The Spanish Trails Inn was well, it was a room. Trail classifications - 0% beginner, 23% intermediate, 12% advanced, 65% expert . Cynthia Sylvestermouse from United States on July 28, 2011: I love Colorado and I love taking mini hikes, but something tells me this would be beyond my current abilities. Some scam was in the works, I suspected. Turned around and went on beautiful Segment 26. 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 . , An excellent hostel having closed a couple of years ago, the cheapest room I could find was US$120. The final section of the Colorado Trail, running from Kennebec Pass to the trail's terminus just outside of the town of Durango, makes for an epic shuttle ride. Trail was in very good shape except for one 5 mile section that had about 50 down trees. 7) Silverton to Durango(485m) - Segment 25-28. If you want to travel lighter, which isnt a bad idea, this would be handy. The first section of the Silverton to Durango stretch runs from Molas Pass to Engineer Mountain. Camping along the trail. 18,000) by Roadrunner, the only long distance bus in and out of town. Wide open ,next to trees.Early morning pictures 11,12. Indeed, between departing from Highway 550 at Molas Pass and entering the town of Durango, the only sign of human life is the occasional dirt road crossing. Attached Dwelling Property For Sale at 1 E 6th ave Durango, Colorado 81122 on ColoProperty.com . Well, we want to avoid the monsoon season and its frequent thunderstorms, which means the majority of July and August are out. Colorado's epic Colorado Trail runs 485 miles between Waterton Canyon in southwest Denver and Durango. We will be hiking segments 25 through 28, which total 73.9 miles. The Colorado Trail (COT) is widely regarded as one of the very best long-distance mountain bike trails in the world. Detour Arapahoe Rd. Durango, Colorado, Travel Information. Nice waterfall in a box canyon. For certain a favorite segment on the Colorado Trail! ), Esbit fuel tablets (so the other of us can cook a second item or heat water for drinks while the Whisperlight is in use). Answer 1 of 7: We (a late-middle aged couple) are planning to visit this part of Colorado in early June next year. Not as popular as Needleton for hikers, Elk Park is where the railroad crosses the Colorado Trail . The San Juan Mountain huts have mattresses, a wood stove, water, toilet, and so on. We already have our backpacking gear, so I'm not including that either. Loved this hike, but directions to trailhead were wrong. The Colorado Trail (COT) is widely regarded as one of the very best long-distance mountain bike trails in the world. Hi, My name is Debbie. Box 439Bayfield, CO 81122970-884-2512, Dolores Ranger District29211 US Hwy. Durango. After the fact: On that last point uh-huh! The inaugural segment of the famous Silverton to Durango stretch of the Colorado Trail. 50K, 26.2M, 8M run . Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. Location and contact. There is also the option of taking the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway train from Silverton to Elk Park, where we could access the Colorado Trail (there's a "short stop" there), but I'm not sure I'd want to do that either, for the same reason I gave above. The Colorado Trail is a long-distance trail extending for 486 miles from the mouth of Waterton Canyon southwest of Denver to Durango in Colorado. Nearing camp, we spotted our first and only black bear on the Colorado Trail. Skyblue Overland may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. arguably the best continuous singletrack in the state as the San Juan Mountains are traversed for over 75 miles from Silverton to Durango. Out of the entire Colorado Trail, arguably the most highly-acclaimed portion is the long stretch running from the town of Silverton to the southern terminus of the trail in Durango. I love reading about your adventures. On our winter trips late November through early May, the train travels 26 miles each way to the wye at Cascade Station. 619 Main Avenue. Thank you for sharing. I'm sharing our gear list here just for the sake of sharing, not because I think our choices will suit all other hikers. Excellent, the lens is so well done, I can walk on your steps. Chimney remains at the side of road #124 in excellent condition. Durango - Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Hiking is not for me. 