Get Here. The practical season for the entire Colorado Trail is roughly July, August and September, though low elevation portions near Denver are often accessible April through June. Those symptoms can indicate more serious, and possibly fatal, forms of altitude sickness known as HAPE (high-altitude pulmonary edema) and HACE (high-altitude cerebral edema). The trail ascends through meadows and ponderosa pine forest to views of Pikes Peak and sawtooth spires and peaks of the Rampart Range. Length 13.7 mi Elevation gain 1886 ft Route type Point to point The trail passes through what is considered to be some of the state's most beautiful country. The trail is managed by The Colorado Trail Foundation. Recorded Trips. Take it easy as you start the CT. Plan to hike or bike fewer miles a day the first few days than you might otherwise at lower elevations. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until September. On the Collegiate West route, the Colorado Trail follows the Continental Divide Trail for 80 miles (130 km) more. This planning guide covers when to go, which direction, navigation, dangers, section highlights, elevation, wildlife, terrain difficulty, how long it takes and more. A few people cannot, however, including those who may have an underlying medical condition that may or may not have been diagnosed. Most people can over time acclimate to the higher elevations of The Colorado Trail, which range from 5,500 feet to 13,300 feet and average 10,300 feet. How to thru-hike the Colorado Trail from end to end complete with a detailed and zoomable interactive map of the entire 486 mile long distance trail. The Collegiate East is moderate, with gentler elevation changes on well-graded trails and lower elevations. One hundred miles of extreme Colorado Rockies terrain — from elevations of 9,200 to 12,600 feet. A unique elevation profile highlights the trail's peaks and valleys, and an informative mileage chart shows the distance between key locations. Despite its high elevation, the trail often dips below the alpine timberline to provide refuge from the exposed, storm-prone regions above. If you develop lung congestion, become confused, or lose coordination, this is an emergency and you should return to a lower elevation as quickly as possible. Sentinel Island Loop via Lakeshore Perimeter. Quandary Peak - East ridge PR-014. At altitude, your body may need more sleep than normal. Its highest point is 13,271-foot above sea level, and most of the trail is above 10,000-foot. Summer days are warm with cool nights, but unpredictable mountain weather can threaten snow any month of the year. Oct 29, 2020 - Explore Leoria Sisson's board "Colorado Trail", followed by 145 people on Pinterest. The Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath are known for their mild elevation changes: canal boats and trains are notoriously flat travelers. A few people cannot, however, including those who may have an underlying medical condition that may or may not have been diagnosed. Ascend no more than 1,000-1,500 feet per day as you get going. breckenridge 100 / 68 / 32 – loop 2 – elevation profile little french flume loop 2 34.5 mi / 4,650 ft climb west ridge sallie barber gold run rd 2020 LT100 RUN CANCELLATION Buy Now. If you know the county in Colorado where the topographical feature is located, then click on the county in the list above. $14.95. From the eastern terminus at Waterton Canyon, southwest of Denver, the trail winds its way for 486 miles (782 km) through the state's most mountainous regions, to its final conclusion, about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north of Durango. A prescription drug, Diamox, is available that can help the body acclimatize. Move the pointer along the graph to the end. The low point is at an elevation that will not be seen until within a few miles of Durango, whereas the average on the whole trail is almost four thousand feet higher. per page. From Durango, the CT ascends abruptly to more than 12,000 feet in 23 miles, which is not only more challenging physically but shortens the time for acclimatizing. As a whole, the trail is of interest to bicyclists from beginners on up. See more ideas about colorado trail, colorado, colorado travel. This is a moderate one way trail in Lost Creek Wilderness Area. However, if you experience headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea or dizziness, you may be experiencing acute altitude sickness. Trail elevations range from a low of about 5,500 feet (1,700 m) at the Denver end of the trail to a high of 13,271 feet (4,045 m) on the slopes of Coney in the San Juan Mountains. Do some easy day hikes or rides to gauge how your body is adjusting to the change. It makes a great planning tool or as reference to track progress on the almost 500 mile trail. ... Total Length 32mi; Elevation Range Make sure you’re adequately hydrated and consider holding your elevation or descending to a lower elevation, depending on how severe the symptoms are. Colorado Trail [Map Pack Bundle] $24.95. The elevation of Colorado is particularly special as it is the highest state of all, with a mean elevation of 6,800 feet (2,070 m). DIFFICULT 5.5 mi. While there may be water thoughout the segment, only the creek can be depended upon at any time of year. Every map in the state of Colorado is printable in full color topos. Even years are raced North to South. The foundation's site lists guidebooks and maps to help you navigate the trail safely. This beautiful map shows the entire length of the trail from Durango to Denver as it passes along the ridge of the Rocky Mountains. Following. Consider medication. For additional information we recommend a closed group on Facebook entitled Altitude Acclimatization. Its highest point is 13,271 feet (4,045 m) above sea level, and most of the trail is above 10,000 feet (3,000 m). Stay