Recommendations for Colorado Backpack?

[Janice]

@lostlandscapes has posted an excellent trip report for the Holy Cross Wilderness https://backcountrypost.com/threads/9-5-9-7-15-holy-cross-wilderness-co.5145/

Thanks so much - I'll check it out. I would love to see that same sunset - wow!

 

[LarryBoy]

Any 30 mile loop in Colorado will likely be crawling with people - for the simple reason that this is the exact kind of trip that everyone else likes to do too. Are you willing to set up your own car shuttle? If so you'll have a lot more possibilities

 

[LarryBoy]

One thought... on the CDT/CT collegiate west, theres a new trail on the east side of the Divide between the North Fork of Chalk Creek and the base of Lake Ann Pass. The old route was to the west of the Divide, over Tincup Pass etc. Apparently the old routing did follow ATV trails and such, but the new routing is all lovely sungleteack.

You could probably make a loop with the old and new routes. Get your hands on the Jonathan Ley CDT maps (phlumf.com) and that should be plenty.

 

[Janice]

Any 30 mile loop in Colorado will likely be crawling with people - for the simple reason that this is the exact kind of trip that everyone else likes to do too. Are you willing to set up your own car shuttle? If so you'll have a lot more possibilities

We'll have two cars, so YES we can do a car shuttle. When I was exploring options In the Weminuche, though, the drive from one trailhead to another would have taken a long time (4 hours) so I abandoned that idea. But if you have suggestions for other straight line hikes with reasonable shuttle drives, I would love to hear them. THANKS!

 

[Janice]

One thought... on the CDT/CT collegiate west, theres a new trail on the east side of the Divide between the North Fork of Chalk Creek and the base of Lake Ann Pass. The old route was to the west of the Divide, over Tincup Pass etc. Apparently the old routing did follow ATV trails and such, but the new routing is all lovely sungleteack.

You could probably make a loop with the old and new routes. Get your hands on the Jonathan Ley CDT maps (phlumf.com) and that should be plenty.

Super - I'll check it out!

 

[Janice]

LCW is nice but (relatively speaking for CO) doesn't really deliver on the views imo.

Rawah Wilderness is worth checking out. Lots of lakes, alpine vistas, large animals.

After someone else mentioned Collegiate Peaks, I've been researching that and notice that you did a trip there in 2017. What did you think of it? If you liked it, I'd love to hear your route - I'm not sure which parts of the 160 miles to look at!