From Denver to Durango, the Colorado Trail travels 567 miles through some of the beautiful terrain the Centennial State has to offer.
In this short video the Colorado Trail Foundation makes an excellent case as to why, mile for mile, "the Colorado Trail is the most beautiful trail in America". Enjoy:
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
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Showing posts with label Colorado Trail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colorado Trail. Show all posts
Friday, December 26, 2014
Saturday, March 15, 2014
U.S. Forest Service Seeks Comments on Re-Route of Colorado Trail
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Salida Ranger District is seeking public comments on the design and re-route of a portion of the Colorado Trail. The project area is approximately 15 miles west of Salida, Colorado in Chaffee County. Plans include the design and construction of approximately 4.5 miles of new trail located on portions of the Colorado Trail. Comments are due no later than April 15th.
The Salida Ranger District is working to finalize two locations for initial layout and design of a non-motorized portion of the Colorado Trail located in the South Fooses Creek drainage.
* A section of the current single track trail is experiencing significant vegetation and soil loss. To alleviate this damage a re-route of approximately two miles of single track trail will be designed.
* A trail alignment will re-route the current location of the Colorado Trail, currently co-aligned with National Forest System Road (NFSR) #225. This section of trail will include approximately 2.5 miles of new single track trail.
* The final phase will enhance the current South Fooses Reservoir restroom facility site to include trailhead parking and proper signing.
The project will utilize USFS trail standards regarding design, layout and construction of a sustainable class trail system.
To request additional information or submit comments contact Project Manager Brett Beasley at either (719) 539-3591 or bbeasley@fs.fed.us. Information or comments can also be faxed to (719) 539-3593 or delivered in person or mailed to: Salida Ranger District Office, 5575 Cleora Rd., Salida, CO 81201. The office is open weekdays from 8:00a.m. – 4:30p.m., excluding holidays.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
The Salida Ranger District is working to finalize two locations for initial layout and design of a non-motorized portion of the Colorado Trail located in the South Fooses Creek drainage.
* A section of the current single track trail is experiencing significant vegetation and soil loss. To alleviate this damage a re-route of approximately two miles of single track trail will be designed.
* A trail alignment will re-route the current location of the Colorado Trail, currently co-aligned with National Forest System Road (NFSR) #225. This section of trail will include approximately 2.5 miles of new single track trail.
* The final phase will enhance the current South Fooses Reservoir restroom facility site to include trailhead parking and proper signing.
The project will utilize USFS trail standards regarding design, layout and construction of a sustainable class trail system.
To request additional information or submit comments contact Project Manager Brett Beasley at either (719) 539-3591 or bbeasley@fs.fed.us. Information or comments can also be faxed to (719) 539-3593 or delivered in person or mailed to: Salida Ranger District Office, 5575 Cleora Rd., Salida, CO 81201. The office is open weekdays from 8:00a.m. – 4:30p.m., excluding holidays.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Monday, October 7, 2013
A Month On The Colorado Trail
Get a glimpse of the 486-mile Colorado Trail on this 31-day journey from Denver to Durango. Backpacker Wesley Trimble spent a month filming his trek across the state. He has some pretty interesting film footage, using some unique cuts. Either way, the scenery is beautiful:
From the 16th to the 16th from Wesley Trimble on Vimeo.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
From the 16th to the 16th from Wesley Trimble on Vimeo.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Monday, April 29, 2013
New Colorado Trail Segment: The Collegiate West Alternative
The nearly 500-mile Colorado Trail between Denver and Durango, already a crown jewel among long-distance hikers, bikers and horse riders as well as thousands of day users, is adding 80 miles of trail through the spectacular Collegiate Peaks, home to a dozen of the state's 14,000-foot mountains.
The new "Collegiate West" forms a western complement to the existing 80-mile stretch of trail on the eastern side of the Collegiate Peaks from Twin Lakes, southwest of Leadville, to south of Monarch Pass, southwest of Salida. It also creates a 160-mile loop we expect to become one of Colorado's most popular multi-day hikes/rides.
Loop hikers can park at access points anywhere along the east or west trail and not have to worry about shuttling vehicles. There are also good resupply spots – Twin Lakes, Buena Vista, Mount Princeton Hot Springs, Monarch Pass, and Salida – along the route.
The new 80 miles, which also are part of the 3,000-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) that runs from Canada to Mexico, won't add to the 486-mile distance for hikers and other enthusiasts tackling The Colorado Trail, but will provide a high-elevation alternative that features such landmarks as the beautiful Hope Pass and Lake Ann.
The Colorado Trail has long shared 234 miles of trail with the CDNST. After the Continental Divide Trail Alliance, which oversaw the building and maintenance of the CDNST, dissolved in early 2012, The Colorado Trail Foundation responded and agreed to provide CTF volunteer stewardship on 80 additional miles as well as add this scenic and fun alternative route to the heart of The Colorado Trail.
The Collegiate West, much of which now follows old logging and mining roads, is being rerouted and rehabilitated as part of a multi-year project involving crews from The Colorado Trail Foundation, U.S. Forest Service, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Southwest Conservation Corps, and even the Buena Vista Correctional Facility. Trail signs are already in place to aid users along the new route.
