Colorado Trail
Covering 469 miles in its journey from Denver to Durango, the Colorado Trail accesses a variety of mountain terrain throughout the state. Built mostly by volunteers under the direction of Gudy Gaskill, this trans-state trail linked many existing trails to form one continuous route. On September 4, 1987, completion ceremonies were held at three locations along the trail. One of these sites was 10,880-foot Molas Pass, about 45 miles north of Durango. While portions of the Colorado Trail still need work, hikers can choose to complete either the entire route or countless different segments of it. One particularly interesting stretch of the trail heads 12 miles west from Molas Pass to the head of Cascade Creek, then turns south to follow three lesser routes to Coal Bank Pass. What makes this an especially nice excursion is the fact that most of the route is at or above timberline. This translates into unbelievable scenery throughout.
Driving Directions
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Directions to: Colorado Trail
print directionsTrail Statistics & Information
| Activity | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Nearby City | Durango |
| Length | 23 mi |
| Elevation Gain | 0 ft |
| Skill Level | Strenuous |
| Duration | 3 days |
| Season | July to September |
| Trailhead Elevation | 10,880 ft |
| Top Elevation | 12,490 ft |
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