Leadville, Buena Vista, Salida Transportaion

imported
#1

I am considering do the the 1st 14 sections (200+ miles)of the CT this July. I was doing the whole thing but by first grandchild is due in mid-August so I am modifing plans. The end of Segment 14 is on Hwy 50 outside of Salida by a few miles. I can hitch to Salida. My problem begins in how to get from Salida to the Denver Airport. It appears that Greyhound does not stop in Arkansas River valley at all. Is there any regional bus transportation in that part of Colorado. Same question about Creede and Lake City. Thanks for sharing any info.

Randy Brown

Randy Brown

#2

It obviously depends on when you start the trail and your average miles of hiking per day, but if you start at the end of June and average 90 miles/week, you could finish by the beginning of Aug in Durango. From there you could fly out from Durango, travel to Albuquerque, or to Denver. I would be a shame to miss the San Juans, last sections of the trail, as they are some of the most beautiful part of the trail.

Sarah Eller

#3

I can’t start until July 12. I may can get further than 200 miles but didn’t want to push it. Main reason, I am not superman on the trail anymore and secondly, I want to savor what I do. Actually it appeared that getting off at the end of Segment 14 was optimal for distance without having to hitch a long way. The Hwy 50 hitch to Salida seems doable. Worst cast I could hitch from Salida to Leadville and get a shuttle to Denver from the Leadville Hostel folks. I will have to fly back as I live in East Texas. I was planning on getting off the trail by Aug 5th so I can be back before the 12th which is my daughter’s due date. I plan on finishing next year if I can’t this year or starting again in Denver in 2010 and doing the whole thing. I don’t want to miss the San Juans but I need to try to do as much as I can. This would be my first trip of more than 50 miles and I need to prove to my 56 year old body I can do it. Thanks for the encouragement

Randy Brown

#4

We used this service a couple years ago, they service the area you’re talking about and also go to the airport.

Dee Hive Tours & Transportation - 506 Harrison Ave.; Leadville, CO; 80461
phone: 719-486-2339

apple pie

#5

Check out www.PMags.com for a great trail guide for the CT. Mags lists some shuttles that may be of help to you. I may be available when you get off the trail. Send me an email when you know your schedule. My calendar jumps all around but

J D Cool

#6

Great info on shuttles so far. I also emailed the Salida Chamber of Commerce and connected with a CT supporter, Stew Brown. He does shuttles sometimes and told me about a new busline that is stopping in the Poncha Springs and Salida - www.blackhillstagelines.com . If anyone is interested I will share the rest of the info he gave me.

Right now my start date is firming up as July 12th or 13th. There is some small possiblity that I will have enough time to do the whole trail now. I will know more as the months progress. Thanks for everyone’s help.

Randy Brown

#7

Randy - I was about your age the last time I did the CT and I was working as I went placing trail markers along the way. Took 29 days. Hiking from Denver then skipping the San Juans is unthinkable!

bearcreek

#8

Dang Bearcreek, that is better than 16 miles a day average. You were really humping it for a guy that was better than half past fifty. I don’t know if I want to (or can( push it that hard. Was that 29 days with no zeros? I am probably understating my milage but my plan was 40 days +4 zeros. Maybe I am being a little conservative. But I’d rather plan long and be surprised.

The Doctor shifted my daughters due date to later in August than she shought. So… I just may be able to do it.

Randy Brown

#9

Randy - this is how you do it. Get up early and start hiking at 7AM. Old guys like us can easily average 2 miles per hour with a reasonable load. Try to have around 10 miles by noon then stop when your sick of going any more. You’ll get all the miles you need and still have some time to kick back in the afternoons. We didn’t take any days off, and the 29 days includes hitching into Salida for a new water filter and into Silverton for a burger. Other than that, we were supplied by friends who met us at trailheads every week or so. (That will save a lot of time if you have someone who will do it)

After you’ve been out a while you will realize that if it’s 3 PM and you’ve had a great day that you might as well keep on trucking until 6 and turn it into a fantastic one. You will be amazed at how much better you can do than you envision.

16 miles a day is nothing compared to what some of the younger Golite crowd does - you’ll get passed regularly by the really fast ones. I carry about a 20 pound pack before food and water - usually 30-31 pounds when its full. Keep it light as you can and you’ll get better mileages.

Feel free to send me a PM if I can help you get organized. I think I have a gear list somewhere…

bearcreek

#10

Trail guy helped us out from Denver to Waterton. he was great and if you can find him he might help you too. You would need to help with gas… always a good thing to offer. I don’t know how to find him but I bet the Association does… or you could ask for him on this site. he checks in now and then. Hve a great hike. I enjoyed it for sure…:slight_smile:

yappy

#11

http://www.gunnisonvalleyrta.org/denver-bus-schedule.php

This is a link to a new bus service that goes from Gunnison to Salida to Buena Vista then onwards to DIA.

bearcreek