What’s the major differences between the Continental Divide Trail and the Colorado Trail, within Colorado? I’m talking your subjective opinion here, not technical stuff. Views, water sources, hiking season, bugs or lack thereof, or anything else that impressed you. I’m thinking of doing a month this summer in Colorado and am choosing between the trails.
steve hiker
I hiked the CT and met up with some people on the CDT in Colorado and they said that the CDT section in Colorado had a lot of roads and was often at higher elevation.
They also had a fair amount of rain, and I didn’t.
Leif
I was suprised to hear of many CDTers taking the CT bike routes (mostly dirt roads) and skipping some big climbs and views. I guess if I was walking 3000 miles plus, I might have done the same thing. If you just have a month, I’d do the CT, 'cause you do the whole thing and it’s sweet. If you had longer…
THA WOOKIE
What about vistas and the scenery in general? I read a post in the Colorado Trail forum that the CT often winds along cow pastures. Now, I’m from Louisiana and the idea of going to Colorado to see cow poop and hike in developed pastureland just doesn’t appeal to me. Is this accurate?
:lol
Is the CT as “wild” and scenic as the CDT? I want to see typical Colorado views
steve hiker
I don’t know much about the views on the CDT, I am sure they are nice… But the views on the CT are awesome!
The CDT and the CT are the same trail for part of the hike… but not during the best part of the CT.
You can’t really go wrong with the CT. There are couple of sections with cows… one that I really remember being annyoing, but overall it isnt’ an issue.
Leif
You haven’t seen a cow pasture until you’ve seen one in CO.
Cows aren’t limited to lower elevations.
There are cows in the Swiss Alps.
Scamp
Scamp
don’t worry about not having enought great views of the mountains! since you’re from louisiana, it will blow your mind-trust me! yes, there are some sections of cow pastures, but i really wouldn’t sweat it. the trail and it’s views are so diverse, so you shouldn’t worry about always seeing the same thing (and most of the time you’re looking up at the mountains instead of the petrified poop on the ground, so it’s like it’s not even there!) one minute youre in a forest and the next thing you know you’re above treeline hiking over kenosha pass with unbelievable views of south park (this was my favorite section so far-i only hiked half the trail last year, and plan to thru-hike the entire trail this summer. the fact that i’m going back should say something about the trail)!
have fun!
scott
outdoorjunkie
Personally, I like the CT better. It is better marked, and has more character. The trails parallel each other in the middle sections for most of the scenic views. But the CT starts off a little more humble through the beautiful foothills near Denver, and ends through the majestic San Juans near Durango (both of which are bypassed on the CDT). But you will get beautiful scenes with either hike. Hope you enjoy it.
-Tank
tank
Tank, I am a little confused about your post. I have a Topo map from Trails Illustrated that shows the CDT running the length of the Weminuche Wilderness including the San Juans. Has this been rerouted? If so, they took out a very beautiful section. Especially the Knife Edge. HMMMMM, I guess I will have to make my own CDT.:eek:
Spacewalker
No, the route hasn’t changed. I think he was talking about missing Denver and Durango, not missing the San Juans. The CDT and CT are the same for most of the way from Copper Mountain to Pole Creek. In a few places, the CDT splits and is higher and more remote than the CT. Some CDT hikers do the lower route in order to avoid snow. The CT does get better maintenance.
Ginny
WHEW!!! I thought I lost it for a moment there. Thanks for the info Ginny. I Like both trails but the higher altitudes and better chance of summiting summits (does that make sense) appeals to me more.:pimp
Spacewalker