Hiking alone - The Colorado Trail

imported
#1

Soooo I might be hiking the CT next summer. I thru’d the AT in 06, and knowing that trail wouldn’t have any worries hiking alone, but I don’t know the CT so well. Any advice for a solo lady hiker (who is incidentally tiny not kung fu trained) out here? Is it safe (relatively, I mean. I realize there are always potential dangers no matter where we are)? I know it’s not everybody, but I haven’t seen any trailjournals of solo female CT thru-hikers. Any info or tips, especially from women who have done the CT alone, would be greatly appreciated!

Doodle

#2

The Frisian Rhino is hiking the whole CDT (except for the first week) by herself this year. I hiked half the PNT by myself (which was very remote). If you’re afraid for your safety, use ‘we’ instead of ‘I’ when talking about your hike. Appear confident. Don’t tell people where you’re going to be camping that night. Just say you’ll camp when you’re tired. Don’t wear skimpy clothes when hitch hiking (pretty common sense but I tend to forget that my hiking outfits aren’t always modest). Let friends/family know when you’re supposed to be in the next town.
Basically just use your common sense and you’ll be fine.
Enjoy!

apple pie

#3

I’m no lady, but I have solo thru’d both the AT and CT. The CT is much more remote than the AT and passes through far, far fewer areas where riff-raff would tend to hang out. (I believe in the theory that opportunistic scum bags don’t like to work too hard for their living.) Everyone I passed on the trail was clearly either a fellow hiker or a camper. As on most trails, your greatest risks are in towns where the same common sense you employed back east will serve you well out here in the west.

Matt

#4

I thru hiked the CT solo last year, I have a trail journal up as well. No problem! I didn’t see many people, never felt nervous about folks I met, only issue hiking alone for that long is missing someone to talk to!

Good luck, you’ll love it.

She-ra

#5

Thanks! That’s comforting. It’s a go…I guess it doesn’t take much to get me to thru-hike.

Doodle

#6

I, too, hiked the CT alone except for when my friend joined me for a week (we both ran into She-ra near Coney summit, good to see you!). I felt pretty safe, most everyone I ran into (which was not that many ppl) were REALLY supportive, to a degree that actually pierced my jaded outlook on humanity. The “creep dog” alarm never went off. It is a great trail. You do get a lot of time to yourself alone, but that is exactly why I love the CT. I hope you have an amazing hike!

gnarla

#7

Hi gnarla! Good to see you on here, I don’t think you were going by that name then though, were you? Have you been doing any more hiking since then? I’m headed to the Arizona Trail next spring, can’t wait!

She-ra

#8

Dang. I hope you have a great hike! The AZT has always caught my eye (how could it not). I’ve chosen WWOOFing over hiking for a while, but there’s your trail journal to look forward to at least. Best of luck!

gnarla

#9

I thru hiked the CT this summer alone as well, no need to worry, it is awesome. Alot of time alone, but it is worth it… Elizabeth

olive

#10

CT is very tranquil and safe. Biggest problem will be if you get tired of being alone all that time. if so, you can always hook up with someone else going about your speed and camp together.

Remember to hang your food.

bearcreek