The Colorado Trail

The Colorado Trail is a series of roads and trails that generally follows the Continental Divide for almost 500 miles between Denver and Durango. The trail splits in the middle, with the more difficult and scenic route to the west. #coloradotrail #hiking #mountainbiking

On the south side of Hope Pass in the middle of the first section of the Collegiate West route. coloradotrail.pages.dev/photospheres #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking

In the last mile of the descent towards the Platte River at the end of Segment 1. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #mountainbiking #hiking #photography

After the long, steep climb through a pine forest, descending through bright aspen towards the end of the first section of the Collegiate West route was a fitting reward. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #collegiatewest #hiking #photography

Heading north, towards Cascade Creek, in the southern half of Segment 25. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #mountainbiking #photography

Looking west from the north side of Chalk Creek Pass, on Section 4 of the Collegiate West route. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #collegiatewest #hiking #photography

At the halfway point of Segment 23, just prior to turning around on an out and back mountain bike ride. coloradotrail.pages.dev/photospheres #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking

After crossing two twelve thousand foot passes, Segment 8 settles down and ends in a gradual climb through long valleys and along an old railroad grade. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #mountainbiking #hiking #photography

The aspen aren't as dense as they are around Kenosha Pass, but the beginning of Segment 4 is a far less crowded place to see the leaves change in the fall. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #photography

Sometimes it seems like columbines are everywhere, and sometimes they seem rare, but I never expected to find them next to a rocky section of trail at over 12,000 feet, while mountain biking on Segment 26. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #mountainbiking #photography

Heading south toward Tunnel Lake and the Alpine Tunnel at the beginning of Section 4 of the Collegiate West route. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #mountainbiking #photography

Bighorn sheep can be found in Waterton Canyon at the beginning of Segment 1 most any time of the year, but it seems more likely in late winter and spring. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #wildlife #photography #mountainbiking

After over twenty miles following dry, rocky ridges that often rise above twelve thousand feet, this lake at the end of Segment 27 is a welcome sight. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #mountainbiking #photography

Passing 13,370 foot Mount Guyot near the highpoint of Segment 6. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #mountainbiking #photography

Snow Mesa, which is on the southern edge of the La Garita Wilderness in Segment 21, is entirely above 12,000 feet. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #backpacking #scenery #photography

Heading north in the southern half of Section 3 of the Collegiate West route. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #photography

Thunderstorms may not have been a problem, but I was still lucky to have gotten away with hiking Segment 22 in the fall without having to trudge through a lot of snow. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #hiking

Considering that Segment 28 plunges thousands of feet from the Continental Divide to Durango, I didn't think I would ever have to pedal, but it turned out to be no easier than any other segment. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking

Looking towards Durango from a twelve thousand foot slope west of Molas Pass in Segment 25. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking

While the aspen on Segment 5, particularly around Kenosha Pass, are definitely worth seeing, there are plenty of other amazing views throughout the segment. coloradotrail.pages.dev/photospheres #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking

Signs of the fire decades ago start to appear in the long climb at the beginning of Segment 2, but the full, lasting devastation isn't apparent until reaching the top. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #mountainbiking #photography

Deep inside the La Garita Wilderness, at the beginning of Segment 20, trees that were killed by beetles are slowly being replaced by new ones. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #hiking

A family of Ptarmigans make a clucking sound, almost like a bark, while looking for food on 12,000 foot Chalk Creek Pass, near the end of Section 4 of the Collegiate West route. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #photography #birds

Pasque flowers start popping up out of the sand in the huge burned area in Segment 2 long before the grass turns green. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking #flowers

At over thirty miles, Segment 6 is the longest, and includes dense aspen groves, wide open grasslands, high tundra, and pine forests. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #mountainbiking #photography

Segment 4 follows the North Fork of Lost Creek for several miles in a long, flat valley. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #photography

Segment 1 starts west of Denver in Waterton Canyon, where it follows an old railroad grade on which, thankfully, the only cars allowed are service vehicles. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #mountainbiking #photography

On a warm day in early fall, half of the aspen have already shed their leaves in the middle of Segment 5. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #hiking

Looking south towards the Three Apostles, near the end of the first section of the Collegiate West route. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #collegiatewest #hiking #photography

Segment 3 is relatively flat and winds in and out of small, forested valleys. coloradotrail.pages.dev/photospheres #mountainbiking #hiking #scenery #photography

Climbing towards treeline in the middle of Segment 9. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #scenery

While hiking Segment 20 in the La Garita Wilderness, it was often tempting just to stand and look, but with the farthest ridge on the left yet to be crossed in both directions, there was simply not enough time. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #photography

There is no water and very little cover on Segment 2. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #mountainbiking #photography

Near Georgia Pass in the middle of Segment 6. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #mountainbiking #photography

After a short climb through trees at the beginning of Segment 25, the view opens up and most of the rest of the segment becomes visible in the distance. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #mountainbiking #hiking #scenery #photography

On the west side of the Lost Creek Wilderness in Segment 5. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #mountainbiking #photography

Looking west, up Lake Creek valley, at the beginning of the first section of the Collegiate West route. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #collegiatewest #hiking #mountainbiking #photography

The first half of Segment 1 is flat, with plenty of water, but at the base of the dam for the Strontia Springs Reservoir the trail begins to climb into drier and more challenging terrain. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking

A lot of dead trees have been removed in the first hundred miles of the Colorado Trail over the past few years, which in some cases has left nothing behind except dirt, but it's actually an improvement in Segment 3. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #mountainbiking

Looking into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness at the beginning of Segment 13, with 14,196 foot Mount Yale on the left, and Mount Harvard and Mount Columbia in the distance on the right. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #fourteeners

Section 3 of the Collegiate West route starts on Cottonwood Pass, where after a short, steep climb the ridges that the trail will follow come into view. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #collegiatewest #hiking #photography

The remains of a small cabin slowly rots away just outside the Holy Cross Wilderness near the middle of Segment 9. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #hiking #backpacking #scenery #photography

As much as I like to spend time on high mountain peaks and ridges, where the views are unobstructed, it was still nice to have some cover nearby for while mountain biking the first half of Segment 25. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #mountainbiking #hiking #scenery

Approaching the 13,250 foot highest point on the Colorado Trail in Segment 22. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking

Segment 3 winds in and out of forested valleys, often in the shadow of towering rock formations, and sometimes passing through them. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking

Even though it can be extremely crowded on Kenosha Pass, the last half of Segment 5 is an ideal place to see the leaves change in the fall. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking

When following the Continental Divide on Segment 22, it's nice to see the trail veer away from some peaks instead of going over the top of them. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking

Looking up Pine Creek towards a row of fourteen thousand foot peaks inside the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness on Segment 12. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #scenery

While it's true for many segments, turning around and looking back at where you've been is particularly important on Segment 25, because you don't want to miss anything. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #mountainbiking #hiking #scenery #photography

One of several flowery meadows in Segment 3. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #photography #hiking #mountainbiking

Descending through 12,000 feet for the first time, just prior to a yet another long climb, near the middle of Section 3 of the Collegiate West route. coloradotrail.pages.dev #coloradotrail #collegiatewest #hiking #photography