I am a Colorado Trail completer now

**Nodust** · 09-23-2023, 09:18

No snow but I went in late July or Sugust every time.

Trail towns were fun. Meet up with hikers and have burgers and beer. I stopped in Breckenridge, Salida, Lake City for resupply. Silverton was the end of two section hikes for me and I loved that town.

I would love to do a longer thru hike vs a section. Once you make trail friends it's tough to leave. I hiked with a guy one year for two weeks. We keep up and have met for some smaller hikes since then. Possibly hiking the Portuguese Camino next year if the foot feels OK.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

**Nodust** · 09-23-2023, 09:20

I did collegiate west when I started in 21 but the altitude was too much. Got to the 3rd pass and hitched to the east route. Flying out of New Orleans and hiking over a 12,500 pass the next day wasn't the easiest thing.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

**ippon** · 09-23-2023, 11:15

Yikes! I can't imagine going straight to that altitude from the lowlands. We started at 9k and climbed only 1k a day for the first three days, which because we were going up that steep valley meant only 1-2 miles per day. I felt awful the first two or three days then thankfully we started to feel better acclimated and stronger around 11-12k for the tundra portion of the hike. But it's not just the altitude, the exposure to the elements at that altitude is so unrelenting and unforgiving. I guess we call that type 2 fun? That's cool you made some good friends along the way.

**Clown Pusher** · 09-28-2023, 22:55

Finishing on a broken foot is no joke!

**drifter** · 09-29-2023, 07:51

Outstanding! Congrats on making it thru.

**Clisbyclark** · 10-02-2023, 07:57

Great story, and congrats! What 75-150 mile stretch would you recommend for a hammocker if they aren't able to through hike the whole trail? Also, what acclimation methods did you use to get your body to function properly in that elevation coming from basically sea level? Thanks

**Nodust** · 10-02-2023, 14:00

Originally Posted by Clisbyclark

Great story, and congrats! What 75-150 mile stretch would you recommend for a hammocker if they aren't able to through hike the whole trail? Also, what acclimation methods did you use to get your body to function properly in that elevation coming from basically sea level? Thanks

Every section if fine with a hammock but the 38 mile stretch between Lake City and Silverton.

Denver to Breckinridge starts at 6k' and doesn't get over 10k' for the first 50 miles or so. You will see different terrain and some higher altitude of just a little over 11k'. Its a nice 100 mile stretch to start off.

Breckinridge to Twin Lakes gets you a little higher. There are a few 12k' passes but most of the hiking is below 11k.

Twin Lakes to Salida is the Colligiates. You can go east route which is lower or west route which crosses many passes over 12k. Or do a loop of 180 miles and do both.

Salida to Lake City has some higher altitude stuff and one long walk through a nice valley.

Silverton to Durango would be good to do south to north since you would have a day mostly below 10k.