CT Segments 28-25
Durango to Molas Pass
78 mi. / +15,308’ / -11,527’ / 4 days
It took 5 years, but we finally finished our northbound adventure on the Colorado Trail. In a word, it was epic. Or ‘sick’ if you’re an 11-year-old.
We finished with a bang, having saved the five-star scenery between Durango and Silverton for last. As NOBO hikers we would the finish near Silverton, our favorite trail town.
Day 0:
Slept in the Jeep at Little Molas TH.
Woke up shivering. Our summer-weight car-camping Camino bags didn’t cut it on a clear night at 11,000’.
Day 1: Junction Creek TH to Kennebec Pass
19.5 miles / +4,710’ / -1,617’ / 9:24
Hitched from Molas Pass to Junction Creek TH in Durango, which was challenging at 7 AM on a Sunday. Wrote ‘Durango’ on Matthew’s sleeping pad and things turned around quickly.
We soon forgot we were ever cold as we slogged up the south-facing slope out of Durango at a painfully low 7,000’.
Something else we forgot: a CTF Timeless Trucker Youth Hat at Gudy’s Rest. Hope another kid is enjoying it.
Camped at 10,150’ in the last flat spot before the ascent to Kennebec Pass.
Woke up sweating — too warm for our 3-season quilts.
Day 2: Kennebec Pass to Corral Draw Trail
25 miles / +4,480’ / -3,806’ / 12:22
Hiked up to Taylor Lake.
Powered our ascent to Indian Trail Ridge with Nerds Gummy Clusters, secret weapon of ultra-runners.
Basked in the rampant wildflowers on top.
It was one of those days when you just felt like walking forever. Which we almost did.
We finally made camp at 10,800’ near the intersection with Corral Draw Trail.
Sweated out another warm night.
Day 3: Corral Draw Trail to Cascade Creek
19.2 miles / +3,434’ / -3,228’ / 9:06
Hiked over Blackhawk Pass to Celebration Lake. We began to realize why 99% of the traffic on this route is south-bound. More than a few of the NOBO ascent grades were brutal.
Waited out a thunderstorm near the lake. Chatted with mountain bikers on a supported SOBO lap of the same segments. Made plans to return with bikes and do something similar.
Continued over the next saddle and camped high and dry on the ridge at 11,200’ a mile south of Cascade Creek, directly across the valley from Engineer Mountain.
In bed by 7 PM. Still too warm.
North side of Blackhawk Pass
Day 4: Cascade Creek to Little Molas TH
14.5 miles / +2,684’ / -2,876’ / 7:09
Started at 5 AM so we could get over Rolling Pass before predicted storms.
The trail designers finally threw us a bone, and we had a relatively easy walk up the south side of Rolling Pass.
Enjoyed more stunning scenery, including a smoky sunrise over Rolling Pass.
Wildflowers everywhere.
Ate hot food in Silverton.
Done!
When in Silverton:
Matthew recommends Kendall Mountain Cafe for your protein needs, and the Coffee Bear for caffeine and a fantastic terrace.
Coffee Bear: best rooftop in Silverton.
What next? There’s still plenty to do.
Bike all legally bikeable CT segments which we haven’t already ridden.
Backpack the remaining portions of the CDT which pass through Colorado.
We still need 25 of the 58 Colorado 14ers.
We are interested in fastpacking Slowlans, an off-trail UL backpacking version of Nolan’s 14, since it’s in our back yard and we know the peaks well. Before we get too much older.