high. Find Colorado topo maps and topographic map data by clicking on the interactive map or searching for maps by place name and feature type. Share this entry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12471292, 710 10th Street Rm 210 Elevation Profile. EASY 4.3 mi. Along the way, it passes through eight mountain ranges, six National Forests, and six wilderness areas. For 235 miles (378 km), The Colorado Trail runs concurrent with the Continental Divide Trail along the Collegiate East route. Share on Facebook; Share on Twitter; Share on Google+; Often considered one of the easier “Fourteeners” to summit, hiking Quandary Peak is challenging due to the high elevation, extreme exposure, large talus fields, and variable weather conditions. While some supported trail runners can finish it in less than 10 days (the unsupported fastest-known time is 9 days, 12 hours and 32 minutes by John Zahorian[2]), most thru-hikers spend about 4 to 6 weeks (28 to 42 days) on the trail. 10. izzyvet 4 years ago Craig Meadows to Payne Crk TH. The Eagles View Loop hike in Reynold's Park is a 4-mile, moderate, loop trail to a scenic outlook. But that is not common. Colorado Trail Elevation Profile (DGO-DEN) January 8, 2018 / 0 Comments / by Craig Fowler. A hiker traversing the entire length of the trail will gain (and lose) about 89,000 vertical feet. In addition, the east-to-west hike allows a thru-hiker to start with more gradual elevation gains and build up to the more rugged terrain of the western portion of the trail in the San Juan Mountains. Riding six days on car-free trail is a selling point in itself. The elevation profile updates for your custom trail. The majority of thru-hikers (those who hike the entire trail in one trip) hike from east to west. The race where legends are created and limits are tested. Drinking more water helps counteract the effects of dehydration that can make altitude sickness worse. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, camping, and backpacking and is best used from May until October. Its highest point is 13,271 feet (4,045 m) above sea level, and most of the trail is above 10,000 feet (3,000 m). It took me 35 days to complete the Colorado Trail, taking two zero days and four nero days, leaving Denver on July 6, 2016 and arriving in Durango on August 10. Altitude and Acclimatizing To It. 9. You will give the mountain respect, and earn respect from all. Show. In 2015 it was decided that on odd years the race would be raced South to North. The Colorado Trail is a long-distance trail running for 486 miles (782 km) from the mouth of Waterton Canyon southwest of Denver to Durango in Colorado, United States. 1. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen can offer headache relief. Get the map, driving directions, and local tips in the trail profile. [5], This article is about the hiking trail. The Colorado Trail is a long-distance trail running for 486 miles (782 km) from the mouth of Waterton Canyon southwest of Denver to Durango in Colorado, United States. Profile. The average elevation of the Trail is 10,300 feet, topping out at 13,271 feet just below 13,334-foot Coney Summit in southwest Colorado. Despite its high elevation, the trail often dips below the alpine timberline to provide refuge from the exposed, storm-prone regions above. The Colorado Trail Pocket Atlas provides detailed topographic maps, data book, elevation profiles, gps waypoints, campsites, water sources, resupply guide and other essential information to help you successfully hike the 567 mile Colorado Trail… in one ultralight, pocket-sized, easy-to-use booklet. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Wildlife abounds and wildflowers, in season, are abundant. Because of Colorado’s relatively low humidity, you’ll lose more-than-normal moisture with every breath. Return to Colorado Trail Page Page. The Colorado Trail is an established, marked, and mostly non-motorized trail open to hikers, horse riders, and bicyclists. Elevation Profile. But that is not common. 2. The time required for a thru-hiker to complete the Colorado Trail varies greatly. This choice of direction is preferred partly because snow typically melts earlier in the year on the eastern portion of the trail than on the higher western portion. Talk to your doctor about whether this might be right for you. Items 1-8 of 21. The Colorado Trail Elevation Profile. Approachable Fourteener with Views of the Tenmile and Gore Range – The Quandary Peak trailhead provides access to the 13th highest mountain in Colorado. Mayflower Lakes Loop via Spruce Creek Trail and Spruce Creek Road. Set Ascending Direction. The summary is, you don’t want to end up in an electrical storm on high exposed peaks or ridges, because your risk of getting struck by lightning is higher. ctf@coloradotrail.org, https://www.facebook.com/groups/AltitudeAcclimatization/, https://www.wemjournal.org/article/S1080-6032(19)30090-0/fulltext, https://www.wemjournal.org/article/S1080-6032(19)30090-0/pdf, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12471292. Colorado Trail: Segment 1 is a 18 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Littleton, Colorado that features a river and is rated as difficult. Nearby Hiking Trails. But what will those daily rides look like (and feel like on the legs)? Stats: 20.9 miles; 3,779-foot elevation gain Access: For the best parking, head south on U.S. 550 about 5.5 miles past Silverton to a dirt road marked Molas Trail. In the winter, large parts of it are prohibitively difficult because of deep snow. Most people can over time acclimate to the higher elevations of The Colorado Trail, which range from 5,500 feet to 13,300 feet and average 10,300 feet. The Colorado Trail was built and is currently maintained by the non-profit Colorado Trail Foundation and the United States Forest Service, and was