How to plan a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail: logistics, tips, and impressions

[@lorens7837]

Thank you SO MUCH for this incredibly informative video. You are such a great presenter, and amazingly knowledgeable. I really appreciate all the details that are provided for a fun, safe trip. Thank you!!!

[@AudreyAdventures]

You're welcome! :)

[@HP_VDP]

Hi Audrey .. thanks for all of your efforts .. 2024 will be the year to do it 🖖… greetings from switzerland 🖖🇨🇭🖖

[@AudreyAdventures]

Greetings from Boulder, Colorado! Wishing you well in 2024!

[@HCnBB]

This video was so very helpful and now I shall watch all your videos. Excellent information and you have such a pleasant delivery. Thank you.

[@AudreyAdventures]

I'm so glad that you found it helpful! Thank you! :)

[@Auzland-9]

Excellent video. I hiked the CT five years ago and you really nailed it. The one suggestion I would make for anyone thinking about doing the CT starting from Denver is to skip Waterton Canyon and instead start from Roxborough State Park. The only benefit of Waterton canyon in my opinion is an almost 100% chance of running into the heard of Bighorn Sheep that call the canyon home. Roxborough State Park by contrast has some really incredible sand stone formations. Really one of the most beautiful places to hike on the front range foothills. You will hike up and over Carpenter Peak, which gives you a view of the entirety of Denver and the front range. Then you drop down the backside of Carpenter Peak and join the CT right where it leave the road walk in Waterton Canyon. The two downsides of starting in Roxborough, you have to pay the state park fee to enter and it is a significantly harder hike than the road walk in the canyon. That is not to say that it is a difficult hike, it is just not a stroll up a dirt road. Also start in Denver, there are three really nasty long unrelenting climbs near the start if you are going north bound. One coming out of Durango, one after you cross the Animas River and the last to reach the high point on the trail. I generally consider myself up for anything but I remember seeing the poor bastards doing those climbs and being really thankful it was not me.

[@AudreyAdventures]

Thank you!! I actually still haven’t visited Roxborough State Park after living in Colorado for five years haha. But I have a couple of nice things to say about Waterton Canyon. It’s a really easy start to the trail and I saw a ton of wildlife (including a bear!) there.

[@CrazyWhiteBoomer]

You forgot to mention places to receive resupply mail-drops! Little know fact: you can mail packages to yourself addressed to Your Name, Care Of General Delivery (insert town, state and zip here). Make sure that you name on the label is exactly as it is listed on your Drivers Licenses. Best places to send and pick up your resupply packages are Jefferson CO, Breckenridge or Frisco CO, Leadville CO, the gas station at Twin Lakes CO, the lodge at Mount Princeton Hot Springs CO, Salida CO, Lake City CO, and Silverton CO. Sergeants CO, Saguache CO and Creed CO are a bit of a stretch but doable if you're lucky hitching a ride into town. I found the Large USPS Bulk Rate Box can be filled with enough food and other items to get you to the next town.

[@AudreyAdventures]

I have a whole video in my Colorado Trail playlist about resupplies. I don’t think it’s super necessary though. The only places I’d suggest them is Twin Lakes and Silverton.

[@CrazyWhiteBoomer]

@@AudreyAdventures My bad! Stickman CT class of 2018 and 2020

[@robertschillo1952]

Just found your video on Colorado trail. Absolutely fantastic. Perfect for anyone planning on hiking the CT. I have followed several vlogs of hikers hiking the trail and they left me wondering if I could even do the trail. It seemed like many times you had to do 20+ mile days just to get access to water. I am 80 and I cannot do back to back 20 mile days. I did the AT in 4 months but it was in my 60’s. Did you see many hikers my age on the trail? I am still a avid runner and hiker. I run half marathons and do alternate day 5 mile hikes over a fairly aggressive trail. I guess the thing to do is give it a try. Thanks so much for th3 video.

[@AudreyAdventures]

Thank you, Robert! I think my longest water carry was about 12 miles. You definitely do not have to do multiple 20 mile days to get water! It really wasn’t much of an issue. The longest water carries tended to be in the section between Salida and Creed and luckily this section was not among the toughest so the water carries were very doable. Also, I did it in August so all the snow melt was long gone so I would imagine my experience is fairly typical. Might get a little drier in September though. Honestly I did not meet that many hikers out there (I was surprised by that but enjoyed the relative quietness of it) so can’t speak to hikers your age, but I found this trail to be much easier than the AT, and I did meet people your age rocking it on the AT.