5 New Segments that make up Collegiate West:
• Twin Lakes to Sheep Gulch TH, 9.8 miles
• Sheep Gulch TH to Cottonwood Pass Road TH, 25.2 miles
• Cottonwood Pass Road TH to Garden Basin TH, 10.3 miles
• Garden Basin TH to Hancock TH, 14.2 miles
• Hancock TH to Intersection with CT above S. Fooses Creek, 22.6 miles
Highlights of Collegiate West:
• Elevation gain: 18,478 ft.
• Hope Pass
• Lake Ann Pass
• Higher route (and sometimes more exposed)
• Top-of-the-World views
• Tunnel Gulch - Alpine Tunnel
• Great fishing route with numerous lakes and streams
• Nearby 14ers: La Plata, Huron Peak
• Resupply locations: Twin Lakes, Taylor Park Trading Post, Tincup, Saint Elmo, Garfield, Monarch Pass
The Executive Director for the Colorado Trail Foundation, Bill Manning, predicted in the Winter edition of tread lines that the new 160-mile Collegiate Loop is bound to become one of most popular long hikes in Colorado.
For more information on the Colorado Trail and the new Collegiate West Alternative, please click here.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
The new "Collegiate West" forms a western complement to the existing 80-mile stretch of trail on the eastern side of the Collegiate Peaks from Twin Lakes, southwest of Leadville, to south of Monarch Pass, southwest of Salida. It also creates a 160-mile loop we expect to become one of Colorado's most popular multi-day hikes/rides.
Loop hikers can park at access points anywhere along the east or west trail and not have to worry about shuttling vehicles. There are also good resupply spots – Twin Lakes, Buena Vista, Mount Princeton Hot Springs, Monarch Pass, and Salida – along the route.
The new 80 miles, which also are part of the 3,000-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) that runs from Canada to Mexico, won't add to the 486-mile distance for hikers and other enthusiasts tackling The Colorado Trail, but will provide a high-elevation alternative that features such landmarks as the beautiful Hope Pass and Lake Ann.
The Colorado Trail has long shared 234 miles of trail with the CDNST. After the Continental Divide Trail Alliance, which oversaw the building and maintenance of the CDNST, dissolved in early 2012, The Colorado Trail Foundation responded and agreed to provide CTF volunteer stewardship on 80 additional miles as well as add this scenic and fun alternative route to the heart of The Colorado Trail.
The Collegiate West, much of which now follows old logging and mining roads, is being rerouted and rehabilitated as part of a multi-year project involving crews from The Colorado Trail Foundation, U.S. Forest Service, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Southwest Conservation Corps, and even the Buena Vista Correctional Facility. Trail signs are already in place to aid users along the new route.
5 New Segments that make up Collegiate West:
• Twin Lakes to Sheep Gulch TH, 9.8 miles
• Sheep Gulch TH to Cottonwood Pass Road TH, 25.2 miles
• Cottonwood Pass Road TH to Garden Basin TH, 10.3 miles
• Garden Basin TH to Hancock TH, 14.2 miles
• Hancock TH to Intersection with CT above S. Fooses Creek, 22.6 miles
Highlights of Collegiate West:
• Elevation gain: 18,478 ft.
• Hope Pass
• Lake Ann Pass
• Higher route (and sometimes more exposed)
• Top-of-the-World views
• Tunnel Gulch - Alpine Tunnel
• Great fishing route with numerous lakes and streams
• Nearby 14ers: La Plata, Huron Peak
• Resupply locations: Twin Lakes, Taylor Park Trading Post, Tincup, Saint Elmo, Garfield, Monarch Pass
The Executive Director for the Colorado Trail Foundation, Bill Manning, predicted in the Winter edition of tread lines that the new 160-mile Collegiate Loop is bound to become one of most popular long hikes in Colorado.
For more information on the Colorado Trail and the new Collegiate West Alternative, please click here.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Friday, April 26, 2013
The Top 10 Mountain Bike Rides in Colorado
Looking for the best mountain biking trails in Colorado? Dan Hickstein spent a year living in the back of his Subaru and riding great singletrack to research his recently released book, The Mountain Biker's Guide to Colorado. In this presentation at REI he'll show many of his excellent photos while giving you the scoop on the best mountain bike rides in Colorado, from sublime after-work loop rides to the epic Colorado Trail.
Dan's presentation will be held at the REI in Westminster on May 13th, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. To register for the free event, please click here. The REI in Boulder will also offer the same presentation on May 16th, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. To register, please click here .
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Dan's presentation will be held at the REI in Westminster on May 13th, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. To register for the free event, please click here. The REI in Boulder will also offer the same presentation on May 16th, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. To register, please click here .
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Ultimate High: Mountain Biking The Colorado Trail
With its high-altitude riding, spectacular vistas, and wild, remote segments, the 486-mile Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango offers mountain bikers the adventure of a lifetime. Join four riders, ranging in age from 17 to 52, who traversed the trail over the course of two summers as they discuss gear and food selection, training, and logistical challenges, as well as the rewards of tackling this incredible adventure.
The presentation will be held at the REI in Englewood on April 25th, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. To register for the free event, please click here. The REI in Lakewood will also offer the same presentation on April 29th, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. To register, please click here.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
The presentation will be held at the REI in Englewood on April 25th, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. To register for the free event, please click here. The REI in Lakewood will also offer the same presentation on April 29th, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. To register, please click here.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Saturday, January 26, 2013
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