connected in 1987. Trip Reports. National Geographic's map of the Colorado Trail is ideal for fans and hikers of Colorado's premier long distance trail. The online Colorado Trail data book has detailed elevation profiles for each trail section. Mile for mile the most beautiful trail in America… No, we’re not referring to Colorado’s availability of recreational marijuana. ... Fee Area via Colorado Trail. About the Colorado Trail. (An alternative, though not as effective, would be to stay those days in the mile-high Denver area.) When you decide to tour the Colorado Trail you have to consider multiple factors in picking a direction of travel. ELEVATION: average ~10,300 feet ROUTE: well maintained, popular trail, signed junctions GUIDEBOOK: Colorado Trail 9th Edition DATA BOOK: 7th Edition Users traveling end to end encounter the high mountain lakes and towering peaks of six wilderness areas and eight mountain ranges as they climb nearly 90,000 vertical feet. The Colorado trail meander through the following Wilderness Areas: lost Creek, Holy Cross, Mt Massive, Collegiate Peaks, La Garita and the Weminuche. Community Feed + + ... Colorado Trail Segment 6 . While much of the trail passes through forests, a good portion of it reaches above timberline, where trees are unable to grow and views are breathtaking. Fully acclimatizing can take days, even weeks, but there are a number of steps that Trail users, especially those planning multiday excursions, can take to ease their transition to the elevation change: It is normal to experience a little shortness of breath, slightly faster pulse rate and difficulty sleeping. [3], The Colorado Trail is one of the few major long trails that allow mountain biking. For the classic cowboy song, see, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Journals and Photographs from people hiking The Colorado Trail, Atlasguides (formerly Guthook) Apps for the Colorado Trail, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colorado_Trail&oldid=992341034, Long-distance trails in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 4 December 2020, at 19:29. ... Look at the elevation profile 2-3 days ahead as your plan your days. The western half of The Colorado Trail, between Monarch Pass and Durango, has less human influence, greater vistas and a display of spectacular wildflowers. Golden CO 80401 TOURING. Rate this Hike ... Payne Creek to Craig Meadows. Sort By. When preparing to hike the Colorado Trail, warnings about lightning loom large. Follow the road .2 miles to the Colorado Trail link up. Top cyclists consider it to be a world-class long-distance trail. https://www.wemjournal.org/article/S1080-6032(19)30090-0/pdf, Also this: DIFFICULT 3.1 mi. https://www.facebook.com/groups/AltitudeAcclimatization/, The Wilderness Medicine Society guidelines are a good resource for you and your doctor: https://www.wemjournal.org/article/S1080-6032(19)30090-0/fulltext The Collegiate West is challenging, with large elevation changes at high altitude and extended stretches above treeline, numerous high passes, and rough terrain. EASY 4.7 mi. Do not proceed higher until symptoms resolve. Drink more water than you ordinarily might. Like. Also highlighted on this map are passes, peaks, national forests, national parks, state parks, and Indian reservations. MAP: Trails Illustrated PERMITS: none (easy self-registration for wilderness areas) DESIGNATION: primarily 7 different National Forests BEST SEASONS: July, August, September DISTANCE: 485 miles from Denver to Durango WATER: I thru-hiked with 4 liters capacity. 1203 :: Colorado Trail, Collegiate Loop Map . There’s no fee but one needs to ask to become a member and gain access. Buy Now. …cared for by The Colorado Trail Foundation. Colorado Trail Elevation Profile The Colorado Trail is a 486-mile long-distance trail running from the mouth of Waterton Canyon southwest of Denver to Durango in Colorado, United States. Most thru- and multiday hikers and bikers elect to go south from Denver, not only as a matter of convenience but because the elevation gain is much more gradual. Other symptoms of HAPE are shortness of breath, a cough (particularly if accompanied by frothy sputum (mucus) tinged with blood), difficulty walking, and fever. The hikers' custom trail is approximately 3.6 miles with an elevation change of 680 feet. The second highest state is Wyoming, with a mean elevation 100 feet (30 m) lower than Colorado. Seasonal Popularity. Challenges. SECTION 1 - WATERTON CANYON TO KENOSHA PASS. HACE is often accompanied by confusion, loss of consciousness, fever, and a rapid heartbeat. Moderate Difficulty Highest Elevation Point for Week - 10,880 ft Lowest Elevation Point for Week - 5,520 ft We are suggesting that after arriving in the state, and before striking out on the Trail, that you spend a couple of days in a mountain town at 8,000-9,000 feet, an elevation range most helpful to your body as it begins acclimatizing. View as Grid List. The trail passes through historic mining towns, along ancient Native American trails, and through a modern, world-class ski resort. The Colorado Trail ranges in elevation from 6,000 feet to 13,334 feet with most of it above 10,000 feet. Trail in White River National Forest, Pike National Forest. Other sections appear much as they would have 500 years ago. [4] Mountain bikes are permitted along most of the trail, but there are six wilderness areas where it is against federal regulations even to possess a bicycle. The trail rises and falls dramatically. Likes. Ascend slowly. Custom Routes. Before 2015 the Colorado Trail Race always travelled North to South. Get adequate rest. Field Notes. Colorado Trail Elevation Profile. Violent thunder and lightning storms may ravage the afternoon sky, then quickly give way to warm sunshine and cloudless skies. 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