Colorado Trail

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Colorado Trail -- Copper Mountain to Denver

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With Covid travel restrictions lingering, I stayed close to home and completed half of the Colorado Trail in the summer of 2021 from Denver to Salida.  The entire trail covers 500+ miles from Denver to Durango.  A popular trail with a wealth of information already available online (PMags guide)

Crossing the Tenmile Range, home to Breckenridge Ski Resort in the winter

This section was completed over two weeks using the Colorado bus system for transport.  The Copper to Denver section was done south to north walking downhill from the mountains to the city

Georgia Pass

Conditions were smoky with the jet stream pushing California smoke into the area

The trail became more desert-like near Denver, even requiring a firehouse to resupply on water

Bighorn sheep at the end of the walk in Waterton Canyon

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Colorado Trail -- Copper Mountain to Monarch Pass (Collegiate West)

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Above the treeline near Searle Pass.  It would be possible to stay at a mountain hut called Janet's Cabin here

I camped at Kokomo Pass, beautiful spot

I planned two nights at Twin Lakes Inn in order to climb Mount Elbert.  I resupplied at the general store and had several hot meals in town.  I happened to sit next to the Hall-of-Famer Goose Gossage at the hotel bar who was nice enough to pick up my tab!

Summit Selfie

Nice view of Mount Huron from the Lake Ann campsite

Final morning on the descent of Chalk Creek Pass before hitching to the town of Salida

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Colorado Trail Side Trips -- Collegiate Peaks

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The summit of two 14ers Belford and Oxford can be combined on the same walk from the Missouri Gulch trailhead (9 miles return, 6000 ft gain)

Fall colors in mid-September from Mount Belford