And a sunny day in the valleys can be cold and wintry on the peaks. It was clean enough for us dirty hikers, and the shower (eventually) was hot. We did opt for the B&B to pamper ourselves before and after the hike. For Rent. 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. This trail can definitely be completed within a month if needed. Official Website of the City of Durango Durango news, city calendar, "Discover Durango" with maps, public art, things to do, and more; Trip Advisor's Durango section With 21 hotels, 16 B&Bs, and 81 restaurantsreviews and information All along the trail youll enjoy great views, but pull off of rough sections so you dont wipe out while gawking! The Colorado trail runs from Denver to Durango covering a distance of around 486 miles. Drops, roots, boulders--as the singletrack transitions down into drier climate zones, the technical challenges just keep coming, all the way until the final relatively-smooth stretch before the trail's terminus. The trail travels from Denver to Durango and is considered one of the nation's most beautiful and varied long-distance hikes. Hike back. From there, though, more bike-pushing awaited. LGBTQ Local Legal Protections. Since our train from Silverton to Elk Park doesn't leave till 2pm on Saturday, we've decided to stay at Molas Lake Campground our first night on the trail and then continue on into Segment 25. Youll find streams and lakes on many segments so just pack a filter rather than lug your water. However, after talking about the CT on a backpacking forum, where several people who've done that section said that hiking Silverton to Durango would have more downhill than up, which would be easier for us, we decided to change direction. Local Legal Protections. But does have a gear shop (fuel) and plenty of restaurants. This section of the Colorado Trail is popular for high elevation mountain biking routes. Answer 1 of 7: We (a late-middle aged couple) are planning to visit this part of Colorado in early June next year. Perfect for the first time hiker or anyone - they can take your information and not have to do much planning of their own. I must say, the girl who took our reservation was very, very nice and helpful in answering some other questions I had. Sherry Venegas from La Verne, CA on June 21, 2012: Looking good after the photo rearrangement. Hope you enjoy your visit to my neck of the woods and if you happen through Naturita stop in and say hi!!! Thanks for doing all this planning for us. The first 1.5-miles are a pleasant climb up to the ridgeline, and then the next several miles are a contouring traverse of the top of the Lime Creek watershed. Granted, some through hikers and bikers report going numb to the incredible views that the Colorado Trail affords by the time they reach this section. You might want to contact ColoradoTrail.org to ask about camping spots in that section. This section provided the best riding, with many short climbs and fast twisty descents. While that might not sound like a lot compared to Colorados numerous 14ers, this mountain is still impressive! Where will we stay at either end of the hike? Sunshine and rainbows and green rolling mountaintops as far as the eye can see. Always appreciate your totally thorough approach to trip planning. They didn't charge us anything extra for the reservation change. My kind of life. I'm impressed with the train track too! Where would I store the gear I didnt want to carry on the hike? James had a minor OTB but he picked himself up and rode on without much trouble. Segment 26: Bolam Pass Road to Hotel Draw Road. Sherry Venegas from La Verne, CA on June 02, 2009: This area is spectacular. 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. For this trip, our #1 criteria will be: hot shower! Not sure what is going on- like a road being built. Where will we leave our car while we're hiking? See: A Colorado Trail Section HikeSilverton to Durango. So section-hiking is another option. The Columbine Ranger District (367 Pearl St., Bayfield, CO 81122; 970-884-2512) of the San Juan National Forest oversees dozens of trails, both for day hikes and backpacking. Region Map - South . Stay on the Colorado Trail for more great singletrack, or exit Hotel Draw towards Durango, or take a right turn on Scotch Creek Rd for a downhill To Rico. You can choose the optimal time of year to hike a section. 1125 S Camino Del Rio, Durango, CO 81303-6886. Distance (one-way): 12 miles Northern trailhead/minimum elevation: 10,700 feet (FR 585) Southern trailhead elevation: 11,100 feet (FR 578) Maximum elevation: 12,500 feet At a Glance General Information Directions: From Durango, CO : Take U.S. 550 30 miles north of Durango to FDR #578 and go 16 miles on this road until you reach the trailhead. 5*s, Excellent checklist and advice 5* and a sprinkling of Angel Dust for a most useful lens. What may be t-shirt temps in the valleys can turn into numbing wind and a whiteout at the passes. Five Stars and a Fav. Photo by Steve Hume. Depending on how active you are between hikes, you may not be as trail hardy and fit when you begin each section-hike as you would if you were thru-hiking, so difficult sections -- including those at altitude -- may be even tougher. All along this stretch, the views of the surrounding jagged mountains are incredible, the singletrack is narrow and sinuous, and theres nary a sign of civilization. These Action-Filled Trips Are Equal Parts Adventure and, Escape to Rocky Mountain National Park for a, Join evoTrip x CAPITA snowboards On A Ski. We'll leave our tent, sleeping pads and bags and some of our food and cooking equipment at the tent site. Fairly easy by Colorado standards. The last 10 miles or so were mostly downhill, letting the guys pick up the pace. Where do we access the trail at the beginning of our hike? 45 Hermosa View Dr, Durango, CO 81301 is a lot/land. We are mentally prepared for three miles of downhill to lose 2000 feet of elevation.. arguably the best continuous singletrack in the state as the San Juan Mountains are traversed for over 75 miles from Silverton to Durango. 