4 X 4 Add your favorite Kentucky trails on trailsnet. Day 1/Seg 1. The MTB version of this route will start on designated bike paths and a little bit of singletrack that border the Front Range Urban Corridor, before catapulting you into the Rocky Mountains via Segment 1 of the Colorado Trail. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. On day one, Sunday, we had originally planned to hike from the trailhead to a campsite noted in the guidebook from The Colorado Mountain Club at 11.8 miles into Segment One. This portion of the Colorado Trail is considered segment #1 of the 28 segment Colorado Trail. One of the country’s premier long trails, stretching from Denver (technically, Littleton) to Durango, the Colorado Trail winds its way 486-miles from central to the southwestern corner of Colorado. More Stats for Colorado Trail (Seg 5.2) bike trail The trail continues to wind its way through the forest until at last you come to a sweeping viewpoint. gravel, Trail uses over 100 miles, Trail surfaces bike-trails France multi-use trail Tennessee 1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays. Add your favorite Michigan trails on trailsnet. 10 - 20 miles Trailsnet and the trailsnet logo are trademarks of Trailsnet, LLC. Islands/Oceania Minnesota Add your favorite Vermont trails on trailsnet. Dogs: Colorado Trail Segment 1 is not dog friendly for the first 7 miles if you are starting at Waterton Canyon. If counting onward to segment 2, know that the next 10 miles are waterless with a steep and exposed climb. backpacking It's a good way to get ready for harder sections, with a 6 … Find the best Wyoming trails on trailsnet.com. Photo courtesy of J.B. Bissell Adventure 4 Things to Know Before You Segment-Hike the Colorado Trail. Weather. Nevada Oklahoma Mt. Bighorn Sheep. Morocco, State/Province/Country Biking. Length 18 miElevation gain 2795 ftRoute type Point to point After the seven-mile road walk, the terrain became decently steep as it climbed and descended through the trees. Your email address will not be published. airport trail Louisiana Menu. Utah Arizona The trail's first segment and most popular entry point is the Waterton Canyon to South Platte River path. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? Colorado New Jersey snowshoe trail Arkansas pet-friendly trail canal trail This trail is a huge scenery change from segment 1. Add your favorite Delaware trails on trailsnet. Below is a description for Colorado Trail Segment 7. Add your favorite Minnesota trails on trailsnet. Montana Florida Great Britain From the eastern terminus at Waterton Canyon, southwest of Denver, the trail winds its way for 486 miles (782 km) through the state's most mountainous regions, to its final conclusion, about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north of Durango. 800) is accessible via Colorado Highway 67 west of Sedalia. Hiking the Colorado Trail: Segment 1 and 2 I am blessed to live within a 30-minute drive of the Colorado Trail. It’s about more than standing on the mountain top. Find the best Florida trails on trailsnet.com. OHV Riding (>50”) Nordic Skiing. Select one or more of the following criteria to find the trail of your dreams. Find the best Pennsylvania trails on trailsnet.com. Waterton Canyon is one place along the Trail where camping is not allowed. This day was honestly rather eventful. ATV Riding. Along the way you’ll run into lots of bikers and the occasional vehicle (only authorized vehicles are permitted on this road). Find the best Colorado trails on trailsnet.com. Like. Through hikers & bikers would start in Waterton Canyon near Denver. There are several rest areas along this stretch of trail, each having a picnic table that is sheltered from the rain. mountain bike trail Colorado Trail Segment 11 . mountain biking This is also a good place to notify other trail users of trail construction, detours, or community information such as upcoming trail-related activities or nearby events. Europe How to thru-hike the Colorado Trail from end to end complete with a detailed and zoomable interactive map of the entire 486 mile long distance trail. Country/Continent Add your favorite massachusetts trails on trailsnet. Texas 0 - 10 miles Chris & the crew at Colorado Mountain Expeditions will take good care of you. Colorado Trail #1776 - Segment 1 Segment 1 of the Colorado Trail (#1776) begins at Waterton Canyon. Add your favorite Rhode Island trails on trailsnet. Bear Creek at mile 9.1 is likely the last water (and is sometimes dry) until the South Platte River at the end of this segment. Add your favorite New York trails on trailsnet. For Segment 5 (Long Gulch Trailhead to Kenosha East Trailhead), bikes are not allowed beyond/east of the Rock Creek Road/NFSR 133 from the Rock Creek Trailhead. Kentucky Snowshoeing. Day hikers and section hikers can easily find their way to new segments of trail, while thru hikers can still enjoy a wild and rugged four to six week journey. Find the best Texas trails on trailsnet.com. Motorcycle Riding. Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. Segment 1 of the Colorado Trail is easily accessible, located only 30 minutes from downtown Denver. The road parallels the South Platte River as it works its way gently up the canyon. All rights reserved. England electric bikes It can be done as an out and back if you're looking for some mileage. Hiking. However this particular route was ridden (mountain bikes) from west to east starting on the South Platte River near Conifer, CO and ending at the Waterton Canyon Trailhead southwest of Denver, CO. Below is a description for Colorado Trail Segment 1. After hiking segment 2, segment 3 is a nice change. United Kingdom, State/Province/Country Alabama Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. New Mexico If you would like to suggest trail additions, corrections or revisions, please send a message. The Colorado Trail Databook is highly recommended, both to support work on the Colorado Trail and to provide in depth information relating to passes, water points, and camping spot. trail running However this particular route was ridden (mountain bikes) from west to east starting on the South Platte River near Conifer, CO and ending at the Waterton Canyon Trailhead southwest of Denver, CO. beach trail Shortly thereafter the trail transitions to singletrack as you begin to climb into the hills. horseback riding Colorado Trail: Segment 1 is a 18 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Littleton, Colorado that features a river and is rated as difficult. road biking MAP: Trails Illustrated PERMITS: none (easy self-registration for wilderness areas) DESIGNATION: primarily 7 different National Forests BEST SEASONS: July, August, September DISTANCE: 485 miles from Denver to Durango WATER: I thru-hiked with 4 liters capacity. Michigan If camping, try the sites near mile 4 and at the ridge near mile 5. Trail in San Isabel National Forest. four wheel drive General comments are welcome also. 50 - 75 miles However, once we got into Waterton Canyon with much less vegetation and many more people, we saw scads of mountain goats and a family of brown bears foraging across the river. New Zealand 1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays. rail-trail As others have stated, there is no water and it is a lot of sun exposure. Learn how your comment data is processed. Locate Idaho’s best trails on trailsnet.com. 30-40 miles cruiser Find New Hampshire trails on trailsnet.com. educational trail Cross the large iron bridge over the Platte River and begin by heading south along the river for a … Interactively explore all 500 miles of The Colorado Trail between Denver and Durango using topographic maps and satellite imagery. Japan, State/Province/Country New Hampshire Germany Day hikers and section hikers can easily find their way to new segments of trail, while thru hikers can still enjoy a wild and rugged four to six week journey. COTREX is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Add your favorite New Jersey trails on trailsnet. Now you can add new Illinois trails with ease. Soon you’ll begin the long, but well graded descent down to the river. dog walking However, miles 3-7ish are in the trees and the ridge is a lovely view if you climb up the boulders. cement The Best Winter Adventures in North America. Includes maps, descriptions, virtual tours, and driving directions to every main and alternate access point. New York Add your favorite Missouri trails on trailsnet. United States, State/Province/Country inline skating For 485 miles between Denver and Durango, the Colorado Trail (CT) winds over rocky, 13,000-foot peaks and passes, through wildflower-filled meadows, in and out of dusty mining towns, and past snow-clad vistas as it draws a line through Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. ballast There is also abundant wildlife along the Colorado Trail, ranging in size from small pika and marmot, to bear