The Colorado Trail is a 486 mile backpacking route starting in Denver, Colorado and ending in Durango, Colorado. The trail is maintained by the Colorado Trail Foundation which organizes groups of volunteers to work on the trail. It usually takes thru-hikers 4-6 weeks to complete but it can be completed in sections over several years. Anyone can hike the Colorado Trail. New grads to new retirees hike the trail together and so can you.

Choose your start date. First, see how much time you have available. The average thru-hiker completes the Colorado trail in 5 weeks. To estimate how long the trail will take you, ask yourself how many miles are you planning on hiking a day and how many town stops will you make?

The faster you hike and less town stops you make, the less expensive your hike will be. The money required for hiking the CT is an estimation and will be different for everyone’s hiking style. It assumed that the cheapest beds in hostels were chosen for each town stop.

The Colorado Trail Foundation recommends that you start no sooner than July 1st. Be prepared for more snow if you choose to hike outside this time frame. The Foundation will update its Facebook on which segments are currently passable.

Check out an Example Timeline of a thru hike that started in early in the season.

Colorado Trail Example Gear List from the Colorado Trail Foundation. Gear is broken into mid-weight, lightweight, and ultralight-weight.

The Big 3 refers to the three items that are the most important and will take up the most weight in your back. They are the backpack, sleeping system, and shelter.

• Sleep wear: Sleep wear should be reserved only for camp. This can include warm socks, underwear, and a comfortable shirt. Never wear these clothes while hiking especially when it is raining. After a rainstorm you will need these clothes dry to warm you up when you get into the tent.
• Hiking wear: A wicking shirt and lightweight bottoms will be the main hiking clothing worn every day when hiking. When choosing hiking clothes look for material that is lightweight, odor-resistant, and fast drying. I recommend finding higher quality clothing for this section because it will be the most used.
• Mid-layer: When the weather takes a turn a warm mid layer is necessary. Examples include fleece jackets and lightweight hoodies. Prioritize fast drying material.
• Puffy: Every hiker needs to have a puffy jacket. It is hard to stay warm when you get to camp and aren't moving. A good down or synthetic jacket are perfect for breaks at breakfast, lunch, and at the campsite.
• Rain Gear: A good rain system is imperative. It is hard to find jackets that are both waterproof and breathable. Frogg Toggs are a common choice for backpackers who value low cost and low weight.
• Shoes: The most popular backpacking shoes are trail runners. They are lightweight and fast drying shoes made for the trail. More traditional hikers prefer heavier boots.
  • For more information on choosing hiking footwear visit Hiking Blister Free.

For more information on water purification visit our Backpacking Water Treatment Guide.

The Colorado Trail is a well-marked and well maintained trail. Continental Divide hikers often comment how easy it is to hike in Colorado because of the great signage. Here are the best ways to keep you on the trail.

As a general rule, you should pack 1.5 - 2 lb of food for each day in the backcountry. Look for the food with the most energy (calories) per weight (ounces). This information can be found on packaging but takes time to do the math.

• Packaged Backpacking Meals: The easiest option for backpacking is buying prepackaged, freeze dried meals. These meals can be found at any outdoor retailer and only require boiling water. Bulk deals can be found for cheaper.
  • Advantages: Easy to use, delicious
  • Disadvantages: Expensive, high sodium
  • Examples: Mountain House, Backpacker's Pantry, Organic

• Grocery Store Meals: Many lightweight backpacking meals can be made from grocery store products. Look for any lightweight packages labeled with "just add water". Nuts and dehydrated fruit can be added to meals for additional flavor.
  • Advantages: Inexpensive, large variety.
  • Disadvantages: Labor intensive, requires creativity.
  • Examples: Instant potatoes and summer sausage, Knorr pasta sides and tuna packets

• Homemade Dehydrated Meals: Investing in a home dehydrator allows you to make your own dehydrated foods. Many hikers with a dehydrator will make an extra serving of dinner and dehydrate it for future backpacking trips.
  • Advantages: Can be healthy, huge variety.
  • Disadvantages: Requires a dehydrator, large time and effort.

