I confirmed that information on ColoradoTrail.org and learned that we'd have a total elevation gain of 8,629 feet in that section if we started in Durango. Some scam was in the works, I suspected. Most afternoons there was a storm. Trail narrows a couple miles in and climbs into the trees, some fallen logs. I emailed the Town of Silverton at info@silvertoncolorado.com with this question and got a same-day response. Filters. Located approximately 50 miles from downtown, it offers a wide variety of outdoor activities and events that attract visitors looking to get out of town for the day. Various Maps of the Colorado Trail. From online reviews I've read, I expect the rooms will be basic but clean. This is amazing. I only did a short section of segment 25, but the views are outstanding. But passengers have ample views to keep them occupied. This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. Youll need warm clothing and rain gear, even if youre just out for the day. Perfect for the first time hiker or anyone - they can take your information and not have to do much planning of their own. 0.3 km from Edgewater Lounge at the DoubleTree by Hilton Durango. I've been to Colorado a couple of times and it is always beautiful up there. Climbed up Indian Trail Ridge overlooking Taylor Lake with delicate flowers growing out of the rocks of Knife Edge. Lots of mountain bikers out today. 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. Though my pack felt heavy. Unbelievable scenery and good weather added to a great experience. 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. 3-liter water bladder for extra capacity for the long, dry stretch, (1) 12-pack of Aquamira purification tablets (carried by the one who isn't carrying the filter), Nylon water tote (for carrying extra water from the source back to camp), Dental floss (long section, each person; has other uses besides teeth cleaning), Comb (share, because Steve doesn't have cooties), All Weather space blanket with grommets (just me), Nylon cord, 50 ft., carried by me for use with the emergency blanket (as a tarp) if necessary or to bear bag food or whatever else, Duct tape (wrapped around a trekking pole), Cell phone (1 each, turned off! It didn't surprise me at all when I realized it was yours. We can park at the Visitor Center. As we get closer to the time of our hike, we'll check on snow conditions at the higher elevations. Detour Arapahoe Rd. For 200 miles (or 320 km), the "C.T." 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. I had to call the after-hours front desk number, and the lady who answered did take care of the noise, so that was good. Here Im looking back at the section prior the one I was about to do. Tried to walk today from Bolam Pass direction. 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. Kathy McGraw from California on January 20, 2013: I think if I read enough of these, at different time, some of this hiking stuff will sink in. They also have rooms with full kitchens. I'm a few hours away from Durango these days, but still hoping. We able to get to the very top out of Lil molas lake trail was snowed over . Thanks for sharing a great lens. We stopped for a break and the view at Gudy's Rest four miles before Durango. Hi, My name is Debbie. The Colorado Trail is mostly dispersed camping. The 500-mile Colorado Trail is one of the nation's premier long-distance hiking trail and runs from Denver to Durango. 619 Main Avenue. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. 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. Shortest was the last at around 8. What started out as a fairly warm day in Durango turned rainy and very cold by the time we got halfway to Silverton. Road access to the trail is remote and 4WD, but many long loops are possible. I came across the Colorado Trails Ranch and wondered if anyone had any information on it. Jul 8, 2023. The summit of Engineer Mountain towers over this entire region, rising to an elevation of 13,218 feet. 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. 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. Colorado Trail - Durango to Silverton. But he needed to resupply in Silverton, staying at the hostel there one night. I have another trip planned with some friends in late June, so Steve and I have decided to do this hike mid-month. We met one of the trail volunteers later. A local gent drove me up to the correct highway and to the best place to hitch. Saw amazing wildlife: a herd of elk, 3 deer, pica, grouse and several marmots. Silverton via Stony Pass - 26.4%; Durango - 3.9%; Lake City via Spring . I did get to see the Durango to Silverton Tourist train go by and it did look like a good ride. You've given all the information one could need. This section provided the best riding, with many short climbs and fast twisty descents. Incredibly beautiful, there was even snow on ground!!!! (LogOut/ Colorados epic Colorado Trail runs 485 miles between Waterton Canyon in southwest Denver and Durango. And, to some extent, we're using old gear, because it ain't broke, basically. Durango to Silverton or vice versa? This entire stretch of singletrack has also been designated by the International Mountain Bike Association as one of their "Epic" rides. We just went out for a few miles then back. Easier. 