[@basilgreymantle6562]

My 17yr old Granddaughter and I (65yr) did it this this summer(2022). are avg worked out to be 14.5mi for 36 trail days and 3 zero days in town. We carried three 1-liter water bottles each. It really helped to use the Farout phone app for us to plan our dailey water carry. Farout is a phone app where people can leave messages about trail conditions, water etc. The cow country area was the most concerning for me, as it was hot and a 13mi another 13mi then a 22mi section without water. I think there ws another section like that but the temps were cooler and no cows that I remeber :)

[@cassandrahemby653]

Love that you're still hiking. I am a retire nurse planning to hike AT at age of 67. Encourages me that older folks are trying. There is no shame in trying even if you don't finish

[@carloss2036]

Just wanted to say ,I love your videos, so ty for spending the time to put them together, I will be doing the CT in one month from now. Greetings from Costa Rica :)

[@AudreyAdventures]

I’m so glad you like them! Have a wonderful time on the Colorado Trail - it’s such a great trail! ❤️

[@OakleyOriginals]

Thanks so much, Audrey. Such useful information, as I prepare to hike the CT. You have a fun, genuine personality!

[@AudreyAdventures]

Thank you, Julie! Good luck on your CT hike - it’s an incredible trail!

[@lauranevens6584]

Thanks!

[@AudreyAdventures]

Thank you - I appreciate it! 😄

[@williamespinosa9094]

I think I'm going to start in Denver on Nov 1st and cross my fingers. Thanks again 👊

[@AudreyAdventures]

Oh gosh. I hope you have experience with snow travel and avalanches in that case!

[@ChrisfromFL]

Great information and I think you answered all of my concerns if I was planning a trip. Thanks

[@AudreyAdventures]

Great - thank you!

[@HikingWithWhiskers]

Awesome video! Thank you for sharing!🥾🥾❤️

[@AudreyAdventures]

You're welcome, Whiskers!

[@williamespinosa9094]

Thank you for the information! You're a good egg woman! 👊♥️

[@AudreyAdventures]

You’re welcome! 😄

[@casualviewer8189]

It’s at the top of my wife and I’s thru hike list. We haven’t even done an overnight trip yet but we have done almost 15 miles in one day. We love Colorado, thanks for your perspective and advice❤️

[@AudreyAdventures]

You're very welcome. Love this trail - hope you and your wife are able to get out there and do it!

[@andrewmascherino3916]

Thanks so much! Your video is very informative!👍

[@AudreyAdventures]

You're welcome!

[@cindyjaye4454]

Great video and information! Thank You! What advice do you have for cell phones and phone charging? How often do you have access to charging facilities?

[@AudreyAdventures]

You’re welcome! I always bring an Anker external battery pack for charging - it works great. I used a big one (26,800 I think of whatever the unit is they measure those with) and it lasted me just fine between towns, and that was with doing a lot of filming which sucks your battery. How often you have access to charging really depends on your pace and how often you stop in towns for a shower and resupply, but I was in town about once a week and would stay in a hotel for a night to get all that done. I was on a tight schedule though - you could stop even more often if you’d like.

[@anthonyd9984]

Super helpful! Thank you!

[@AudreyAdventures]

You’re welcome!

[@RDS617]

I’m hoping to hike the CT this year and this video is incredibly helpful.

[@AudreyAdventures]

Glad you found it helpful and happy trails!

[@flor9345]

This video was 10/10, thank you!

[@AudreyAdventures]

You’re welcome! 😄

[@MikeHanney-q3x]

Great video, Audrey! recently moved to CO and planning the CT this summer..

[@AudreyAdventures]

Thanks, Mike! Welcome to Colorado! Enjoy the CT - it’s wonderful. 😄

[@WanderwithSam]

Thank you! This was extremely helpful

[@AudreyAdventures]

You’re welcome!

[@Capshockey1234]

Great video very helpful thank you!

[@AudreyAdventures]

You’re welcome!

[@TryingTheHardHikeATAdrieWashne]

Good to hear that it’s easier than the Appalachian trail. I just finished that trail a couple of months ago.

[@AudreyAdventures]

Nice - congrats!