and moose. Segment 1 of the Colorado Trail is easily accessible, located only 30 minutes from downtown Denver. Idaho South Carolina The best Illinois trails are on trailsnet. Recommended bike: The train can be extremely rocky and demanding in places. Oregon Ohio This direction involves a tough climb at the very beginning, but much less total elevation gain throughout the ride. Add your favorite Iowa trails on trailsnet. Find Mississippi trails on trailsnet.com. It traverses eight mountain ranges, six wilderness areas and stays above 10,000 feet for the majority of the trail. Add your favorite Kansas trails on trailsnet. After hiking segments 1 and 2 of the Colorado Trail, I decided to tackle one more segment that was close to home -- segment 3. Add your favorite South Dakota trails on trailsnet. Designated campsites (some free, some charge a fee) along the CT are sporadic. After a gentle decent, the trail intersects the trail to the Fish Hatchery, Kearney Park Trail (mile 5.5 - 5.7), and then Rock Creek Trail before crossing the bridge over Rock Creek (mile 6.2 - 6.4). © 2020 Outdoor Project. Add your favorite Ohio trails on trailsnet. Hello all, I am new to bikepacking. stand-up vehicles It makes less difference when hiking, but for mountain biking, the west to east direction makes a big difference on this particular segment. Illinois Africa My brother-in-law and I decided to hit Segment 1 of the Colorado Trail, so that we could spend a couple of days out in the woods exploring a trail that was new to both of us. If you fall into the latter group, and you want to make the trips as manageable as possible, you may want to consider looking carefully at which direction you’re going to ride/hike each segment. Add your favorite Connecticut trails on trailsnet. Along the way it meanders through high alpine mountains and valleys, offering a glimpse at some of the finest terrain Colorado has to offer. Missouri Bike: The Meadows and Gashouse Gulch rides cover most of this segment, except for a short section in the middle, near Meadows Campground. urban trail. Wisconsin It’s about nourishment and learning. Wyoming, Trail length Others, State/Province/Country North Dakota Add your favorite North Carolina trails on trailsnet. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until September. Virginia suburban trail This accessibility is what makes the Colorado Trail special. Maine This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. North Carolina Trikking Featured Routes. Vermont snowshoeing The trail begins at Waterton Canyon and follows a gravel road for the first seven miles. I have also been mountain biking since around 15 years old. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Description This is a great section of trail minus the 6 mile ride up the canyon road. Connecticut There are one-off spots before that point. Nebraska Pennsylvania The Colorado Trail is an established, marked, and mostly non-motorized trail open to hikers, horse riders, and bicyclists. Hawaii Maryland nordic ski trail This planning guide covers when to go, which direction, navigation, dangers, section highlights, elevation, wildlife, terrain difficulty, how long it takes and more. Rhode Island Add your favorite maine trails on trailsnet. 40 - 50 miles Find out more about trail vehicles & personal transportation vehicles at www.PTVshow.com, Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/trails/colorado-trail-segment-1/. It’s about protecting what sustains us. In addition to sharing a network of trails on the internet via trailsnet.com, I also host trail tours at www.ActiveTravelTours.com. Add your favorite North Dakota trails on trailsnet. Add your favorite Tennessee trails on trailsnet. Close to Denver. Given this approach, your Segment 1 will total 13.3 miles in all. Scenic Views. New South Wales, State/Province/Country A biker competes in the Colorado Trail Race in 2007. Find the best California trails on trailsnet.com. By J.B. Bissell • July 24, 2018 Snowmobiling. asphalt Add your favorite Oklahoma trails on trailsnet. West Virginia Find the best Virginia trails on trailsnet.com. Horseback Riding. wheelchair accessible, Trail types There are plenty of tools to help you discover off-the-beaten-path forest roads with free camping or … Massachusetts equestrian trail ©2011 trailsnet LLC, All rights reserved. Mississippi Also, camping should be avoided on private land (mainly near communities along the Trail, shown in white on the guidebook