Route: Colorado Trail (CO)

Location
Colorado, US
Distance
500 mi
Vertical Gain
90,000 ft
Description

This is a Premier Route. To claim an FKT on this route, you must meet a high standard of documentation and verification. See details here: https://fastestknowntime.com/premier-routes.

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The Colorado Trail (CT) runs 500 miles from Denver to Durango. It travels through some of the most spectacular country in Colorado, through 6 wilderness
Leaflet | Map data © Google
GPS Track

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I'd like to publicly announce that I will be attempting the overall unsupported fkt on the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango starting this Saturday 7/14/2018.

This will follow a traditional unsupported fkt attempt- 

I will carry everything except water from start to finish. 

I will not accept any trail magic, support, or outside assistance.

I will not be picking up caches or supplies at any point.

I will be on foot the entire time and accept no muleing/pacing etc.

I will be using a SPOT device to track my location at various times along the way. I will send off a location at night and some point during each day. There will be no live tracking due to battery life. 

I will be posting updates on Instagram if you want to follow along (@colahikes).

I’m excited to follow behind those who have hiked before me especially those who have set/ attempted the fkt already. 

Cola

The CT officially reopened today.

I'd like to publicly announce that I will be attempting the overall SELF-supported FKT on the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango starting this Monday 7/16/2018. I will likely start at 0400. I will try to better the current self-supported FKT at 9d14 hrs and ideally JZ's FKT at 9d12 as it is lower than current self-supported.

 

This will follow a traditional self-supported "thru-hiker"  FKT attempt.

I will not accept any trail magic, support, or outside assistance.

I will use mail drops, caches and businesses as necessary. I will only have a total of 3 resupplies.

I will be on foot the entire time and accept no muling/pacing etc.

I will be using an Inreach device to track my location along the way. I will likely send off a location at night. There will be live tracking as long as battery management is reasonable. For verification, I will also use a Garmin Fenix 3 which has GPS as well to backup Inreach.

My inreach link is here: https://share.garmin.com/DrDre

I am excited to go for this. It will motivate me that Cola is on route too. I will most likely never see him (he'll be 100 miles ahead when I start!)  but it will be nice to have a "rabbit" way ahead of me!

 

JZ's time is amazing and I'm excited to try to beat it. Lets pray for rain and no more fires.

Cheers,
Dre'

I am starting a female supported FKT attempt of the CO Trail tomorrow late afternoon in Durango. Here is the link to my DeLorme:  https://share.garmin.com/SheilaHuss

I will be going from Durango to Waterton Canyon and taking the east variation in the Collegiate area. I will have plenty of witnesses, photo documentation, and written documentation in addition to the DeLorme. I posted the link on Facebook, and my husband, other crew, and friends who run with me likely will update that post with information and pictures (or create separate posts) on a regular basis.

My connection to the CO Trail is strong, and I'm really looking forward to spending the next 9ish days out there!

Sheila Huss

Sheila stopped at Carson Saddle early this morning.  She was a attacked and injured by sheep dogs yesterday afternoon, and needed to have her injuries attended too.  Really a shame as she seemed to be doing very well!

-Admin

Hi guys, I want to announce that I am attempting an unsupported FKT attempt of the CT from Durango to Denver this July. I am going to be carrying all of my food from start to finish. There will be no outside support. I will be taking the CW route. Wish me luck! 

Hello all, 

I am planning a FKT attempt for self-supported Colorado Trail East-West w CWE route. Thru-hiker style. No outside assistance including trail magic. Will begin in Waterton, July 21, 2019. Attempting to best John Zahorian’s and Brandon Staponowich’s records. It will be a huge challenge as their times are very strong.

Hopefully, there won’t be too much avalanche debris and downed trees! I will post my inreach link so I can be tracked. I will attempt to maintain tracking whenever moving, unless I have battery life issues. I will also verify a successful FKT attempt with my Garmin watch.

Third times the charm?

Hello.