[@Glazehikes]

Thanks so much for the awesome logistics video. Super helpful. Hope to be out there 2024. Peace and happy trails.

[@AudreyAdventures]

Awesome!! 2024 will be a great year for you I am sure. :)

[@amyjodunsmore6369]

Super helpful video. Thank you!

[@AudreyAdventures]

You're welcome!

[@payuharris2686]

Ok...thank you for saying the bird was on your video...stopped the video like 3 times and looked atound my area for the mystery bird...thought i was losing it 😂😂😂

[@AudreyAdventures]

Bahaha glad the mystery has been solved! ;)

[@BravestoneHikes]

Thank you for this video! It will be very helpful for me as I plan my thru hike for next summer!! You are awesome!

[@AudreyAdventures]

You're welcome!

[@dylan24848]

I live in ouray and it’s snowed twice in my lifetime on the 4th of July and I’m 29 haha the San Juan’s are very unpredictable

[@AudreyAdventures]

That's wild!! I got caught in a pretty bad snowstorm out near Aspen in August a couple years ago. Cold rain turned to a lot of snow real quick and I was in shorts and soaked to the bone. It was kinda scary! The mountains will teach you what you need to know!

[@jameynorman7590]

A picky vegetarian lol 😂 you are so much fun I’m hooked on your page !

[@AudreyAdventures]

LOL just being real hehe. Thank you, Jamey! :)

[@steveh5169]

Just found your channel last week. You do a great job. I have never thru hiked and this seems more doable than any of the longer trails and I don't really want to hike for 4-6 months straight. You talked about flying to Denver, but what would you do if you drove to Colorado? What do you do with your car for a month or two?

[@AudreyAdventures]

Thanks, Steve! And welcome! Honestly I’m not sure about the driving thing. The Waterton Canyon trailhead is pretty big with lots of room for cars but honestly Colorado has a pretty large vehicle/ catalytic converter theft problem so I personally wouldn’t be comfortable leaving my car in a public space for that long. Maybe a trail angel would have space for a car at their place? I’m really not sure. I’d leave my car home honestly. 🤷‍♀️

[@Ktdiditcom]

Check out the RV storage places. They are not too expensive for a month and are have security in place.

[@HDCrumbsnatcher]

Great video! thanks for sharing

[@AudreyAdventures]

Thank you!

[@jeffg3895]

Good info! Thank you!

[@AudreyAdventures]

You're welcome!

[@Dentspeed]

Love your video! I hammock backpack. Is that feasible on the CT?

[@AudreyAdventures]

Thank you! My friend Dori is usually a hammocker but went with a tent for the CT. He regretted it! He said a hammock would definitely have been doable - just sometimes would have had to hike a little farther to find decent trees.

[@Dentspeed]

Thank you so much! I sleep so much better in my hammock, especially as I approach 60.

[@TheHealthyHiker]

Thanks for your awesome videos - super helpful! If you don't go up the Collegiate West route, do you get those dramatic views elsewhere on the CT, or is that the pinnacle area on this trail for big views?

[@AudreyAdventures]

It’s definitely not your only chance for big views - there are plenty down in the San Juans as well!

[@THEGAINCAVE]

Great content! Thank you!

[@AudreyAdventures]

You’re welcome!

[@michelecoleman2782]

Very useful information. Which bag did you use. This will be colder than the PCT

[@AudreyAdventures]

I doubt it will be colder than the PCT (the Sierra at least). I used a 20-degree Western Mountaineering bag.

[@susietopspin]

Not on the cards for me right now but very informative as always. Happy trails. 🤘🏻🥾⛰️

[@AudreyAdventures]

Thank you! :) Happy trails to you!

[@x-i-am-jinx]

Glad I found your videos. I'm doing the CT beginning in July and have been trying to decide CE or CW and my resupply towns. This was super helpful. How many and what size fuel canisters did you use on the trail? I'm using a PocketRocket. Thanks so much for sharing. Happy trails!

[@AudreyAdventures]

Nice! It’s an amazing trail. I also have a pocket rocket. I used the small fuel canisters and they would last me the 6 to 7 days between towns. I guess I probably went through 4 or 5? Happy trails!

[@x-i-am-jinx]

@@AudreyAdventures I'm definitely looking forward to it! Thanks again! I really appreciate it!

[@HapticTraveler]

Wondering if you can hammock camp the whole CT?