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. Someday .. Hi! Molas Pass is at 10886 but you then hike down to the Animas River and the train tracks at 8918. Underwear (I don't know about Steve, but I take 3 pr. Oddly, he got a 7 mile ride with this truck driver. So glad to see your article! The Colorado Trail is divided into 28 segments with an access point at the beginning and end of each. Leadville is a strange choice. The Colorado Trail near Silverton has popular high elevation routes for mountain biking and hiking. " Love this place! They completed section 26 and moved onto section 27 and endless climbing, including the joy of pushing their 50-lb bikes uphill. My plan was to take the train to Silverton. Thanks for the great information. 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. 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. Still a day out on the trail so I cannot complain! 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. The debriefing style is a nice touch. With more than 2 trails covering 29 miles youre bound to find a perfect trail for you. Rather than arrange for a shuttle from Durango back to our vehicle in Silverton, we decided to treat ourselves to a scenic train ride on the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which has been in continuous operation for 127 years. Also, there are camping options not listed in the book; you just have to keep your eyes out. Durango offers great hiking, stagecoach rides, biking, an excellent foodie scene, rafting and floats on the Animas River, a hot spring, and so much more. This is a very useful and what I consider indispensable resource for hiking the CT, and I'd highly recommend photocopying pages for the section you'll be hiking and taking them with you. CO Silverton Alpine Marathon & 50K Jul 8, 2023 Clear your browsing data in order to view the new map. 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. Browse our Colorado land for sale listings, view photos and contact an agent today! @KathyMcGraw2: Same here, im really enjoying reading about these trips. Or not. Day one also saw a hefty sidewall slice in one of James tires. I stayed on the train at both Needleton and Elk Park. (See more details below.) There's no good resupply options from Silverton to Durango. As I've already mentioned, we'll be using the Durango-Silverton train as our means of shuttling. 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. Section-hiking requires travel to and from the trail multiple times if you do multiple sections. ), Esbit fuel tablets (so the other of us can cook a second item or heat water for drinks while the Whisperlight is in use). Local Legal Protections. Box 439Bayfield, CO 81122970-884-2512, Dolores Ranger District29211 US Hwy. I should mention also that we're not "ultralight" backpackers. It is so beautiful. The idea behind the trail was born in 1973, but the trail itself wasn't created and connected until 1987. I just want to let you know that I admire your passion for the outdoors and I appreciate your effort in sharing it with us. 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. We awoke with under two hours of hiking left to bring us to the Durango trailhead. 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. 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. You dont need a permit for the trail, but you do have to grab a free permit when crossing the wilderness areas. 5/29 Update: I spoke to the Forest Service today. In the morning, we'll drive to Silverton, where we'll leave the car at the Visitor Center as planned, take the 2pm train to Elk Park and hike BACK to the campground. We mountain biked Saturday June 5, 2021 . I live in Denver and we are always looking for a good spot to go hiking. There are plenty of places to stay in Durango, so no worries. If youre in reasonably good condition, you can do this. 50K, 26.2M, 8M run . Gorgeous! The trail remains well above 11,000 feet until after Blackhawk Pass. So I'd recommend familiarizing yourself and making note of alternate routes before the hike, just in case you might need to leave the trail sooner than later. . What I see as some of the up-sides to section-hiking are: And there are a few things that might be considered drawbacks of section-hiking: As I write this article, we're currently in the process of gathering information and making our plans, so there will be some things I'll have to add. 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. Not sure what is going on- like a road being built. Once the trail enter the trees the technical, rocky nature--now mixed with roots--continues, demanding complete attention. 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. Sat: Sun: Mon: Tue: Wed: Thu: Fri: Multiple: Hide Map. It's going to be an awesome trip! Our present itinerary brings us to Durango for the railroad trip on Saturday. Alpine ridges, wildflowers as far as you can . In the 20min I had available before boarding? SquidAngel blessed. 