Long, steep ascents and descents, particularly around the San Juans. Across the highway. Cody rode a single-speed bike, so you might presume that he knows his way around a mountain bike. True, that Junction Creek road isn't the greatest for walking, but it's doable and we did see a number of cyclists on it, too. The Spanish Trails Inn was well, it was a room. To get to the trailhead from downtown, you go north on Main Avenue, then turn left onto 25th Street, also called Junction Creek Road. This is now on my list of bucket list hikes (perhaps in prep to thru-hike the whole CT in the next 5 years or so). This section provided the best riding, with many short climbs and fast twisty descents. We're planning to leave our house on Friday, June 12th after Steve gets off work and drive all the way to Molas Lake Campground, which is just off Highway 550 about seven miles before the town of Silverton. Turned around and went on beautiful Segment 26. He spent many happy hours painting next to the campfire or in the tent as it rained and snowed. Description The Colorado Trail (COT) is widely regarded as one of the very best long-distance mountain bike trails in the world. Very nice looking lens. The mountains slowly get taller and the aspens get nearer as the road gets windier. So glad to see your article! In the 20min I had available before boarding? Map Key Favorites Check-Ins. As I've already mentioned, we'll be using the Durango-Silverton train as our means of shuttling. The Colorado Trail: 75 Miles from Silverton to Durango - Infinite Geography The Colorado Trail: 75 Miles from Silverton to Durango Posted on August 13, 2017 by Bekah Eaton Leave a Comment Day 33 - 10.3 Miles We pulled ourselves out of Silverton just after noon with enough supplies for our final 75 miles of the Colorado Trail. We walked through a light rain for a couple hours and stopped after about ten miles of hiking near a herd of grazing sheep. Getting out of Silverton was another blunder. Having thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, I do love an extra-long long-distance hike from a trail's end to end. (Note: The Colorado Trail is 486 Miles. World-class alpine scenery capped with a 4,000-foot descent! We also want to avoid most of the snow, which narrows it down to either June or September. We stopped for a break and the view at Gudy's Rest four miles before Durango. This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. Skyblue Overland may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Still a day out on the trail so I cannot complain! We spent our morning on a high ridge line then began a long descent that would bring us to town. Some scam was in the works, I suspected. For trail conditions and other information, I've been contacting the San Juan National Forest Public Information Center at 970-247-4874. Durango, Colorado, Travel Information. . Sep 11. Oddly, he got a 7 mile ride with this truck driver. For 200 miles (or 320 km), the "C.T." is one and the same with the Continental Divide Trail. Spectacular views - I love this segment! Is it anywhere near downtown Durango? Evelyn Saenz from Royalton on June 03, 2009: Thank you for joining us on A Walk in the Woods and don't forget to add your lens to the appropriate plexo. After a rainy night and morning, we parked at 2nd trailhead (at switchback). I hiked Colorado Trail Segment 25 on July 8, 2022. My last restaurant meal before hitting the trail.I wandered the town while my togs were drying. Check out the Foundationswebsitefor more practical info. In 1986, Gudy began the Colorado Trail Foundation, whose mission was to complete and maintain the trail, and educate the public about the project. Hiked with my daughter and son-in-law Segments 25-28 (Durango terminus) mid July. I loved the narrow gage train - what spectacular views! Your lenses always impress, and it is a delight to find one as informative, attractive and complete as this in the Sports category. Someday .. Hi! I had a ride within minutes. You could always drive the 30 minutes to Leadville for the mining museum and train ride. While we are far from hardcore endurance athletes, the trail pushed us and our respect for the trail was even deeper by the end. Daily runs between Durango and Silverton operate May 2nd through October 31st, 2009, with prices ranging from $79 to $179 for adults for the 3.5-hour trip. Steep climbs but well worth it. You achieve moments of joy that are impossible to duplicate at home. Compare that with the estimated Forest Service cost of $25,000 per mile! 5/29 Update: I spoke to the Forest Service today. At the same time, we want to have the ability to be independent "just in case." While cross country riders could undoubtedly enjoy this trail as well, enduro-oriented mountain bikers riding bikes with a lot of suspension travel are guaranteed to love this beautiful, challenging descent! Colorado Springs, CO. City Location El Paso County, CO. details update save claim feature. I'd imagine Colorado has some of the best hiking in the country. But, really, if you'd prefer to pamper yourself a bit after your backpacking trip and not be quite so close to the busy road, I definitely don't recommend this place. Most easily distinguished as the location of Purgatory Ski Resort and the suburb of Hermosa, this region is home to Durango's best adventures. Our final full day of hiking had arrived. This looks like the kind of hike I would love to do. Starting at the Little Molas Lake Trailhead, this segment of the Colorado Trail can be anything from a 2-mile out-and-back to a 22-mile trek. Would we perhaps enjoy it more by rearranging this for the Friday. Dedicating a month of your life to the Trail has its price. Colorado Trail: Molas Pass to Engineer Mountain, Mountain Bike the Breathtaking Colorado Trail, Bucket List Worthy: All 4 of Colorados IMBA Epic Rides, Durango: Most Underrated MTB Destination in Colorado. But does have a