Neat miners cabin. The Colorado Trail, South Topographic Map Guide has been designed as the perfect traveling companion when navigating the southern section of The Colorado Trail. Mostly, I just thought it would be fun that way. and fully charged before the trip). I'm a few hours away from Durango these days, but still hoping. Not mind blowing but still great scenery. Also, hiking east to west--from Denver to Durango--allows a thru-hiker to begin with smaller elevation gains and build up to the more rugged terrain of the San Juan Mountains. Watch the conditions at all times and get off the peaks if you see a storm coming in. I think it will be my 50th b-day present to myself. The book can be disassembled, so you can carry just what you need. Living here in Colorado, there is a good possibility of hiking this trail. Jan 17, 2023 - Hop aboard a coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive that travels along the same railroad tracks that miners, cowboys and the early settlers of the Old West used over a hundred years ago. We are looking forward to our next trip to Colorado, which is enhanced even more so by your lens. Alpine ridges, wildflowers as far as you can . Trail plowed up by heavy equipment and extremely muddy. It is tedious work. The debriefing style is a nice touch. 184Dolores, CO 81323970-882-7296, See the Colorado Trail Segment Chart: Resources by Segment, Portion of Segment 24: Elk Park to Molas Pass, There is a 1,840-foot elevation gain between Elk Park and Molas Pass. The helpful man I spoke to--Mark--said that if we stop in either their Durango or Silverton office before the hike, they can show us on the map how we can walk "city trails" from the CT right into town, as long we'll have our own good map which we will. In this case, it's the Animas River, which is very popular for whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing and fishing. They're available to take orders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, holidays included. Filters. Life is distilled into its most basic elements. Loved your write up - as a Colorado native I was impressed of your review of one of my favorite places. This is exactly what I was looking for! Silverton Hiking Trails Ice Lake Distance: 7.8 - 8.2 miles (Round Trip) This wonderful hike visits two gorgeous lake basins, traverses wildflower-filled meadows and passes numerous waterfalls. There's a parking area on the left, near the trailhead. I have done the train. A unique expert only ski and ride area right out of Silverton Colorado. I've seen both towns (my first view of mountains as a child) and done the train but not the walk. Take a right onto Co Rd 2, then turn right onto E 19th St. 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. Outstanding work once again! 10 miles from San Luis Pass at the intersection of Segments 20 and 21. James had a minor OTB but he picked himself up and rode on without much trouble. Photo by Steve Hume. I found lots of useful information, great lens, Thanks! I've always wanted to take that train. Your lenses are always so informative and inspirational. 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. Kennebec Pass is beautiful. I'd imagine Colorado has some of the best hiking in the country. We are mentally prepared for three miles of downhill to lose 2000 feet of elevation.. 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. Actually, Silverton has no grocery store. Skyblue Overland may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. trip report by site editor Rick McCharles, day 1|day 2|day 3|day 4|info page, Durango Silverton Molas Pass Lime Creek. Very well done and lots of detail. It is so beautiful. 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 . On our winter trips late November through early May, the train travels 26 miles each way to the wye at Cascade Station. 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. States: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa . We also had a number of thunderstorms. At 9,305 feet above sea level, the small community of Silverton is one of the highest towns in the U.S. As of the 2000 census, there were 531 residents in this former mining community. The trail is a 2.35 mile (one-way) from the trailhead to the ascent of Rolling Pass. The Blackhawk Pass segment climbs steeply up to the top of the pass on narrow, mostly smooth singletrack with the characteristic jaw-dropping views. The majority of "thru-hikers," who complete the Colorado Trail in one continuous journey, travel from east to west. Various Maps of the Colorado Trail. Our final full day of hiking had arrived. As I planned the trip, I decided I would share the information here in case it might be helpful to others who want to do this hike or maybe even assist them in planning a trek on another trail. 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. While we are far from hardcore endurance athletes, the trail pushed us and our respect for the trail was even deeper by the end. At such a high altitude, the weather can change rapidly. One of those possibilities is the Durango Hometown Hostel, which is 1.2 miles from downtown, accessible by a pedestrian path. We woke up with under 50 miles to get to Durango. 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). For 200 miles (or 320 km), the "C.T." is one and the same with the Continental Divide Trail. We'll bring an Atwater Carey Personal First Aid Kit. Some of the steeper ascents required walking the bikes, but they got to 12,400, marking the high point of day one. 13.7 miles laterwe made it!! Steve Hume of the Hardtail Party YouTube channel organized the trip and invited two friends to join him for the adventure, Cody and James. Renaissance Woman from Colorado on May 25, 2011: Very comprehensive. Many people experience the trail each year during the short season from June to September, and some share their experiences. Wonderful lunch spot by a brook babbling through rock formations in the middle of a huge grass/ wildflower meadow. I live in Denver and we are always looking for a good spot to go hiking. But I used to do day hikes. 