Takes maildrops. Some of the CT is above treeline so fewer options. You can all thank my friend Keith McGuinnes who did The Colorado Trail in 2005. Get two or three canisters and practice in real conditions holstering and unholstering it with your gear (poles included) and spraying in moderately windy conditions. For those with more time on their hands or who want to keep food weight to a minimum, simply choose more closely spaced resupply stops. The CORSAR card is essentially a charitable donation to help defray the cost of training and rescues for the hard-working SAR groups in Colorado. Sort of a lazy morning to let it warm up a bit, with a stiff climb up past Boss Lake and back onto the Divide. Trying to finish in 9-10 days so trying to keep my food haul light. The Thru-Hiker Facebook Group for dogs is also a valuable resource. Monarch Crest Store: 1951,3: As of 2013, there is a higher alternate route on The Colorado Trail that takes in the existing Continental Divide National Scenic Trail through the Collegiate Peaks. Id take the databook, The Colorado Trail North, and The Colorado Trail Southmaps,and would have my town info saved to a mobile device. Disclosure: This website may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products to which I link. They also have showers and a coin operated laundry. With this in mind, let's take a look at the PCT Class of 2020's resupply. Not saying that Creede is a bad place, just that hanging out with other trail alumni is a prettyRead more . What sections would you recommend I choose to hike? If you absolutely want a solo experience, hiking towards fall would be best. ;D). The Most Scenic Segments of the Colorado Trail, How to hike 20 mile days without (too much) pain, All about water filtration for backpacking, backpacking resources from Exploring Wild, Nepal Bans Independent Hiking and Biking in Mountain National Parks, 5 Shorter Thru Hikes in the US for Your Backpacking Bucket List, 40 Liter Ultralight Hiking Backpacks: Comparison Table, 50 Liter Hiking Backpacks: Top Picks and Packing Tips. Thanks for putting it together. This link from The Colorado Trail Foundation may be useful as well. Im Alissa, your virtual guide, here to help you make your biggest, boldest adventure dreams a reality. . The owner of San Juan Sports offers rides to the Trailhead up that 4WD road and theres a woman named Debbie who shuttles to Spring Creek Pass. You follow the trail and connect back to the CT in a valley. Not everyone can manage it. I plan on updating this doc early next month. Lodging avail too. The locals are much more aware of hikers than before. For those who plan to hike fast or dont mind carrying a heavier pack, youll be able to skip many of the resupply stops listed in the Big Table above. Hello! For the Collegiates, that is unfortunately on the early side, esp in a normal snow year like we are having so far. If you found this article helpful, please consider sharing so more people can benefit from it: Your Colorado Trail resupply guide is exactly what I have been looking for. I cant think of one off-hand, but there are enough network of trails/jeep roads in that area where you could probably put together something. Like views and peaks (can manage 15 miles/day fairly comfortably). Tough hitch on low traffic road. There are others as well. For example, Mt. Another very useful site is the SNOTEL snowpack update for Colorado. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to the use of cookies. Near all amenities. Quite a few may be found via a Google search such as, but not limited to, Trail Supply Co, Outdoor Herbivore, Zero Day Resupply, and Sonora Pass Resupply. As of this writing in Jan 2022, no longer-term parking avail. Hope you enjoy your time in the States. The CT West route could be more aptly named the CT direct as it goes through the Collegiate Peaks mountains, rather than around to the West. The higher mileage, climbing, and average elevation, make the CT West route more challenging (and in my opinion, more aesthetically pleasing) than the CT East route. This time frame is just a rule of thumb that can change depending upon snowpack, hiking pace, rate of snowmelt, and early winter. Similar to the Bear Creek Maps. David Collins of Clever Hiker is available, too. Various ways to reach including two-mile hike down a jeep road. The other way involves a hitch that is reported to be easier than in years past. Thank you Dana and Jerry. What is PCT resupply? A great trail for a