Introduction  

Heading out to the Colorado Trail? I hope this trip planning section will help you prepare for the trail, whether you are dayhiking or thru-hiking.

There are many important things to consider when heading out to the Colorado Backcountry. They include but are not limited to:

1. How long are you going to be out?

2. What is your level of physical fitness?

3. How much food will you need?

4. How much water will you need?

5. Are you travelling alone?

6. Does someone know of your agenda?

7. What kind of weather should you expect?

8. Do you have an emergency preparedness plan if you get lost of injured?

9. What are your special needs if any?

In this guide I hope to address some of these items as well as discuss specific things I have experienced while being in the Colorado Backcountry. The gear, weather and water guides are also a supplement you might want to visit.

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1. How long are you going to be out? How far do you intend to travel?
Determining the length of your trip is critical to preparing properly. Knowing your schedule and sticking to it can be important for calculating food requirements, fuel needs and other items. Be realistic about your abilities and feel free to integrate rest time into your schedule, especially on long trips.

2. What is your level of physical fitness?
Something that I find fascinating about the Colorado Trail is that it caters to all types of people. From young children to ultra-runners, the trail can be enjoyed by people of all fitness levels. Keeping this in mind however, when it comes to physical fitness you can’t really be over prepared for the Colorado Trail. It is important to know your level of fitness and your abilities intimately before heading into the Colorado Backcountry. There are a few things to consider when preparing for a trip down the Colorado Trail. One thing to consider is that The Colorado Trail averages a pretty high altitude. Acclimatizing to the altitude is important if you are traveling to Colorado from lower elevations. Without proper acclimatization one can suffer from altitude sickness.

Elevation and Altitude Sickness
There are a few different stages or levels to Altitude Sickness. Altitude Sickness is often triggered by ascending in elevation too quickly and/or over exerting yourself at altitude without properly acclimatizing. As you ascend in altitude the percentage of Oxygen in the atmosphere is decreased. The human body compensates for the reduced oxygen by increasing the number of red blood cells in the blood.
Mild Acute Mountain Sickness - symptoms can include fatigue, nausea and mild headache
Moderate Altitude Sickness - symptoms can include vomiting, severe headache, loss of balance and extreme fatigue
Severe forms of Altitude Sickness: HAPE and HACE
HAPE stands for High Altitude Pulmonary Edema or in layman’s terms, fluid in the lungs
HACE stands for High Altitude Cerebral Edema or in layman’s terms, swelling of the brain
Any ski resort worker in Colorado can tell you stories of flatlanders coming to ski and passing out in the lift line. We have a lot of altitude here in Colorado! Know that if you are coming to spend time on the Colorado Trail it is important to acclimatize at lower altitudes before charging into the high country.

QUICK FACT
At the Start of the Colorado Trail there is approximately 80% of the available oxygen compared to sea level. At the CT highpoint there is approximately 63%.

3. How much food will you need?
Hiking, running and biking the CT are pretty strenuous activities. Always make sure you carry a sufficient supply of high calorie/salty foods to replenish your body after a long day. Common foods I carry on the trail (no matter the distance) include:
instant oatmeal, tea, chips/pretzels, candy bars, granola bars, energy bars, bagels, peanut butter and lots of trail mix…

4. How much water will you need?
Hydration is critical on the Colorado Trail, especially because of the altitude. A good rule of thumb with regards to hydration is that you should urinate often and your urine should be relatively clear. If you are urinating infrequently and/or your urine is a dark yellow you might be dehydrated.

5. Are you travelling alone?
When traveling alone on the Colorado Trail always be prepared. Self rescue could be a real possibility in the Colorado backcountry if you get injured or lost. See the gear section of this site for more tips on gear preparation.

6. Does someone know of your agenda?
When travelling alone in the Colorado Backcountry it is always beneficial to leave an itinerary with a friend or family member. If you get lost or injured it will give you some confidence to know that someone will know where you are.

7. What kind of weather should you expect?
Colorado experiences quite severe weather year round. Summers are notorious for early afternoon thunderstorms while some areas of Colorado receive as much as 40 feet of snow in the winter. Summer nighttime temps can easily drop near or below freeze in the higher altitudes. July and August sees Colorado experiencing monsoonal moisture throughout the state but especially in the Southwest. Traveling along the Continental Divide can be tricky in the afternoons as thunderstorms are common. Always be prepared for the dramatic changes that occur in Colorado weather while on the trail.

8. Do you have an emergency preparedness plan if you get lost of injured?
You have to ask yourself the following when using the Colorado Trail - In case of emergency while on the trail, how well prepared are you? Can you stay warm and dry at all times? Do you carry gear that can save your life in an emergency – such as first aid, storm proof matches, a compass, a whistle, an emergency bivy, maybe a satellite phone or cell phone? Do people know where you are? Are you aware of your surroundings? Do you know where the nearest towns might be located? How about trail heads? Preparing properly can dramatically increase your odds of survival if an emergency arises in the backcountry.

9. What are your special needs if any?
In regards to being in the Colorado Backcountry, always be prepared for any special needs you might have. This includes knowing about any allergies you might have, medications you need to have along etc.


DISCLAIMER - I am not a doctor or medical professional. I have provided the medical information in this guide based on my own education and experience. If you have any questions about exercise, altitude sickness, medicines or need medical advice, please contact your own medical professional.