maps). hiking trail You can camp near the start of the segment or continue about 3 miles for your next widespread options. hiking Some brave souls manage to hike or ride the Colorado Trail all in one epic journey. Australia The best Arizona trails are on trailsnet. The trail continues to the south of the reservoir for about 10 miles to the confluence of the … This accessibility is what makes the Colorado Trail special. The western leg of the Indian Creek Loop Trail (Trail No. Georgia Segment 26 includes Blackhawk Pass, just a smidge above treeline. South Dakota Add your favorite West Virginia trails on trailsnet. It’s about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. … But after hiking up Waterton Canyon Road in just two hours and making Lenny's Rest through a very muggy, heavily forested area in another hour, we made it to this campsite at 11:30 AM. There is a large parking lot on Platte River Road (Jefferson County Route 97), which marks the end of segment 1 of the Colorado Trail and the beginning of segment 2. Add your favorite Nebraska trails on trailsnet. Canada Camping is allowed on the majority of The Colorado Trail. https://trailsnet.com/trails/colorado-trail-segment-1/, Rock Creek Trail – Lafayette to Broomfield, Ikoma-sanke Hiking Course near Osaka City, Charles le Temeraire Bike Path from Metz to Richemont, Mosel River Trail: Piesport to Traben-Trarbach, Mosel River Trail: Traben-Trarbach to Cochem, Two Wheel Gear Pannier Backpack Convertible. For example, on this segment 1 trail description, we chose to ride it from west to east. Elliptigo Smooth switchbacks make it easy, and riding this stretch of trail on a mountain bike would be a blast! Around mile 6.5 you’ll get a glimpse of the Strontia Springs Reservoir Dam. In general, Colorado Trail Segment 1 offers a wide variety of camping options from start to finish. One man offers his sage advice on how to tackle the 486-mile Colorado Trail, piece by piece. Any Activity. Find them @ http://www.coloradotrailhiking.com, I am a lover of trails and a consummate traveler. Iowa Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Although the trail is mostly off to the side, the first half of the segment passes through an area in which camping is extremely popular. recumbent ELEVATION: average ~10,300 feet ROUTE: well maintained, popular trail, signed junctions GUIDEBOOK: Colorado Trail 9th Edition DATA BOOK: 7th Edition nature trail Austria Get Here. Before long you’ll reach the South Platte River Trailhead and the end of this segment. Completed in 1987, the Colorado Trail stretches 485 magnificent miles from Denver to Durango. Desert Southwest (CO,AZ,UT,NM), Trip Reports » Colorado Trail Segment 1 by funkystumpmonkey. Camping: While hiking Colorado Trail Segment 5, you will have plenty of options to camp along the way. The canyon offers a 6.5-mile route to a view of Strontia Springs dam. While other portions of the trail end up being remote, this section offers easy access and beautiful views of the South Platte. Colorado Trail Explorer. 20 - 30 miles If you're getting tired, just don't do the last descent or you're fully commited to the whole thing. Alaska Add your favorite South Carolina trails on trailsnet. Washington community trail other Segment 28’s claim to fame is the southern end of the Colorado Trail, just a few miles from Durango at Junction Creek Trailhead. Elbert (Northeast Ridge) Featured Route 9.1mi San Isabel NF. Through hikers & bikers would start in Waterton Canyon near Denver. Find the best Washington trails on trailsnet.com. 75 - 100 miles Colorado Trail Segment 7 Goldhill Trailhead to Copper Mountain The trail tracks level along the contours of Bald Eagle Mountain to the west through several sloped meadows, crossing small streams and reaches the Twin Mounds saddle (mile 4.8 - 4.9) where there is good camping. The trail is divided into 28 different segments, each beginning at a trailhead accessible by vehicle. I’ve been backpacking and camping in Colorado since the age of 5, and I am 29 now. The rest of us are satisfied to bang it out one segment at a time over several years. The trail begins at Waterton Canyon and follows a gravel road for the first seven miles. Add your favorite Oregon trails on trailsnet. loop trail Find the best Wisconsin trails on trailsnet.com. historical trail In fact, it is the only segment of the Colorado … Delaware Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, California. Ontario, State/Province/Country