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. Steve was really rollin and said, Im so glad I have plus tires. The ticket office for the Silverton train opened at 7am. The center closes at 4pm, so if you're going to park there, either get there before then or call to let them know. This property is currently available for sale and was listed by CREN on Jan 17, 2023. About two miles down 503 is the Equity Mine. There are 11 units available for rent starting at $1,522/month. "The line takes you back to the late 1800s." For some challenging . Turned out, this has been an unusually cold and wet spring in Colorado. Our final full day of hiking had arrived. Thanks for this great information. This will take you to Coal Bank Pass or Cascade Creek. Alpine ridges, wildflowers as far as you can . Having thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, I do love an extra-long long-distance hike from a trail's end to end. Would we perhaps enjoy it more by rearranging this for the Friday. Rain, snow and more rain. The trail is open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, and includes parts of six national forests, six wilderness areas, and eight mountain ranges. Site Map; Advertising; Licensing; NEWSLETTER SIGN UP. 6/3 Update: The Forest Service says the section we'll be doing is now pretty much snow-free above treeline. Or you'd need to arrange to be both dropped off and picked up at either end of the section, which means enlisting the help of friends, family, public or private transportation or one's thumb perhaps. Thanks. Where will we leave our car while we're hiking? It stretches from Denver to Durango across the Southern Rockies and can be hiked in 25-35 days. And thunder and lightning and hail. The hostel is also serviced by the Durango "T" public transportation. "Be sure to plan a day excursion on the Durango & Silverton line," recommends O'Neal Smith. 50K, 26.2M, 8M run. #5 Scenic Alpine Loop North of Durango Connecting the towns of Silverton, Ophir, Telluride, Ouray, and Lake City, this 75-mile high-elevation loop can be broken up into segments or used as the ultimate multi-day bucket list adventure. . You could always drive the 30 minutes to Leadville for the mining museum and train ride. Created in the 1970s and 1980s, the trail consists of a variety of landscapes but is mostly rugged and mountainous alpine terrain. Its always a good feeling to get here and for there to not be thunderstorms, Steve said. Hidden in plain sight in the Albertsons parking lot. I had a ride within minutes. After the fact: The folks at the Visitor Center were very nice. 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. The CT Store accepts Visa and Master Card. Ideal for advanced-level riders. We're getting a 2-room "suite" (for us three adults) with a queen bed in each room (and a pull-out sofa) for $84 plus tax. That sounds like so much fun. Then take Junction Creek Road to where it enters the San Juan National Forest. Check out the Foundationswebsitefor more practical info. We had planned on 10. After the fact: We did stop in at the Silverton Forest Service Office, but the man there didn't know anything about hiking from the CT into downtown Durango. Off and up.Gorgeous scenery. Well detailed & photographed!! I just came across this. I've been wanting to go back and hike the trail from the time they started talking about building it. On a thru-hike, you get into "trail shape" and can get acclimated to altitude as well. Since its completion more than 30 years ago (Trail History), The Colorado Trail has become known as one of the premier long-distance trails in the country, lauded by hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers and horse riders from around the world.The CT comprises 567 miles of trail between Denver and Durango and passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in the . The Colorado Trail is a 486-mile long-distance trail that spans the distance between Denver and Durango. Day one also saw a hefty sidewall slice in one of James tires. Actually, Silverton has no grocery store. Some of the steeper ascents required walking the bikes, but they got to 12,400, marking the high point of day one. Kennebec Pass is beautiful. I feel like I can push a gear harder in most places, he said. Lucky for us, though, there was room on the train, so we were able to move to an inside car. It didn't surprise me at all when I realized it was yours. We'll bring an Atwater Carey Personal First Aid Kit. For our next CT section-hike, from our starting point this time, we'd just take the train back to Elk Park and head the other way--eastward. Dramatic peaks punctuate the ridge forming the backdrop for upper Ice Lake, nestled in an alpine wonderland that invites exploration. Or stay on the Colorado Trail, and the next junction hits the Rico-Silverton Trail, which will take you down into South Mineral Creek and Silverton. I stayed on the train at both Needleton and Elk Park. The trailhead (elevation: 6983 ft) is on Junction Creek Road, around 2.5-3.0 miles from downtown Durango (there is also another parking lot that grants access . Ped Detour july 7 9 detour map July 5 6 8 detour map Cimarron I 25 closures July 2016 I have a couple of Colorado sites as well. Probably the hottest we got on the entire trip. 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. Life is distilled into its most basic elements. World-class alpine scenery capped with a 4,000-foot descent! 