The Colorado Trail
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The Colorado Trail
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The Colorado Trail generally follows the Continental Divide for almost 500 miles between Denver and Durango. The trail splits in the middle, with the more difficult and scenic Collegiate West route to the west, and merges again after about 80 miles.
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The Colorado Trail is a series of roads and trails that generally follows the Continental Divide for almost 500 miles between Denver and Durango. The trail splits in the middle, with the more difficult and scenic route to the west. #coloradotrail #hiking #mountainbiking
While hiking Segment 20 in the La Garita Wilderness, it was often tempting just to stand and look, but with the farthest ridge on the left yet to be crossed in both directions, there was simply not enough time.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment20 #coloradotrail #hiking #photography
November 14, 2025 at 2:52 PM
November 12, 2025 at 2:41 PM
A little over a year after the fire south of Twin Lakes in the middle of Segment 11, not much has changed, but the the trail is clear all the way through.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment9 #coloradotrail #hiking #backpacking #scenery #photography
November 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM
On the west side of the Lost Creek Wilderness in Segment 5.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment5 #coloradotrail #hiking #mountainbiking #photography
November 8, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Looking west, up Lake Creek valley, at the beginning of the first section of the Collegiate West route.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/CollegiateWe... #coloradotrail #collegiatewest #hiking #mountainbiking #photography
November 6, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Looking into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness at the beginning of Segment 13, with 14,196 foot Mount Yale on the left, and Mount Harvard and Mount Columbia in the distance on the right.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment13 #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #fourteeners
November 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM
A lot of dead trees have been removed in the first hundred miles of the Colorado Trail over the past few years, which in some cases has left nothing behind except dirt, but it's actually an improvement in Segment 3.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment3 #coloradotrail #photography #mountainbiking
November 2, 2025 at 2:36 PM
The first half of Segment 1 is flat, with plenty of water, but at the base of the dam for the Strontia Springs Reservoir the trail begins to climb into drier and more challenging terrain.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment1 #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking
October 31, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Even though it can be extremely crowded on Kenosha Pass, the last half of Segment 5 is an ideal place to see the leaves change in the fall.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment5 #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking
October 29, 2025 at 1:42 PM
The remains of a small cabin slowly rots away just outside the Holy Cross Wilderness near the middle of Segment 9.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment9 #coloradotrail #hiking #backpacking #scenery #photography
October 27, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Approaching the 13,250 foot high point for the whole trail in Segment 22.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment22 #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking
October 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Segment 3 winds in and out of forested valleys, often in the shadow of towering rock formations, and sometimes passing through them.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment3 #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking
October 23, 2025 at 2:42 PM
October 21, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Looking up Pine Creek towards a row of fourteen thousand foot peaks inside the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness on Segment 12.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment12 #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #scenery
October 19, 2025 at 2:08 PM
On a thirteen thousand foot plateau in the southern half of Segment 23.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment23 #coloradotrail #mountainbiking #hiking #photography
October 17, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Descending through 12,000 feet for the first time, just prior to a yet another long climb, near the middle of Section 3 of the Collegiate West route.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/CollegiateWe... #coloradotrail #collegiatewest #hiking #photography
October 15, 2025 at 2:10 PM
There is no water and very little cover on Segment 2.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment2 #coloradotrail #hiking #mountainbiking #photography
October 13, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Looking west towards Georgia Pass, which is about halfway between the end points of Segment 6.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment6 #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking
October 11, 2025 at 1:50 PM
October 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Looking north into Taylor Park, a few miles into the third section of the Collegiate West route.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/CollegiateWe... #coloradotrail #collegiatewest #hiking #photography
October 7, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Crossing Snow Mesa, which is entirely above twelve thousand feet, in Segment 21.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment21 #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking
October 5, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Passing through an aspen grove, like this one in the second half of Segment 8, has an immediate cooling effect, even on the hottest day.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment8 #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking
October 3, 2025 at 3:31 PM
In early spring, with the end being only road crossing on Segment 21, fast growing grass can close in on the trail, or fill it in completely when the ground is soft, before there is significant foot traffic.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment21 #coloradotrail #photography #hiking
October 1, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Looking north towards Hope Pass, from Cottonwood Pass, at the end of the second section of the Collegiate West route.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/CollegiateWe... #coloradotrail #collegiatewest #hiking #photography
September 29, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Fall is the best time to mountain bike Segment 6 between Kenosha Pass and Georgia Pass, but when snow is in the forecast it's best to go a little early.

colorado-trail.appspot.com/Segment6 #coloradotrail #hiking #mountainbiking #photography
September 27, 2025 at 3:09 PM