I was looking into Collegiate Loop logistics today and learned that the Clouds Hostel in Leadville provides shuttles to Twin Lakes for $45-50. Leadville is accessible by bus from Frisco via Summit Stage (), which has connecting service to Breckenridge, as well as direct service by shuttle from Denver’s airport via summit express ().
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One of the nice things about Leadville is its high elevation over 10,000 feet so an extra day could be spent there before starting a hike.
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For those doing just the Collegiate West rather than the loop, transit is available from Monarch Crest to Salida M-F in summer () and getting to Denver is possible via bus (). Of course this should all be verified before a trip but it looks like either a Collegiate West one way hike or the full loop should be possible without hitchhiking.
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ravi_jmt2013