Alternate Routes, Maps

imported
#1

I’m planning to do some alternate routes off of the CO Trail - definitely Hope Pass, Mt. Elbert, and others that I had intended on picking up spur of the moment on-trail while consulting my maps - maybe CDT, higher scenic stuff, peak bagging etc.

Now here’s the problem… I made the mistake of getting the spiral bound map book by the CTF and it’s rather useless to me. The topo lines are great but it seems like nothing more than a GPS addict’s wet dream. As for roads, alternate trails… forget it! All that’s legible on these things is the GPS waypoints.

I guess what I should have done is get the Trails Illustrated maps… but now I don’t want to spend the money on ALL of them, so which ones should I get? Also, any suggestions on alternate routes are most welcome too!

Jamie

#2

for the southen half:
Trail Illstrated Maps:

139 La Garita Cochetops Hills-takes you from Monarch Pass to past Spring Creek Pass, you will use both sides fo that map, North and South. shows Stewar Creed trailhead and the trail to San Luis Pass as well as the Creede cutoff

141 Telluride, Silverton, Ouray, Lake City you will use both sides of this map, East and West, shows how you access Lake City and Silverton via highways and other trails

#140 Weminuche Wilderness-the CT drops south off the East side of the # 141 map into the #140 map East side, then turns back north and appears again on the West side of the #141 map as it continues on the west side towards Durango.
I think theres a new one out # 144 for the rest of the way to Durango, but I don’t have it (yet :slight_smile: )
I would buy all 4 of these, excellent detail, easy to read, waterproof.
You can easily see the CDT versus the CT on these maps, and the wewst side of # 140 shows you where these 2 trails seperate and the CDT heads east and south (spectacular and pretty much isolated)
hope that helps, as for alternate routes, you could spend years out there! take your pick.

LA