Colorado Trail - July 13, 2025

Segments 16 and 17. This day took me from Marshall Pass (a fantastic backcountry trailhead) to North Pass. My support crew (Amy and Denny) and I camped at Buffalo Pass campground. From roughy 5 PM to 1 AM a strong thunderstorm dropped rain and lightning.

Amy and Denny became my support crew for the rest of the trail as Mark joined family for a fishing trip. Amy graciously sacrificed her riding time to support me. I couldn’t have finished the trail in the shape I did without Amy’s support. (Denny is Amy’s dog, so I feel ok leaving him out of the previous sentence).

At the end of Segment 16, I had to ride through a herd of cattle. Two of the bulls watched me the entire time I road by them. I was ready to sprint if they came after me.

Segment 17 may have been the least rideable segment on the whole trail. I hope I ride the trail again and may consider finding an alternate route around Segment 17.

At the end of Segment 17, I stopped at a Colorado Trail Foundation volunteer trail crew tent and talked to three volunteers who were taking a break from trail maintenance. The Colorado Trail Foundation sponsors work crews throughout the summer to help maintain the trail.

https://coloradotrail.org/volunteer/

36 miles and 6200 feet of gain