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stranger
05-21-2009, 07:09
How much of the CT requires map and compass skills? How is the trail marking? Signage? Is the trail easy to follow?

Feedback appreciated, cheers.

oblong
05-21-2009, 07:55
I have hiked CT twice. Very well marked. Made mistake only once last year on a new section. I always take a map on hikes myself.

Mags
05-21-2009, 13:07
The trail is very easy to follow by Western trail standard. I'd still take maps, though.

The map book is strongly suggested:
http://www.coloradotrail.org/store.html

gravityman
05-21-2009, 18:52
I concur, well marked by western standards, but not as regularly blazed or marked as the AT. You can go miles without seeing a blaze. Took me a while to get use to. You should definately have maps, like mags says. The data book is also useful...

Mags
05-21-2009, 19:10
Also, if you haven't checked it out already, I wrote this guide that may be useful:
http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php/Backpacking-and-Hiking-documents/coloradotrail_info.html

stranger
05-24-2009, 23:17
I would bring maps, not even a question, I guess I was more concerned about taking and following bearings, which is something I'm not confident with. Thanks for the information.

garlic08
05-25-2009, 09:53
I hear there is trail the whole way now, so you never need to travel cross-country taking compass bearings. But like any trail in the US West, the CT may have a navigational challenge or two. A sign post or junction may be obliterated by cattle, flash flood, deadfall, avalanche, vandalism, etc. Hikers should not rely on every junction being mapped or signed correctly. So you do need to keep oriented, and the map and compass are important tools.

oblong
05-27-2009, 07:24
Also, if you haven't checked it out already, I wrote this guide that may be useful:
http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php/Backpacking-and-Hiking-documents/coloradotrail_info.html

I read your guide before I did my first hike of CT. Very useful indeed.