Most everyone knows that Colorado is my favorite state (so far) on the planet. So, it’s no surprise that I’d want to hike the Colorado Trail. This trail spans about 500 miles from Denver to Durango. I usually do hikes NOBO, or northbound, but I did this one SOBO, or southbound.

I did the Colorado trail in 2 sections. The first in 2023 from Denver to Monarch Pass. The second in 2024 from Monarch pass to Durango.

This trail holds second place for me in beauty so far. The JMT is my favorite. The views are never ending and it’s literally hard to hike because you just want to stop and take it all in all the time.

The weather on the CT is crazy. You’re at such a high elevation most of the time so it’s very unpredictable. The trail starts at a little over 5,000 feet and ascends to over 13,000 ft. You’re above treeline much of the time. You might be hiking during the day in sunny, 90 degree weather and wake up with frost on your tent in the morning. You could be hiking with no sign of clouds and within 10 mins the skies turn dark and you get pelted with “grapple” (pea-sized hail). Lightening is the worst. You might be the tallest thing on the mountain when you’re above treeline so it’s not very smart to head up the mountain if you know a storm is coming. Because it’s so unpredictable, you try to position yourself where you can get up and over the high point and back down below treeline by noon. Doesn’t always work out though. There are a few days that you’re literally above treeline all day and night.

There are 2 routes you can take from Twin Lakes: Collegiate East or Collegiate West. They both loop back into the common trail but Collegiate East is a tad shorter and is not as difficult and not quite as exposed. Collegiate West is a bit longer, more challenging because of the exposure, but has the better views and scenery. Most people wait until they get to the fork off point to decide the route based on the weather predictions. I chose Collegiate West and the scenery did not disappoint!!!

The small trail towns where I resupplied were delightful. This trail is one I’d do again after bagging some of the ones I haven’t done yet.