July 2021: Colorado Trail Facts & FAQs

• 486 Miles, comprised of 28 “segments”

• Durango to Denver (most people hike “SOBO” from Denver to Durango, I’m going the opposite)

• Highest Point: 13,271 feet

• Average Elevation: 10,300 feet

• Average Time: 4-5 Weeks (I’m anticipating at least 6 Weeks - I’m a slow hiker and I enjoy “zero days”)

• Start Date: August 10th.

• Resupply Towns: Durango, Silverton, Creede, Salida, Buena Vista, Twin Lakes, Leadville, Breckenridge, Fairplay.

• No/Few Shelters or Privies - we are backcountry camping.

• How will we know where to go? I downloaded the “Guthook” App for the Colorado Trail, and we will be using the Colorado Trail Databook.

• Cell phone service is unreliable - I’ll be carrying a SPOT GPS and sending my coordinates to my parents twice a day.

• Temperature Range: 30º-80º. I’ll be bringing gloves, ear warmers, yaktracks

• Common Wildlife: marmots, squirrels, deer, elk, bighorn sheep, birds. Bears are not typically an issue, but we will be hanging our food in scent-proof bags.