I absolutely love saying the words “Denver to Durango”.  And of course this expression represents the two terminus  - East and West – of the majestic Colorado Trail.  The Colorado Trail is a long distance backcountry path traversing 486 miles from Denver to Durango with ranges in elevation from 5,520 feet at the eastern terminus near Denver to its highest point of 13,271 feet.  Most of the trail is above 9,000 feet.  The trail passes through six National Forests, six Wilderness Areas and eight mountain ranges.

The trail is comprised of 28 segments, ranging from 11.4 miles to 32 miles. Elevation gains along segments span from 1,040 to 4,520 feet.

The trail also passes near many Fourteeners – mountains over 14,000 feet.

For 235 miles, The Colorado Trail runs concurrent with the Continental Divide Trail along the Collegiate East route. On the Collegiate West route, the Colorado Trail follows the Continental Divide Trail for 80 miles more.

I spent part of my childhood living in Rocky Ford, Colorado, a very small town existing in the vast prairies of the lower eastern part of the state.  I remember dry hot winds with brittle tumbleweeds blowing across dusty roads and drinking grape soda at the local laundromat while roller skating down the town’s sidewalks.   For me, as a young child, the entire state was filled with the possibility of endless adventures.  My family spent long summer holidays camping in the Rocky Mountains.  I left when I was nine years old.  And I didn’t return until I was 49.  In 2016, I hiked a segment of The Colorado Trail with my sister Julie and her husband Ed.   After I left the PCT, we decided that this was the summer to go back and hike the entire 486 miles in one complete hike.  

From Denver to Durango...