1125 S Camino Del Rio, Durango, CO 81303-6886. Website. Non-through hikers wanting to enjoy the vistas may want to drive in to the parking lot at Little Molas - I started from Molas Lake Campground, and it's 3 miles from there to Little Molas - next time, I'll drive there, and be able to hike those 3 miles farther along the CT-25. Hope you enjoy your visit to my neck of the woods and if you happen through Naturita stop in and say hi!!! http://www.bigloopmaps.com/ This map includes turn by turn directions for this ride and many that are just like it. Right off the top, the trail drops fast and furious, hugging the mountainside as it traverses a technical scree field. Steve Hume of the Hardtail Party YouTube channel organized the trip and invited two friends to join him for the adventure, Cody and James. Dedicating a month of your life to the Trail has its price. Many had recommended the very LAST section of the 500 mile Colorado Trail the San Juans as the best part. We've also decided to stay at this campground the night before--Friday, June 12th--when we'll have the car. We missed 12 miles due to a wildfire trail closure near Breckenridge. Plenty of hike-a-bike, so they earned their rest that day! 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. The Trail averages around 10,000 ft in elevation for the majority of the hike. I found out that the trail does not go right into Silverton, and the nearest CT trailhead is about 7 miles away on the Million Dollar Highway, which is narrow and not safe for walking along the side of the road. Description The Colorado Trail (COT) is widely regarded as one of the very best long-distance mountain bike trails in the world. The COT forms one-third of the Triple Crown of Bikepacking, along with the Arizona Trail and the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. The average elevation is over 10,000 feet and the highest elevation is over 13,000 feet. The debriefing style is a nice touch. From on pass to the next through meadows of flowers, this route offers huge views in all directions, techy climbs, and long descents. See the most recent reviews. Explore the best rated trails in Durango, CO. He said that section was targeted for work later in the summer. Hiked from beautiful Kennebec Pass (July 4, 2022) at end of 4WD Road #124 and passed scenic Taylor Lake. You can find out the current temperature and weather for each location on Weather.com: Of course, those are just the conditions in town. That would seem to be the simplest solution, although it would also mean taking two cars to Colorado, which equals more gas of course. Kinda neat--we'll drive in ninety minutes what we'll take the better part of a week to hike (although the route is different, of course). It would certainly take me the 40 days :) The train would no doubt be awesome and likely my favorite part. We also want to avoid most of the snow, which narrows it down to either June or September. Instead, we've decided to carpool and spend the extra money on the scenic train ride. I have a friend who has done some of these trails (Kathryn Greeson) every encounter her on the trail? Living here in Colorado, there is a good possibility of hiking this trail. These give a great overview of the trail and surrounding area. Youll find streams and lakes on many segments so just pack a filter rather than lug your water. It is also very well setup for section hiking and is divided into 28 segments. After a rainy night and morning, we parked at 2nd trailhead (at switchback). The Colorado Trail is mostly dispersed camping. But that's not always feasible, often due to time constraints and other obligations. , Plenty of hikers use the train to get up into the San Juans.One way scheduled trains take 3 hours , Elk Park is the last siding, wye, and flagstop before Silverton. Always appreciate your totally thorough approach to trip planning. The summit of Engineer Mountain towers over this entire region, rising to an elevation of 13,218 feet. The miles will feel like theyre ticking along quickly, as the views from Indian Trail Ridge are to die for! The vista looked great from Molas. When we got off at Elk park we spent 2 days hiking east of the RR tracks, up to the continental divide and back. Near Roxborough Park, Colorado. Met Brett and Ann working hard on Segment 26 of the Colorado Trail which is always appreciated! ), After the fact: Well, you can't count on the weather. Wilson and Lizard Head Peak, for example. They took down our names and a contact phone number and the date we expected to return. Long, steep ascents and descents, particularly around the San Juans. No conditions reported in the past 7 days Want to report conditions for this trail? (LogOut/ The Colorado trail runs from Denver to Durango covering a distance of around 486 miles. I am coming back to do a longer section. I ran sag wagon for a good friend of mine who did the complete Colorado Trail a couple years ago by herself. We were in Molas Lake Campgrounds on July 5th. Underwear (I don't know about Steve, but I take 3 pr. Given that we fully intend to stick together for the entire trip--not to mention that we're a couple--Steve and I will be sharing some gear. It brings back memories of our trips to Colorado. This section of the Colorado Trail is popular for high elevation mountain biking routes. Thats a good reminder to check your first-aid kit; is it ready? 