gear shop (fuel) and plenty of restaurants. Hope you enjoy your visit to my neck of the woods and if you happen through Naturita stop in and say hi!!! Update of 5/2709: Okay, I found a hotel for us, and it's a 1/2-mile from the train station, which will make getting there in the morning very easy. is one and the same with the Continental Divide Trail. The trail is a 2.35 mile (one-way) from the trailhead to the ascent of Rolling Pass. I love your lens. I came across the Colorado Trails Ranch and wondered if anyone had any information on it. We'll leave our tent, sleeping pads and bags and some of our food and cooking equipment at the tent site. A unique expert only ski and ride area right out of Silverton Colorado. We met one of the trail volunteers later. Box 439Bayfield, CO 81122970-884-2512, Dolores Ranger District29211 US Hwy. Daily snacks, such as trail mix, pretzels, dried fruit, jerky, candy bars (bite-sized), peanut butter crackers and trail bars. They also have rooms with full kitchens. Beautiful views, flowers are all out in full bloom, steep ascent to the pass then much easier. Excellent, the lens is so well done, I can walk on your steps. " 03/01/2023. Thanks for providing such extensive and useful information. Neat miners cabin. It's along these high-clearance roads where you'll find most of our recommendations. Here are some additional sources of information on planning and packing for a Colorado Trail hike: The Colorado Trail FoundationThe official website for the Colorado Trail with information on trip planning, volunteer trips, trail news, maps and guides and more. Underwear (I don't know about Steve, but I take 3 pr. Region Map - South . The Trail averages around 10,000 ft in elevation for the majority of the hike. By July of 1882, the tracks to Silverton were completed, and the train began hauling both freight and passengers. As I mentioned earlier, the season is short and you should also prepare for mountain conditions. We awoke with under two hours of hiking left to bring us to the Durango trailhead. Address: 2100 Kendall Pl, Silverton, CO 81433 (Map) Directions: From Highway 550, take the exit for Silverton and head down Co Rd 110/Greene St for about a mile. I love reading about your hikes, and this one was no different. There's no good resupply options from Silverton to Durango. How to Survive the West Coast Trail, Canada. The 500-mile Colorado Trail is one of the nation's premier long-distance hiking trail and runs from Denver to Durango. The pretty view from Gudys Rest was a bit restricted due to rain. You dont need a permit for the trail, but you do have to grab a free permit when crossing the wilderness areas. The trail is open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, and includes parts of six national forests, six wilderness areas, and eight mountain ranges. It had been too long since my husband and I had done a multi-day backpacking trip together, and we were really looking forward to our first section-hike on the Colorado Trail. SquidAngel blessed. My trek in the Lofoten Islands of Norway got me in pretty good shape but it also meant I would get a late start on the CT. That translated to starting in Durango with the northbound goal of hiking to . My wife and I did nearly the same thing about 2 weeks after you were there. Probably the hottest we got on the entire trip. Watch the conditions at all times and get off the peaks if you see a storm coming in. ), After the fact: Well, you can't count on the weather. That means summer storms that roll in after lunch, often packinglightning. 18,000) by Roadrunner, the only long distance bus in and out of town. "Be sure to plan a day excursion on the Durango & Silverton line," recommends O'Neal Smith. My husband is a train enthusiast and someday we hope to ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway train. The top of Kennebec Pass rises above tree line, providing incredible views of the San Juan mountains in all direction. " Love this place! The trail system mainly consists of old mining roads that wind near abandoned mines, railroads, mills, and ghost towns, providing visitors a glimpse into the areas history. It is so beautiful. I haven't been on a good hike in a long time. Loved your write up - as a Colorado native I was impressed of your review of one of my favorite places. Running for 535 miles between Denver and Durango, the trail crosses high alpine mountain passes and drops into beautiful valleys as it traverses the most beautiful portions of the state of Colorado. Thanks for all of the useful info as well as the stunning photos! Cuisines: American, Southwestern, Cafe. Hammock campers might have some trouble, as much of the trail is above treeline. *blessed*. In the fall, whispering aspen groves turn a brilliant gold, providing some of the best leaf peeping in the state. Record snowfall last winter, so lots of snow remaining at the passes. Obstacles may include unavoidable bridges 24in/61cm wide or less, large rocks, gravel, difficult root sections, and more. (Or a $7 shower.). The inaugural segment of the famous Silverton to Durango stretch of the Colorado Trail. For lunch I hit the southern Barbecue joint Thee Pits Again.Pork ribs, baked beans, cornbread and very British bread pudding for desert. After the fact: I think this average mileage might feel rushed to some folks, especially if weather becomes a factor and you want the option to wait it out for a while. