The Colorado Trail is a premier thru-hiking (567 miles) trail in the USA. The CT is split into 28 Segments from Denver to Durango. These next few posts, all with 4K 360° VR Video, are a recap of my hike of the first 5 sections. Section 1 begins south of Denver at Waterton Canyon and section 5 ends at an altitude of 10,000 feet at the Kenosha Pass.
Segment 1 – Colorado Trail – Waterton Canyon Trailhead to South Platte River Trailhead
A tail of 2 hikes. Section 1 is 16.5 miles with an altitude gain of 2830ft and an altitude drop of 2,239. I humorously title the first section, “a tail of 2 hikes” because this hike is split into two distinct and specific styles. The first 6.5 miles are dominated by the gradual climb of the original Denver, Leadville, and Gunnison Railway now used as an access road for the Strontia Springs Dam. Once you pass the dam and the Denver Water District buildings, the real hike begins.
The day before I started my hike, Rick and I went down to the Waterton Canyon Trailhead to check things out. I took the opportunity to take some film while I could recharge my batteries. Colorado Trail Association: https://coloradotrail.org I purchased both the Guide Book and Data Book.
If you are going to hike or ride the trail, you’ll want the databook: https://coloradotrail.org/product/col… The databook is light enough to bring with you. I kept mine in my front pocket because that’s how often I referred to it during the hike.
Most of our videos are filmed in a full 360° arc, this means you should be able to use your device to move the video around and up and down. If you are having issues or if you are watching with VR goggles, click over and watch our SwissCheeseTrails playlist directly on YouTube.
I began my hike with a fast introduction to Bighorn sheep. The Waterton Canyon portion is totally exposed but an easy walk with water all along. You don’t need to carry a lot of water because the river is always with you. However, when you reach the Strontia Springs Dam, access to the river is not great so fill up before you get there. This is a busy stretch with lots of day hikers and bikers. Once you get to the Strontia Springs Dam, the trail truly begins. If you are trying to make time, then punch through this section because it’s so easy.
The Strontia Springs Dam is the first dam of this style that I’ve seen. I’ve seen very large dams that span across wide-low areas. This is a Hoover Dam style; very tall and between two mountains. I know this is reasonably small compared to dams such as the Hoover Dam and I need to work my way up to those bigger ones.
Lenny’s Rest represents the first of many peaks. This is still low altitude overall, but this is the first time when you will feel like you are in nature and on a thru-hike.
Bear’s Creek is the first ‘preferred’ campsite area. There are several sites. If you are beginning your hike, push on to another campsite because better things are ahead. If you are ending your thru-hike, this is the last place to camp before finishing and reentry to civilization. I stopped for an extended meal break. My first pasta meal was a total failure and I had to bury it. However, the break allowed me to settle down and get into my hike. It’s a great feeling when you take control of YOUR hike. Everyone hikes differently with different paces, styles, desires, and sequencing. When I allow myself to take that first good break of a long hike, that’s when I switch to my time, my hike.
Leaning Rocks Campsite is an ideal first-night campsite. I arrived with time enough to enjoy my view and the sunset. Are you a hiker or a camper? Answer in the comments. I’m a hiker. I read this somewhere, that the way you determine if you are a hiker or a camper is what you envision yourself doing before you go on an adventure. Are you envisioning the trail, the views, and making distance or are you envisioning cooking, camp conversations, being in the tent?
Knowing this makes a difference for your sequencing. I don’t mind taking longer breaks every once in a while, but I don’t like being in a tent when the sun is up. So, I plan to arrive at a campsite about an hour before sunset. That hour gives me time to arrive, set up the tent, and begin food prep. Then, at my leisure, after the sun sets, I can get into the tent and sleep.
Although it doesn’t show up on film very well, this was one of the most spectacular sunrises I’ve ever seen. Such a deep red color. I enjoyed going to sleep and waking up with the sun. Since many of the CT campsites are dry, I started a different breakfast sequence. Instead of morning coffee in camp; I woke up, grabbed a cereal bar, and headed out. I would then have my coffee & oatmeal as my first break at a water source.
The CT provides many opportunities to see where you are headed with grand vistas. There are some additional amazing campsites if you know where to look. The end of Section 1 is at the South Platte River, the same river that feeds the Strontia Springs Reservoir and cuts the Waterton Canyon.
Ultimately, the South Platte flows into Nebraska and becomes the Platte River near Omaha. Since I drove here from Chicago, I have been following the South Platte River waters upstream for hundreds of miles. And occasionally, drinking its water. I feel like a modern-day explorer, as much as one can explore in our modern-day.