More infos as you can please

imported
#1

Hi everyone, Ill do my best in english (use to speak french) im a french canadian! 3 years ago I thruhike the AT (appalachian trail) I had a very good experience of backpacking, and im looking foward to thruhike the Coloarado Trail, begining in Denver august 18th 2013. I receive my Colorado trail mountain club guidebook, got lot of informations but need more. I want to know from thruhikers where are the best ressuply spot along the trails? Should I buy some propane bottle somewhere? What could I expect about snow on the trail planning hiking until sept 20! Can we set-up our tent pretty much everywhere on the trail? Is some shelter here and there? do I need some very cold winter gear, or good jacket, hat and gloves are enough? Well all your thoughts are very welcome, any advices etc… Thank you very much!

Sly

#2

Check out Paul “Mags” Magnanti’s CT “End to End” Guide on his pmags dot com web site: www.pmags.com/colorado-trail-end-to-end-guide-2

Bonne chance!

Bernard

#3

Bon jur Sly, I resupplied in Jefferson, Frisco/Breckenridge, Monarch Pass RV Park, Twin Lakes, Creede, and Molas Lake Campground. Recommend you don’t resupply in Breckenridge. It’s much easier to carry an almost empty pack to Copper Mountain then take the free shuttle bus back to Frisco for resupply (there is a serious climb between Breck and Copper Mtn).

bowlegs

#4

+1 on that climb out of Gold Hill enroute to Copper Mtn.

HOWEVER, I suggest you DO resupply in Breckenridge. Segment 6 ends right at the highway. Catch the free Summit Stage bus (bus shelter/stop is on the other side of the highway) into Breck, resupply and stay at the Fireside Inn B&B overnight. They are intimately familiar with the following slack-packing of segment 7 and advocate doing so. Leave your pack at Fireside (you’re coming back for the night), and catch the free bus back to the trailhead. Walk 1/2 mile to the Gold Hill trailhead and start uphill into segment 7 carrying only water, lunch, and maybe a wind shirt.

At the end of segment 7, cross the highway and continue into segment 8. You’ll be hiking behind and slightly above Copper Mtn Resort. When you get to big open area behind Center Village (just before the American Eagle ski lift), drop right 50 yards off the CT and walk completely thru Center Village and out to the Passage Point bus stop. Catch the free bus back to Breck. Stay another night at Fireside. Next morning, carrying all your gear, take the free bus from Breck to Frisco, transfer to the free bus back to Passage Point. Walk back thru Center Village and up to the CT. Turn right and head for Durango.

You’ll still have another big hill in front of you up to Searle Pass, but one is better than two. Both hold snow a long time on their north sides, especially the one in segment 7 that you slack-packed.

Wandering Bob