My collection of posted information from various online groups - that may help you and your hike/planning.
This page is constantly evolving, so check/refresh often.
Take note of WHEN the posts were made - time may alter accuracy.
Also, refer to https://sites.google.com/view/hikerinfo/women-hikers
Also, refer to: https://sites.google.com/view/hikerinfo/gps
This site has a menu!
Look for it - many jewels are to be discovered!
Listed in no order of preference
https://thetrek.co/the-colorado-trail-guide-everything-you-need-to-know-to-hike-the-ct/
https://thetrek.co/ranking-the-colorado-trail-segments-100-subjective-completely-true
https://thetrek.co/11-tips-i-wish-id-known-before-hiking-the-colorado-trail
CTF: Segments of the CT
CT Guides, Books & Maps
Look for upcoming events!
2014 Post by Paul Mags
Look for: Denver Area Hiker Trash Meetup and or https://thetrek.co
2023 How to plan a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail: logistics, tips, and impressions
https://youtu.be/qBlEoGmRCxY
(2024) Rolf Asphaug's comment "The thru-hiker Snackbox - aka Jared Champion - has an amazing set of videos in his Outside Comfort Zone YouTube channel on the logistics of hiking the Colorado Trail, including general planning videos as well as separate videos about logistics for each of the 28 segments of the trail. I’ve already done a post with links to them. Here’s another video by Audrey Payne on her Audrey Adventures YouTube channel on planning for thru-hiking the Colorado Trail: "
Colorado Trail Segment 8 Tips and Tricks, new for 2023
Colorado Trail Hitchless Resupply Guide, 2023 Update
2024 Colorado Trail Live Q&A
Colorado Trail Segment One 2023 Tips and Tricks Update
Join these groups, for "live" updates and posted events/gatherings to attend.
Colorado Trail Hikers, Thru-Hikers and Trail Angel
You can post transport AND lodging requests there, too
This FB Group is also less restrictive, about "Advertising" and posts in general (no restrictions)
Newly created by a Denver-area local Trail Angel, Rolf Asphaug
The Colorado Trail Foundation
Sign up to join trail crews https://coloradotrail.org/volunteer/trail-crews
Colorado Trail Section Hikers
Colorado Trail Thru-Hike YYYY
RESTRICTED membership
Note the "-" between Thru-Hike"
Search Facebook Groups, for the current-year's group
Colorado Trail Thru Hike YYYY
Note missing "-" between "Thru Hike"
Search Facebook Groups, for the current-year's group
Colorado Trail Thru and Segment YYYY
Search Facebook Groups, for the current-year's group
I've not used these but I've gotten these recommendations from others:
UK Residents: May come with annual policy but at a premium and may not cover treks over 4,000 meters
https://www.bigcattravelinsurance.com/travel-insurance/backpackers-travel-insurance/
Specific for backpackers and may offer better rates than other insurers.
2024-02-21 Posted on Colorado Trail Hikers, Thru-Hikers and Trail Angel
Q: Ina Biz
the tent & distance question - is there kind of a general rule how far away from each other you pitching tents assumed you do not know each other …… when I look in the YouTube vids sometimes I have the impression you have to be at least a vouple of hundred feets awy
A:
On some trails, in some places that is impossible to do. When I did the JMT trail in 2021 there are several places where you were only allowed to camp in a particular area, and there would be many other tents all around me
Ina to Bob Wirth Thanks for the answer - i assumed on CT there are no campgrounds like that .
Ina - I don’t recall any areas where regulations required you to camp close to someone else. There were a few areas where tent space was somewhat limited.
Top Contributor
Rolf Gunnar Asphaugif you stated that correctly, I am not saying that there’s anywhere that you had to Camp close to someone else. I’m just saying that in particular areas of the John Muir trail, you could only camp in certain areas so that consolidated all tenters to one particular area so you were guaranteed to have some company within 30 or 40 yards away
Bob - sorry for not being clear. My previous reply was referring to the CT, not the JMT.
No set rule on this. Depends on where a good flat space for both tents is and if they snore
Bryan Pate thanks - unfortunately i have the tendency to deliver such sort of nightly entertainment .. at least now and then ..
Just a nice idea to ask others already there if they mind you pitching your tent nearby. Most folks welcome others to share a nice camp (I know I do), but I've heard of people saying no. I'd rather keep looking for another spot than feel like I'm crowding someone looking for some privacy.
