Curious if anyone has hiked any of the segments in Southern Colorado during the winter? Day hikes likely. I collect winter recreation data, mainly across the GMUG, Rio Grande & San Juan, and am looking for people who would be willing to collect visitor use data or chat about areas that are known to have snowmobile incursions into wilderness areas. Thanks!

I’d like to get started the last week in June. What issues am I likely to run into?

I'm in the planning stages for a thru-hike in 2025 of the CT. I've used Farout (i.e., Guthook) on a lot of previous hikes (e.g., LASH of Oregon, the JMT, the Timberline Trail, the Wonderland Trail, . . .) and on most Farout identifies campsites.

It doesn't look like that's the case with the CT? Even when I filter the entire CT I think only one (1) site shows up on the entire trail. Am I not filtering it correctly? Are sites obvious and plentiful enough that I don't need to worry about it?

UPDATE: I just received a reply from Farout, . . .

"The Colorado Trail data is now maintained in partnership with the Colorado Trail Foundation. The CTF's approach to tent sites is to assume that you can camp anywhere (using Leave No Trace principles) unless expressly stated that you cannot camp in a specified area. For that reason you will now see warning icons in some areas stating no-tenting regulations, and you will see quite a few water sources with notes regarding minimum-distance tenting regulations. Otherwise you may assume that you can camp anywhere."

Hi all, I'm planning on hiking the colorado trail next year but due to work I wouldn't be able to start until around labor day. I plan on taking around 4-5 weeks to complete and want to wrap up the hike the first week of October. Wondering if weather is a large factor up in the rockies at that point in the season. I'm experienced in winter hiking so cold and ice doesn't bother me but is there usually large amounts of snow that time of year?

Curious, what is everyone’s favorite or least favorite camp shoe they’ve used while thru hiking the CO Trail? Thanks in advance for the advice.

I’m planning to do the thru hike next summer and will be planning to stop in most towns, maybe not all of them. I’m not a fast hiker in the elevation, but I’m not slow either meaning it could take me up to 2 weeks to get to 20 mile days. After extensively reading people’s experiences with UR Sack vs. BV, I’ve decided to go with BV even though it’s bulky. For those of you who have already done the thru hike and used a BV, what size BV do you recommend? Thanks in advance for any advice.

But I've never actually been backpacking before. How much experience, practice, or training would I need before attempting the trail?

Do I start with building skills doing 2-3 night trips for months/years first? What does the timeline look like to get experience up the CT level?

Backpacking seems like it would be a good natural extension of my outdoor interests. I'm a Coloradan, an avid day-hiker, snowboarder, and a frequent dispersed camper.

Thank you for your feedback!

Segment 18.

I was day dreaming today about how cool it would be to attempt a through hike without a cell phone. I’m a fairly experienced backpacker. I always lament the distraction of my phone. Obv through hiking pre-dates cell phones and many have completed the trail without them. A lot of backpacking skills I learned with the help of YouTube Reddit and BackpackerRadio. But for obvious reasons pre-cell skills are not really a frequent topic on those platforms. My first thoughts of a cell phones functions and their analog equivalents are TRAIL NAVIGATION: map, compass, necessary skills TOWN NAVIGATION:addresses and phone #s of hostels and resupply locations MUSIC:iPod and headphones EMERGENCY:I have an inreach E-READER: I like books anyway CAMERA: I have a GoPro and a 35mm I’m proficient with

What am I missing/forgetting? How can I learn and practice using map and compass? Any experience or advice from pre-cell hikers would be greatly appreciated! The idea would be to attempt this on my 2025 hike.

Anyone here ever use the Tin Man Aluminum Can Alcohol Stove? If so, do you recommend it?

Hoping to go SOBO next season. I fish a lot and wondering if it’s reasonable to bring a small fly rod? I figure the trail passes quite a few lakes and rivers but I’m not sure. Weight is also a consideration but would be willing to bring if it’s worth it. Thanks

I was watching this YouTube video where there guys come across a trail magic house in between segments 1 & 2 along the south plate river. I can’t find any other information about it online anywhere and this video is a few years old so I’m wondering if anyone has any more information on it and if it even exists still at all. Thanks!

https://youtu.be/zEBQBHuuhIU?si=5WuEINISkkXfK9il

Timestamp 2:02

I’m considering doing the thru hike next summer and wanted advice on pack size. For example, I noticed packs come in 45 or 60L. What size is most common for thru hikers? My guess is the larger size. I don’t know if it matters but 43F 5’4” 133lbs.

Thanks!

Do we know if people are still hiking? I’m going to be in Leadville early next week and would love to give back.

Looking for a solid 8-10ish mile hike that’s close (within 40ish minutes) to Colorado Springs, are there any good recommendations? I want to get one last one in before the weather and my work schedule gets in my way.

Anyone else miss the trail terribly? I can without a doubt say that the trail was the 31 happiest days of my life. Now back to everyday life (I’m a nurse and also training for a marathon) I feel so disconnected from the world and all the people in it.

Luckily I was able to give a hiker a ride to Willis Gulch today and felt some connection to the trail and the happiest days of my life. This shit is hard.

Hey y'all!

Next week we're caravanning up to the Hotel Draw Road Trailhead and don't have a 4x4 vehicle. I'm looking for alternate routes that are more friendly to something AWD.

I've heard Forest Road 564 is more accessible but am unsure. Would love to hear it from someone who's been there.

Thanks!

I’ll be hiking the collegiate west next year and was planning on using my bear vault but I am having thoughts about switching to the ursack for the weight savings. Does anyone have any experience using the ursack on the trail?

My partner and I will be hiking Section 8 southbound from Friday, September 20th to Monday, September 23rd, and need transportation from Tennessee Pass to Copper on Friday or Monday (leaving a car at either Tennessee or Copper depending on the day). Any advice on reliable transportation and/or which trailhead would be best for parking a car overnight? I was at the Alpine lot in Copper a few days ago, and saw signs that said no overnight parking during the summer season but I've also read that you can call the security office and let them know you'll be parking for a few nights. Any information is much appreciated!

Guthook is great for trail logistics. But this book is fantastic. Very well written and organized.

Looking to put an effort on the CT next summer. not racing, just riding. Budgeting 15-18 days. I have 2 bikes at my disposal. A 150/140 trail bike (stump jumper) and a 120mm trail hard tail (Esker japhy). Esker has clearance for 2.8 tires and sliding drop outs. For those that have biked the CT which would you go with and why? I’m a fairly experienced rider and have some bike packing/touring miles under my belt. Just wondering what people might suggest. Never bikepacked on a full squish so would have to tweak storage which is no big deal, but don’t want to if I don’t have to. I did the tour divide route on a fully rigid 29er and have my gear pretty dialed, just not sure what bike to throw it on. Thanks for any tips.