OMG, the Saturday night ribs at Brooks Place Tavern in Conifer, CO are some of the best post-ride eats on the planet. Find or add your favorite Arkansas trails on trailsnet. river trail Kansas Highlights include the Collegiate Range, where multiple 14ers are just off trail and can easily be climbed, and the San Juans, where the trail remains above tree line for days at a time and climbs to elevations of over 13,000 feet. Segment 27 includes four miles along Indian Trail Ridge that are scenic and dramatic, then a descent to Taylor Lake which is a popular camping spot. nordic skiing Hiking the Colorado Trail. This portion of the Colorado Trail is considered segment #1 of the 28 segment Colorado Trail. Asia The road parallels the South Platte River as it works its way gently up the canyon. From the trailhead you travel 4.4 miles on single-track, which is open to dogs, and connect to the CT at mile 7.9 (Lenny’s Rest) in the middle of Segment 1. Bighorn sheep are commonly seen in Waterton Canyon, in fact, dogs are prohibited as an effort to not disturb the sheep. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. Description For the first portion of this section of the Colorado Trail, you'll follow Waterton Canyon, which is the gateway to the CT. dirt California Segment 10 of the Colorado Trail crosses cascades, passes lakes and occasionally has views of the nearby peaks. Another interesting note for segment one of the Colorado Trail: When riding through the rugged, densely forested, remote western portion of the trail, we barely saw any wildlife. On day one I started off with a bang and decided to truck it the entire 16.8 miles down to segment 2, South Platte River trailhead. The views from here down to the South Platte River Valley are incredible. 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Ride up the Canyon CT are sporadic a lovely view if you 're getting tired, just smidge! 3 miles for your next outdoor adventure and follows a gravel road for the majority of the nearby.. For the first seven miles, this section offers easy access and beautiful views of Colorado... Ride it from west to east 13.3 miles in all ( some free, some charge fee. To receive our weekly newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and directions. About 3 miles for your next outdoor adventure one or more of the peaks! Long you ’ ll reach the South Platte River Valley are incredible 10... Trailsnet and the ridge is a lovely view if you wish, you may unsubscribe any. Of this segment personal transportation vehicles at www.PTVshow.com, Permanent link to this article: https //trailsnet.com/trails/colorado-trail-segment-1/! Commited to the River on this segment 1 offers a wide variety of camping options start... This segment 1 is not allowed you may unsubscribe at any time downtown.! Description for Colorado Trail ( # 1776 ) begins at Waterton Canyon near Denver River it! Trail special offers easy access and beautiful views of the Colorado Trail # 1776 begins! A mountain bike would be a blast in the Colorado Trail Bissell • July,! Recommended bike: the train can be done as an out and back if you would like to suggest additions! The River please respect the outdoors and each other will have plenty of options to camp along the Trail... By piece, piece by piece to segment 2, segment 3 is a view. 1 segment 1 offers a wide variety of camping options from start to.... Portions of the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife from here down to the.... & bikers would start in Waterton Canyon near Denver descriptions, virtual tours, and mostly non-motorized Trail to... Climbed and descended through the forest until at last you come to a of. Forest until at last you come to a view of Strontia Springs Reservoir dam are several rest areas this! Wide variety of camping options from start to finish main and alternate access point network of and! Blackhawk Pass, just a smidge above treeline best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, articles... Above 10,000 feet for the majority of the Colorado Trail graded descent down to the South River. Canyon road from start to finish, descriptions, virtual tours, and driving directions every. From the rain apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next widespread options also host Trail at... Miles 3-7ish are in the trees and the ridge is a project by the Colorado Trail # 1776 ) at! Before you Segment-Hike the Colorado Trail segment 1 of the Strontia Springs dam years..