i am contemplating another excursion (i did AT 03) and know nothing about the CT, but am interested. Could someone who’s been there send me some info or tell me a little about it? cheers.
roadie
roadie
Inquring minds want to know
system
#1
system
#2
Start at www.coloradotrail.org for the Colorado Trail Foundation’s website. THE best place to start.
Read journals; a few on this site.
I have a journal and many pics posted at:
After persuing these sources a bit, please let any us know what other questions you have. The trail is a great way to see my (adopted) home state!
Mags
system
#3
I’m thinking seriously of doing it this Jun-Aug. I will read up like you suggested…are there maps?..what is the best time of the year to hike it…is it hard to find tent sites…what is the longest time between resupply? Thanks!
skeemer
system
#5
I also have a journal that might help you. www.trailjournals.com/nate. I collected the data for the data book campsites and watersources, so feel free to ask me any specific questions. Get the data book.
Tha Wookie
system
#6
BEST TIME OF YEAR: A hike of the CT generally takes 4-6 wks; call an average pace 5 weeks. The window is generally mid-late June until late Sept/Early Oct.
Before June 20th, there is genreally too much snow. If you finish before late Sept, you run the risk of a snowstorm that will not melt awy.
During the summer, the days are longer, but you may have more lightning. Personally, I love to hike in the fall (late Aug in the Colorado high country); the weather and scenery is beautiful, less lightning danger, less people.
MAPS: The Colorado Trail Guide Book has some basic USFS maps they are fine for BASIC guidance on the trail. Personally, I pefer maps with topo lins for navigation. Trail Illustrated maps are geat, but at $10 ea, you need to spend ~$120 to cover the trail. As I live in Colorado, I already had many of the maps. The Colorado Trail foundation sells a CD map set for $40 you may want to look into.
TENT SITES: No problem, what-so-ever. I suggest getting the Colorado Trail data book, ounce for ounce and dolloar for dollar, it is by far the most valuable trail guide. Similar to the AT databook.
RE-SUPPLY: How fast do you hike? 
This site has good re-supply info:
http://trailquest.net/RM2003ctjrnl.html
Has some good general CT info as well.
Mags
system
#7
I will definately get the CT guide book you talk about, Mags. I lived by my AT guidebook :lol as i am a slow hiker. it sounds cheezy but smiles not miles, right?
roadie
roadie
system
#8
Mags (for anwwering my ?)and Tha Wookie too…will go after the guide book. Looks like I’ll have time to put it together. Then maybe the CDT in 2006…also would like to do the PCT sometime before my wife devorces me.
skeemer
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#9
Samwise has a really good journal/website www.zulie.com. She hiked CT in '03. I hiked last year and just used the data book and guide book pages, very helpful. Althought I did find more campsites then listed and watersources were a lot more frequent then shown as well. Probably because of good snowfall earlier in the year and it was pretty cool and damp during my walk. Don’t know if this helps.
Black Toe Bob
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#10
Man! You guys are making me want to wander again. I spent a summer in Colordo, above Boulder, past Nederland, way deep in a place called Golden Lake. The wildflowers were stunning in July, and the lightening was ferocious. I’ve always wanted to go back. Maybe next year. I’ll read y’alls journals for “fuel.”
Jan LiteShoe
system
#11
Ah…my favorite little mountain town outside Boulder. Home of the “Frozen Dead Guy Days” and coffin races!
http://www.nederlandchamber.org/FrozenDeadGuyDays/
About three weeks ago, three of us did a hike from Boulder to Ned using open space trails, historic use trails, mtn bike trails, bush whacking and dirt road walking. ~20 miles later, we ended up in “downtown” Ned. Celebrated with some of the best Indian/Nepali food around and many cups of hot chai.
Ah…life is good, I tell ya!
Mags
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#12
i am going to visit a friend in Denver in a few weeks, and he works in Boulder. this nederland sounds worth visiting. i do love indian food! :happy and i am going to need something to do while he’s at work.
roadie
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#13
The name of the restaurant is the Kathmandu. It is owned by people who are actually from Nepal. Like most Nepalese restaurants, there is quite a bit of Indian food, too.
All in all…very yummy. They have an AYCE buffet until 3PM that is good; anything from the menu is excellent.
Get the chai. Mmmm…good. Voted best restaurant over 8000ft by a local newspaper. 
Their website:
Mags
system
#14
singing i’ma goin’ to kathmandu…that’sa what im gonna do…if i ever get outta here…im goin’ to kathmandu!
isn’t that how the song goes?:tongue
roadie
system
#15
hey skeemer remember me? i’m hiking the ct this summer. maybe i’ll catch you out and about. i am starting late june. no specifics yet.
dirty bird
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#16
I was wondering if some of the posts here were from the one and only “dirty bird” from the Show Me State. I’ve been reading some journals (leif’s so far) Sounds pretty good cept for the bugs…we’ll see.
skeemer