Larry Haines I agree with this - everyone on the CT is positive toward one another, and it is rare that people will not welcome you.
Posted on Colorado Trail Hikers, Thru-Hikers and Trail Angel
Is there anywhere on the trail that requires or it’s mandatory to have a bear can?
And please don’t tell me I should carry one anyways. Because I don’t if I don’t have to absolutely need it
Nope.
If you hang a bag you’ll want to learn the 2-tree method.
Posted on Colorado Trail Hikers, Thru-Hikers and Trail Angel
You could be worried about mountain lions but it will do no good. I can tell you that in your lifetime you will never see one in the wild but believe me when I say they are there. Even if you are extremely lucky enough to actually see one it will be brief and it will usually be their rear end disappearing through the underbrush. Relatively few people have been killed by mountain lions and they never knew what hit them. I’m pretty sure you would have better luck hitting the lottery!
I have seen them (one actually) in the wild, but more so I've seen signs of them (tracks and poop), good to be wary just the same and know what to do if confronted as unlikely as that might be... be big and loud as you can be, and never, ever run... that triggers them to see you as a tempting meal.
I had a large female follow me for a full day, or more. Playing games mostly. I was lucky. Especially being a solo thru-hiker. Bear mace wouldn’t have done a thing. If they’re really in hunt mode you’ll never know they’re there till they’re cracking the bones in your neck and peeling your scalp off. Best defense is a stiletto dagger on your shoulder strap. The pull down kind. A cord wrapped/no-slip handle would be very useful too. Mostly for grip while your blood is getting all over everything. And then, if you’re hella lucky, and VERY CALM, you just might be able to blindly stab the cat enough to get it to release you.
Note: The admins for this group actively manage things and often remove people who have joined. So, don't be surprised if you join and later cannot find the group.
Posted by Michelle Vine
2023-08-07
My Dad was just dropped off at Monarch Pass from Terri - one of the owners at the Palace hotel through Piñon Vacation rentals - after enjoying a 0 day and restock in Salida.
The seamless ride to/from the trail, easy access to town on his zero and acceptance of his resupply box made it a no brainer as his support crew!
Posted by Jordan Russell
2023-08-07
Please help us spread the word to everyone hiking the Colorado Trail, Continental Divide Trail or Collegiate loop:
Monarch at the Crest can ONLY accept re-supply boxes shipped through UPS or FEDEX.
THE US POSTAL SERVICE DOES NOT DELIVER TO OUR PHYSICAL ADDRESS.
Boxes shipped via USPS have caused a huge burden on our staff and left some hikers without their packages.
We want to make sure you have what you need to get back on the trail, so please ship UPS or FedEx!
Ryan Charles Apley "apples"
2023-08-06
Update: I’ve got tickets to ride the Busstang tomorrow to Denver, though I’ve heard the West Line can be unreliable in the afternoon due to staffing shortages. Good luck everyone. P.S. apparently the windshield of the plane broke. Getting AM flights out of Durango the next 2 days might be difficult because the same plane was supposed to those flights as well.
United flight from Durango to Denver this morning cancelled due to aircraft malfunction. United says it’ll take 48 hours to fix and next available flights to Denver aren’t until the 8th. No rental cars here at the airport left either.
Is anyone making their way to Denver today? I’ll split gas!
- apples
2023-12031 Posted on Colorado Trail Hikers, Thru-Hikers and Trail Angel
2024-01-29 Posted on Colorado Trail Hikers, Thru-Hikers and Trail Angel
Because while life can seem to be one big long training thru-hike, those who really embrace it must ask what the most important decision is, choose an option, and then see it through.
Experience is hard to share; each must gather his own. Happy Trails!"
Note: the above has been paraphrased & rewritten for hikers.
2024-02-24 Posted on Colorado Trail Hikers, Thru-Hikers and Trail Angel
Since hitching can be a controversial topic for CT Hikers, here is a hitchless resupply guide by Snackbox.
https://youtu.be/TjD2L02XOfw?si=IwOjPKy15uxeSOkb
Found this location in a Video this morning > https://www.twobridgeslodge.com/about-5
https://pmags.com/colorado-trail-end-to-end-guide-2