Hi everyone. I’ve thru-hiked the PCT and i’m looking potentially for a shorter adventure next summer. My fiance keeps suggesting the Colorado Trail, but for some reason i’m not excited about it. I guess i just don’t know much about this trail. Should i be geeked to hike it? What quick resource (hopefully online) would give me an idea of how great it is?
thanks for humoring these dumb questions…
markv
Look at pmags.com for CT info.
Also, for a more PCT-like adventure, look at extending the trip into Chama, NM via the CDT through the Weminuche (80+ road-free miles) and South San Juan Wildernesses.
Garlic
Tag on the extra 175 miles Garlic suggests and I guarantee you won’t be dissappointed. Great scenery, great towns, great solitude, great wildlife, what more could you ask for? The trail’s long enough to clear your mind but short enough to preserve your marriage, career, and retirement plan.
Matt
This is easy to answer. Just look at the photos in Wilderness Bob’s 2008 CT trail journal on this site.
Mickey
The trail’s long enough to clear your mind but short enough to preserve your marriage, career, and retirement plan.
401k = 249.169848 miles. (That’s k as in kilometers:) So it turns out the Colorado Trail is nearly twice as long as the average retirement plan, ca. 2009. But don’t let that stop you!
Mark, is the motivation problem trail-specific, or a general lack of enthusiasm for shorter hikes? If the former, then you’re probably en route to a cure the way this thread is unfolding. Otherwise, there are of course other ways to achieve “epic” things than on a 2700 mile thru-hike, and in 6 weeks or less, but you may need to step outside the box a bit more to find them.
blisterfree
(The real Paul Mags this time…goofy humor and all. :D)
Why the CT?
After doing the CDT, I can say there is extreme pleasure in following a well marked and maintained trail.
The CDT was perhaps the most rewarding trail I’ve ever done. Remote, raw and wild. But also mentally exhausting at times.
Sometimes you just want to walk, look at the scenery and not have to make major navigational decisions. Let the mind go on auto pilot (I still suggest bringing maps to do the CT though, esp if you want to take side trips (14ers) and/or alternate routes)
The CT takes in some of the highlights of the CDT (they share the same trail for ~200 miles), but without the constant navigation issues. And, if your significant other is new to LD hiking, it is a great trail to introduce someone to thru-hiking. The first ~100 miles from Denver offers options for relatively frequent town stops and lower elevation and easy terrain.
As Garlic suggested, I have an “end to enders” guide on my website.
In short, the CT is a great long-vacation hike. The CDT was a wonderful journey.
Both trails have their niches and joys.
Frankly, I am glad I did both. 
Paul Mags
Don’t ask me to convince you. I’d say don’t go.
As someone who has done the CT several times, but only the California parts of the PCT, I can’t imagine why you would want to hike the CT. Forget the fact that on your busiest day on the CT you will probably encounter fewer people than you did on your quietest day on the PCT. Forget that it is the best maintained trail in Colorado. Forget that trailhead parking is free. Forget that you can do it with the family pooch. Forget all that - just stay home and watch TV or something. The Colorado economy is fine the way it is. The last thing we want is hikers with a California attitude.
bearcreek
it is easy to follow…and for the most part gorgeous scenery… enough up and down to give ya a workout…depending on the time of yr can be an empty hike…cool towns with good eats…and chances to see plenty of wildlife.
stuff I did’nt like the condo mania that is going on there. …being from AK I hated seeing the development that has virtually found every part of the trail…the state is definitely gucci !
you can get to either terminus easily though.
it is all good… you can’t lose that is for sure.
yappy