The Trails illustrated maps of Colorado show both the CT and the CDT routes.
The question is “Which CDT route is shown; the CDTA Official Route or the CDTS (Wolf guides) Route?”
It is most confusing at Georgia Pass (segment 6 of the CT), where it shows the CDT merging with the CT. I can not find any mention of that in the Wolf Guide for N. Colorado nor in the 2009 Supplement to same.
Wandering Bob
I thought that was the beauty of the CDT–it’s not really clear exactly where it is and you can make up your own as you go.
I don’t have my maps, but if I remember correctly it’s the CDTA route that may be routed near Georgia Pass. I think north of there it passes over Grays Peak? I’ve seen a couple of versions over the years. Wolf’s route swings west of there, starting north of I-70. I would imagine Trails Illustrated maps would show whatever CDTA route was current at the time of printing. And that might not be right any more.
I hiked my own unique cross-country route through that area from knowledge gained on backcountry ski trips, so I didn’t hike either published route.
Garlic
So, that means I could legitimately consider 317 miles the CT from where the CDT first joins it in segment 6 at Georgia Pass all the way to the top of the Elk Creek drainage in segment 24, where the CDT last leaves it, to be part of the CDT.
That will make future CDT section hikes easier. I’ll just have to decide at Twin Lakes whether to stay on the CT or to take the CDT route over Hope Pass and Missouri Gulch back to the CT.
Decisions. Decisions.
Embrace the uncertainty!:lol
Wandering Bob