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. Unlike most thru-hikers, we had already decided to start at the western end of the trail, beginning with the terminus closest to home. The Colorado Trail, South Topographic Map Guide has been designed as the perfect traveling companion when navigating the southern section of The Colorado Trail. BEAUTIFUL (of course). Where will we stay at either end of the hike? Answer: I'm sorry, I don't recall that in enough detail to answer your question. I'd like to get back there and hike some of this trail. . Overall, this is a pretty inexpensive way to spend a vacation. Thats a good reminder to check your first-aid kit; is it ready? Steve was really rollin and said, Im so glad I have plus tires. Improve this listing. I've always wanted to take that train. Most easily distinguished as the location of Purgatory Ski Resort and the suburb of Hermosa, this region is home to Durango's best adventures. Dedicating a month of your life to the Trail has its price. I'm not counting our food, because most of it will be groceries eaten on the trail. And the views. well you already know about the views! We'll also have those extra 5.8 miles in segment 24, from Elk Park to Molas Pass. The trail is a 2.35 mile (one-way) from the trailhead to the ascent of Rolling Pass. 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. Hiked with my daughter and son-in-law Segments 25-28 (Durango terminus) mid July. Check out the Foundationswebsitefor more practical info. Cool shelter cabin on Bolam Pass Road. Camp sites at Little Molas lake are car accessible so can fill up, (first come/served). I don't know, though; I have this thing about trying to get a ride from Silverton to that trailhead. Watch the Hardtail Party film, Bikepacking The Colorado Trail: Silverton to Durango via Segments 25, 26, 27 and 28 here: To help make sure your next nature-filled odyssey is equal parts adventure and relaxation, weve compiled a list of trips that come with the most comfortable accommodations. The campground is happy to have hikers stop by for a wash and dry. There is reserved seating on the train. Thanks for sharing. 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). To access data, select a station from the map or the drop-down menu. Hiked from beautiful Kennebec Pass (July 4, 2022) at end of 4WD Road #124 and passed scenic Taylor Lake. There are 11 units available for rent starting at $1,522/month. Plan accordingly and pack all the gear youll need. We hiked the 3 miles from Junction Creek into town. Day 1 was about 24 miles, day 2 was about 28 miles, and they finished on day 3 and made it to Durango. Loved this hike, but directions to trailhead were wrong. 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 They have both unisex and co-ed bunk rooms. Then a major climb takes you to Blackhawk Pass, the high point of the trail. and fully charged before the trip). A bit over 100 miles. The property is located just across US 550/160 from Santa Rita park which offers miles of interconnected trails along the . The Junction Creek Trailhead is about three miles from downtown Durango. What are the typical weather conditions for that time of year? Colorado. We've visited this small city of about 16,000 residents several times. Arriving at the pass I met a European who was nearly finished the 500 mile Colorado Trail. 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. You can choose the optimal time of year to hike a section. Steve Hume of the Hardtail Party YouTube channel organized the trip and invited two friends to join him for the adventure, Cody and James. Great, very specific overview. Where would I store the gear I didnt want to carry on the hike? 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. Silverton Alpine Marathon & 50K. 9 days hiking (1 a day hike to the CD). Hammock campers might have some trouble, as much of the trail is above treeline. Enjoy your hike. A brief introduction to the Colorado Trail The Colorado Trail (CT), completed in 1987, spans 567 miles through the heart of the southern Rocky Mountains. The COT forms one-third of the Triple Crown of Bikepacking, along with the Arizona Trail and the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Spectacular views - I love this segment! 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. 13.7 miles laterwe made it!! 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. This item: Telluride, Silverton, Ouray, Lake City Map (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map, 141) by National Geographic Maps Map $14.95 Durango, Cortez Map (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map, 144) by National Geographic Maps Map $14.95 Weminuche Wilderness Map (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map, 140) . Write a review to inform other visitors! For certain a favorite segment on the Colorado Trail! Five Stars and a Fav. There are endless options for bike rides and hikes here. Photo by Steve Hume. Gudy attended the first focus meeting about a trail from Denver to Durango in 1974 and never missed a meeting in those early days of the CT. Beautiful views, flowers are all out in full bloom, steep ascent to the pass then much easier. 3 deer, pica, grouse and several marmots deer, pica, and... Of about 16,000 residents several times higher elevations offers miles of interconnected along. Out for the day $ 1,522/month into Town campers might have some,! 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