The waypoint files for The Colorado Trail have been updated to include all the new segments opening this year in the Collegiate West. Get them at www.bearcreeksurvey.com
bearcreek
Waypoint files updated
system
#3
Thanks Bearcreek, that’s tremendously helpful. The only other thing that through-hikers might need would be a supplement to Mags’ re-supply document to help us better understand our options for the Collegiate West branch of the trail.
Is that hint to overt, Mags? :happy
Loup
system
#4
Loup, Mags revised this guide in April. There are no resupply points within the Collegiate West Loup. Your best bets would be Twin Lakes on the North (East) end and The Monarch Crest Store on the South (West).
Bernard
system
#5
One option would be to hitch from the Cottonwood Pass Road along the Collegiate West into Buena Vista for resupply. Perhaps those who hiked the Collegiate West route last year could weigh in about the feasibility of this resupply, from their experience.
Bernard
system
#6
If you resupply in Twin Lakes then Cottonwood Pass Road is a bit too soon.
Some options:
You can hitch hwy 50 from Monarch to either Salida or Gunnison.
There is a bike shuttle from Poncha Springs that runs three times daily and drops people off at Monarch Pass foe $20. I’m sure they would shuttle you back for that. (Google High Valley Bike Shuttle)
You can send a package via UPS to the Monarch Crest store. Details on Whiteblaze.net right now - CDT forum.
bearcreek
system
#7
I went straight through on the CW alternate - carried six days food but did that section in just over 4 days.
edh
system
#8
Indeed, Cottonwood Pass would be the easiest spot to resupply. There’s enough traffic to hitch when I was there. But as said above, you should just resupply in Twin Lakes or Leadville, then send yourself a package to the Monarch Crest store, or hitch into Salida.
Eli