Colorado Trail: Segment 12

Colorado Trail: Segment 12 is a 19.6-mile point-to-point segment of the Colorado Trail that runs from Clear Creek Road south to the Silver Creek Trailhead located off of North Cottonwood Road. Through this segment, you'll encounter a series of steep ups and downs as you traverse the eastern edge of the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, a magnificent mountainous landscape.  There are opportunities to climb three different 14ers (mountains exceeding 14,000 feet of elevation) along with pleasant backcountry campsites, and numerous water sources. 

The Colorado Trail is a long distance trail that spans 485 miles from Denver to Durango traversing through the Colorado Rocky Mountains. A majority of the trail is located at a high altitude, with an average elevation of 10,000 feet. It is a multi-use trail that is open to hikers, backpackers, equestrians, and mountain bikers in certain areas (bicycles are prohibited in designated wilderness areas.

PEAK BAGGING

During this segment of the Colorado Trail, you can access the following 14ers:

• Mount Oxford (14,160’)

• Mount Harvard (14,421’)

• Mount Yale (14,200’)

MILES AND WAYPOINTS

00.00 - Start 

01.80 - Wilderness boundary.

06.40 - Cross Pine Creek.

17.00 - Wilderness boundary.

19.60 - End

COLLEGIATE LOOP

This segment is part of the 160-mile Collegiate Loop. Completing the entire loop is an adventure in and of itself, and many thru-hikers add it on to their overall trip. For more information about the Collegiate Loop visit ​​https://coloradotrail.org/traveling-the-ct/collegiate-east-west/.  

WATER

There is plenty of water along this segment, though you should still treat it before drinking.

BICYCLE ALTERNATE

Bicycles are required to follow a mandatory detour around the designated wilderness. 

SHUTTLE ACCESS

This segment is accessible by car from both the southern and northern ends. Access points for this segment include the Clear Creek Road Trailhead and Silver Creek Trailhead. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Colorado Trail Foundation

USFS - Collegiate Peaks Wilderness