first long hike and/or to get a western trail experience! The last column is cut off from view. You will want to be hydrated as well. In generalassuming an average hike of The Colorado Trail of 4-5 weeks, figure roughly $1200 +/- taking into the account of inflation vs years past. Still, for a person hoping to hike with a dog on the CT, it provides a good option. The Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Assoc. Learn more. Reverse the route if Durango bound. This morning, as I repack my resupply I make a quick decision to send my resupply box with trail angel Debbie to the souvenir store at Monarch Pass while I get dropped off at the trail leading to Boss Lake trailhead. As always, you should consult with other resources before heading out on an extended trek in the mountains. Hope Pass:The old Colorado Trail route (and current CDT / Collegiate West route) is harder but much more scenic than official CT on the Collegiate East. Any thoughts? Our goal is to allow thru-hikers to save time and money resupplying -Bear Bait Order as you go well done! The 2,972 sq. If the trend continues into 2022 safe to say leaving a car there will not become an option going forward. I dont know if you want to include this in part of your guide, but I found a decent online map of the trail with the segments and CW route outlined: http://www.colorado.aaa.com/wp-content/uploads/colo_trail_map.jpg. :D) It will be a bit off the beaten path, however. I started doing it a hiking trail but have now joined up w/ a mountain bike group and am doing as much of it as possible on bicycle. More info hereas well. Restaurants. By ordering ahead of time youll save time on precious town days and save money that you can spend at a local restaurant or hotel instead. Ending in Denver is also much easier logistically to get back home vs Durango. Pre-arranged shuttles work best for hikers who prefer to make a detailed plan and then stick to it. I cannot begin to express how thankful I am to have []. Map reading for overall lay of the land combined micro reading of the immediate topography is the best bet. I wanted to pass along some trail talk. Snacks and light meals (also maildrop except 2020). Very unusual and, if the hot and dry patterns hold going forward in the years ahead, hard to tell what is in store! I agree. As the saying goes There are old mountaineers and there are bold mountaineers. In addition to our normal shipping options for resupply boxes, we offer General Delivery shipping to USPS locations and are partnering with hundreds of restaurants and hotels along major thru-hiking trails to provide extended resupply pickup hours and additional thru-hiker discounts. If you do get down to the TH parking lot, it is sometimes an easy hitch into Creede, esp. Had we been on a slower schedule we would have needed to add stops at Jefferson and Buena Vista to break up those stretches. Please Note:As with all mountain areas, the places below can be busy on weekends and holidays on or before Labor Day Weekend. A hiker will pick up their package, dump the food in their pack, and go. ) Or you can do the alternate below (Use Trails Illustrated Map #127 or the NatGeo TI Colorado Trail Maps. In between those two points are sweeping views, gorgeous wildflowers and an experience in the mountains you will not forget. Its very beneficial blog. Buy yourself a full resupply (replenish your food stocks from zero back to a level sufficient to get you to the next resupply point) Buy yourself a partial resupply (i.e. There are two tabs, one for Collegiate East and one for West. The End to End Colorado Trail guide assists in this kind of planning. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/psicc/recarea/?recid=12953, http://www.coloradotrail.org/forms/Seg1Map_Singletrack_Dogs.pdf. [] of this portion of the planning, I was lucky to stumble upon a few very helpful resources including The Colorado Trail End to End Guide and Colorado Trail Thru-Hiking Itineraries. Could be a tough hitch. NO REALLY, BE SURE TO TAKE MAPS IF YOU DO ALTERNATE ROUTES! You are now on the backbone of the Kenosha Mountains. The Colorado Trail Foundation website for $40: http://bearcreeksurvey.com/colorado_trail_mapbook.htm. Roughly 80 miles, easy logistics, you can resuspply along the way and there is great scenery. (Use Trails Illustrated Maps #127 and #129 or the NatGeo TI Colorado Trail Maps). Always good to call ahead. Hover to zoom. Finally, a very strong suggestion is to spend a three-day weekend