“This is the first hike I took when I moved here six years ago,” said cousin Morgan Matthews as we embarked on a trek along the Colorado Trail from Durango the other day.
“I just love it,” she grinned, grabbing a poop-scoop sack from the handy-dandy dispenser at the trail head. “So does Turtle.”
The Colorado Trail is a 500-mile long trail stretching from Durango to Denver, and dog-friendly, as long as you’re a responsible pet owner.
Morgan admitted she had not trekked the entire 500 miles, but enjoyed this stretch of trail between Junction Creek Trail head, only minutes from downtown Durango, and the Kennebec Trail head, some 21.5 miles north, toward Rico, then Molas Pass. Turtle, her Bernese Mountain Dog, absolutely loved it!
In 1973, Bill Lucas, then the regional forester for the Rocky Mountain Region, and Merrill Hastings of Colorado Magazine conceived the idea of a “Rocky Mountain Trail” between Durango and Denver. The project was conceived as a Bicentennial project to be completed in 1976.
It took longer than that, yet through a tremendous amount of hard volunteer work and politicking, “Golden Spike” ceremonies were eventually conducted on Sept. 4, 1987 at Molas Pass, Camp Hale and Mt. Princeton. The ceremonies commemorated linking all the various sections of The Colorado Trail.
The trail is broken into 28 distinct segments, traveling through six wilderness areas and eight mountain ranges along the Continental Divide.
Those wilderness areas are the Weminuche, La Garita, Collegiate Peaks, Mt. Massive, Holy Cross and Lost Creek Wilderness Areas, each unique and spectacular in their own right.
According to the Colorado Trail Foundation, if you are planning a trip on The Trail this summer, you need “The Official Guidebook of the Colorado Trail Foundation, 7th Edition,” as well as the Colorado Trail Data Book and Colorado Trail Map CD-ROM.
All those items are available through the CT Bookstore, found online at: http://www.coloradotrail.org/store.html.
The Official Guidebook of The Colorado Trail Foundation lists the individual U.S. Geological Survey quadrangle maps required for each segment of the Trail and any other maps that are appropriate.
As Morgan said the other day, “We don’t need no stinkin’ maps.”
She knew exactly where we were going, and this trail is so wide and well-maintained, you’d really have to try to get lost here. (Disclaimer: Don’t sue me if you get lost here. You should have listened to the experts, not some dumb outdoor columnist!)
We had a great hike as Turtle jumped into the cool rushing water of Junction Creek, then raced back and forth on the trail like a puppy, shaking and playing, until we encountered other hikers. Then, Morgan had Turtle at her side.
We hiked for a few miles and a couple of hours, passing other hikers with pets, all well in control. You should expect dogs here, at least within a couple of miles of this trail head. It is, after all, located in the middle of a college town.
Temperatures last week were in the high 60s and low 70s, but spring is not as far along in Durango as it is in the Happy Valley. The willows along Junction Creek were just beginning to bud.
Runoff is in full swing as the creek was swollen and racing toward the Animas River, which is already high and muddy from the spring thaw.
Although you can hook up to the Colorado Trail in a number of different spots up along Colorado’s Continental Divide, special CTF-supported treks “may be the most enjoyable way to experience The Colorado Trail.”
Participants hike The Trail carrying only their day packs on five-day excursions.
Camping gear is shuttled to the next camp by the trek staff. According to the Foundation, “All meals are provided, and have been characterized as gourmet for the backcountry. Trekkers find it so enjoyable that they often return to experience more of The Trail.”
The CTF offers several week-long supported treks each summer. Participants are treated to some of the most spectacular scenery in Colorado. Meals and trekking guides are provided and gear shuttle enables each trekker to travel light.
Even without a backpack, these treks are rigorous, with hiking days averaging about 15 miles. You’ll have to train a little so you and your feet will be in good condition, and you have to handle altitude.
Trail users experience long stretches along the Continental Divide, topping out at 13,334 feet. More information is available from the CTF at http://www.coloradotrail.org.
Morgan didn’t have to train. She’s been doing it for the past six years. Turtle didn’t have to train. She’s a dog. Me, on the other hand ... well, good thing Morgan didn’t go too much farther — or faster.
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E-mail Bill Haggerty at haggerty20@bresnan.net.
Colorado Trail
Drive Time and Distance: 3 hours, 42 minutes; 172.1 miles
Length: 21.5 miles From Junction Creek Trail head to Kennebec Trail head
Hiking Time: As long as you want
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