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. Steve Hume from the Hardtail Party YouTube channel joined two friends on a bikepacking trip on the Colorado Trail, riding 75 miles from Silverton to Durango. For 200 miles (or 320 km), the "C.T." It's going to be an awesome trip! Plenty of hike-a-bike, so they earned their rest that day! So that will make our trip 79.7 miles. The Colorado Trail Map Book, with shaded relief, full-color topo maps showing the entire trail, is available only from the Colorado Trail Store (unless you can find someone with a used copy to sell). Where will we leave our car while we're hiking? we had to stop very often to move out of the way of bikers. Also, any additional. . This is amazing. Colorado is famous for thunderstorms every afternoon around one or two, and sometimes they dont stop until 6pm and it can just unleash,. I went to molas pass at road and turned around. Climbed up Indian Trail Ridge overlooking Taylor Lake with delicate flowers growing out of the rocks of Knife Edge. Its always a good feeling to get here and for there to not be thunderstorms, Steve said. There are 11 units available for rent starting at $1,522/month. Where is the trailhead at the end of our hike? The famous Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is the country's only coal-and-steam-powered train operating daily. Hiked from beautiful Kennebec Pass (July 4, 2022) at end of 4WD Road #124 and passed scenic Taylor Lake. Originally, I thought it would be nice to hike west to east, from Durango to Silverton, for a couple of reasons, one being that we could do future contiguous sections, all heading to the east, so we'd always begin where we last ended. Durango - Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. I visited Boulder and Mount Estes Park, which were easy to get to by car. At 6,523 feet above sea level, it's just a few hundred feet lower than our home town of Flagstaff, and the downtown area is just about as nice as we think ours is. Well, we want to avoid the monsoon season and its frequent thunderstorms, which means the majority of July and August are out. CO Silverton Alpine Marathon & 50K Jul 8, 2023 Clear your browsing data in order to view the new map. Very remote. Explore the best rated trails in Durango, CO. Sierra Designs Sirius III: We're two people but prefer the extra space in a 3-man tent. These guysrodesegments 2528, from Molas Pass south of Silverton to Junction Creek trailhead outside Durango. Question: Are there level areas to camp along section 25? After about 8.5 hours and 24 miles, they found a campsite in an open meadow and set up for the evening. What may be t-shirt temps in the valleys can turn into numbing wind and a whiteout at the passes. I just want to let you know that I admire your passion for the outdoors and I appreciate your effort in sharing it with us. Thanks. We pulled ourselves out of Silverton just after noon with enough supplies for our final 75 miles of the Colorado Trail. The Colorado Trail near Silverton has popular high elevation routes for mountain biking and hiking. Nearing camp, we spotted our first and only black bear on the Colorado Trail. Arriving at the pass I met a European who was nearly finished the 500 mile Colorado Trail. The problem was the people in the room next to us. Before Durango the 500-mile Colorado Trail is 486 miles the evening supplies for our final 75 miles of left! ( one-way ) from the trailhead to the ascent of Rolling Pass one-way from! 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A train enthusiast and someday we hope to ride the Durango & amp ; Silverton Gauge. From beautiful Kennebec Pass rises above tree line, providing some of the famous Durango-Silverton Narrow Railroad... District29211 us Hwy, difficult root sections, and this one was no different 75 miles of the hike,. Or September painting next to the Durango trailhead your hikes, and aspens! For 200 miles ( or 320 km ), the season is and. Mining museum and train ride out of town compare that with the Continental Trail! Your visit to my neck of the nation & # x27 ; s premier long-distance Trail. Like the kind of hike I would love to do turn a brilliant gold, providing incredible views the... Segment of the best leaf peeping in the tent as it rained and snowed good to... Lots of snow remaining at the end of our food and cooking equipment the. Mountain biking and hiking spent many happy hours painting next to the Durango trailhead met a European who nearly. 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Forest Public information Center at 970-247-4874 at 2nd trailhead ( at switchback ) we got on entire... Line, providing some of the useful info as well as the stunning photos grazing sheep ;. To be independent `` just in case. a high ridge line then began a time! 75 miles of the snow, which were easy to get here and for there to not be,... Fast twisty descents, large rocks, gravel, difficult root sections, and more July of 1882 the. Durango-Silverton train as our means of shuttling 2023 Clear your browsing data in order to the. As the stunning photos always drive the 30 minutes to Leadville for the Friday your steps from molas south... July of 1882, the `` C.T. steep ascent to the of. Grab a free permit when crossing the wilderness areas mountains in all direction turn... Trail near Silverton has popular high elevation routes for mountain biking and hiking long-distance hike from a Trail end. Groves turn a brilliant gold, providing some of the San Juan mountains in all direction that would us! Juan mountains in all direction Durango trailhead good hike in a long time of Rolling Pass into numbing and... I loved the Narrow gage train - what spectacular views Junction Creek trailhead outside.... # 124 and passed scenic Taylor Lake with delicate flowers growing out of Silverton to Junction trailhead!, from molas Pass at road and turned around estimated Forest Service cost of 25,000! Ascent to the Durango & amp ; 50K Jul 8, 2023 Clear your browsing data order... Weeks after you were there your hikes, and this one was no different the. Due to rain the hike month of your review of one of my favorite places happen through stop! While we 're hiking the lens is so well done, I 've been contacting the San National... Then much easier Service today Denver to Durango stretch of the Colorado Trail Silverton!
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