5/29 Update: I spoke to the Forest Service today. We're going to take the train from Silverton to the Elk Park "short stop" on 6/13. 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. The vista looked great from Molas. Thanks again! The trail ends only three short miles from Durango's city limits, allowing easy access from town. Dedicating a month of your life to the Trail has its price. Cuisines: American, Southwestern, Cafe. 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. It stretches from Denver to Durango across the Southern Rockies and can be hiked in 25-35 days. Being at the higher elevations at the eastern end of the trail, and hiking in mid-June, we know we may encounter snow, on the ground at least. Check out the Foundationswebsitefor more practical info. 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. World-class alpine scenery capped with a 4,000-foot descent! CO Silverton Alpine Marathon & 50K Jul 8, 2023 Clear your browsing data in order to view the new map. Lots of mountain bikers out today. Plenty of hike-a-bike, so they earned their rest that day! I'm not counting our food, because most of it will be groceries eaten on the trail. The CT Store accepts Visa and Master Card. While not technically the highest-elevation portion of the trail, nevertheless this section stays very high in the San Juan Mountain Range. Youll need warm clothing and rain gear, even if youre just out for the day. Colorado Colorado Frequently Requested Maps Web Maps BLM Colorado Interactive Map - view and interact with BLM Colorado's GIS data such as mining claims, grazing allotments, wilderness boundaries, surface management agency and more without the need for specialized installed software. Interesting hike different terrains would definitely recommend it. We've visited this small city of about 16,000 residents several times. From on pass to the next through meadows of flowers, this route offers huge views in all directions, techy climbs, and long descents. Beautiful hike, great scenery. Great Lens.. Most easily distinguished as the location of Purgatory Ski Resort and the suburb of Hermosa, this region is home to Durango's best adventures. All along the trail youll enjoy great views, but pull off of rough sections so you dont wipe out while gawking! We did opt for the B&B to pamper ourselves before and after the hike. After a rainy night and morning, we parked at 2nd trailhead (at switchback). Leaving a well-deserved *~*~ Angel Blessing ~*~*. The train has been running for over 120 years, yet the Durango railroad depot looks the same as when it was constructed in 1882. Posted by ghsmith76. Turned out, this has been an unusually cold and wet spring in Colorado. 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 . Topo map/s, copied pages from the CT Databook and guidebook, Compass w/ sighting mirror that can double as signal mirror. I feel like I can push a gear harder in most places, he said. @KathyMcGraw2: Same here, im really enjoying reading about these trips. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews. For every 1,000 feet you ascend, the temperature usually drops by four degrees. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Durango. I felt like this was the season I needed to take on the Colorado Trail. The inaugural segment of the famous Silverton to Durango stretch of the Colorado Trail. Arrived Durango, Colorado (pop. A spectacular adventure. It was clean enough for us dirty hikers, and the shower (eventually) was hot. 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. Having thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, I do love an extra-long long-distance hike from a trail's end to end. The route wi. 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. Lucky for us, though, there was room on the train, so we were able to move to an inside car. 5/29/09 Update: Okay, we're all set. The campgrounds look incredible, as do the small towns. Railcar Transfer map Safety Hits Rolling Paper Welcome to Colorado paintplow.jpg Mackenzie Forrest Chat messages I-25 SB On-ramp closure 6-1-16 together we go Bondad Hill 6-9-16 Arapahoe 6-10 a Arapahoe 6-10 b Arapahoe Rd. #16 of 151 Restaurants in Durango. Loved this hike, but directions to trailhead were wrong. 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. So we'll keep looking. Not a cloud on the sky. BLM Colorado Seasonal Closure Map Interactively explore all 500 miles of The Colorado Trail between Denver and Durango using topographic maps and satellite imagery. I started hitchhiking in the wrong direction. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life by venturing into the quiet and peaceful ski area of Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. http://www.bigloopmaps.com/ This map includes turn by turn directions for this ride and many that are just like it. The Colorado Trail; San Juan Skyway; Four Corners Monument; Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad; See All Sights 56 Recommedations; . 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. For this trip, our #1 criteria will be: hot shower! What a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July! The summit of Engineer Mountain towers over this entire region, rising to an elevation of 13,218 feet. 9 days hiking (1 a day hike to the CD). . Your email address will not be published. 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. The property is located just across US 550/160 from Santa Rita park which offers miles of interconnected trails along the . Thanks. Thanks for sharing. We completed the trail from July 5 August 10. Camping along the trail. The trailhead is slightly beyond the Little Molas Lake campground. It's along these high-clearance roads where you'll find most of our recommendations. For that reason, we'll have some additional emergency gear in the event we'd get separated. At the same time, we want to have the ability to be independent "just in case." Chimney remains at the side of road #124 in excellent condition. The famous Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is the country's only coal-and-steam-powered train operating daily. Segment has more beautiful vistas. I'm sharing our gear list here just for the sake of sharing, not because I think our choices will suit all other hikers. We spent our morning on a high ridge line then began a long descent that would bring us to town. Water falls. On a thru-hike, you get into "trail shape" and can get acclimated to altitude as well. arguably the best continuous singletrack in the state as the San Juan Mountains are traversed for over 75 miles from Silverton to Durango. The Colorado Trail is incredible and a lovely length for a thru hike. (Apparently, the next section to the east, from Silverton towards Denver, still has a significant amount of snow, being even higher elevation. 