I’ll be thru-hiking the CO Trail this summer. Woot! I’ve done a lot of hiking on the Appalachian Trail and other east coast trails…where there are always trees to hang my food from. I’m assuming that on the CO Trail, I’ll sometimes be setting up camp with great views above treeline (I’m hoping so anyway). I’ve read that a bear canister is overkill for the CO Trail. So what do I do with my food if there are no trees to hang it from???
Thanks,
Mickey
Mickey
I want to know what to do too, for the Colorado bear context. In 2009 I walked the Tahoe-Yosemite trail + JMT and used a hired bear cannister. I have read about rope systems over trees etc. Coming from Western Australia, my ignorance may be excused… A friend and I are coming over to hike the CT starting around July 10 or 11 from Denver. 
KDbushwalker
I live in Colorado and do a lot of camping here. The only place I’ve had trouble with bears is in a frequently used campground. In the times bears have been in the campsite, none has decided to attack me.
Because of the problems I’ve had with bears in developed campgrounds, I’ve stopped going to them. I’ve never had a bear in the campsite in a remote area. By remote, I mean anyplace more than about 5 miles from a trailhead. When I’ve seen them at a distance, they always started moving away from me as soon as they sensed me. I’ve only seen bears near a developed campground. I’m sure they are in other places, but they seem to hide pretty well.
My first choice is to take necessary survival items out of my pack and keep them with me. Water, clothes, etc. and hang the pack 10 feet or so above the ground at least 50 yards from where I’m sleeping. Preferably over a little ridge. My second is to hang it at a height that will protect it from small critters. Say about 5 feet. In a pinch, I’ve just left the pack on the ground a safe distance from where I’m sleeping. I’ve never had the slightest problem. My level of concern is dictated by how hard it would be to get to safety without the pack.
I don’t know your level of experience or that of others who may read this, so I’ll be real basic. My hanging system is simple. I carry 50 feet of parachute cord with me. I tie a stick to the end of it and throw it over a branch. Preferably a smooth one. Then I tie the end of the cord to the pack frame and pull it up. I tie the end of the cord to the trunk of the tree.
There are some gotcha’s here. You will likely find your lips get chapped the first week or two. I wouldn’t use a flavored chapstick, nor would I use an unflavored chapstick within a few hours of going to sleep. Bears also love pepperment. Brushing your teeth just before going to sleep can be a interesting experience. I know a guy who was with someone who awoke to a bear french kissing him to try to get to the toothpaste. Any sort of pepperment candy is out as they love it. If you can find an unflavored toothpaste it’s probably better for leaving in your pack.
Things that aren’t considered food by us may be interesting to a bear. Scented deoderants, suntan lotion, etc. They also love bacon grease, so pitch your tent some distance from the fire pit as the last camper may have poured bacon grease on the ground. 50 feet or so should be enough.
Worst case, I don’t think there is anyplace so remote on the trail that you can’t walk out with sufficient water, clothes and rain gear if it rains.
Maybe I’ve made it sound worse than it is. That’s not my intent. My philosophy is to respect bears and take normal precautions, then don’t worry about it. In the 17 years I’ve lived here, I’ve never heard of a bear attack except in a developed campground. Those more experienced with the trail may have other advice.
Gershon