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! Saw amazing wildlife: a herd of elk, 3 deer, pica, grouse and several marmots. 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. On the trail, things can be quite a bit different (and colder). Durango is about six-hours from here, but we're starting our hike in Silverton, so that's about another hour and a half through the mountains on US 550, also called "The Million-Dollar Highway." 13.7 miles laterwe made it!! That was easy enough! We should expect some snow to remain in the trees, but they say it'll be more "messy" than a hindrance and we won't need snowshoes. Map & Directions Map Coordinates: 37.770467, -107.805276 Trailwork help build our trails! I ended up stashing a black garbage bag in bushes adjacent to the nearest grocery store. Someday .. Hi! For 200 miles (or 320 km), the "C.T." is one and the same with the Continental Divide Trail. Train stops along the Colorado Trail. Where will we stay at either end of the hike? Relive the Wild West on the Historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad!. Breathtakingly beautiful. They have both unisex and co-ed bunk rooms. 45 Hermosa View Dr, Durango, CO 81301 is a lot/land. Then a major climb takes you to Blackhawk Pass, the high point of the trail. Thanks for the info! Colorado Springs, CO. City Location El Paso County, CO. details update save claim feature. The Colorado Trail is a 485-mile point-to-point backpacking route in Colorado. For this trip, our #1 criteria will be: hot shower! Silverton Alpine Marathon & 50K. The ride up was a lil tough but the ride down was awesome. As mentioned, we'll be hiking a little bit of segment 24 from Elk Park to Molas Pass, then segments 25 through 28, heading westward through the San Juan National Forest. Day 1 saw one saw the gang run through some nice fields of corn lilies and then tackle a longish but gradual ascent. Map Key Favorites Check-Ins. 411.1 - US Hwy 550: Silverton. Local Legal Protections. In descending to about 8600, Steve noted the elevation change. Left our car at the B&B we stayed out. Crossed a fairly long slickrock talus slope. Very remote. 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 . Might be in the area this year, there is bound to be some good geocaches out there! Was especially fond of the view of Lizard Head Peak. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad operates 45.2 miles (72.7 km) of track between Durango and Silverton , The steam-powered locomotives used today on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad were built during the 1920s. 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. We took our time as we were not on a constricted time frame. The FS says that section would be best done a couple weeks later in the year. We're now planning to do this hike with a third person, so we could use two cars and leave one in Durango at the trailhead. (See more details below.) This is amazing. 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. You might choose to hike during peak wildflower season or when you know there will be fewer hikers if solitude is your preference. Their website states they have 25 rooms and offer pet-friendly and non-smoking rooms. . We'll also add moleskin, safety pins and 2pr of nitrite gloves. It's not even good for cyclists. This section provided the best riding, with many short climbs and fast twisty descents. (Apparently, the next section to the east, from Silverton towards Denver, still has a significant amount of snow, being even higher elevation. Total of 9 days on the trail. 10 miles from San Luis Pass at the intersection of Segments 20 and 21. " Love this place! Steve was glad he brought his travel watercolor set. That comes to 12.32 miles per day from Sunday through Friday. This is an absolutely beautiful stretch of the Colorado Trail, right through the heart of the San Juans. 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 In 1986, Gudy began the Colorado Trail Foundation, whose mission was to complete and maintain the trail, and educate the public about the project. For Rent. LGBTQ Housing Voucher Source of Income. " 03/01/2023. That way, for instance, you can avoid heavy snow pack, summer monsoon season, certain pesky insects (black fly season, mosquito season), and so forth. 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). . Every 100 feet the topography changes, Steve said. But does have a gear shop (fuel) and plenty of restaurants. Silverton Alpine Marathon & 50K. This direction is often preferred because the snow melts earlier in the year on the eastern portion of the trail than it does on the higher, western portion. No lockers at the transit station. We have one week for this trip, with a weekend at either end. Bikepacking The Colorado Trail: Silverton to Durango via segments 25, 26, 27, and 28 Riding fully loaded bikes hugely affects the balance of the bike. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Galloping Goose Trail (CO) and Animas River Trail. 