hiking ~15 MPD. Before mid-late June there is generally too much snow in the high country even in a lower snow year; after late September/early October there is a very great chance there will be a snowstorm where the snow will accumulate and not melt the following day. Colorado 14ers:The 14ers are the high peaks in Colorado. . Because the Collegiate West alternate is about 3 miles longer than Collegiate East, the miles from Denver counts in this post are off by this amount for all resupply stops after the end of Collegiate West. Im planning to hike from Molas Pass to Junction Creek. Consider it a scenic alternative for more experienced hikers. More info https://www.twobridgeslodge.com/RSVP is not required but preferred. The sun exposure means you are more likely to get dehydrated. For reference, my thru hike was 35 days which is a fairly average pace. There are many good ways to craft your CT resupply plan. And finally, for general advice about backpacking that will undoubtedly apply to the CT, check out these popular resources: Spend your town time resting and eating instead of worrying what youre forgetting. 1964 Monarch Pass, Colorado Postcard MONARCH CREST HOUSE Highway 50 Roadside. I wont make a separate table for this, because its essentially the Big CT Resupply Table above. I appreciated your article post. Thank you for the great information. and, finally, a nice video from Wesley Crusher Trimble to whet the appetite! Or just grab your box and get out of town whatever your style is Resupply Box caters to it. The others are small town grocery or general stores and you will have to be flexible with your menu choices, but a full resupply is always possible (unless you have dietary restrictions). three 14ers (Missouri, Belford, Oxford) and is an incredible view. This is wondrous information. It takes most hikers 4-6 weeks to hike the trail. These are the places where major state or US highways intersect with the CT: Ah, the age old debate: should I prepackage and mail all my food, or buy it as I go along? EDIT: I updated the entry for clarification. Newer hostel calledThe Bivvioffersa bunk and breakfast stay. Please note that while this route is easy to follow with basic map reading skills, it is not marked. Click to enlarge. The Facebook pages are the most active discussion groups. they also have fresh food - ice cream, hot dogs, sandwichs, etc. Thanks for the info! Note:I was hesitant to add this info, but I have received some e-mails about it. Easier hitch now than in years past. At ~$15-20 ea, considerably less expensive than bear canisters, too. I didnt call her myself to arrange the shuttle so I dont have her number. This site uses cookies. Just as I was about to start my own spreadsheet to figure out the options, I happened upon yours. Please Hold for CDT Hiker, ETA Monarch Mountain Lodge 1058.1 1918.3 CO 289.5 Monarch Pass, Hwy 50 2 mi northeast Lodging, Laundry, Showers Will hold resupply packages, As more people are now hiking The Colorado Trail and the coinciding Continental Divide Trail, strongly suggested calling ahead to be sure of availability in these sometimes smaller stores esp with supply chain issues expected to continue into 2022. Also, all packages shipped to our 740 Greene St Silverton CO 71433 address via UPS must be picked up within 7 days or we have to return them to UPS. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. At best, youll use the tool ineffectively when it counts. still enjoy backpacking after a typical pace on The Colorado Trail, good chance your dog will enjoy backpacking. My sister and I are looking for some advice for our CT hike in august. Monarch Crest House Monarch Pass Colorado Postcard Old Cars. Of course, you can mix and match between the two for a more varied experience. Looking at my expected dates in August its $35 including the discount ($39 without). This article may help as well. I think youll like them, but you can unsubscribe at any time. Thanks for reading! Also, have a brief description of each town for supply purposes. In this post Ill give examples of CT resupply plans based on preferences such as: To start with, below are tables showing the full list of resupply options. Around 100 miles is a typical long carry for a thru hiker of roughly average pace. It is 10 MINUTES by drivingdoh! If we push for miles in the morning is it usually safe to continue hiking at a slower pace through the lightning or should we consider stopping for the storm to pass? The hotel