for mental flexibility, which is hard for me.
Anyway, I'm seeking encouragement, and maybe even folks to look out for out there on trail.
Alternately, if you want to tell me my gear list looks fine, that would feel good. Lighterpack link here. We crushed the Pennsylvania Black Forest Trail last weekend as a shakedown using roughly this kit, although that's very different.
Just saw a warning from Breckenridge about smoke throughout the area. Suggested not hiking. We are starting SOBO on Friday. Thoughts?