Section advice for 50-100 mile trip next summer?

[saltysack]

After doing the JMT this year I'm already thinking about my next trip out west. I've heard the JMT is tough to beat but the CT comes highly recommended. I'd like to bring my 9 yr old son and maybe my other hiking buddy....3 year old jack Russell. Thanks for input. We will be flying in from the south east.


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[colorado_rob]

Two words: San Juans. No better mountains in Colorado, though many come close. Easy to make a 50-100 mile loop around the area, and even include some of the CT and a nice train ride as part of the adventure (old steam engine train from Durango to Silverton along part of what would be a fine loop). Not sure about the dog thing on the train though... might want to check on that. Maybe you could rent a little Kennel for the train ride, or maybe dogs are actually allowed. Check out the Durango and Silverton Railroad web site.

[rafe]

Get CookerHiker's book.

http://www.amazon.com/Shades-Gray-Sp.../dp/1494785714

[saltysack]

Thx CR and rafe....sounds perfect with the train ride...id prefer a point to point so I can chip away at the CT over the next few summers to complete. Not sure of logistics as I'm just starting to do some research....thx


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[San Juan Ron]

Spring Creek (149 between Lake City and Creede) to Durango. Roughly 130 beautiful miles with most of it remote and above treeline. Begin post-July 1. SJ Ron

[saltysack]

Spring Creek (149 between Lake City and Creede) to Durango. Roughly 130 beautiful miles with most of it remote and above treeline. Begin post-July 1. SJ Ron

Thx I'll be looking into it...logistics? Fly into Albuquerque? Rental or shuttle to TH? Resupply?


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[Venchka]

Welcome to the club. I have been poking around the San Juans since forever. I'm way way over due for a return trip.
An old friend ( pastor at my daughter's wedding) approached me a couple years ago. about a backpacking trip. After mulling over several locations, we both arrived at the Elk Creek-Needle Creek semi-loop using the train out of Silverton. We're planning to go next September to coincide with the fall colors.
I want to get out there a week or two early so I can get acclimated, sort out my gear and food, etc.
I'm also looking for a chunk of the CT or CDT for a warmup before I meet my friend in Silverton.
I'll follow this thread and share whatever I find out.
Good luck!

Wayne


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[Venchka]

Thx I'll be looking into it...logistics? Fly into Albuquerque? Rental or shuttle to TH? Resupply?


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You might also consider flying to Durango. I seem to recall several discussions here about accessing the CT/CDT that involved a bus between Grand Junction and Durango.

Backcountry post.com has a lot of information about SW Colorado, trip planning, etc. Don't look at the photos.

Wayne


Wayne


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[MuddyWaters]

Lot of travel expense for such a short hike.

If you had acclimatization issues jumping to 10000 on jmt, jumping into 12000 might be a consideration.

[Coffee]

After doing the JMT this year I'm already thinking about my next trip out west. I've heard the JMT is tough to beat but the CT comes highly recommended. I'd like to bring my 9 yr old son and maybe my other hiking buddy....3 year old jack Russell. Thanks for input. We will be flying in from the south east.


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I would recommend the Collegiate West at Twin Lakes and ending and Monarch Pass. This was my favorite section of the CT last year. I liked the San Juans as well but for some reason I really liked the Collegiate West especially the new single track which opened last year and was almost deserted.

[Coffee]

Thx I'll be looking into it...logistics? Fly into Albuquerque? Rental or shuttle to TH? Resupply?


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If you opt for the Collegiate west or the Collegiate loop logistics are easy. Fly into Denver. Take one of the many bus options to get to the Frisco/Breckenridge area. Take the $5 Summit County Bus to Leadville. Arrange for a shuttle to Twin Lakes with the Leadville Hostel or hitch to Twin Lakes and start hiking. When you get to Monarch Pass, hitch down to Salida. There is a daily bus from Salida to Denver. Fly back from Denver.

[saltysack]

Lot of travel expense for such a short hike.

If you had acclimatization issues jumping to 10000 on jmt, jumping into 12000 might be a consideration.

Good point...I'm hoping to take my 9 year old son and I'm not sure how he will do with mileage and altitude out west. 13 mpd is what he does on NC AT sections. It would probably drop to 10 mpd out west but who knows...might try 2 weeks and not plan a must hit exit point...play by ear...as far as altitude on JMT don't think it had anything to do with my vertigo as I've been dealing with it off and on for awhile ...I go to physical therapy for it. I wouldn't take the diamox again as it made me have no appetite and feel funny.


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[saltysack]

I would recommend the Collegiate West at Twin Lakes and ending and Monarch Pass. This was my favorite section of the CT last year. I liked the San Juans as well but for some reason I really liked the Collegiate West especially the new single track which opened last year and was almost deserted.

Thx...how long is this section? I don't have the CT guide book yet. Difficulty? Thx again


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[Coffee]

Thx...how long is this section? I don't have the CT guide book yet. Difficulty? Thx again

The full Collegiate Loop is 160 miles so each "side" is about 80. However, by ending the Collegiate West at Monarch Pass, that probably cuts it down to around 75. There are some steep parts like Hope Pass which you would probably get to on the first day of the hike if heading southbound. But there are sections along the continental divide that aren't very difficult. Acclimating to the elevation could be an issue, so I would recommend staying a couple of nights at elevation prior to starting the hike. One good option might be to spend a night in Breckenridge and then another night in Leadville before starting.

I cannot comment on the Collegiate East since I didn't hike it. But it is lower elevation and the description I heard from other hikers makes me think that it is mainly good as a bad weather alternate to the Collegiate West.

[saltysack]

The full Collegiate Loop is 160 miles so each "side" is about 80. However, by ending the Collegiate West at Monarch Pass, that probably cuts it down to around 75. There are some steep parts like Hope Pass which you would probably get to on the first day of the hike if heading southbound. But there are sections along the continental divide that aren't very difficult. Acclimating to the elevation could be an issue, so I would recommend staying a couple of nights at elevation prior to starting the hike. One good option might be to spend a night in Breckenridge and then another night in Leadville before starting.

I cannot comment on the Collegiate East since I didn't hike it. But it is lower elevation and the description I heard from other hikers makes me think that it is mainly good as a bad weather alternate to the Collegiate West.

Thx coffee....I'm hoping to do the CT over 2-3 sections over few years....would like to hike contiguous sections if it makes sense? Thx again


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[Coffee]

As a whole the CT was a great hike to do in 2014 after I did the JMT in 2013. Doing it in sections could be a good plan. Some sections are definitely better than others. The Collegiate West and San Juans are highlights for sure. Waterton Canyon to Breckenridge could be a good segment as well but is less scenic than other parts IMO.

[saltysack]

As a whole the CT was a great hike to do in 2014 after I did the JMT in 2013. Doing it in sections could be a good plan. Some sections are definitely better than others. The Collegiate West and San Juans are highlights for sure. Waterton Canyon to Breckenridge could be a good segment as well but is less scenic than other parts IMO.

I wish I could do at one shot but very doubtful I'll get time enough time off and no way the wife would let me be gone 4 weeks......can't wait till I can retire!!! Unfortunately have a ways to go!!! Guess I better play the lottery! How long did it take you to thru hike?


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[Coffee]

30 days which included two zero days and three neros.

[saltysack]

30 days which included two zero days and three neros.

That's what I was thinking...maybe one day....


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