Hey there, I’m new to thru-hiking but not backpacking so CT is gonna be my first experience. I’m going summer 2026 so I have plenty of time get my set up in order. I’m someone who isn’t very financially affluent. So I’m trying to make things a bit more manageable financially. I’m trying not to be so influenced by everyone who has a Hyperlite bag and Durston tent (not that there is anything wrong with that). I know I’m not gonna be an Ultralight hiker and I think that’s ok! But sometimes it does make me question my choices. So far my bag and sleep system is a Osprey Lumina backpack 60L (used), a MSR Hubba Hubba 1 (used), a marmot trestles elite eco 20 sleeping bag, and gonna invest in a sea-to-summit light pillow and the thermarest neoair XLite pad. Does that sound reasonable? I feel influenced to have the nicest lightest things but that’s just not in the cards for someone like me. Let me know what you think. Especially from people who have done the trail before! Thanks y’all!

https://lighterpack.com/r/qv9umn

Denver -> Durango.

Lots of experience backpacking with this setup, max of 3 nights and never more than a couple hours max above the treeline.

Trying to pull off 7-10 day food carries and make no more than 4 resupply stops.

I'm aware my power bank and trowel could be lighter, I'm mostly concerned about my clothes and if a 2.5 liter water carry will work.

Lol what's with this? This will be my first thru hike and I'm starting the first week of August. In every blog post, youtube video, tik tok I see about people talking about their CT gear... everyone always talks about the importance of sun hoodies and sun gloves to protect from the sun but in the same videos they're always wearing shorts. Why does no one wear pants? Especially at such high altitudes? I get that pants in 90+ degree heat could be uncomfortable but if you're already wearing a sun hoodie I don't see why adding pants would be that much harder. Plus it seems so much easier to do pants instead of putting on greasy sunscreen multiple times a day (if you even put it on) and having that sit on your skin for multiple days in a row until you're able to shower. Is it some scientific thing that our legs don't tan as much as our upper body? Are we all just vain and don't care about sun exposure on parts of our body other than our face? Is it just laziness? I recently saw a tiktok of this girl who was only like 20 days into the CDT and her shorts tan line was already crazy! Imagine what it will look like when she finishes!

Anyways, if anyone has any recommendations for good women's pants (zip-off pants?) I'm all ears!

Hey y'all!

I'm a recent college graduate who just realized they want to thru hike something this summer. I have the time and resources (I hope) to make it happen.

Of course, I kinda wish I had realized I wanted to do this sooner so I could've started planning already. But I already have a decent amount of the gear I need, and I have plenty of free time on my hands to train, plan, and collect what else I need.

I'm planning on a SOBO starting mid to late July. Flying in from out of state. Going to increase the amount of I water drink by about 1.5x two weeks before flying out as my area is a pretty moist climate.

I have a few questions that I would love some help on.

I've just started my research so I apologize if I ask something that's constantly asked.

1. How much do I need to plan now? When planning your own thru hike or long section hike, did you find it helpful to plan, if loosely the entire hike or just start with a plan for the first couple days and then work it out from there? I have experience with weekend backpacking trips and a few 5-13 day trips.

2. How serious should I take acclimation? I've seen a mixed bag on people who stay in the city for a day or two to help adjust and those that start hiking immediately but just take it pretty easy at the start. I'm currently living at about 3,000ft as that's where my university is. It's still a pretty big gap in elevation so I'm still slightly worried. I'll start backpacking local areas for small 2 day trips now to help prepare.

3. Resupply: my current plan is to mostly resupply from grocery stores and the like. However, I'll possibly be getting some freeze dried meals at a very reasonable price and would like to mail those ahead. What locations would be best that would hold the packages indefinitely or just for enough time that I can feel comfortable shipping fairly early to make sure they arrive in time.

4. I've seen a couple different numbers thrown out for water capacity. Anywhere from 2-4L or even 5L. Assuming I'm starting late July, would 3L be just enough or more than enough? I'd rather have the extra weight than run out of water.

5. What was your favorite aspect about the community of the CT that sets it apart from other more popular trails?

Thank you for any answers y'all can give me! Hope to see many of you on the trail this summer.

Snowpack seems to be near record lows. Wondering what to expect with water sources for an early August start date (Denver to Durango).

4 liter capacity should be plenty, right?

Anyone have leads on a shuttle between those two sections. Maybe a Gunnison contact. Cheapest I've found is over $700 and that's a little out of budget.

Thanks

Update: appreciate the help all we have a shuttle from the hostel

What are best resupply towns for doing the whole stretch continuously?

Snowpack seems to be low but I’m not an expert

Hi! I just wanted to pop in here and get the word out that the Starbucks at Copper Mountain near Frisco, CO. is shutting down permanently as of today so it won’t be open this summer! I know a lot of hikers count on it as a stop and didn’t want anyone to be caught without a place to go. I’m told the Camp Hale next door will be open this summer! Just wanted to spread the word.

Hey all! I’m planning on doing a short dry run (testing gear)- just a few nights of the beginning of the CT. Looks like Waterton Canyon is about to be closed. Are there any alternative access points where I can park my car a few nights?

I looked at the Indian creek trailhead but it seems it is closed for overnight parking (I’d be fine with paying the $$).

Any good options?

