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BPX 3-Day: Colorado Trail - Segment 11 South from Mt. Elbert TH

This is a mellow dip your toes into a backpacking trip. Great for you all who want to ‘test out’ backpacking in Colorado. This trip will give you an opportunity to test your systems at a chill pace with a chill agenda. Add to that, a little four mile taste of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), and the Colorado Trail, a slice of Segment 11, with an opportunity to fish, hike, climb or putter, and you have a great three day trip to look forward to.

Suggested Backpacking Section (BPX) itinerary for 3-day trip to be used for CMC trips led by BPX leaders for BPX members:

Day 1: Starting at the Mt. Elbert TH, hike south on Segment 11 of the Colorado Trail for approximately 3.1 miles to some open areas suitable for dispersed camping near Herrington Creek (3.1 miles, +1,043 / -596 ft.). 

Route Day 1

Day 2: Day 2 is open to various options:

  1. Chill at camp, fish at the near-by ponds, etc.
  2. Optional Day Hike: Mount Elbert Forebay (7.9 miles, +-1,105 ft.)
  3. Optional Day Hike: Twin Lake (11.7 miles, +-1,575 ft.)
  4. Optional Day Hike: Mt Elbert 14,433 ft.  (10.4 miles, +-3,974 ft.) 

Day 3: Return to the Mt. Elbert TH via Segment 11 of the Colorado Trail, and drive home (3.1 Mi, +596 / -1,043 ft.).

Route: Day 3

Overall Route: 6.2 miles, +-1,149 ft.

NOTES:

  1. Always practice Leave No Trace techniques.
  2. More information about the Colorado Trail is available here.
  3. Driving Directions: From the Colorado Mountain Club (Golden, CO) to the Mt. Elbert TH.
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Length: 6.2 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,149 ft
  • 10,628 ft
Map
  • Trails Illustrated 127
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