Section 28 conditions

imported
#1

I didn’t remember to post this until now, but better late than never. Section 28 (Cumberland Basin to Junction Creek TH) is (in)famous for its steep descent to the TH and Durango, and its dearth of flat camping where there’s water, and vice versa. Well, the camping around mile 7 at the bridged creek crossing will be your last good camping. The camping listed at (I think, I don’t have the databook in front of me, my bad) 11.2 and 11.8 are no good. The 11.2 “campsite” is a tiny patch totally surrounded by head-high grass and strewn with what appears to be hobo trash. The 11.8 site simply does not exist. There is a marginal, rocky and (of course) dry site somewhere around mile 12.5, however.

As long as I’m on a rant here, another false campsite in the databook in in section 6 at Horseshoe Gulch, just before you get to the Gold Hill TH at Breckenridge. I’ve hiked this way twice now, used the GPS coordinates to bring me to the exact site, and I’m still damned if I can figure out where it is that you’re expected to camp at here. The ground all around is anything but flat. (Although the Gulch was at least flowing this time, unlike in 2001 when it was dry).
The info in the new databook was just about always dead on and accurate and well written, but I think that the campsite data often wasn’t really field-checked and was just copied from somewhere else, possibly the previous version of the databook.

BTW, I and my compatriots finished our thru-hike on the 28th of July.

Cyclops

Cyclops

#2

I concur with some of the above mentioned problems involving the latest CT Data book. While the majority of all landmarks seem to be right on, there is some confusion with “seasonal streams” and campsites. I was section hiking section 4 on Tuesday, and the mileages seem somewhat out of kilter. Also, be advised that Section 4 is quickly drying up, and is beginning to mimick Sections 2-3 in dryness terms.

TrailGuy

#3

I agree w/ Cyclops on some of the stuff. However, when Team Combat Mule Resupply reached mile 7 at the bridged creek crossing, we found the site to be slightly rocky, heavily used and directly on the trail. The 11.8 site does indeed exist, but it hides itself slightly. If you are heading southbound, after you round the bend at the back of Road End canyon and the forest switches from Aspen to Pine, look up the hill to your right after about 100 feet. There is a faint trail leading up to a levelled spot that could hold 2-3 tents and has a fire ring. There is a small wooden sign w/ the word “Clovis” carved into it on one of the trees. All the trash you see in this area, along w/ the logs lashed between trees about 8 feet up is from deer hunters. This is a dry site.

The only major discrepancy I found w/ the databook is the info on Creede from Spring Creek Pass, CO-149. The book says Creede is 10 miles down the road, the same distance listed for San Luis Pass. Well, upon hitching into Creede, I discovered it to be 31 miles instead! If you make it all the way to the 149 to resupply, I recommend heading to Lake City instead.

Congrats Cyclops!

Take it easy,
SlowRide

SlowRide

#4

Thanks guys for the info. I just recieved the Guide book and made a note in it. One question, You mentioned the Data Book. Is this the same as the Guide book or is there another book? Thanks, Spacewalker :rolleyes

Spacewalker

#5

Spacewalker,
The data book is a condensed version that you can carry in your pocket. It contains trail info like water, campsites, trail junctions, elevations, etc. I found it to be a great help on my thru of the CT. I think it cost 6 bucks or so.

hafdome

#6

UHHH Yea. Thanks Hafdome. I guess I should of looked at the site more. Found it right after I posted. Sometimes I can be blind. Or maybe just a little lost in space.:nerd

Spacewalker

#7

You ABSOLUTELY want the data book. The guide book does not have any water info explicitly shown. I STILL haven’t gotten my data book, but it’s a pain to plan trips without it. You always end up wondering if the “gulch” you think has water in it really will… The data book has each water sources with a cup showing the likelyhood of finding water there (full means it’s pretty much always there, down to empty, meaning only in the early spring).

Gravity Man

Gravity Man

#8

I hiked the trail this summer, and the data book was immensely helpful, but it is grossly innacurate at some points. Like the 30 mile hitch into Creede from highway 14. We nearly had a big mishap in Jefferson, which was our first resupply point. The zip code listed in the data book is incorrect, which means that our resupply was rather late. so: take the info in the data book with a grain of salt and double-check where possible.

laura: no trail name

#9

You should email the CT association. Their webpage is www.coloradotrail.org. That would prevent other people from having the same pain.

Gravity Man

gravity man