Just a bit of clarification, are you attempting a SELF supported FKT or an UN supported FKT?  John Zahorian holds the FKT for unsupported at 9d12h32m.  Brandon Stapanowich holds the FKT for the self supported at 9d14h28m.  Self supported means you would have mailed packages to resupply.  Unsupported means you will have everything with you from beginning to end with no resupply or outside support whatsoever.  

Are you SELF or UN supported?  Also, please send your garmin Inreach link.  

Hello FKT world!

I will be attempting an UNsupported FKT on the Colorado Trail beginning August 1st at 5 AM.  I will be traveling from Waterton Canyon to Durango and use the Collegiate East route.  I will carry all my food and supplies from start to finish and not accept any outside assistance, to include no trail magic.  I have informed John Zahorian, current unsupported FKT holder, of my attempt.  My attempt can be followed/verified by my Garmin Inreach device in two places:

Garmin Inreach: https://share.garmin.com/ScottJaimeColoradoTrail2019

Trackleaders: http://trackleaders.com/cti.php?name=Fast_Eddy

I will also have the ability to post on Twitter (@mexifast) and FB along the way via the Garmin Inreach.  

I was unable to complete my journey on the Colorado Trail.  I was unprepared mentally and physically to go unsupported.  My FKT attempt ended pretty early as I was only able to complete ~35 miles a day for 3 days with a much too heavy pack.  I'm really intrigued to become more efficient in the mountains based on this attempt.  

Big congrats to Dr. Dre for setting the Self-Supported FKT!  

 Scott, 

Good effort! I can’t imagine unsupported.

One of the main reasons I did the Colorado Trail was seeing your documentary in Durango back in the day. Great job on all your efforts. Maybe someday our paths will cross.

 

David is doing a great job. I hope he can continue. It’s nice to see so much activity on the record. Take care, dre’

I noticed that as of this morning David Ruttum declared a new UNsupported FKT for the Colorado Trail. However, his initial announcement said he was starting a "fully supported" attempt starting on August 4. While tracking his spot, it appears that all of his sleeps were at road crossings. Based on this as well as the language in the updates, someone else was with him likely helping him.

Given this, I wish to challenge this being the new UNsupported record. Here are David's announcements and updates [emphasis mine]:

I intend to challenge the current fully supported FKT on Colorado Trail Northbound with Colorado Trail West. I will start in Durango morning of Sunday 4 August.

Day 1 (8/04):  Left Junction Creek TH about 5:00AM.  David hiked until about 2AM and slept a bit at Little Molas Lake, about 72 miles.

Day 2 (8/05):  Reached Hwy 149, 127.2 miles (55 for the day).

Day 3 (8/06):  Hwy 114, 182.2 miles in 3 days!

Day 4 (8/07):  Marshall Pass, 217.8 miles.

Day 5 (8/08):  Cottonwood Pass (Collegiate West), 218 miles to go.

Day 6 (8/09):  Twin Lakes, 181.2 miles to go.

Day 7 (8/10):  Cataract Creek (east of Camp Hale), 134.3 miles to go.

Day 8 (8/11):  N Fork Swan River, 91.4 miles to go.

Day 9 (8/12):  At 10PM David took a break of less than 3 hours at Wellington Lake Rd, 40.4 miles to go.  He started again around 12:45AM, leaving him about 16h45m to break John Zahorian's unsupported FKT! GO!

Day 10 (8/13):  Finished at Waterton Canyon TH about 2:30PM, for a total time of about 9d9h30m !  NEW UNSUPPORTED FKT by about 3 hours!

My bad! Somehow I got it mixed up in my mind. Supported is right, so no FKT. I’ll fix that ASAP. (David made no such claim - entirely my fault.)

Hello everyone!

I am planning a Self Supported FKT attempt of the Colorado Trail, collegiate East, thru hiker style with no outside support including trail magic beginning Friday September 6th around 6am MST from Waterton Canyon. I’ll be attempting to break Andre Michaud’s record of 8 days 23 hours and 16 minutes which will be very difficult. I have a lot of respect for this record and this trail and I know it will be quite the test. I will be caching food, picking up mail drops, and buying food along the way. I am sharing my Garmin link so you can follow my progress along the way and verify a new record if one is set. 