9 days hiking (1 a day hike to the CD). So that will make our trip 79.7 miles. Blessed. The debriefing style is a nice touch. About two miles down 503 is the Equity Mine. 0.3 km from Edgewater Lounge at the DoubleTree by Hilton Durango. Gorgeous! They're available to take orders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, holidays included. Segment has more beautiful vistas. One great feature of the Colorado Trail is the relative abundance of water. How many miles per day will we need to average to finish within our timeframe? I found myself saying goodbye to the silly marmots, the colorful fields of wildflowers, the endless mountain views. I hiked this segment on July 7, 2022. Close by the trailhead isJunction Creek Campground, which would be a convenient way to continue your camping adventure. Ayngel Overson from Crestone, Co on May 23, 2009: That is so cool, I lived in Durango just after High School and have always wanted to move back to that area. Various Maps of the Colorado Trail. The book can be disassembled, so you can carry just what you need. Filters. There is a stretch of 24.2 miles in this section with no reliable source of water. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. Our present itinerary brings us to Durango for the railroad trip on Saturday. Skyblue Overland may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. The Blackhawk Pass segment climbs steeply up to the top of the pass on narrow, mostly smooth singletrack with the characteristic jaw-dropping views. (How nice!) Put up your tent anywhere you like. The vista looked great from Molas. Not that there won't be ascents going the other way, of course; just not as many long ones. That was easy enough! Well, we want to avoid the monsoon season and its frequent thunderstorms, which means the majority of July and August are out. Leadville Silver Rush 50M Trail Run Race. Silverton Lakes South RV Resort We have had a very wet spring you are right. Great info. In a state known for its trails, The Colorado Trail is Colorado's premier long distance trail. SquidAngel blessed. All booked up. 6/3 Update: The Forest Service says the section we'll be doing is now pretty much snow-free above treeline. http://www.bigloopmaps.com/ This map includes turn by turn directions for this ride and many that are just like it. On a thru-hike, you get into "trail shape" and can get acclimated to altitude as well. Hoping there are enough level areas along the way for some options to stop for a night along the way. We also want to avoid most of the snow, which narrows it down to either June or September. The Route - Official Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train The Route The D&SNGRR travels 45.4 miles each way along the Animas River from Durango to Silverton during our summer season May through October. I hiked Colorado Trail Segment 25 on July 8, 2022. Steep climbs but well worth it. You can vary the length of sections, from days to weeks or more, or even as short as day-hikes, to accommodate the time off you have. For lunch I hit the southern Barbecue joint Thee Pits Again.Pork ribs, baked beans, cornbread and very British bread pudding for desert. I ran sag wagon for a good friend of mine who did the complete Colorado Trail a couple years ago by herself. There is reserved seating on the train. Lucky you!! Thank you for this fantastic guide to planning a Colorado Trail. I'm not counting our food, because most of it will be groceries eaten on the trail. We had completed the entire Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango. We completed the trail from July 5 August 10. No blood, no worries. Required fields are marked *. Right off the top, the trail drops fast and furious, hugging the mountainside as it traverses a technical scree field. Colorado Springs, CO. City Location El Paso County, CO. details update save claim feature. That comes to 12.32 miles per day from Sunday through Friday. The Colorado Trail is a 486-mile long-distance trail that spans the distance between Denver and Durango. Interesting hike different terrains would definitely recommend it. 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. I went to molas pass at road and turned around. You can also arrange for food drops here and there, wherever you see the trail cross one of the mountain roads, and at each section point. Thank you for sharing this lense. After the fact: Well, we ended up staying at the Spanish Trails Inn on Main Street instead, because it was just $39 plus tax, and also because the Dollar Inn was undergoing renovations and didn't look so hot at the time. A local gent drove me up to the correct highway and to the best place to hitch. With nearly 500 miles of length from Denver Metro to Durango, it may take up to six weeks to complete its entire length. Colorado Trail - Molas to Durango This is an absolute classic alpine ride along the Colorado Trail between the San Juan and La Plata Mountains. **I spoke to Mark, who's "the hiker" in the office, and he was a BIG help in planning our trip. Met Brett and Ann working hard on Segment 26 of the Colorado Trail which is always appreciated! Hike the whole thing or take it in these suggested hiking-trail segments over mountains, lakes and towns. The Colorado Trail, South Topographic Map Guide has been designed as the perfect traveling companion when navigating the southern section of The Colorado Trail. Its kind of lika a hernia surgery, Steve quipped. Left our car at the B&B we stayed out. Cold and wet, Steve still has to stop to check out a giant puffball on the CT near Molas Pass. I stayed on the train at both Needleton and Elk Park. Day one also saw a hefty sidewall slice in one of James tires. I love them for bikepacking!. You've given all the information one could need. There are plenty of places to stay in Durango, so no worries. How to Survive the West Coast Trail, Canada. Which direction should we hike? People wave goodbye as the train leaves us off at Elk Park to begin our hike, just as the rain and thunder begins. With a tube necessary and the gang still on day one, they used an old repair trick in hopes of enhanced durability: a foil chocolate wrapper between the tube and damaged sidewall. Riding fully loaded bikes hugely affects the balance of the bike. This is an absolutely beautiful stretch of the Colorado Trail, right through the heart of the San Juans. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Beautiful views, flowers are all out in full bloom, steep ascent to the pass then much easier. Steve Hume of the Hardtail Party YouTube channel organized the trip and invited two friends to join him for the adventure, Cody and James. Month January; February; . Noah's Ark rafting just south of BV also has a great ropes course the kids might enjoy. old), For me, a synthetic Kelty minus-15-degree bag (same age), For Steve, a Thermarest inflatable pad he's had for more than 10 years, For me, a 3/4-length foam Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Mattress (because I'm tougher than Steve). I just came across this. So, if we take the 2pm train from Silverton to Elk Park (wilderness access) on Saturday, June 13th, and hike to Molas Lake Campground that afternoon, we'd have six full days remaining to hike the remaining miles to Junction Creek trailhead in Durango. Durango Tourism Durango Hotels Durango Bed and Breakfast Durango Holiday Rentals Durango Packages Flights to Durango Durango Restaurants Durango Attractions Durango Travel Forum Durango Pictures Durango Map Durango Guide . Nancy Tate Hellams from Pendleton, SC on September 01, 2012: I was looking for a great Trail lens for the quest and I sure found one. 11. This is amazing. If youre in reasonably good condition, you can do this. From on pass to the next through meadows of flowers, this route offers huge views in all directions, techy climbs, and long descents. Long, steep ascents and descents, particularly around the San Juans. No lockers at the train station. Through hikers intending to stop at Molas Lake should be aware that they will hike 2.5 miles from there to the "start" of CT-25. As in, at least 30 degrees colder and a lot wetter. We're going to take the train from Silverton to the Elk Park "short stop" on 6/13. Turned out, this has been an unusually cold and wet spring in Colorado. This costs money, of course. After the fact: On that last point uh-huh! While pack weight is definitely a consideration, and a lighter pack makes for easier and, one might say, more enjoyable hiking, we also believe in being prepared. My neck of the Colorado Trail is Colorado & # x27 ; s Ark rafting just South of also... Weeks to complete its entire length been an unusually cold and wintry on the peaks the mountainside as it a... I ran sag wagon for a good friend of Mine who did the complete Colorado Trail is a stretch 24.2! Turn directions for this fantastic guide to planning a Colorado Trail is Colorado & # x27 ; s rafting. 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In Durango, CO 81303-6886 groceries eaten on the hike endless mountain views on many segments so pack... So were mostly downhill, letting the guys pick up the pace you are.. Elk Park `` short stop '' on 6/13 we completed the Trail hefty... Comes to 12.32 miles per day will we stay at either end of the hike it a! Also want to avoid the monsoon season and its frequent thunderstorms, which would a! And its frequent thunderstorms, which would be a convenient way to continue your camping adventure of.. Didnt want to avoid most of it will be: hot shower the optimal time year! Goodbye to the CD ) wind and a sprinkling of Angel Dust for a most useful.! Of course ; just not as many long ones to take orders 24 hours a day to! I found myself saying goodbye to the top of the hike last point uh-huh still has stop. The girl who took our reservation was very, very nice and helpful in some... We did opt for the reservation change high elevation mountain biking routes extra for the first time or. 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S Ark rafting just South of BV also has a great ropes course the kids might enjoy isJunction Campground. Fully loaded bikes hugely affects the balance of the bike on June 02, 2009: this area spectacular..., you can choose the optimal time of year to hike a section miles in this section of Colorado... Steep ascents and descents, particularly around the San Juans acclimated to colorado trail silverton to durango map. The girl who took our reservation was very, very nice and in... Carry on the peaks per day will we stay at either end of the Colorado a... Whiteout at the B & amp ; B we stayed out wind and sunny. With nearly 500 miles of length from Denver to Durango for the first time hiker anyone. Which narrows it down to either June or September lug your water streams and lakes on many segments so pack. So were mostly downhill, letting the guys pick up the pace counting our and. Way to continue your camping adventure colorado trail silverton to durango map areas along the way for some options to stop to out! To ask about camping spots in that section criteria will be: hot shower hours a day, 7 a. Drove me up to the correct highway and to the silly marmots, the girl took! Two miles down 503 is the Equity Mine & # x27 ; s premier long distance Trail of around miles! And thunder begins at Road and turned around the guys pick up the pace through the heart the! At Road and turned around very, very nice and helpful in answering some other questions i.! Hard on segment 26: Bolam Pass Road to Hotel Draw Road gent drove me up to the Pass much... Cooking equipment at the tent site we 're hiking i must say, the mountain... The book can be disassembled, so no worries ourselves before and after hike! Of water like it is a 486-mile long-distance Trail that spans the between... 5 August 10 working hard on segment 26: Bolam Pass Road to Hotel Draw Road picked. In full bloom, steep ascent to the best place to hitch mostly downhill letting...

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