San Isabel National Forest
Colorado Trail #1776

The Colorado Trail travels some 500 miles across Colorado and connects Denver with Durango. Parts of the trail are handicapped accessible, parts are quite difficult.

Elevations:

• Trail beginning: 5,500' (at Denver)
• High Point: 13,240'
• Trail ending: 7,000' (at Durango)

Notes: Crossing 7 national forests, 6 wilderness areas, 8 mountain ranges and 5 major river drainages, the Colorado Trail is a magnificent monster. Most of the trail is above 10,000', and many long stretches are above 12,000'. There are a lot of different access points to the Colorado Trail and it has something for nearly everyone: from day hikes for the family to extended backcountry adventures for the strong of heart (and leg). If you're intent on hiking the whole trail, figure 6 to 8 weeks of fun. Because quite a bit of the trail is across wilderness areas, mountain bikes need to go around them. However, a fit mountain biker can make the trip in about 4 weeks.

On the San Isabel National Forest, the Colorado Trail travels from South Cottonwood to Chalk Creek to Brown's Creek to US 50 where it crosses the highway and then follows Fooses and South Fooses Creek up to the Continental Divide.