Garmin inreach : https://share.garmin.com/Grizzly

 

I had to abandon my Self Supported FKT effort today due to a quad injury unfortunately. 

Starting July 18th, 2020 I will be attempting to beat the current self-supported FKT on the Colorado Trail (East to West, Collegiate East) held by Andre Michaud. I will be tracking my trip with a SPOT device and a GPS watch which I will be uploading to Strava. I will be doing it "thru-hiker style" as Scott Williamson laid out in his 2008 FKT - no support crew, using mail drops, and picking up food and supplies in towns along the way. No rides in vehicles – unless injured or ill and needing medical attention.

www.facebook.com/allllwright

www.instagram.com/allllwright

www.strava.com/athletes/allllwright

www.allllwright.com

I will be attempting to set a self-supported female FKT for the East to West, Collegiate West route of the Colorado Trail starting on July 24th, 2020. I will be using mail drops and purchase supplies along the way, without any pre-arranged outside support. I will be tracking my trip with an Inreach device from which I will send my location at some points throughout the day (battery life permitting) and at the end of the day. You can follow my progress at:

share.garmin.com/marilynemg

Hello all,

I will attempt to improve on Joe Grant's (le bon coureur franco-americain) SUPPORTED FKT of E-W Colorado Trail (8d20h09m), Collegiate west variant. In keeping with social distancing, I will have a one-man support team, my oldest friend, David Greedy. 

I'm planning to start early morning August 5th at Waterton CYN. 

I'm excited by another opportunity and humbled by the many attempts in the last few years.

My inreach will be transmitting my location from start to finish every day, assuming no issues with battery life, etc. I will likely have a backup Garmin if necessary. I will turn off at night. 

My garmin: https://share.garmin.com/DrDre

 

Cheers, Andre'

I'd like to publicly announce that I will be attempting a supported FKT on the Colorado Trail from Durango to Denver starting 07/27/2020. 

I will be using a Garmin Inreach
https://share.garmin.com/FU5TS

I will be taking the Collegiate East route.

Announcing it makes it feel pretty real.

Hey everyone!

I will be attempting the Unsupported FKT on the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango on Thursday, August 6th.  I will be carrying all of my own gear and food from start to finish and will not have any pacers or outside support of any kind.  I will be taking the Collegiate East Route and attempting to beat the current record of 9 days, 12 hours, and 32 minutes set by Mr. John Zahorian.

I will be using my Garmin 935 as well as a Garmin Inreach Mini for backup (and live tracking) which I will turn off at night.

My Garmin: share.garmin.com/JuiceColoradoTrailFKT

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Hello Internet!

Today (7/30) I will begin an attempt to break Olga King's self-supported FKT for the CT. 

I have three mail drops. I have no pre-arranged support (mailing, pacing, etc). I will be on foot the entire time--if I get in a vehicle the attempt's a no-go.

I will be using an Inreach device to track my location (once a an hour if battery life permits. I will also send off a location each night (so my mom can sleep ?) and once during the day just to be extra sure. I'm happy to make that data public after the attempt (the FKT guys have it for now). I will be posting public updates on my insta: @mikaelaosler.

Hooray!

Mikaela/FlyBy

I just would like to state that Mikaela's record is absolutely stunning. Biggest take away is that it was SO close to male record, only a day difference! And the dedication it takes to do more than a handful of days of such mileage on this terrain. It'll stay here for a long time. Supported records are great, but this whole thing "nobody but myself" is a whole different universe. Way to go, girl! Full respect. Not many females want and able to go alone the whole way, and push to that extend. Also, congrats on VT.

