The Colorado Trail meanders through the high passes and past the tallest peaks of Colorado for 485 miles between Denver and Durango. The average elevation is around 10,000 feet and it tops out above 13,000. The trail goes past Mt. Elbert, the second highest peak in the lower 48 states and the highest in Colorado. The trail provides easy access to a handful of 14,000 footers such as Elbert, which most hikers will make a side trip to climb.
I will be starting in Denver and walking to Durango. The elevation is much lower when starting from Denver, and a much more gentle start will allow me to acclimatize to the high elevation. I plan on finishing somewhere around 5 weeks. The trail will most likely provide a lot more solitude than my hike of the Appalachian Trail, and the biggest danger will be the frequent lightning storms. It will be incredible to see the Rockies at their most rugged and highest, and will undoubtably be a trip to never forget.