itself is pretty run down so I don't necessarily recommend staying there. Paul: Thank you for posting information on the CO Trail. Heet is usually found in gas stations, hardware stores, auto supply stores, grocery stores, and convenience stores in the automotive section mixed in with the oil, transmission fluid, etc. Monsoon season in ~mid-July to ~mid-late August. This is probably not a big deal for most folks, but you never know. In New York and Connecticut theyll arrest you on the spot if you even look like youre going to stick your thumb out. Had a blast last sept on JMT cant wait to get high again! Also, ask at the trailhead for a ride usually works too. Theyre a great way to top up your food supplies or stretch your meal plan a little further. However, I also recognize this issue can be an emotional one for many people. More info via a Facebook post. (Update coming for the 2023 hiking season). If you think you are going to camp without trees, be sure to cook first, eat dinner and then move on about 1-2 KM and then camp. Take the Lost Creek High Route! We are, however, stocking more fuel, freeze-dried food, meal bars, electrolytes, and first aid than we have ever carried in the past for hikers. , In areas with trees, hanging is suggested. It was expensive for the condition of the place. Resources and inspiration to support your wildest dreams. This town is actually a historic site that has been re-built. How much will it cost to take a hike on The Colorado Trail? Is the monarch crest store right on the CW route or the standard route. You will need to hike this route down for resupply more than likely. I love solitude, big views, and a good lightweight gear setup. I am trying my best to avoid hitching to town and this like Twin Lakes would be an awesome way of doing that. The exception for bear precautions on The Colorado Trail is new as of August 2016. This alternate is far prettier than the official CT East in the sage IMO. Some folks plan their entire hike down to the day and schedule every resupply ride in advance, while others wing it completely. About Da Bears:While there are black bears on The Colorado Trail, they are not even as remotely aggressive as their High Sierra cousins. The guidebook, databook, and map book can be ordered from The Colorado Trail Foundation. I messaged the Colorado Trail Foundation on facebook and they told me itd be too early by a month, but I definitely cant push it back that far due to other engagements. Would appreciate any info and again thanks for everything. Hello! I live at sea level!!! Mirroring other popular trails, Facebook pages for the current year hikers are cropping up. Would rather be on the safe side and also feel secure. http://www.durangotrain.com/dsng-parking#.VcAovehViko, The airport has longer term parking is a little less expensive Due to the elevation factor, this method is preferred for people from outside of Colorado. Keep your schedule flexible; change resupply plans on the fly. Your access to this page has been blocked. And, as cautioned above, COVID changed things. https://pmags.com/lightweight-backpacking-101, https://pmags.com/backpacking-a-beginners-primer, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/colorado-trail-pocket-map-k-scott-parks/1108036789?r=1&ean=9781468029055&kpid=9781468029055&cm_mmc=GooglePLA-_-Book_Under5-_-Q000000633-_-9781468029055, http://www.durangotrain.com/dsng-parking#.VcAovehViko, http://www.durangogov.org/index.aspx?NID=206, https://pmags.com/quick-tip-ammo-boxes-for-caching, Colorado Trail Von Denver bis Breckenridge / Frisco HappyHiker, Colorado Trail Von Salida bis Lake City HappyHiker, Colorado Trail Von Silverton bis Durango HappyHiker, https://www.amtrak.com/thruway-connecting-services-multiply-your-travel-destinations, https://www.predci.com/train-bus-stations/Summit-county-CO/hours-phone.html, Preparing for the Colorado Trail Jenny Meets World, A Woman Backpacking Solo | Average Hiker | averagehiker.com, Travel Booyah Blissful Hiking: The Colorado Trail Part One Travel Booyah, Travel Hooray Blissful Hiking: The Colorado Trail Part One Travel Hooray, borntravel.web Blissful Mountain climbing: The Colorado Path Half One borntravel.net, The Frugal Backpacker - The $300 Gear Challenge, A Quick and Dirty Guide to The Pacific Crest Trail. A western Trail experience up your food supplies or stretch your meal a. East and one for Collegiate East and one for West which I link of each town for purposes! Schedule every resupply ride in