Making the official announcement, in about 12 hours I'll be leaving Durango on my attempt to establish a Denver bound, Collegiate East self supported FKT and challenge Andre Michaud's current overall self supported FKT. Doing it fully self supported - no pacers, no crews, no friends meeting me to drop supplies or hike with me. I'm planning to not get in a car to follow Andre's footsteps, however if a planned resupply location falls through due to closure, missing package, or some other unforseen circumstance I may then hitch hike in order to resupply, returning to the exact location I left the trail.

I'll be tracking on my watch and uploading to Strava - https://www.strava.com/athletes/24593115 . In addition I'll be taking lots of pictures and videos, including pictures showing my watch in front of recognizable landmarks for further verification.

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Good Morning! 
I’m excited to announce that I’ll be attempting the Colorado trail female FKT. Going NOBO collegiate East, Supported and carrying all my own gear. Picking up resupplies from friends along the way. 
I will be posting and having a friend post to Facebook/Instagram during the trip. 
I can not wait to explore 500 sMiles of beautiful Colorado! 
Feeling real now that it’s on the page! 

The link to my SPOT device that I’ll be using to track. Also tracking with my COROS and uploading to Strava. 
https://maps.findmespot.com/s/6HBP 

Hi FKT world! 

On Wednesday 9/9 (or Thursday depending on Tuesday’s storm) I plan on attempting to break Mikaela bad ass self supported record on the Colorado Trail, Denver to Durango, Collegiate East. I have three boxes sent, no pre arranged support, and will be on foot the entire time.  
I have a Garmin to track location (made public when finished), will keep a log on my phone, pictures with time stamps to verify and post to Instagram @paigepasquini when service permits. 

Very exciting! 

Fiddle 

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My name is Milissa Gillen (Mary Poppins) and I will be attemping to hike the Colorado Trail from Durango to Denver, West to East, Collegiate West beginning 9/13/2020. I will hike in traditional thru hiker style, self-supported, picking up resupply at three locations along the way where I have mailed packages. Since there is no official FKT for this route, in this style, and for Women, my time will be establishing the FKT should I succeed in completing the entire route. My goal is under 14 days because thats how much time I have! Undoubtedly someone will come along and do it faster than me in the near future, but this is an honor to give this a try! I will have a Garmin InReach for tracking, camera on my phone, and will post on IG/FB as Im able (milissajayn). Looking forward very much to this time in the great mountains of Colorado! 

Mary Poppins

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I will be attempting to hike the Colorado Trail from Durango to Denver, West to East (also known as NoBo), Collegiate West. I am starting around this weekend (4th of July). I will hike in traditional through-hiker style, UN-supported, following all the rules: carry all food and gear from the start, NO resupply at any point, no help accepted in any way, shape or form (including no trail angels or begging off strangers), no pacers, crew, etc, carry out my trash (unless it's safe to burn per LNT and fire bans rules), water only from natural sources. My goal is under 14 days. I will have a live link to Spot Gen-4 (provided for authorities to follow but kept private otherwise until I am done) for tracking, camera on my phone for photos, and a Garmin watch for mileage.I am excited to be back on a trail I love so much, this time "backwards". Here's to no crazy lightening on the ridges and a lack of kitties.

Olga King

Unfortunately, despite physically I was ready (much better than 2018), I live high, and train high, something weird happened, and I, literally, had a hard time to breathe even on easiest climbs. By day 3, during longer steeper sections, I had to stop sucking air every minute or so. Did 44.5, 39, 36.5 miles. Doing the math, I was getting closer to 14 than 12 days, and while I had the time and could stretch the food easily, I came to make some solid FKT, not simply "I was the only one, and a finish will warrant the name here" (like my first time, which was so easily broken exactly because I didn't exert my ability and smelled the roses, and even knitted in the tent, ha). It was my only attempt at something this huge. At 51, and after 8 years of OTS (that dreaded athlete fatigue), it was fun to dream. I tried to do it for the "older folks with no ultralight stuff", good ol' style. But, the body decided otherwise. I want to love and enjoy the mountains well into sunset, and taking that much time off with a family and a job is a one-time shot. I love this sport, but it's time to chill. Sad, but truth. Thanks to the FKT people for doing this stuff!

