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.
Ahhh sorry about your wife but I hope she is doing well now/ has recovered! As far as your concerns, there is plenty of water on the CT. There's just a couple of spots where you have to carry it for 10 miles or so but as long as you're paying attention to where the next water source is, it's totally fine. If you start in late August/ early September, you will also likely miss monsoon season, which is what brings in the afternoon storms. You will probably still have to deal with heat though unfortunately, at least until you get high into the mountains. As far as altitude... the nice thing is that you start fairly low (around 5,000 or 6,000 feet) and climb up slowly and stay fairly high. So I personally did not have any issues. You could always bring some Diamox along if you're nervous about it!
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)
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 💕
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. 😢
Yeah it’s been really interesting to watch my guests in Colorado - some seem really affected by elevation and others barely at all. I always feel it my first couple of days at high elevation. That’s wild about the death in Dillon - I don’t recall hearing about that before.
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
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.
Great tips - thanks for adding! You can bring lighters and matches on the plane but you have to put them in your carry on. I do always have to buy fuel once I get to my destination though. I personally have not had a problem with BIC lighters at high elevation - they’ve worked fine for me.
I’m really surprised to hear that! I don’t often run into many mosquitoes in Colorado, and I didn’t have any at all that I recall on the Colorado Trail. Where did you run into them? Lake City is amazing! 🤩
@@AudreyAdventures I am! My friend, Liz, and I are going for the overall self supported FKT on the trail :) We start in less than a month!! I'm not used to CO wilderness so trying to learn all I can before heading out. Any tips beyond this video?
@@taratreks Ha - I knew it! Girl you’re crazy haha. But good luck!! I’d just be sure to start early in the day to avoid the afternoon storms. The trail is pretty smooth compared to trails back East so I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by that. Are you coming in a couple days early to get used to the elevation? Lemme know if you need anything once you’re out here!
@@AudreyAdventures yeah I am! I’ll be there a week before acclimating! Good to hear the trails are smoother. How long on average would you say the thunderstorms last? I heard they can get pretty bad from 12-3
@@taratreks Ah cool! We should try to meet up for a little hike or something while you're here! The thunderstorms really aren't as regular as people would want to make you think haha. During my CT hike, they tended to be much later in the day. We'd usually be at camp before they hit, but then it would rain all night. Last summer was particularly rainy in the mountains though. But sometimes it would be in the early to mid-afternoon range and we'd set up our tents and chill for a couple hours then move on. The "norm" is that they're short and last just a couple hours in the afternoon, but it really depends on the year.
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.
That’s very cool that you are section hiking it! What’s been your favorite part so far? Sounds like your body doesn’t mind elevation too much. It really affects some people more than others, I have found. The Collegiate West is awesome - hope your perfect weather streak continues when you come back for that section!
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.
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.
Ahhh sorry about your wife but I hope she is doing well now/ has recovered! As far as your concerns, there is plenty of water on the CT. There's just a couple of spots where you have to carry it for 10 miles or so but as long as you're paying attention to where the next water source is, it's totally fine. If you start in late August/ early September, you will also likely miss monsoon season, which is what brings in the afternoon storms. You will probably still have to deal with heat though unfortunately, at least until you get high into the mountains. As far as altitude... the nice thing is that you start fairly low (around 5,000 or 6,000 feet) and climb up slowly and stay fairly high. So I personally did not have any issues. You could always bring some Diamox along if you're nervous about it!
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)
Great tip!!
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 💕
It's such a great trail. I hope you have an amazing time!
great advice, thank you !
Definitely agree with the east and west options / suggestion
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.
You’re welcome and that’s awesome - I hope you have a great experience!
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. 😢
Yeah it’s been really interesting to watch my guests in Colorado - some seem really affected by elevation and others barely at all. I always feel it my first couple of days at high elevation. That’s wild about the death in Dillon - I don’t recall hearing about that before.
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
You got lucky - it can take some people much longer! :)
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.
Great tips - thanks for adding! You can bring lighters and matches on the plane but you have to put them in your carry on. I do always have to buy fuel once I get to my destination though. I personally have not had a problem with BIC lighters at high elevation - they’ve worked fine for me.
Great tips. Doing Silverton to Durango this summer. I’m super excited. Thanks for sharing. Crow✌️
That section is wonderful - enjoy!
@@AudreyAdventures😮
That’s amazing advice, thanks for taking the time to help us.
You’re welcome!
Awesome as always Audrey! Thank you for sharing!🥾🥾❤️
Thank you for the really helpful and inspiring video. I hope to be a SoBo starting in late June.
You’re welcome! And excellent - happy trails!
This was incredibly helpful information! Thanks so much!!!
You're welcome! Happy trails!
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.
I’m really surprised to hear that! I don’t often run into many mosquitoes in Colorado, and I didn’t have any at all that I recall on the Colorado Trail. Where did you run into them? Lake City is amazing! 🤩
Absolutely Beautiful! the Trail is pretty cool too
🥰🥰🥰
@@AudreyAdventures just call it like i see it. :-) thank you
Great video very helpful. Thanks
You're welcome!
Hi Audrey! watching this to get ready for my CT hike!
Hi, Tara!! So excited for you! When do you start? You’re not running it are you? 😜
@@AudreyAdventures I am! My friend, Liz, and I are going for the overall self supported FKT on the trail :) We start in less than a month!! I'm not used to CO wilderness so trying to learn all I can before heading out. Any tips beyond this video?
@@taratreks Ha - I knew it! Girl you’re crazy haha. But good luck!! I’d just be sure to start early in the day to avoid the afternoon storms. The trail is pretty smooth compared to trails back East so I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by that. Are you coming in a couple days early to get used to the elevation? Lemme know if you need anything once you’re out here!
@@AudreyAdventures yeah I am! I’ll be there a week before acclimating! Good to hear the trails are smoother. How long on average would you say the thunderstorms last? I heard they can get pretty bad from 12-3
@@taratreks Ah cool! We should try to meet up for a little hike or something while you're here! The thunderstorms really aren't as regular as people would want to make you think haha. During my CT hike, they tended to be much later in the day. We'd usually be at camp before they hit, but then it would rain all night. Last summer was particularly rainy in the mountains though. But sometimes it would be in the early to mid-afternoon range and we'd set up our tents and chill for a couple hours then move on. The "norm" is that they're short and last just a couple hours in the afternoon, but it really depends on the year.
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.
That’s very cool that you are section hiking it! What’s been your favorite part so far? Sounds like your body doesn’t mind elevation too much. It really affects some people more than others, I have found. The Collegiate West is awesome - hope your perfect weather streak continues when you come back for that section!
Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Waterton Canyon is a 7 mile walk where you are exposed and it’s really, really hot. 90’s by 11:00 am.
Very helpful!!!
You nailed it!
Thank you! 😄
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.
August is a great time to hike - happy trails!
These mountain bikers need to be the ones to yield right of way.... slow down!!!!!!
Beer Stipend!
Yay thank you!!