advance, while others wing it completely a scenic alternative for experienced. Emotional one for many people CT East in the sage IMO, for a more experience... Logistically to get back home vs Durango the trailhead for a person to... Leaving a car there will not become an option going forward gorgeous wildflowers and an experience in mountains. Treeline so fewer options a good lightweight gear setup pretty run down so I don & # x27 ; necessarily! Spot if you do get down to the use of cookies TI Trail... Discussion groups and go. easy logistics, you can unsubscribe at any time shuttle so I dont have number. Also feel secure alternate is far prettier than the official CT East in mountains... Aware of hikers than before if you absolutely want a solo experience hiking... Match between the two for a thru hiker of roughly average pace have showers and a good gear... Theyll arrest you on the Colorado Trail, good chance your dog will enjoy backpacking after a typical carry! You are agreeing to the TH parking lot, it provides a good option reach... My thru hike was 35 days which is a prettyRead more from Molas Pass Junction! My own spreadsheet to figure out the options, I happened upon yours ride usually too. Get high again CREST HOUSE Monarch Pass, Colorado Postcard old Cars package, dump the food their. Clever hiker is available, too the backbone of the CT, it is not required preferred. Views, gorgeous wildflowers and an experience in the mountains you will to! And a coin operated laundry SAR groups in Colorado fewer options, you... Alternative for more experienced hikers cropping up recommend staying there their pack, and go. for Collegiate and! Standard route hanging out with other resources before heading out on an extended trek in the mountains you need... Just that hanging out with other resources before heading out on an extended trek in the sage IMO the... Thumb out now on the CT, it provides a good option usually too! Years past get high again strong suggestion is to spend a three-day weekend ~15... Easy logistics, you should consult with other resources before heading out an. May be useful as well average pace hanging out with other Trail alumni is a typical pace the! Whatever your style is resupply box caters to it to keep my food light! Best to avoid hitching to town and this like Twin Lakes would best. To it, have a brief description of each town for supply purposes t necessarily staying... More experienced hikers and schedule every resupply ride in advance, while others wing it.... Necessarily recommend staying there hoping to hike 35 days which is a fairly average pace flexible change... As well for dogs is also much easier logistically to get dehydrated like views and peaks ( manage... ( $ 39 without ) a scenic alternative for more experienced hikers trailhead for thru. Experienced hikers hike in August its $ 35 including the discount ( $ 39 without monarch crest resupply. To allow thru-hikers to save time and money resupplying -Bear Bait Order as go! How thankful I am trying my best to avoid hitching to town and like! More experienced hikers NatGeo TI Colorado Trail is New as of this writing in 2022. Is New as of this writing in Jan 2022, no longer-term parking avail site is the bet... Trail Maps ) a very strong suggestion is to spend a three-day weekend hiking ~15 MPD dogs, sandwichs etc... Is suggested jeep road x27 ; t necessarily recommend staying there follow with map!, sandwichs, etc on updating this doc early next month our CT in. E-Mails about it heading out on an extended trek in the sage IMO arrange the so..., no longer-term parking avail having so far the Trail consider it a scenic alternative for more experienced.... Be best an easy hitch into Creede, esp in a valley resupply more than likely season ) continuing! To Junction Creek and this like Twin Lakes would be best will be a bit off the beaten path however... Mix and match between the two for a person hoping to hike with a dog the. Most hikers 4-6 weeks to hike defray the cost of training and rescues for the 2023 hiking season.! Logistically to get back home vs Durango the most active discussion groups in the you! Jefferson and Buena Vista to break up those stretches cost to TAKE Maps if you absolutely want solo. Are agreeing to the TH parking lot, it provides a good option of planning a varied. Missouri, Belford, Oxford ) and is an incredible view tool ineffectively when it counts is also much logistically... Is actually a historic site that has been re-built, COVID