While I totally DNF'ed, the FKT team suggested I post my recap here for whomever is interested, just in case. I had high goals, and I failed, but I do hope more ladies get inspired to set same high goals - as Mikaela did. Common, girls, long unsupported trails are not just for dudes! :)

https://runmoretalkless.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-fkt-that-is-not-to-be-…

Hear, hear, Olga! I'm coming after some Unsupported action this year. Need to set a benchmark for a legend like you to break, ya know. :) 

Good morning FKT world!

I wanted to share I will be attempting to hike the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango Self- supported, East to west, Collegiate East starting tomorrow 7/21/21 I will hike in a traditional thru-hiker style, have sent myself food, will be on foot the whole time and have no planned help along the way. I will have an Inreach tracking my effort but will keep this private until the end. I will post a few pictures/ videos on my instagram account @earlybirdhikes.art should you want to follow along. 

Thank you so much to all who have gone for this dream before me and have it as a dream for the future! 

Happy Trails - Early Bird/ Nika Meyers

It's not yet announced, but looks like not only new FKT by a day, but possibly John's time for unsupported is surpassed? I can't wait to hear more!

The "holy cow" was for you, Nika, went in the wrong box. Huge congrats! It was a totally insane time to begin with (or, pun, finish with), and then I read your blog. Sheesh, I am in awe of what you had dealt with, and threw down the time that is nearly identical to female supported and John's unsupported. I thought Mikaela's time was (and it IS) badass to stay for awhile. Ladies keep breaking barriers. Super-crazy. Loved the report. Amazing accomplishment.

Hello! I will be attempting to hike the Colorado Trail from Durango to Denver (West to East, Collegiate East) starting this coming weekend (7/24).  I will be hiking unsupported: carrying all food and gear from the start, no resupply at any point, and no help accepted in any shape or form along the way (no pacers, crew, trail angels, or support from strangers).  I will have a Spot Gen3 tracking device that will be private and made public once I finish.  I will attempt to post pictures and updates on my instagram (@kde_outside) as service allows.

Happy Trails!

-Tang/Kylee

Kylee, I am sorry to read you had an injury! You were booking it! Let us know how you're doing, please.

Thanks, Olga! Unfortunately I had to discontinue my hike yesterday at Chalk Creek after some blisters on the bottoms of my feet got progressively worse and impaired my ability to walk.  I think the cause might have been trench foot early on with the wet conditions in the San Juans and long days without fully drying out my feet.  Otherwise my body felt great, so I hope to be back!

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Hello beautiful people! I will be setting off for an unsupported FKT tomorrow morning - Denver to Durango, Collegiate East. No pacers, resupply, trail magic, help of any kind. Tracking will be private via Garmin inReach until I finish. Team T-Mobile here, so I'll do my best to update IG with stories along the way @sophrebuilt.

Peace, love, and happy trails!

Soph

I left the trail 57 miles in. I thought I could push through despite not having trained like I did last year and Mother Nature kindly humbled me. Hard lesson, but there was no better way for me to learn it.

Much love.

Rebuilt

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Hello Everyone!

I would like to announce to the FKT world and all you wonderful trail people that on August 1, 2022 I will be setting off to set the self-supported record for the Colorado Trail, West to East, Collegiate West. I will be caching my resupplies in advance, at which I will trade off my supplies to and then go back to pick up upon my completion of the trail. My goal is to complete this route in 11 days, aiming for ~45 miles per day. For my attempt, I am raising money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, as this is a pressing matter in today's society and its impacts are near and dear to my heart. Please read more about my fundraiser here: https://supporting.afsp.org/campaign/Holly-Proulx-s-Colorado-Trail-Fast…. I will be updating on my Instagram @Holly_Proulx as much as feels right when I am out there, and will be tracking with a Garmin inReach. Thank you all for being supportive and inspirational trail dwellers! 

-Holly Proulx

Hi there,

I’m getting ready for a self-support FKT attempt on the Colorado Trail, West to East - Collegiate West. I didn’t see any data above for successful FKTs this direction for self-supported on the Collegiate West. Does anybody know what the current FKT is?