[@AudreyAdventures]

So my friend Dori is normally a hammocker but did a tent for the CT and regretted it. He said a hammock would have been totally doable, there just would have been a few times that he would have had to hike on a little further to find a spot to set up a hammock.

[@337WHITE]

Well done! Thanks for the very thorough video. You answered almost all of the logistics questions I have about my plans for hiking the CT starting in late August this year. You covered getting to the trailhead, but how do I get back to my car once I finish the trail. I am thinking I will either park my car at the trailhead or at the end of the trail, but either way I am trying to figure out how to get transported the ~500 miles from Durango to Denver either before or after depending on where I end up parking my car. Thanks again for the video!

[@AudreyAdventures]

You can fly between Denver and Durango. Or rent a car at either airport, which you could return before picking up your car. When you get down to Durango, it’s an easy to hitch into town, then you could grab an Uber to the airport. Or you could set up a shuttle from the trailhead to the airport in advance. I would reconsider leaving your car behind though. There’s a huge problem with car theft in Colorado, and catalytic converters as well.

[@AudreyAdventures]

@@337WHITE You're welcome! That sounds like a great option. Sometimes KZbin AI filters out comments that it thinks could be offensive or spam. Often they are not, but I've stopped checking the filtered comments because I've gotten some pretty mean things in there. So, the unfortunate side effect is that some normal comments sometimes get filtered out and lost.

[@337WHITE]

@@AudreyAdventures my comment is gone again! Oh well, at least you were able to see it and reply before it disappeared again. I love your channel! Hike on!!

[@AudreyAdventures]

@@337WHITE Thank you!! I'm so sorry your comments keep disappearing. I can still see it!

[@AudreyAdventures]

Oh actually I can only see the original comment - not the more recent one. Very odd!

[@lt2246]

Nice video. What are your thoughts on hammocks vs free standing tents vs trekking pole tents for this trail?

[@AudreyAdventures]

I think whichever you prefer would be fine. My friend Dori is usually a hammocker and brought a tent for this, thinking there wouldn't be enough places to hammock along the way, and ended up regretting it because he said there were only a couple spots his hammock would not have worked, and in those cases, he could have just continued on a few miles to find a hammock spot. I used a trekking pole tent and it worked just fine.

[@lt2246]

@@AudreyAdventures Thank you for the feedback

[@denisedevaughn544]

Do not leave your car in the parking lot in Littleton. I live Lakewood and I hike down in the Waterton area.

[@wio2189]

What about bugs? Mosquito season? Do ticks carry lime disease? Thanks for the video!

[@AudreyAdventures]

You might get some mosquitoes in early summer just as the snow is melting but most of the time they're pretty nonexistent here, especially in the mountains. Lyme disease is extremely rare here and not found in wild animal populations. You can find more info about Colorado ticks here: www.uchealth.org/today/the-truth-about-ticks/. It's a pretty dry climate so you just don't have to worry much about bugs most of the time.

[@wio2189]

@@AudreyAdventures Thanks for your reply and the useful info! I guess that settles it, CT and LT this year.

[@adriansagan2562]

I was really hoping to hear about your budget planning and total cost of your hike. Any information in this area would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[@AudreyAdventures]

I have a video coming on that topic in a couple weeks!

[@adriansagan2562]

That’s so great to hear! I went to college in Durango and 20+ years later I’m coming back to thru hike the CT in 2024 (I live in Montana now). I’m really excited and know budgeting is the first step. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

[@AudreyAdventures]

@@adriansagan2562 Oh man what a fantastic place to go to college! And that's awesome you're planning to come back to do the CT!

[@bethosland6904]

Planning for this summer! This is a great video. Did you pre-reserve a room at the places you stayed (like the Avon?)?

[@AudreyAdventures]

Thank you! Glad you found it helpful. We generally booked our rooms just a day or two in advance - we just like having something ready for when we get into town so we didn't have to wander around/ stress about where to go - but the Avon specifically we did book several days in advance because it's quite small and they do run out of rooms often.

[@OliviaH-z1g]

Your videos are awesome: actually informative and you speak well, which holds my attention. Do you have an opinion on female solo hikes? I did Long Trail in VT and hitchhiking with another female still felt a bit sketch (only solo males would pick us up and their vibes were "off"). Backpacking in EU doesn't feel like this. Opinion on CT?