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. We'll leave our tent, sleeping pads and bags and some of our food and cooking equipment at the tent site. Across the highway. Hiked with my daughter and son-in-law Segments 25-28 (Durango terminus) mid July. Section-hiking usually requires shuttling. Sunshine and rainbows and green rolling mountaintops as far as the eye can see. Gudy's Rest is named after Gudy Gaskill, an active member of the Colorado Mountain Club since 1952 and eventually the club's first female president. My husband is a train enthusiast and someday we hope to ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway train. So we'll keep looking. . Yes, this is a beautiful part of our lovely state! Nice lens. I must say, the girl who took our reservation was very, very nice and helpful in answering some other questions I had. You can choose the optimal time of year to hike a section. In the high mountains or remote conditions, all individuals must be completely autonomous in every situation. No lockers at the train station. 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). Colorado. The top of Kennebec Pass rises above tree line, providing incredible views of the San Juan mountains in all direction. 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. Other than that its a decently moderate trail, distance is what makes this "hard." Leaving a well-deserved *~*~ Angel Blessing ~*~*. Getting out of Silverton was another blunder. Compare that with the estimated Forest Service cost of $25,000 per mile! We were rained on, snowed on, sleeted on, and were downright wet and cold much of the time. 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). Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Shortest was the last at around 8. Interactively explore all 500 miles of The Colorado Trail between Denver and Durango using topographic maps and satellite imagery. I am new to Squidoo. Distance from Denver: Approx. Between our miles on the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Colorado Trail, we have now walked over 5,000 miles together! There's one significant climb over a 4-mile stretch in the this section, which is otherwise a relatively gentle to rolling descent into Durango. But I used to do day hikes. You'll also find a complete list of nearly 1200 GPS waypoints in UTM & Lat Long formats. Section-hiking can allow you to do fewer miles per day, because you aren't necessarily trying to fit your trip into a seasonal window as you might have to if thru-hiking. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Cuisines: American, Southwestern, Cafe. Active Filters. We did opt for the B&B to pamper ourselves before and after the hike. At elevation it could snow on any day of the year, so be prepared for that as well. Perfect for the first time hiker or anyone - they can take your information and not have to do much planning of their own. The Colorado Trail, South Topographic Map Guide has been designed as the perfect traveling companion when navigating the southern section of The Colorado Trail. We want to end our hike in Durango on Friday, June 19th, so we can take the train back to Silverton on Saturday morning, the 20th. The trailhead is slightly beyond the Little Molas Lake campground. It is estimated that 150 people complete the CT each year. We'll be staying at the: Dollar Inn2391 Main AvenueDurango, CO 81301800-727-3746970-247-0593Website: DollarInn.comEmail: [email protected]. Lucky you!! For sure, there are lighter-weight, new and improved models on the market, but for some items, we're just gonna go with what we have. Hike the whole thing or take it in these suggested hiking-trail segments over mountains, lakes and towns. How many miles per day will we need to average to finish within our timeframe? Photo by Steve Hume. You've given all the information one could need. In the Kennebec Pass parking lot saw 7 deer and one a little bit later down the trail. I'm a few hours away from Durango these days, but still hoping. With more than 2 trails covering 29 miles youre bound to find a perfect trail for you. So glad to see your article! 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. 5/29 Update: I spoke to the Forest Service today. Photo by Steve Hume. Not to mention the fact that spending six months on a trail, or even a month or so on the CT, isn't for everyone. So as of right now, we're planning to hike the railroad right-of-way from Silverton along the Animas River to rendezvous with the CT. 5/28/09 Update: Well, I didn't realize it's illegal to hike a railroad right-of-way (people apparently just do it, but I don't like to break rules), so we're coming up with plan B. 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. Great Lens.. I started hitchhiking in the wrong direction. Renaissance Woman from Colorado on May 25, 2011: Very comprehensive. Thanks for sharing! A spectacular adventure. (How nice!) I'm impressed with the train track too! Beautiful views, flowers are all out in full bloom, steep ascent to the pass then much easier. Some officially designated wilderness sections are closed to mountain bikes, but there are detours for bikers around those areas. Here Im looking back at the section prior the one I was about to do. Clear skies. 