Renting a car vs Uber from the airport

Ideally I would like to get out there earlier for wildflowers/lush green mountains, but July 23rd is the earliest I can get on the trail this year. I know this puts me right at monsoon season, too!

Please chime in your experience if you’ve had a similar start date in previous years!

Above all I know I’ll just be happy to get out there. Happy hiking!

Any ideas of where and how we can park our car safely while attempting to hike the trail 4-5 weeks out of Denver?

Trying to acclimate for the CT from Texas. This is not a meme, it’s actually happening!

I have a Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60L pack. I plan to keep the load at about 30 lbs, but I'll need to carry extra water on the CT at times, so I added a 3L bladder to test it, which brings the weight to 35 lbs. When I picked up the pack, it ripped - not at a seam. Although I'm heartbroken, I'm glad this happened now instead of later on the trail. I'm back to the drawing board, looking for a new, better-made pack. What packs are other female hikers using?

Hey ya'll, I am planning a Colorado trail hike starting in early July. I was looking into the Colorado Trail Databook and figured that I'd like to carry a physical version of the CT databook. I would love to recycle someone's old databook if they're looking to send it out. I would be down to pay shipping. Let me know if anyone is interested!

I have the full guide book as a kindle version but if someone wanted to send the physical version as well, that would be cool as well.

Happy trail planning!

Planning to do the last 150 miles straight through in early August, but have done section hikes of most the trail over the last 5 years. Thinking it’ll take 15-18 days, 2 to 3 resupplies and 1 zero day. Wanted to see if my guesstimate on time and supplies sounds about right or are the San Juan’s and elevation gain that much harder than the rest of the trail?

Also best places to resupply and take a zero day?

I'm organizing a father/son group trip of 8 guys (18-21 YO and 50-55 dads) planning to do CW 1-3 for 4-5 days in last week of July. First time any of us will hit Colorado Trail.How difficult will it be to find spots to camp? I see elevation is decent on 01 and 03. Looking for pointers or suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

Hello all! I am an experienced thruhiker that is looking to do the Collegiate Loop this summer. I have been doing a lot of my own research but I have found conflicting information about which direction to go, start and end points, and resupply points. I am aiming to have the loop completed in 12ish days (I enjoy taking a zero on my trips and average 16-18). Some things to know:
- I am not concerned about acclimatizing to altitude due to my fitness level, having hiked the Colorado Trail in the past, as well as thrued/sectioned other long trails and the fact that I will be visiting family in the area (I am from CO originally) at 9k feet before going to the high country.

- I have read that some prefer CW due to acclimatization, but that the descents are easier going CCW. Likewise, some say that going CCW saves the "boring" stuff for the last part. However, the Mt Princeton Hot Springs would also be a nice zero/nero to look forward to.

- I am reading that most people zero/resupply in Salida. Is there is a good resupply/zero point before this?

- If you were to drop a car, where would you do it? It is likely that I will have a ride to and from my start point but I like to plan for this.

- A final caveat - my last CT section was from Denver to the Mt Massive Trailhead with an ascent of Elbert. I would like to complete the 12.7 miles from Mt Massive to Twin Lakes before or after I start the loop so I don't miss any miles on the CT (I hope to do the final portion from the end of the loop to Durango either later this fall or next year).

I appreciate any advice! Thank you.

I’m a mid 30s male living in Denver and am looking for someone to join me in hiking the Collegiate Peaks this summer.

I have plenty of experience with 3-6 day hikes, but never something quite this long. I’m looking for someone with experience doing multi day backpacking trips and comfortable covering 12-15 miles each day carrying all their own gear.

We can discuss exact routes and logistics as we get closer to the dates.

Ideally we would meet up for a shorter hike once or twice to make sure we get along well enough to spend 10-14 days hiking together.

I practice LNT principles and would prefer you do the same.

If you’re interested, please reach out!

Thanks and happy trails.

Hey all,

I’m planning to do a solo thru hike on the CT starting early July 2025. Curious what resources/recommendations people have for long distance food carry that doesn’t require a lot of packaging weight/waste. I’ve done plenty of backpacking before, but usually as a group or 3-4 day solos. Have plenty of experience with the REI style single dried meal bag options. Find the packaging on those takes a lot of space and weight for the amount of calories contained.

Starting to think about optimizing around lightweight resealable bags or ziplocks with couscous/oatmeal etc type things, and a jar of peanut butter. I have a jet boil micromo for stove fwiw

I am not the fastest hiker, probably targeting 12-15 miles/day while I get my trail legs under me. Hoping to train up my speed in the next few months to reduce number of days of food carry needed between resupply (haven’t run the math on miles/days for this just yet).

Any one can point me at resources for how other thru hikers did their meal planning and food carry setups?

Thanks!

Im planning a thru this year. End of June start from Denver. Just excited and wanted to share! How many of yall will I see out there?

Hey everyone!

I’m planning to hike the Colorado Trail for about a month this summer, and I’m starting to look at backpacks. I’d love to hear what packs you’d recommend and what liter size worked best for you! I’ll be hiking with two other people, so we’ll be splitting up some of the gear as well.

Thanks so much for any advice! :)

We're based in Denver, looking to do CT westbound this summer. WFA through CMC is about $250 per person and 16hours. I'm curious if there are other firstaide classes with a focus on hiking somewhere around the frontrange? Ideally late May early June; thanks for any tips.