Colorado Trail Peaks Route: Durango to Animas River

The idea of a high route alternate to the Colorado Trail had been festering in my mind for the previous few months after devouring Gerry Roach's gospel on Colorado's 13ers and 14ers. I pieced together route descriptions and whatever gpx files I could find into a coherent route on CalTopo.

The plan was to start in Durango, the southern terminus of the Colorado Trail, and hike north to the summit of Longs Peak, the northern most 14er in Colorado, over the next month summitting twenty-five of Colorado's hundred highest peaks in about 600 miles. I named this the Colorado Trail Peaks Route.

I started hiking north from Durango in the afternoon on June 23rd. The first 100 miles of the route is all on the excellent Colorado Trail. Having done a SOBO thru-hike in 2018, I was excited to cover the same miles, but in the beginning of a hike as opposed to the end. I did about 13 miles that evening, making use of the long June days.

On Day 2 I climbed up to Kennebec Pass and the Indian Ridge. The views here are outstanding. The Taylor Lake view just north of pass is one of the most photographed places on the entire CT. The heart of the Weminchue Wilderness and its rugged peaks were all clearly visible to the east. This section is a little dry, but perfect weather and easy trail helped me get 31 miles for the day.

The next morning started with another pass, Blackhawk Pass. From here the trail starts to take on a more distinctive San Juan feel. The wild flowers were starting to pop, the peaks closer to the trail and more rugged, and beautiful water sources. I continued through this wonderland all day with more perfect weather before making to Molas Pass and the Molas Pass campground where my first maildrop awaited me.

I got in at 8pm, an hour after they officially closed, but the caretaker kindly opened the store and gave me my box. I purchased a campsite for the night and plugged in my electronics.

I left a little late on Day 4 in an effort to top off my phone battery. The trail steeply descends down to the Animas River before a big climb up to the Continental Divide at 12,700'.


Day 1: 12.7 miles
Day 2: 31.4 miles
Day 3: 31.8 miles


Follow/Contact on IG: @davidbraunlich
 
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Colorado Trail Peaks Route Gear List: https://lighterpack.com/r/d2w6fj

Me talking about gear for this hike:    • Colorado Trail Gear List from a TWO TIME T...