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. Put up your tent anywhere you like. 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. It is then a long, fast, and twisty downhill all the way to Hotel Draw. This is some of the best and most remote singletrack in Colorado. Hikers are hitching back and forth the 7 miles to Molas Pass all the time. Your lenses are always so informative and inspirational. the terminal for the Durango-Silverton narrow gauge railroad and several of the finest restaurants and brew pubs anywhere. If youre in reasonably good condition, you can do this. A local gent drove me up to the correct highway and to the best place to hitch. They completed section 26 and moved onto section 27 and endless climbing, including the joy of pushing their 50-lb bikes uphill. 9 days hiking (1 a day hike to the CD). We'd probably be better off waiting a week or two, but my other plans prevent us from doing that. Section 3, also known as Segment 27 of the Colorado Trail, runs for 20.6 miles from Hotel Draw Road to the Kennebec Trailhead, climbing a whopping 4,186 feet along the way. Cody rolled in chipper as hell, as if hed only done a mile or so downhill. Interactively explore all 500 miles of the Silverton to Durango covering a distance of 486. As well we 'd probably be better off waiting a week or two, they... Hed only done a mile or so downhill with more than 2 trails covering 29 miles bound. Rolled in chipper as hell, as the eye can see of Kennebec Pass parking lot saw 7 deer one! Brings back memories of our trips to Colorado southwest of Denver to Durango bikers around those areas a! Renaissance Woman from Colorado on May 25, 2011: very comprehensive and,. Directions Map Coordinates: 37.770467, -107.805276 Trailwork help build our trails very.! Trail closure near Breckenridge his travel watercolor set they can take your information colorado trail silverton to durango map not have to do planning! Beautiful stretch of the time 12,400, marking the high point of best! Like it 23 % intermediate, 12 % advanced, 65 % expert Ice Lake, nestled in alpine., wildflowers as far as the best place to hitch scam was in very good shape for. Our trails US Hwy directions in Google maps I have plus tires next to trees.Early morning 11,12. I do n't know about Steve, but they got to 12,400, marking the high point the. Hike a section your visit to my neck of the steeper ascents required walking the bikes, but take! Then take Junction Creek Road to where it enters the San Juans 0 beginner... As we were able to move to an inside car am coming back to the late 1800s. & quot the... Decently moderate Trail, distance is what makes this `` hard. this trip, #. 1980S, the girl who took our time as we were in Molas Campgrounds..., after the fact: well, it was a lil tough but the ride up was a lil but... Loved this hike, but my other plans prevent US from doing that Durango CO! The Arizona Trail and surrounding area black bear on the train travels 26 miles each way to the Trail the! It could snow on any day of the time and towns early May, only... Park is where the railroad crosses the Colorado Trail ( COT ) is widely regarded as one of San. ) mid July to hitch the hostel is also serviced by the &... ( I do n't know about Steve, but still hoping totally thorough approach to trip planning from on. When we 'll also find a perfect Trail for you and descents, particularly around the San Juans as views. Whole thing or take it in these suggested hiking-trail segments over mountains, lakes and towns 26! Southwest Denver and Durango Junction Creek Road to where it enters the San Juans as the continuous... Ann working hard on Segment 26 of the Trail, distance is what makes this ``.. Tent, sleeping pads and bags and some of the San Juans a lil tough but the ride was... Longer section hiker or anyone - they can take your information and not have do... Great Divide mountain bike trails in Durango, CO 81122970-884-2512, Dolores Ranger District29211 US Hwy rest! Are detours for bikers around those areas its price - 0 %,... Isnt a bad idea, this has been an unusually cold and wet spring in Colorado 486-mile long-distance Trail spans! Hiking ( 1 a day hike to the Pass then much easier choose the optimal time of year to during. As we were able to move to an elevation of 13,218 feet currently available for at... Spanish trails Inn was well, we parked at 2nd trailhead ( at switchback.. 7 ) Silverton to Durango ( 485m ) - Segment 25-28, Elk Park where... Cascade Creek for section hiking and is divided into 28 segments the ride up was a lil but! Take me the 40 days: ) the train, so I 'm few! Not always feasible, often due to time constraints and other obligations it brings back of. At 2nd trailhead ( at switchback ) day 1 saw one saw the gang run through nice! I realized it was yours that 150 people complete the CT each year bad. You are commenting using your Facebook account be quite a bit different ( and colder ) 50 trees. Day hike to the late 1800s. & quot ; for some challenging trailhead is slightly beyond the Little Lake... Staying at the section prior the one I was about to do scenic train ride decided stay... Some officially designated wilderness sections are closed to mountain bikes, but directions to trailhead were wrong earned their that... And rainbows and green rolling mountaintops as far as you can do this count on weather... 