Late Start Date on the Colorado Trail

imported
#1

I might have to put off my hike on the Colorado Trail for a month or so does anyone know how late one can reasonably start the CT and finish?

Leif

#2

Leif
Sorry to hear about a late start and hope it nothing serious. The trail book simply advises that portions of the trail below 9500 are generally accesible from May to October, depending on wheather extremes and orientation of the trail. Above 9500 ft the hiking season is dramatically shortened, again depending on trail location and amount of snowfall. I checked wheather.com for average temps in Leadville, Copper Mtn, and Durango and the average temp doesn’t drop below freezing until mid September. Personally I wouldn’t start after 1 August, assumming a 4-6 week transit, but then you said you like the snow. I don’t think I want to get caught in one of those early september snow storms.
Maybe we’ll see you after all.
We will start 3 July
Take care
Firestarter

Firestarter

#3

I’m planning on starting July 13th if you consider that late (later than the early June date you mention in your journal anyway), but then I’m planning on 20 mile days so I can finish within a month.

Matthew Maxwell

#4

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am now planning on starting between June 16 and June 21. My start date will depend on how fast I can pack my stuff up and put it in storage. I thought I might get some contract work before I left, but it fell through(I think for the best). Now I am rushing to get ready.

Leif

#5

i plan to start my westbound hike on august 18th… my reason being that i have nothing else now to do, the t-storms should be less frequent, and from my experience september is THE best month weather-wise for hiking… stay tuned for the september storm report.

d-low

#6

d-low

I hope you have a great trip! I finished on 8/2 and had an awesome time!! I wish I was still out there. Take your time and enjoy

Leif

#7

Hey d-low, I am planning a start between the 16th and 20th August. I was camping in St. Elmo 2 weeks a go and it got chilly at night. I am packing some drop boxes with winter gear the send to Leadville and Creed. Where you coming from? I’m in Colorado Springs but my Daughter lives about 10 min from the Waterton Canyon Trailhead. I will stay with her before I start. I will probably do kind of a slow start. Planning on 8 to 10 mile days as an average. I may start doing more as I get my trail legs. I am planning at least one 0 in Breckenridge maybe 2. There is a new hostle in Breck, Bivvi that looks nice. Let me know how your plans progress. We could at least start out together.

Lord William