[@AudreyAdventures]

Thank you so much! I had really good experiences hitchhiking in Colorado. Of course I wasn’t solo, but still. So many people here are into so many outdoor activities so they get it and also a lot of people here are happy because they’re living their best lives. We were usually picked up by families and met such nice people. Obviously there are bad people everywhere and you gotta trust your gut but we only went into a few towns and only actually needed to hitch into Leadville, Salida (so easy), Lake City (this was my longest hitch and took an hour but there is a hiker shuttle once a day through the local church if you’re not comfortable hitching), and Silverton (easy). You can catch a bus into Breckenridge or Frisco right off the trail and you hike right through Copper Mountain. I would start in July if you’re looking to meet up with people to hike with and hitchhike with. That seems to be the prime time. We didn’t really meet that many people in August. Also if you don’t have one, I’d recommend bringing a Garmin or other GPS device because I rarely had cell service on the CT and a lot of it is really remote.

[@katyfreed9242]

just wondering if you have a hotel/hostel suggestion for littleton? I'll be flying into denver with my daughter and her boyfriend and plan on taking the bus to littleton to stay the night and wanted to reserve a place . Also wanted to send some of our gear ahead of time.

[@AudreyAdventures]

I don't sorry! I live in Boulder so have never stayed in Littleton or really spent any time there.

[@katyfreed9242]

@@AudreyAdventures no worries. love your videos!

[@AudreyAdventures]

@@katyfreed9242 Thank you so much! Good luck!

[@ts-rf7er]

I believe you said you averaged 16 miles a day without zero days, is that correct and what was your average With zero days and what was the ratio hiking to zero days? 4 days ~16/day then a zero every 5th day example?

[@AudreyAdventures]

We took one month - August 4 to September 4, and took just two zero days - one in Salida and one in Lake City.

[@lynoreabbott1010]

Salida has a walmart and smiths grocery store.

[@BravestoneHikes]

Question for you. I am Vegan. Would you recommend I plan to send boxes to myself the whole way?

[@AudreyAdventures]

Depends on how picky you are. ;) I don't think it's necessary to do so. I would send a box to Twin Lakes though for sure and potentially Silverton. There are a lot of options in Breckenridge and Lake City so I would not send boxes there. Salida has decent options (a Natural Grocer, Safeway, and an outfitter) but they are expensive. And Leadville options are fair.

[@ShayneAndrew-yt1vv]

Super beautiful lady...I enjoyed watching your video...Ready to start this challenge next month

[@AudreyAdventures]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed my video. Best of luck on your hike!

[@ShayneAndrew-yt1vv]

Thank you love

[@mtadams2009]

Thanks for all the information. I am debating on the bear sack. If you go the REI site the reviews for the Ursack are very up and down. The people that love them have never had a bear try to get into them and the people that hate them will tell you they did nothing to stop a bear. I am certainly not carrying a bear can so I guess will flip a coin. I will admit for decades I slept with my food and sometimes I still do. I have never had an issue. Thanks for sharing all of your experience. I am taking notes and making my plans for 2025. I am excited and nervous. The altitude, blazing sun and T storms concern me. I am sure I will adjust. Take care

[@AudreyAdventures]

I always pair the Ursack with an odor-proof bag. I'm sure this system is not infallible, but I have used it a ton in the backcountry and never had an issue. And I've had rodents chew on my shoes a few times in the night in my vestibule but have never noticed any chew marks on my Ursack haha! So I think it is doing something. :)

[@aaronkidd9450]

You are just so darn cute. You really are. Thank you sweet gurl. Your the best.

[@charlottedunlay4397]

You do not need permits to hike the CT, however, if you are taking the East Collegiate route, you do need a permit for passing through seg 12 at the Clear Creek area: Read more about it on the CTF page: coloradotrail.org/segment-12-swa-pass-needed/

[@AudreyAdventures]

Great point - I forgot about that! Thanks for sharing.

[@claudiabowles1961]

Thanks!

[@AudreyAdventures]

Thank you so much! 😄

[@claudiabowles1961]

I owe you at least this much. Your information in this video helped me decide on doing the CT for my first thru hike. I will start in July. Thank you Audrey. ❤️❤️❤️

[@AudreyAdventures]

@@claudiabowles1961 Oh heck yeah! That is amazing!!

[@jessicapalenchar9292]

So helpful!! Thank you!!!

[@AudreyAdventures]

You're welcome! :)