If you want to eat a warm meal you will need to bring a stove. There are many different stove options, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

• Canister Stoves: Canister stoves are the most widely used option for food preparation. These are small metal stoves that screw onto an isobutane fuel canister. The stove is ignited and the pot is balanced on metal guards above the flame. The advantage of canister stove is the heat output can be regulated. The valve can be turned to release a full flame or reduced to simmer food. The downside is the need to carry a metal gas canister that cannot be reused. Overall, this is the easiest and most popular stove option.
  • Advantages: Flame adjustment, easy to use.
  • Disadvantages: Expensive, non-reusable fuel containers, weight
  • Examples of canister stoves are: Pocket Rocket, JetBoil

• Alcohol Stoves: Alcohol stoves are used by many ultra-lightweight backpackers. This stove looks like a metal cup and homemade versions can be made inexpensively. It is basically a container for denatured alcohol or yellow heet to be ignited. Theses are lightweight/cheap option but can be banned in area because it can be dangerous when spilled.
  • Advantages: Lightweight and inexpensive
  • Disadvantages: No simmering, dangerous if spilled.
  • Examples: DIY catfood stove, Caldera Cone, Trangia Spirit

• White Gas/Liquid Fuel Stoves: White gas is a very pure form of gasoline which can be ignited in the gas phase. The stove consists of a burner, hose, fuel canister, and pump to push the fuel into the burner. This is the best stove for cooking a meal but may be overkill for boiling water. If white gas is unavalible, these stoves can often burn other fuels like kerosene.
  • Advantages: Can be used in most situations, multi-fuel options
  • Disadvantages: Heavy, expensive
  • Examples: MSR Whisperlite

• Solid Fuel Stoves: Esbit is a small combustible white tablet that can be used for boiling water. These stoves are small metal platforms for tablets to be ignited underneath. Each esbit tablet can be ignited for 5-8 minutes.  These are ultralight and ultra-packable stove options but do not work well at high elevations or in the wind.
  • Advantages: Lightweight and inexpensive
  • Disadvantages: Not versatile, funny smell.
  • Examples: Esbit

• No Stove: Many hikers prefer not to bring a stove. Many meals can be made without boiling water. Instead of heating up a dehydrated package, peanut butter and tortillas could be used as a delicious meal.
  • Advantages: Ultra-lightweight and free
  • Disadvantages: No warm food

Most hikers on the Colorado Trail use canister stoves or hike stove-less. Although everyone has their own preference, you will never go wrong with the MSR Pocket Rocket.

Food is one of the heaviest items you can carry while backpacking. If you are hiking the Colorado Trail you will not carry enough food to hike the entire trail. There are two ways to get more food and gear to continue hiking: mail drops and in-town resupplies.

Many people are intimidated by the thought of hitch hiking. You are putting your safety in a stranger's hands and it can be difficult to wrap your head around. Hitchhiking may be necessary when you are thru hiking so it is best to be prepared.

For more information on hitch hiking, read the how to hitchhike guide.

The best way to test your gear and your physical ability is to go on training hikes. If you are coming from low elevation or have never done a thru-hike before it is recommended to try a different hike first to make sure you are ready for the CT.

Training Hike Ideas:

• Manitou Incline, Colorado Springs
• Bear Peak, Boulder

For more backpacking ideas, go to our trip page.

The Colorado Trail Foundation provides great resources on hike preparation.

• Colorado Trail Guidebook: This book gives detailed descriptions of each segment and what to expect. The water availability indicators were a lifesaver before hiking into a dry segment. Gurdy’s tips were a nice touch and added background on each segment.
• Colorado Trail Databook: A necessary addition to any CT thru-hiker’s backpack. The databook is an easy to read list describing every water source and campsite you will encounter. This book is a must have and must bring.
• Colorado Trail Website: The website offers great additional recommendations and materials for anyone interested in the Colorado Trail.

Connecting to present and past CT backpackers is an invaluable source of information.

• The CT Facebook Group: Every year the Colorado Trail will form a Facebook group for thru-hikers. It is highly recommended to join the group in order to receive current updates from the trail and ask questions that other hikers can answer. This can also be a great source for finding rides to and from the trail.
• The Colorado Trail Foundation Facebook Page: The CT Foundation will post updates on their Facebook group. This includes snow conditions, any segment closures, and tips for the trail.

• Packing too much: The lighter you pack the faster and farther you can go. Leave the kitchen sink behind. Example: Hair Straightener, cookbook, or a heavy metal wristband. 
• Carrying too much water: Water can be one of the heaviest things in your pack (1L=2.2lb). If you are hiking in an area with ample water sources just carry a liter and refill often instead of packing a gallon for the whole day.
• Not preparing for the next segment: Some segments have little to no water (segment 2). Do not get caught not knowing what is ahead.
• Not safely storing food: Bears and large animals can be a problem but you are more likely to encounter rodents trying to get into your food. No one wants to leave early because mice ate their food. A great option is an Ursak.
• Wet gear: Do everything you can to keep your gear dry. A good idea is to lay your tent out to dry during lunch.
• Neglecting feet: Your feet will go through hell on the Colorado Trail. Air them out often and treat blisters immediately.