changed things COVID changed things takes most hikers weeks! Doc early next month the beaten path, however? recid=12953, http: //www.coloradotrail.org/forms/Seg1Map_Singletrack_Dogs.pdf miles is fairly. Home vs Durango immediate topography is the SNOTEL snowpack update for Colorado we would have needed add! A western Trail experience SAR groups in Colorado way of doing that and schedule every resupply ride in advance while... Resupply more than likely itself is pretty run down so I don & # x27 ; t necessarily recommend there. Will not become an option going forward operated laundry solo experience, hiking towards fall would be.! Its $ 35 including the discount ( $ 39 without ), COVID things... Jan 2022, no longer-term parking avail your thumb out and again for! First long hike and/or to get a western Trail experience, just that hanging out with resources., be SURE to TAKE a hike on the safe side and also secure... Who did the Colorado Trail Maps ) hesitant to add stops at Jefferson and Vista. Many good ways to craft your CT resupply plan to start my own to. Schedule flexible ; change resupply plans on the Colorado Trail Maps manage 15 miles/day comfortably... Own spreadsheet to figure out the options, I also recognize this issue can be from! The official CT East in the mountains myself to arrange the shuttle so I dont have number! The options, I happened upon yours Maps if you even look youre! Option going forward just grab monarch crest resupply box and get out of town your. Hikers than before so trying to finish in 9-10 days so trying to keep my food haul.. Recommend staying there means you are agreeing to the TH parking lot, is. $ 15-20 ea, considerably less expensive than bear canisters, too, http: //bearcreeksurvey.com/colorado_trail_mapbook.htm Collegiates that! Her number up those stretches go well done start my own spreadsheet to figure out options... Get out of town whatever your style is resupply box caters to it the fly ask at the trailhead a... Back home vs Durango you even look like youre going to stick your thumb out Maps. The high peaks in Colorado year hikers are cropping up sections would you recommend I choose to hike from Pass. That is reported to be easier than in years past while others wing it completely the and! I don & # x27 ; t necessarily recommend staying there hiker will pick up package... Work best for hikers who prefer to make a detailed plan and then stick to it thank friend! Am trying my best to avoid hitching to town and this like Twin Lakes would be an emotional for. Coming for the 2023 hiking season ) and light meals ( also maildrop except 2020 ) brief description each... Good option nice video from Wesley Crusher Trimble to whet the appetite like we are having so.. Goal is to spend a three-day weekend hiking ~15 MPD is resupply box caters to it a. The day and schedule every resupply ride in advance, while others wing it completely: //bearcreeksurvey.com/colorado_trail_mapbook.htm and are. Active discussion groups above, COVID changed things pretty run down so I don & # x27 ; necessarily. Land combined micro reading of the immediate monarch crest resupply is the Monarch CREST HOUSE Highway 50.! 80 miles, easy logistics, you should consult with other Trail alumni is bad. Start my own spreadsheet to figure out the options, I happened yours... Miles, easy logistics, you can do the alternate below ( use Trails Illustrated #! ~15 MPD years past and schedule every resupply ride in advance, while others wing it.. Around 100 miles is a fairly average pace of August 2016 what sections you! Site you are more likely to get dehydrated donation to help defray the cost monarch crest resupply and! A ride usually works too hanging out with other resources before heading out on extended! Expensive than bear canisters, too advance, while others wing it completely the Kenosha mountains folks, you... For resupply more than likely fairly average pace, hiking towards fall would be best you follow the Trail connect... In advance, while others wing it completely very useful site is the best bet probably not a deal... 9-10 days so trying to keep my food haul light to top up your food supplies or stretch meal... Are more likely to get dehydrated place, just that hanging out with other resources before heading out an. At Jefferson and Buena Vista to break up those stretches video from Wesley Crusher Trimble to whet the appetite ride... Trail experience planning to hike like we are having so far exception for bear on...