CT Thruhike Starting ~4 July

[Hole-In-The-Hat]

I'm planning to hike the CT, Denver to Durango. My most likely start date is 4 July, alternate date is 11 July. I'm packing pretty light (~10.5# base), and I'm figuring ~18-19 miles a day average. Counting ~5 days off-trail, I hope to finish in Durango ~4 August.



Is anyone on a similar schedule?

[Hole-In-The-Hat]

Slight revision -- most likely start date for my CT attempt is now 3 July. Is anyone else planning a similar schedule?

[makeyourself303]

i am doing the ct starting july 1st
however i am going from durango to denver not denver to durango so i can do the trail with a friend

[Rick D.]

Hi, I'm 90% sure I'll be doing the CT solo right around the same time, possibly with a slightly later start date, but I expect to be doing slightly more miles per day, so we might well cross paths. What nighttime temperatures can we expect in July/August? I have not yet settled on a sleeping system.

[Rick D.]

Whoops, just noticed that Mr. Hole-in-the-Wall was talking about 2007, not 2008.

[Rick D.]

Edit: ... "Hole in the Hat"

[Jbreck]

Denver to Durango here, July 4th~ish.

[Captain]

i would be hard pressed to find anyone (besides those inexperienced in thru hikes) that would carry more than 20 pounds for a 4-5 week hike

[Quoddy]

I'll be starting well behind Denver to Durango you on July 22nd. There's a chance that may be moved up a week if the annual picnic at my house is also moved up a week. With the snow conditions this year I believe that later is better. My base is going to be a little heavier than usual at 7.75 pounds. The only time I'll get even close to carrying 20 total is the long stretch between Salida and Creede.

[Chef2000]

i would be hard pressed to find anyone (besides those inexperienced in thru hikes) that would carry more than 20 pounds for a 4-5 week hike

..


well captain it was not that hard, I have over 3000 miles of Long Distance Hiking under my pack pelt and still carry an average of 35 pounds, including five days of food/snacks and one day of water.

The CT is a great trail, I have done the first 220 miles from Denver on. I started a week before 4 July holiday. Expect temps at night to go down into 40s easy, especially at higher elevations. I averaged 13 miles per day, wich seems to be my average for all LDH. The thing that drove me off was the seclusion and isolation, went four days with only talking to myself.

Bring a partner if you can, remember there are no shelters I saw on the first 220 so I recomend a decent tent, if it rains youll be spending alot of time in it, not to mention the bugs, and the heat in the burnt out areas.

[Captain]

and the bears

[Mags]

and the bears

Bears are not a big issue on the CT. Unlike their Sierra cousins, they are not habituated to humans and do not see the high country as an AYCE buffet of yummy hiker food.

They stick to the lower areas were food is more prevalent.

Also, remember, Colorado has an avg of 200 days+ of sunshine a year[1]. You just don't get the continuous rain as back East. I've used a tarp (or similar) for all my Western hiking and usually cowboy camp. YMMV.


[1] Depends on how you count "sunny" days. If you want the convouluted answer, go to http://ccc.atmos.colostate.edu/questions.php

If it is not grey and overcast, it is sunny to me.

[Captain]

lions then

[Mags]

lions then

Naah...very rare to see and mainly in the foothills.

No lions to worry about..
No tigers to worry about..
No bears to worry about..


OH MY!

[Jbreck]

Naah...very rare to see and mainly in the foothills.

No lions to worry about..
No tigers to worry about..
No bears to worry about..


OH MY!

When I lived there, the biggest wildlife danger was tripping over a red fox, and breaking your neck. Walk around like they own the place (which they do), and would totally ignore you until you almost tripped over them like a cat.

[High Altitude]

The largest animal threat in the Colorado backcountry is someone's dog, usually unleashed of course.

[greengrass]

Is it still probably a good idea to hang food every night?

[fiddlehead]

Nah! Up to you of course.
(I've never hung food in CO or any of the Rocky Mtn states) (except Glacier NP once)

Have fun all you CT hikers.