10 things you NEED to know before thru-hiking the Colorado Trail

Thank you for this very helpful information. My daughter and I plan to hike the CT next summer and you are a wealth of information.

Beer Stipend!

I’m not big on slackpacking, but I have a related tip about the tough segment between Breckinridge and Copper. DON’T DO A BIG RESUPPLY IN BRECK/FRISCO AND THEN HAUL THAT LOAD OVER THE STUPID MOUNTAIN. Go to Copper, then grab the shuttle to FRISCO for resupply and shuttle back. Or just deal with the higher prices and less selection in Copper.
(2017 CT; 2019 Collegiate Loop)

Flying into Denver, you can buy a one day pass for the light train RTD, one of the stops on the way into Denver is a 15minute walk to a super walmart for food if needed. also REI and another outdoor supply store are about 15-20 minute walk from Union Station where you have to switch trains to get to Littleton Mineral station to pick up an Uber to the trailhead. Most people may need to get fuel and matches which are not allowed in check or carry on baggage. The BIC lighters I could bring didn't work at the higher elevations I found out. Also be careful of buying Coleman Fuel Cannisters at Walmart, they dont work on all brands of stoves. Staying an extra day in Denver to aclimate probalbly didn't help me as much as just getting out there and hiking did, I just needed the extra day to do these errands as I had a late afternoon flight into Denver.

Awesome as always Audrey! Thank you for sharing!🥾🥾❤️

Absolutely Beautiful! the Trail is pretty cool too

These mountain bikers need to be the ones to yield right of way.... slow down!!!!!!

Thank you!

Very helpful!!!

Thanks so much for the informative video. I’m hoping to thru-hike the trail this August.
I’m looking forward to your video on logistics.
Rockyroad aka andymash.

You nailed it!

Hi Audrey! watching this to get ready for my CT hike!

That’s amazing advice, thanks for taking the time to help us.

Definitely agree with the east and west options / suggestion

Great video very helpful. Thanks

Great tips! I'm section hiking it. I live in Ohio and only have a week or so each time I come out. 2021 I did 1-6 and 2022 I did 7-11 @ Twin Lakes. This year I didn't go but next year I'm continuing on and doing the Collegiate West unless the forecast is bad. But I go at the end of Aug early Sept so the weather is usually perfect. Funny you mentioned the heat at the beginning and section 2. I did not take your advice on seg 2. I started about 9am and embraced the heat. lol.... Your advice is better for sure but it really wasn't all that bad for me. When I go back next year I will have to acclimate a couple days. Probably will stay in Breck or Frisco like I did last year. A buddy went out with me for the couple days to hang out before I started on seg 7 which was perfect because he had a rental car and drove up to Hoosier Pass and hiked a little ways towards Quandary Peak. So I did get to about 12K for about an hour that that day. When I started Seg 7 the following day I felt completely acclimated. I would definitely suggest doing that if possible if you are starting out at the higher elevations.

totally agree for the sobo way. i went from houston, tx to durango for a month long get away trip and i remember being debilitated randomly after day 2 of being there. i was like "ah i get it" - only took a night after for getting back to ok though:D

Thank you for the really helpful and inspiring video. I hope to be a SoBo starting in late June.

Altitude sickness can be more of an issue than many people realize. Thank you for bringing attention to it and thanks for the inspiring video.
I went from Austin to Silverthorne (an 8,300 foot gain) on a non-stop drive and felt really terrible for the next couple days. Not recommended.
It's rare, but in 2017 there was a fatality in Dillon from altitude sickness. 😢

I cannot wait to enter the CT! I'm from the Netherlands, so it's below sea level. So definitely gonna take my time to adjust. Great tips! Thank you so much 💕

This was incredibly helpful information! Thanks so much!!!

Great tips. Doing Silverton to Durango this summer. I’m super excited. Thanks for sharing. Crow✌️

Waterton Canyon is a 7 mile walk where you are exposed and it’s really, really hot. 90’s by 11:00 am.

Bug repellant! I was amazed at mosquitoes. I didnt expect them to be that bad at those elevations.
I look forward to visiting Lake City.

great advice, thank you !

I was planning on doing the CT this year but it did not happen. My wife has a big surgery so I was needed at home. I am back on for next year, 2025. This will be my first long distance hike in the West. I am an East Coast AT, LT hiker. My concerns are altitude, T storms, blazing sun and water. I plan on starting late August or early September. I am trying to avoid the heat. I have skied Colorado a lot so I know how the altitude feels. Back in the day I drove out from Massachusetts and pulled a permit and climbed the Grand Teton. I made the climb but got very sick. I was like my worst hangover. I hike with my dog so I will be bypassing those first few miles. I plan on taking is easy until my lungs adjust. I will watch your videos again and take some notes. Thanks so much.