CT Thru-Hike itinerary
Every published mile marker on the CT Thru-Hike route, in order, with the distance and elevation change between each one — and which permit each stretch needs. To watch dates and set alerts, go to the Colorado Trail Thru-Hike permit page.
Which permit covers this route
The CT Thru-Hike. One reservation is a trailhead or zone plus an entry date; you roam after that, issued by walk-up.
The permit is issued for a named entry point. Waterton Canyon (Denver Terminus) and Junction Creek (Durango Terminus) are the ones on this list.
- Stops mapped
- 11
- Across the markers
- 486.0 mi
- Published route length
- 486 mi
- Published ascent
- 89,000 ft
How long it takes: 4-6 weeks. That is the figure the permit publishes — this page does not divide the route into days, because no source records which stop you sleep at.
The stops below are the route's published mile markers, in order, with the elevations recorded against each one.
Distance and elevation change on each leg are the difference between the two published figures either side of it, so the legs are arithmetic on the markers and nothing more.
The CT Thru-Hike route, stop by stop
Mile 0.0
5,520 ft
Waterton Canyon (Denver Terminus)
Entry point — the permit is issued for this trailhead
Starting point at 5,520 ft. Gentle gravel road with bighorn sheep.
45.0 miles to Lost Creek Wilderness
Mile 45.0
Lost Creek Wilderness
First wilderness area. Unique granite formations.
21.0 miles to Kenosha Pass
Mile 66.0
9,995 ft
Kenosha Pass
Famous aspen groves that turn golden in late September.
38.0 miles · 814 ft down to Breckenridge/Frisco Access
Mile 104.0
9,181 ft
Breckenridge/Frisco Access
Major resupply point via multiple trailheads.
39.0 miles · 52 ft up to Twin Lakes
Mile 143.0
9,233 ft
Twin Lakes
Gateway to Collegiate Peaks. Decision point for East/West split.
1.0 mile to Collegiate East/West Split
Mile 144.0
Collegiate East/West Split
Choose between original route (East) or CDT (West).
76.0 miles to Monarch Pass
Mile 220.0
11,310 ft
Monarch Pass
Major highway crossing with services nearby.
138.0 miles · 417 ft down to Lake City Access
Mile 358.0
10,893 ft
Lake City Access
Resupply via a long hitch. Gateway to the San Juans.
22.0 miles · 2,378 ft up to Coney Summit
Mile 380.0
13,271 ft
Coney Summit
Trail's high point at 13,271 ft. Heart of the San Juans.
29.0 miles · 2,367 ft down to Silverton Access
Mile 409.0
10,904 ft
Silverton Access
Classic mining town resupply. Spectacular San Juan scenery.
77.0 miles · 3,909 ft down to Junction Creek (Durango Terminus)
Mile 486.0
6,995 ft
Junction Creek (Durango Terminus)
Entry point — the permit is issued for this trailhead
Southern terminus. Celebratory beer awaits in downtown Durango.
Getting a CT Thru-Hike for the dates you want
Planning the route is the easy half. CT Thru-Hike dates go fast, and the ones that come back are cancellations — they return to the booking system without warning and are gone again quickly. PermitSnag watches CT Thru-Hike around the clock and alerts you the moment a date opens.