In about three weeks, I will be embarking on my grandest adventure yet - a thru hike of the Colorado Trail. This adventure has consumed my mind over the last several months. Between the planning, preparations and daydreaming it has become the focal point of my purpose right now. I have invested probably over a hundred hours of planning/prep so far and thought I'd share/aggregate the work I've done here.

Why the Colorado Trail

Truthfully, my heart is set on the Pacific Crest Trail. Unfortunately, this will require close to five months away from work, which I can't afford right now. I feel that the one to two month time frame is a good way for me to test the waters with long distance hiking. I had initially thought about the Great Divide Trail as this suited these requirements so far. On further investigation, that trail seemed to require just a touch more experience than I had, particularly with route finding. It was also rather remote, and while I like my solitude, I think for a first thru hike, I'd like a more developed trail. So I settled on the CT. It was always gonna be the Rockies anyways, we all know that :P.

When?

By early March, I was keeping an eye on the SNOTEL reports from the Rockies. Looked to be an average year - indicating that the high altitude passes would be easily passable by early July, I settled on a start date promptly after the holiday weekend.

Gear

Lighterpack Link - https://lighterpack.com/r/wmm922

pack

By this point, I have a pretty well refined kit. However, most of my hikes up until this point have not required resupplies and only lasted for three to four days at a time. I absolutely love my pack, the SWD 40 and was not going to bother changing that. I had bought the Dan Durston X-Mid 1P last year but saw minimal use but also really love that, even if it isn't the most UL option. I did however buy a kit to be able to pitch the net only. Figure I'll enjoy the starry nights in the San Juans proper, ya know. My quilt, a custom order from ULEnchilada will suffice. I traded out my X-Lite for a StS XT Women's Large Ether. I absolutely hate blowing up the X-Lite and the improved valve and stuff sack for the StS will do me a world of favor along with the shorter length. It also comes with a pillow lock system to grip the pillow in place.

Clothing-wise, I grabbed a few new things here. My old Lone Peak 3.5s had seen better days so I went to REI with the intention of getting fitted for a new pair - specifically not Altra's (just want to try something new). Unfortunately, after thirty minutes of sampling different shoes, I ended up walking out of the store with a new pair of Lone Peak 5s anyways :/. Also grabbed some Dirty Girl Gaiters to keep all them little pebbles/rocks out. In a moment of financial weakness, I also upgraded my hat to a Tilley T-4MO Hiker. Got rid of the rain pants (Such a pain in the ass stuffing your shoes into them) and grabbed a light rain kilt from ULA. Still debating on buying rain mitts. Also grabbed some of that fancy Duluth Underwear.

Grabbed the Databook, a Field Notebook, the Space Pen and re-bought my beloved NU25 that I had lost in California. My current head lamp is fine but the NU25 is just so great, intense power, USB rechargeable and redlight mode. Dropped my old bear bag because I absolutely do not want to be throwing rocks every night to hang it up and opted for a Ursack/Opsak combo. My Katadyn filter has also noticably slowed down so I upgraded to the fancy new Platypus Quickdraw. Between the sturdy fliptop/smart water bottle compatibility and fast filtration, I think this is the best in the game right now. We'll see if the flow rate holds up over time and if it can be adequately backflushed in the field. With this being my first multi resupply trip, I also upgraded my electronics. I bought a dual fast charger, a multi cable that goes from USB or USB-C to either USB-C, iphone or micro in addition to an NB10000 power brick (can't beat that MwH/oz). Also really upgraded my first aid kit.

Route

Planning the route/resupply plan was also particularly tricky. I wasn't huge on sending out resupply boxes and if I'm heading into town anyways, would rather just prefer going to grocery stores. I did have to parcel together 3 resupplies - one to start with, one for Ben to bring to me at Kenosha Pass and one to mail to Monarch (very long stretch of trail with little resupply options).

maildrop

I'm not too keen on carrying more than 4-5 days worth of food at a time - this gives me probably ~70ish miles at the start or ~95ish by the time my trail legs kick in. Ben Meseroll also plans to join me at Kenosha Pass at the end of Segment 5. With all this in mind, lets proceed planning the route by each resupply.

Segment1

My first portion will run from Waterton Canyon to Kenosha Pass. I estimate these 72 miles will take me about 4-5 days. I will be flying into Denver with this first resupply portioned in my pack. This is probably gonna be a pretty steady climb, not particularly high altitude but also with fresh legs, may take me a moment. I'll be starting the hike the morning of 7/5 and will reach Kenosha Pass late afternoon 7/9 probably.

Segment2

Ben will meet me at Kenosha Pass and will be bringing with him another resupply package. Approximately four dinners, four lunches and plenty of snacks. Our second portion of the hike will take us through segments 6, 7 and 8, approximately another 70 miles. We'll then hitch into Leadville to grab our next resupply and spend the night. This will likely be around 7/14.

Segment3

The next portion of hiking will take us through segments 9, 10, 11, CW01 and CW02. During segment 10, we will pull off for a side trip up Mount Massive (14,421 ft) which will be a round trip of seven miles. Ben Meseroll will peel off after segment 10 and catch a hitch back to Leadville. At mile marker 219 on segment CW02, I'll grab a hitch into Buena Vista to resupply. I estimate this'll be around  7/20-21.  This segment also marks my split to go down the Collegiate West as opposed to following the traditional CT route east. I'm opting for the alpine route for the grander views and challenge. I've also heard Hope Pass is stunning, so don't want to miss that! I'm also going to leave an alternative route open if I have the time/food/energy for a side trip down missouri gulch to peak bag Missouri Mountain, Mt Belford and Mt Oxford, which would be a total of 14 miles of high altitude hiking. I will also leave another route up Huron available climbing the Northwest slopes and descending the Southwest slopes, a total of 7 miles.

Segment4

My next run of hiking will take me through CW03, CW04 and parts of CW05 to grab a maildrop resupply at mile marker 262 where US50 intersects the trail. Only 43 miles, so shouldn't take me much longer than three days - arrival around 7/24ish?

Segment5

After this, I can finish out CW05 and make it through segments 15-20 after reuniting with the CT to try to grab a hitch into Creede and resupply in town there at mile marker 343. Or perhaps I'll arrange a shuttle. this is my longest haul, I'm guessing this will take me till 7/30.

Segment6

The next portion of hiking should take me from Creede to Silverton, about 70 miles again through segments 21-24 with a Silverton arrival by 8/4.

Segment7

From here I can push all the way to Durango through segments 25-28, maybe finishing the trail around 8/9?