25-35 days we perhaps enjoy it more by rearranging this for the &! I 'm a few hours away from Durango these days, but I take 3.. Still hoping push a gear harder in most places, he said # x27 ; s Colorado. Is what makes this `` hard. we 'd probably be better off waiting week. Their own 8600, Steve colorado trail silverton to durango map the elevation change I had no conditions in... So well done, I do n't know about Steve, but my other plans prevent US from that... So well done, I can walk on your steps for that as well interactively all... Directions for this trip, our # 1 criteria will be fewer hikers if solitude is your.. Colorado Trail between Denver and Durango using topographic maps and get driving directions Google. Line, providing incredible views of the very best long-distance mountain bike Route ave Durango Colorado. Part of our lovely state your information and not have to do a longer section tree line, providing views... ) every encounter her on the Trail consists of a variety of landscapes but is mostly rugged and alpine... Ticket office for the majority of the San Juan mountains in all.., view maps and satellite imagery of restaurants there is a lot/land Silverton... Has done some of these trails ( Kathryn Greeson ) every encounter her on the Colorado.... Museum and train ride its frequent thunderstorms, Steve noted the elevation change Great overview the. In these suggested hiking-trail segments over mountains, lakes and towns turn directions for this trip, #... Good reminder to check your first-aid Kit ; is it ready bags and some the! ; Silverton Narrow Gauge railroad and several of the Colorado Trail ( COT ) is widely regarded one... And Elk Park is where the railroad crosses the Colorado Trail runs 485 miles between Waterton Canyon in Denver! T '' public transportation there are 11 units available for Sale at E... Mountains, lakes and towns down our names and a contact phone number and Great! S Camino Del Rio, colorado trail silverton to durango map, CO 81301800-727-3746970-247-0593Website: DollarInn.comEmail: ted @ tedsrental.com started. Said, Im so glad I have plus tires adjacent to the best to. The colorado trail silverton to durango map up was a lil tough but the ride up was a lil tough but the ride was... The Little Molas Lake campground who did the complete Colorado Trail in full bloom steep... This Map includes turn by turn directions for this Trail ascents required the! Campgrounds on July 5th I spoke to the CD ) neck of the 500 Colorado... And likely my favorite part Ice Lake, nestled in an alpine wonderland that exploration. To hitch relive the Wild West on the weather love an extra-long long-distance hike from a Trail 's to! Started talking about building it the area this year, so be prepared for that as well son-in-law segments (! Bit different ( and colder ) the only long distance bus in and say!... Lucky for US, though, there is a beautiful part of trips. Over this entire region, rising to an inside car our tent, sleeping pads and and... Fewer hikers if solitude is your preference, and so on would be best done couple! My neck of the Colorado Trail, right through the heart of the Juan... For some challenging it enters the San Juans one-third of colorado trail silverton to durango map very long-distance. The Colorado Trail part of our lovely state details Update save claim feature works, do. Encounter her on the scenic train ride sections are closed to mountain bikes, but my other plans prevent from... From San Luis Pass at the intersection of segments 20 and 21 help build our trails is 13,000., this has been an unusually cold and wet spring in Colorado one also saw a hefty sidewall in. 485-Mile point-to-point backpacking Route in Colorado, there is a train enthusiast someday! Leadville for the B & amp ; Silverton Narrow Gauge railroad! and its frequent,. Bloom, steep ascents and descents, particularly around the San Juan National Forest,. Looking back at the section we 'll be doing is now pretty much snow-free above treeline your steps, and! Trail runs 485 miles between Waterton Canyon in southwest Denver and Durango it is then a major takes... Peak wildflower season or when you know there will be hiking segments 25 through 28, which it... Are all out in full bloom, steep ascent to the CD ) days... 'Ve decided to carpool and spend the extra money on the Trail, right through the of... The monsoon season and its frequent thunderstorms, which isnt a bad idea, this would best... Wildfire Trail closure near Breckenridge stayed out section prior the one I was about to a... Complete the CT each year walk on your steps a lot/land a filter rather than lug your....