Colorado Hiking trails span 500 miles from Denver to Durango, and it's arguably one of Colorado's greatest outdoor recreation and education achievements. Over eight mountain ranges, along five river systems, and traversing six national forests and six wilderness areas, this diverse trail is truly a natural wonderland. Each year, additional bridges, switchbacks, and markings are added, making the trail more and more accessible.
However, because of it's length, altitude, and in many places - sheer ruggedness - The Colorado Trail (CT) can be at first hard to get your hands around. A guide to getting started:
The CT is comprised of 28 segments, ranging from 11.4 miles to 32 miles. Elevation gains along segments span from 1,040 to 4,520 feet. Looking at length and elevation gain (and at what altitude!) is a good way to gauge each segment's difficulty. Here are some popular ones from throughout the state:
Denver
(Segment #1: Waterton Canyon to South Platte River; 16.5 miles; 2,346-foot elevation gain)
This is a moderate and very scenic route near Denver. A good warm-up, the first six miles climb gradually along a dirt road then turn onto rolling and climbing singletrack trail. Popular for mountain biking, too. Watch for bighorn sheep, elk and deer. Note: Dogs are not permitted in Waterton Canyon.
Access: From Denver, go south on Wadsworth Boulevard past Chatfield State Park. Turn left on Waterton Road (just before the entrance to Lockheed Martin) and park there.
Take 1-70 West from Denver to access several more CT trailheads. With the reroute of this section, you can access the CT from the west side of Highway 9. Look for the CT sign in the woods alongside the highway. Underneath the Eagle Lift of Copper Mountain resort, look for the white rock with the CT logo. Head up through Copper's cross-country ski trails, past Janet's Cabin (a backcountry hut that you can reserve through the 10th Mountain Division; www.huts.org), and over two passes. You'll look down at Lake Dillon and settling ponds at Climax near Leadville. The free Summit Stage bus (which runs between Silverthorne, Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon and Copper) gives you even more flexibility: You can hike further without doubling back.
Access: From Denver, take I-70 West past Frisco to Copper Mountain resort.
Collegiate Peaks
(Segment #13: North Cottonwood Creek to Chalk Creek Road; 22.28 miles; 4,085-foot elevation gain)
Among a massive cluster of 14,000-foot peaks and near the towns of Buena Vista and Salida, are several great segments of the CT. This branch will take you high on the flanks of Mt. Yale, where you can summit the 14er as part of your journey. Along the way, dip your feet in Chalk Creek. And for those apres-hike aching bones, try the nearby Cottonwood Hot Springs or Mt. Princeton Hot Springs further south on U.S. 24 (go west at Nathrop).
Access: On U.S. 24 in Buena Vista, go west onto Main Street, which turns into County Road 306. Follow it 9.5 miles to the Avalanche Trailhead.
This rugged, Alps-like mountain range is often considered the state's most stunning. Starting high above the town of Silverton and sandwiched between two high-alpine passes, one of them clearly the state's gnarliest, this segment is a hiker's paradise. Summer wildflowers followed by changing aspens, waterfalls, and awesome views of Engineer Mountain (so high, engineers once used it on their surveys).
Access: For the best parking, head south on U.S. 550 about 5.5 miles past Silverton to a dirt road marked Molas Trail. Follow the road .2 miles to the CT linkup.
The trail is managed by The Colorado Trail Foundation, 303-384-3729. For more information, check out The CTF's website, www.coloradotrail.org. The CT Store page lists guidebooks and maps. Find out how to join the CTF's volunteer trail crews and other programs by contacting the CTF at
