Colorado Trail Thru-Hiking Itineraries

Here are three example itineraries showing how you can complete the entire 484 mile Colorado Trail in four, five or six weeks. These can be used as a starting template for planning your mileage goals and resupply strategy. Please do not try to follow these to the letter. It’s best to remain flexible on a thru-hike, and not follow too rigid a schedule, so you can adapt to changing conditions. Only a handful of resupply stops are shown here (the ones I think are most practical and convenient.) For a complete list of resupply options, see my Colorado Trail Town Guide.

6 Week Thru-Hiking Itinerary

Here is an example itinerary for beginner hikers who want to start out slowly and progressively increase the pace as you go. Resupply stops are mostly full service towns where you can eat, shower, bur supplies and spend the night in a hotel or hostel. Six weeks (42 days) are budgeted to complete the entire trail, including: 28 full days of hiking, 12 half-days, 6 resupply stops and two zero days. Average pace: 12 – 15 miles a day.

Segment 1: Waterton Canyon TH to Kenosha Pass TH (72 miles)

Start: Denver (6 days food)

Segment 2: Kenosha Pass TH to Goldhill TH (32 miles)

Resupply: Jefferson/Fairplay (+3 days food)

Segment 3: Goldhill TH to Highway 82 (72 miles)

Resupply: Frisco/Breckenridge (+5 days food)

Segment 4: Highway 82 to Highway 50 (76 miles)

Resupply: Twin Lakes (+5 days food)

Segment 5: Highway 50 to Spring Creek Pass TH (105 miles)

Resupply: Monarch/Salida (+7 days food)

Segment 6: Spring Creek Pass TH to Molas Pass TH (53 miles)

Resupply: Lake City/Creede (+4 days food)

Segment 7: Molas Pass TH to Junction Creek TH (74 miles)

Resupply: Molas Lake/Silverton (+5 days food)

5 Week Thru-Hiking Itinerary

Here is an example itinerary for intermediate hikers who are already in good shape and want to start hiking longer days right away. Resupply stops are similar to the previous itinerary with options for maildrops and town visits, but with a longer first segment. Five weeks (35 days) are budgeted to complete the entire trail, including: 24 full days of hiking, 11 half-days and 5 resupply stops. Average pace: 14 – 18 miles a day.

Segment 1: Waterton Canyon TH to Goldhill TH (104 miles)

Start: Denver (6 days food)

Segment 2: Goldhill TH to Highway 82 (72 miles)

Resupply: Frisco/Breckenridge (+5 days food)

Segment 3: Highway 82 to Highway 50 (76 miles)

Resupply: Twin Lakes (+5 days food)

Segment 4: Highway 50 to Spring Creek Pass TH (105 miles)

Resupply: Monarch/Salida (+6 days food)

Segment 5: Spring Creek Pass TH to Molas Pass TH (53 miles)

Resupply: Lake City/Creede (+3 days food)

Segment 6: Molas Pass TH to Junction Creek TH (74 miles)

Resupply: Molas Lake/Silverton (+4 days food)

4 Week Thru-Hiking Itinerary

Here is an example itinerary for experienced hikers who want to travel fast and minimize time spent in towns. Resupply stops are primarily maildrops that can be reached quickly from the trail, eliminating the need for long detours or much hitch-hiking. Four weeks (28 days) are budgeted to complete the entire trail, including: 20 full days of hiking, 8 half-days and 4 resupply stops. Average pace: 18 – 25 miles a day.

Segment 1: Waterton Canyon TH to Goldhill TH (104 miles)

Start: Denver (6 days food)

Segment 2: Goldhill TH to Highway 82 (72 miles)

Resupply: Frisco/Breckenridge (+4 days food)

Segment 3: Highway 82 to Highway 50 (76 miles)

Resupply: Twin Lakes (+4 days food)

Segment 4: Highway 50 to Molas Pass TH (158 miles)

Resupply: Monarch (+7 days food)

Segment 5: Molas Pass TH to Junction Creek TH (74 miles)

Resupply: Molas Lake (+4 days food)