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 will take you to Coal Bank Pass or Cascade Creek. The last 10 miles or so were mostly downhill, letting the guys pick up the pace. During a trip to Durango, I did a day hike on Segment 28 of the trail which terminates at Durango. . I rode this section as part of a longer ride from Lizard Head Pass to Durango. They completed section 26 and moved onto section 27 and endless climbing, including the joy of pushing their 50-lb bikes uphill. People wave goodbye as the train leaves us off at Elk Park to begin our hike, just as the rain and thunder begins. I am coming back to do a longer section. Jul 8, 2023. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); View infinitegeographys profile on Facebook, View infinitegeographys profile on Instagram, The Colorado Trail: 110 Miles from Saguache toSilverton, Gear Review: Enlightened Equipment Enigma Down SleepingQuilt. 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. I hiked this segment on July 7, 2022. Another thing to be aware of is that, while locations of trail intersections are noted, the mileages of those spur trails to roads and "ways out" from the Colorado Trail are not. This time, though, we'll pay two visits, once just before we begin our hike and then a longer stay after we're done, when we ride back on the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway. Great trip. Dramatic peaks punctuate the ridge forming the backdrop for upper Ice Lake, nestled in an alpine wonderland that invites exploration. Leadville is a strange choice. That must have taken a long time to build. About 13 mi from Little Molas, a waterfall is passed, in another half miles a constructed bridge crosses another one, with a site for 2-4 tents at the bridge, and 1-2 tents at a flat spot at the base of the falls, bit of a scramble to get to but worth it. Colorados epic Colorado Trail runs 485 miles between Waterton Canyon in southwest Denver and Durango. Detour Arapahoe Rd. Also, any additional. That would seem to be the simplest solution, although it would also mean taking two cars to Colorado, which equals more gas of course. Includes maps, descriptions, virtual tours, and driving directions to every main and alternate access point. Fairly easy by Colorado standards. That was easy enough! Or not. For trail conditions and other information, I've been contacting the San Juan National Forest Public Information Center at 970-247-4874. Thank you for sharing this helpful information. Steve and I would love to do a (somewhat leisurely) thru-hike, but we just don't have that kind of time these days, at least not all at once, so we'll do contiguous section-hikes instead. (LogOut/ I'll be putting together a lens about it shortly, but if you're planning to ride in a gondola (open air) car, be sure to bring layers and maybe a blanket too. On the trail, things can be quite a bit different (and colder). Saw amazing wildflowers, a great bridge crossing Cascade Creek with a nice memorial to Gudy Gaskill shortly after, many hikers and bikers, a bible study group, a wildflower group and a trail crew hard at work. Longest day was around 16. This is an amazing lens and I would love to go on a trail like this. The mountains slowly get taller and the aspens get nearer as the road gets windier. Since it's the same price to take the Durango-Silverton train one way as it is round-trip, and since we've reserved $79 seats for the ride from Durango back to Silverton at the end of the hike on June 20th, I'm going to inquire whether we could take the train from Silverton to Elk Park as part of a round trip at the start on June 13th. Segment 28: Kennebec Trailhead to Junction Creek Trailhead. For a time your in a flat high plains area with plenty of summer misquotes to keep you moving. That way, for instance, you can avoid heavy snow pack, summer monsoon season, certain pesky insects (black fly season, mosquito season), and so forth. Improve this listing. Durango to Silverton As you head north for Durango it get exponentially more beautiful. This popular summer destination has around 65 miles of designated motorized trails with plenty of side roads that wind through the San Juan Mountains. Wide open ,next to trees.Early morning pictures 11,12. The time needed to thru-hike can range from less than 10 days for supported trail runners to about 40 days, the latter being much more the norm. Long, steep ascents and descents, particularly around the San Juans. The trail remains well above 11,000 feet until after Blackhawk Pass. We planned, mapped, prepped, and loaded up to start the journey. (LogOut/ For 140 years, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has been transporting passengers through the remote, scenic wilderness and high mountain landscape of the San Juan National Forest.. A National Historic Landmark and one of the most popular heritage railroads in . I grew up in Durango, left for college and now live in Montana. 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. If you can plan more time for this hike and give yourself a buffer, I'd highly recommend doing so, so you don't have to hike more miles to "make up time." Unlike most thru-hikers, we had already decided to start at the western end of the trail, beginning with the terminus closest to home. So definitely go prepared for anything, no matter what the time of year, especially given the high elevations along the trail, often over 11,000 feet for long stretches with no easy "out.".