Colorado Trail – Continental Divide Trail

The Colorado Trail (CT)

The Colorado Trail is Colorado’s premier long distance trail. Stretching over 500 miles from Denver to Durango, it travels through the spectacular Colorado Rocky Mountains amongst peaks with lakes, creeks and diverse ecosystems. The trail passes through six National Forests, five major river systems and eight different mountain ranges.  Sections 8 through 11 of the trail can be found in Lake County.  Whether you are looking for long distance backpacking options or a quick day hike the Colorado Trail is a great option for hikers and bikers.

Learn more at the Colorado Trail Foundation Website

Continental Divide Trail (CDT)

One of the largest conservation efforts, the CDT is one of the great long distance trails in the world, At 3,100 miles long reaching from Canada to Mexico traveling through five states as it traverses the Rocky Mountains. The CDT provides long and short distance recreational use year round for hiking, biking, backpacking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and more! 

For the long-distance hiking community, the Continental Divide Trail is one-third of the “Triple Crown,” along with the Appalachian Trail and The Pacific Crest Trail, many ambitious hikers attempt to complete an end-to-end trek, called a “thru-hike”.

Learn more at the Continental Divide Trail Coalition Website

Trails For All Seasons

In the fall, the trail runs past beautiful aspen groves, bringing out the reason we call it COLORado. In the winter, you can explore the wilderness in the peace of snow-covered mountains. Summer is the most visited time. Then, the Colorado Trail and this section of the Continental Divide Trail let you move through a wide variety of majestic terrain.

The two trails are joined from Tennessee Pass to Turquoise Lake, across the lower slopes of Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert, and around Twin Lakes to Interlaken. From there, the Continental Divide Colorado heads up Hope Pass, and the Colorado Trail veers east. This split also forms the Collegiate East and Collegiate West trails, which make up the Collegiate Loop.

CARE FOR COLORADO!

The seven Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles are:

1. Know Before You Go
2. Stick To Trails
3. Leave It As You Find It
4. Trash the Trash
5. Be Careful With Fire
6. Keep Wildlife Wild
7. Share Our Parks & Trails

Please always:

• Check for Fire Restrictions — and Follow Them!
• Take Care with Fire
• Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces

Thank you for helping to protect our forests and homes!

Are You Prepared?

It’s important to be prepared when out on the trails.  The weather and environment can change quickly. 

Do you have the 10 essentials for hiking?

1. Food
2. Water
3. Emergency Shelter
4. Extra Layers
5. Multi-Tool / Knife
6. Navigation
7. Illumination
8. First Aid
9. Fire
10. Heat / Sun Protection

These supplies can be purchased in Leadville at Leadville Outdoors, Community Threads, Melanzana, Matchless Treasurers Thrift Shop and Zero Day Coffee and Mountain Gear.  Or in Twin Lakes at the Twin Lakes General Store.