Thanks!

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It's time to chill, I said a year ago. Yet I can't give up on the dream. Take 2: Colorado Trail, Durango to Denver (NoBo), Collegiate West option. Fully unsupported, solo, female. All rules to follow, details and tracking with officials at FKT. Starting this weekend.

It’s time!

    Tomorrow morning (June 28, 2022) I will be attempting the thru-hiking women's self-supported FKT of the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango on the East Collegiate route. I’ll be doing the entire trail on foot, and have food cached and prepared for my resupplies along the way. During this process, I’ll be tracking my efforts through Strava and my Garmin in-reach. Stories, moments of triumph and frustration, victories, hunger and photos/videos to come via my Instagram page: @fearlesssarah

Nature, let’s go!!

-Hawaii 

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I'd like to publicly announce that I will be attempting the overall unsupported fkt on the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango starting Saturday July 16th, 2022.

This will follow a traditional unsupported fkt attempt- 

I will carry everything except water from start to finish. 

I will not accept any trail magic, support, or outside assistance.

I will not be picking up caches or supplies at any point.

I will be on foot the entire time and accept no muleing/pacing etc.

I will be using my inreach mini 2 device and mapshare to to track my location at various times along the way. I will send off a location at night and some point during each day.

I will be posting updates on Instagram if you want to follow along @wandermoreoften

I’m excited to follow behind those who have hiked before me especially those who have set/ attempted the fkt already. This will be my first major backpacking trip and I cannot wait to get out there. Any advice is appreciated/welcomed 
 

Bri (no trail name yet lol) 

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Hello Hikers!

I'd like to let everyone know that I am heading out tomorrow morning, attempting to set the self-supported record for the Colorado Trail, West to East, Collegiate East route. I will be caching my resupplies from post offices and stores where I have mailed and sent hiker boxes to. My goal is to complete this route in 13 days. For my attempt, I am raising money for Companeros, a local nonprofit benefiting immigrants in Durango and around the area. (Read more here: https://bit.ly/39shNOh). I will do my best to keep my instagram @bkristina13 updated and will be tracking with a Garmin inReach. 

Happy Trails!

- Kristina Bodewes (Gorp) 

(Also please check out Holly Proulx cause: https://supporting.afsp.org/campaign/Holly-Proulx-s-Colorado-Trail-Fast…

Hello!

I would like to publicly announce that I am going to pursue the women's supported FKT on the CO Trail. I will start in Denver tomorrow (7/29) morning (~4:30 AM) and take the Collegiate West route. The link to my Garmin InReach is share.garmin.com/sheilahuss. I also will wear my watch, which syncs to Strava; take pictures; have family and friends with me along the way; and document information when and where I can.

Happy Trails!

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I’m setting out 8/22/22 to start the self-supported Durango to Denver, Collegiate East route for female. I have mailed and cached my own resupply, will be sharing my Garmin Inreach link. There is currently no self-supported time for female nobo on either route, so I hope to get something on the books to encourage more people to get out there! 
Happy Trails,
-Lauren Veloz AKA Sparkle 

Hello fellow FKTers!

I would like to publicly announce that I am going to pursue the women's unsupported FKT on the CO Trail. I will start in Denver on 7/19 and will take the Collegiate West route. I will be tracking using the spot X and have contacted FKT and gave them my tracking link. I will not post my tracking link publicly. I also will wear my garmin fenix 7, which I’ll sync it to Strava when I’m off of the trails. I will take many pictures and will post updates via my Instagram as cell service allows at https://www.instagram.com/denajcarr/ I will be taking all of my gear and food with me and will not resupply at all. I will not have anyone meeting me along the way. There currently is no unsupported record for women on any of the 4 routes. I will try to beat the current FKT supported record SOBO/east collegiate of 9d 10h 52m and doing so taking the west collegiate section. 

Happy Trails!

Dena Carr AKA Silverfox