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I was lucky in 2018 in that I passed through the busy mountain
bike areas mid-week so I didn't encounter too many large groups.
Anyone planning this hike should try to avoid these areas on
weekends if possible.
Frank
On 2/15/2025 6:47 AM, judithsmcguire
via groups.io wrote:
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On a Sunday in early Sept 2015 I counted 120 bikes passing me
going south from Monarch Pass. Put me in a foul mood for the
rest of the day. Cherish the wilderness and hope it never allows
bikes. CO is the mt biking epicenter.
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Judy McGuire
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Frank
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On a Sunday in early Sept 2015 I counted 120 bikes passing me going south from Monarch Pass. Put me in a foul mood for the rest of the day. Cherish the wilderness and hope it never allows bikes. CO is the mt biking epicenter.
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Judy McGuire
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A few years ago the CT Foundation said they were actively encouraging MTB's on the trail because "It should be open to everyone'. I quit the foundation after that and told them why.
Let us hope this never happens to the Sierras.
That’s true on many parts of the CT. Actually the place where I remember the most bikes was right after Monarch Crest heading southbound. For the most part, bikers were courteous but it does inevitably away from the wilderness experience when they are present. The other thing to watch out for is the timing of the Leadville 100 ultramarathon which uses part of the collegiate west. As much as the Sierra Nevada can be frustrating with permits, the upside is the absence of such issues!
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That’s true on many parts of the CT. Actually the place where I remember the most bikes was right after Monarch Crest heading southbound. For the most part, bikers were courteous but it does inevitably away from the wilderness experience when they are present. The other thing to watch out for is the timing of the Leadville 100 ultramarathon which uses part of the collegiate west. As much as the Sierra Nevada can be frustrating with permits, the upside is the absence of such issues!
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One of the downsides of the loop and indeed much of the non-wilderness portions of the CT is the presence - and active encouragement from the CT Foundation - of mountain bikers.
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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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Your story makes me glad about about my decision to turn around and go pick up a couple of hikers at the pass and take them into Lake City a couple of years ago.? ?It took me a few seconds to process why they were there and hitching so I couldn't stop in time.? ?The first available turn around spot is a bit down the highway as well.? That might explain why it might be a difficult place to get a ride.
Getting to Lake City was difficult for me as well. There was a lot of traffic but no one stopped at the trailhead for at least an hour.? I started walking and a few miles later someone took pity on me and stopped.? Getting back to the trail was easy. Someone at the hostel offered a ride.?
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In 2014, there was supposed to be a regular shuttle sponsored by trail angels in Lake City but for some reason it didn’t show up. Since the shuttle time was at noon, there was theoretically time to walk into town before nightfall once I realized that it wouldn’t show up but I’m sure glad that I didn’t have to walk the entire way. I believe Creede was the other resupply option from that pass but I had sent a box to Lake City.?
Somehow, these snafus on trail have a way of becoming fond memories in the long run. Kind of like “type 2 fun”…?
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It is interesting that The Colorado Trail book states that the distance from the CT (Spring Creek Pass) to Lake City is 17 miles and goes on to say: ".. probably too far for most backpackers to travel to resupply..."
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Getting to Lake City was difficult for me as well. There was a lot of traffic but no one stopped at the trailhead for at least an hour. ?I started walking and a few miles later someone took pity on me and stopped. ?Getting back to the trail was easy. Someone at the hostel offered a ride.?
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I took the bus ride. It was very pretty too and a comfortable ride. Wifi on both Bustang and bus to Durango.?
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I agree after a strenuous multi day hike taking the train would be a relaxing means to return home. Particularly when it travels through Colorado
Yes, it isn’t fast. However the Outrider to Bustang trip from Durango to Denver is beautiful and inexpensive. And it drops you off a block from easy transit to the airport.?
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I agree after a strenuous multi day hike taking the train would be a relaxing means to return home. Particularly when it travels through Colorado
Yes, it isn’t fast. However the Outrider to Bustang trip from Durango to Denver is beautiful and inexpensive. And it drops you off a block from easy transit to the airport.?
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On the CT the worst hitch for me was to Lake City.? No traffic on rd.? Waited over an hour.? Meanwhile, hikers wanting ride piled up.? Luckily a pickup happened by and gave us a ride in rain (very unsafe though).
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Judy McGuire
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Yes, it isn’t fast. However the Outrider to Bustang trip from Durango to Denver is beautiful and inexpensive. And it drops you off a block from easy transit to the airport.?
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Bus schedule from Durango to Denver
6:32?础惭?–?6:30?笔惭
11h 58m
1 change
Not real convenient and not real quick
Train similar time
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6:24?AMDurango, Colorado
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6:32?AMDurango Transit Center Gate 1
(Platform 1)
CDOT Outrider towards Grand Junction
12:25?PMGrand Valley Downtown Transfer Station
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12:40?PMGrand Valley Downtown Transfer Station
6:30?PMUnion Station
(Denver, Colorado)
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There aren't many long hikes with transportation and resupply as
easy as the JMT. Having done some longer hikes I didn't find there
to be much of a problem on the CT. Hitch hiking was necessary, but
there was also Trail Angel transportation support at some of the
stops. There are bus, train and flight options between Durango and
Denver.
Frank
On 2/11/2025 3:16 PM, ken jessett via
groups.io wrote:
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I have hiked portions of the CT and will concur that resupply
is difficult. There are no facilities close to anywhere - other
than maybe Copper Mountain Resort - and getting to Salida from
the trail is a very long hike out and back and can be quite a
bear - no bears were seen however. :-) The true downside of
doing the CT from Denver to Durango or vice-versa is the lack of
reasonable transport back to either of those locations after a
through-hike.
--
Frank
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I have hiked portions of the CT and will concur that resupply is difficult. There are no facilities close to anywhere - other than maybe Copper Mountain Resort - and getting to Salida from the trail is a very long hike out and back and can be quite a bear - no bears were seen however. :-) The true downside of doing the CT from Denver to Durango or vice-versa is the lack of reasonable transport back to either of those locations after a through-hike.
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I really enjoyed the Collegiate West alternative for the Colorado Trail, which is part of the Collegiate Loop. The trail is high, often above treeline, and within close proximity to many side trips. The trail is easily accessed from Leadville and Leadville is easily accessible via public transit from Breckenridge which is easy to get to from Denver. The entire loop is 160 miles which is equally divided between the east and west segments. I hiked this as part of a CT thru hike, southbound. I hitchhiked to Salida at the end of the segment. That was a tough two part hitch, so a shuttle at that point might be a good idea. This hike was a while ago, in 2014, but some searches indicate that advance permits are not needed. There were self issue permits at various points on the CT.
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https://coloradotrail.org/traveling-the-ct/collegiate-east-west
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Thanks. There are so many wonderful places to hike in the world, I envy eagles' ability to soar above all of them.
[Edited Message Follows]
There's the Cohos Trail in New Hampshire.?
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NH is underrated for hiking; there are bald granite domes and the trails are carpeted in blueberries in the summer. The altitude is not as high as the Sierra but the daily gains can be.
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ravi_jmt2013
