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Where's the Trail in Colorado?
The Continental Divide Trail is approximately 650 miles in
length in Colorado. Trail conditions in the backcountry are generally quite good
-- so good, in fact, that they attract excessive numbers of mountain bikers. The
CDT route is located at high elevations, averaging about 10,000 feet.
The CDTS route avoids a circuitous path in Rocky Mountain
National Park that is sometimes regarded as the official CDNST. Also, the CDTS
route departs from the designated location in the area west of Denver, from
James Peak to Copper Mountain, for a variety of reasons related to hiking
enjoyment.
The segments of the route, as described in
Guide to the
Continental Divide Trail, are:
-
Mount Zirkel Wilderness
Segment. A route in forested uplands along the Continental Divide, followed
by some alpine skyline hiking in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness.
-
Rabbit Ears Range Segment.
Private lands currently necessitate several miles along paved highway. Once
back on the Divide, however, there is pleasant walking, with excellent views
from Parkview Mountain.
-
Never Summer Range Segment.
This route through the Never Summer Wilderness is no longer part of the
primary CDTS route. Its scenery and isolation make it an attractive alternative.
-
Front Range Segment.
This skirts the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park and the Indian Peaks
Wilderness. (An alternate route in the Park climbs to the Divide and back down.
As it is such a circuitous detour, we do not recommend it.) The CDTS route south
of Rollins Pass is excellent for hiker (but not horseback) use. This includes
extremely rugged country -- very exposed to the elements
-- that the designated route bypasses. Parry Peak (13,391')
is the highest point along the entire CDTS route.
-
Vasquez-Gore Segment.
The first half, mostly above timberline, follows
recently improved tread. The CDTS route then takes rather poorly maintained path
to the town of Silverthorne, continuing through wild country to the resort
village of Copper Mountain. Portions are in the Vasquez Peak, Ptarmigan Peak,
and Eagles Nest Wilderness Areas. (The designated route, still under
development, tracks the Continental Divide more closely.)
-
Sawatch
Range Segment. Although the area includes Colorado's highest
mountains, the trail follows their flanks, in forest. South of Twin Lakes,
however, there are frequent nice stretches above timberline. We anticipate
future relocations that will get us away from motorbike traffic. The segment
includes portions of the Holy Cross, Mount Massive, and Collegiate Peaks
Wilderness Areas.
-
Cochetopa Hills Segment.
Except for the first few miles, the route
here coincides with the high-standard Colorado Trail. The terrain has gentler
contours, and the trail often follows lightly-traveled (or closed) jeep roads. A
portion is in the La Garita Wilderness Area.
-
San
Juan Mountains Segment. This is excellent backcountry hiking around
the head of the Rio Grande. The Weminuche Wilderness portion is especially
popular; but the less crowded part between Spring Creek Pass and Stony Pass is
delightful as well. Routes are generally in good condition, except near Stony
Pass. Snow limits access from mid-October to late June.
-
South
San Juan Wilderness. Wild country, predominantly at high elevations. Trails
may be difficult to follow at times. Snow conditions as in the San Juan
Mountains Segment.
Click
here to view a map of the
Trail in Colorado.
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