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Backpacker Magazine – May 2010
Colorado Trail: Best Of
Find your hike on the country's highest footpath.
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Tags:
- Colorado Trail |
- Colorado |
- Rocky Mountains |
- Hiking |
- Backpacking |
- Long trail |
This 486-mile route—from Denver to Durango—averages 10,000 feet high and tracks through the country’s densest clutch of 12,000-foot (and taller) peaks. We interviewed last year’s crop of thru-hikers (plus Colorado Trail Foundation staff) to find the most spectacular sections. An entire weekend above treeline, the tastiest slice of pizza, the best public transit dayhike—it’s all here.Lowest Point Waterton Canyon trailhead (5,520 feet)
Easy-access Dayhike Waterton Canyon
This cottonwood-shaded canyon, minutes from Denver’s western edge, shelters mule deer, South Platte River trout, 40 bird species, and a herd of 38 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. See it all and be back by dinner on an out-and-back to Strontia Springs Dam (13 miles round-trip).
Early-access Weekend Alphabetizer Loop
In the Lost Creek Wilderness, the trail tracks below the five highest of the Kenosha Mountains’ 12,000-foot peaks, and it’s snow-free as early as May. From the Rock Creek trailhead, head seven miles west to a secluded camp. On day two, backtrack 3.4 miles to turn off-trail for a 1,300-foot climb of Zephyr Peak. Trace the ridge 6.7 miles west to the Ben Tyler Trail to close the loop. Total miles: 22.2
Best Public-transit Trip The Tenmile Range
This 11-miler spans a ridge with ski-country views. Park at Wheeler trailhead and link the CT and Peaks Trail to reach Frisco (grab an ale on Main Street). Return by free shuttle. summitstage.com
Trail Magic In summer, Leadville local “Wild Bill” Clower stocks a bin of sodas, snacks, and supplies just north of the US 24 trail crossing. The refreshments are free to hikers.
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I love the Colorado Trail and I love living in Colorado. My son and I backpacked the CT two summers ago. It took us 6 weeks (I'm over 55!). We loved every section...even though there were rough moments. I also had completed the CT in sections about 5 years ago...that took me three summers. The other magic, is the CT work crews. If you are lucky enough to run into a work crew, they are wonderful...provide food and water and great company. Thanks CT Foundation.
On behalf of the LandSharks, a group of guys and gals I'm section-hiking the Colorado Trail with, I'd like to add another "best of" - Best place for a beach party on the trail: Twin Lakes. A wide swath of sandy beach, especially when the water level is a bit down, makes for some excellent camping as well as a nice meeting spot if you have friends who want to visit you on the trail.
On behalf of the LandSharks, a group of guys and gals I'm section-hiking the Colorado Trail with, I'd like to add another "best of" - Best place for a beach party on the trail: Twin Lakes. A wide swath of sandy beach, especially when the water level is a bit down, makes for some excellent camping as well as a nice meeting spot if you have friends who want to visit you on the trail.
Thanks for this article. I've been section hiking with my kids the last couple of years (gotta love living in Colorado!) Had a great snowy lightning storm in Lost Creek area this week.
You da man Wild Bill Clower! Thanks for your generosity. Hope to meet up with you on the trail.
This is a great article, Backpacker Mag, thanks for compiling and publishing it. Plenty of useful tips for enjoying The Colorado Trail.
Bill Manning, Mg Dir
The Colorado Trail Foundation
www.ColoradoTrail.org
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