2024 COLORADO TRAIL Fastest Known Time (FKT) ATTEMPT Preparations

Limited on time, I decided to hike as much of the Colorado Trail as I could in 2022. I made it roughly 400 miles and planned to return the following year to finish. However, those plans changed as I was given the opportunity to backpack the Pacific Crest Trail instead. When going into my PCT thru-hike, I did not share much as to why, how, and when I would be hiking. In fact, I didn’t really post about that journey either until I had finished. However, I want to change things up a little. With that, I am happy to announce that I will return to the Colorado Trail in 2024 and want to share my preparations. As each of the categories below are completed, I will begin to update them. So, if something is missing, it is only because I have not gotten that far in the planning process yet. Please check back soon! Thank you for following my journey on the CT!

Brief History from the Fastest Known Time and the Colorado Trail Website:

The Colorado Trail was completed in the late 1980s. The trail traverses through 6 wilderness areas and 8 mountain ranges. It is divided into 33 segments. The highest point reaching 13,271 feet and is located just below Coney Summit in segment twenty-two. The lowest point is in segment one, which, dependent on your route selection, can either be the starting or ending point on the trail. This is located in Waterton Canyon at 5,520 feet.

The Colorado Trail is around 500 miles long, with roughly 90,000 feet of vertical gain. The middle of the CT breaks off into two different routes: Collegiate West and Collegiate East (see map below). Also, there are two separate starting and ending points to choose from: Durando to Denver or Denver to Durango. Thus, giving the Colorado Trail four different Fastest Known Time route options.

Route Selection

The Colorado Trail has 4 possible FKT routes:

-West to East, Collegiate West

-West to East, Collegiate East

-East to West, Collegiate East

-East to West, Collegiate West

The Route I will be attempting is:…TBD

FKT STYLE Selection

There are 3 different Fastest Known Time styles to choose from:

Unsupported: You carry EVERYTHING from start to finish. Picking up resupply or receiving help from trail angels is NOT an option.

Self-Supported: You carry everything, can resupply in towns, and can receive support so long as it’s available to everyone else, not just you.

Supported: You are self-powered but can receive as much help as you need. This includes having pacers, getting rides to and from town, or someone bringing you whatever you need.

THE FKT STYLE I HAVE CHOSEN IS UNSUPPORTED. Why? I like the added challenge and want to see if this is possible. I have also carried over 10 days’ supply of food before.

Gear

Coming Soon will be my gear layout and how much each item weighs. I will also share my lighterpack.com link.

Nutrition

Since I will be carrying all my food from start to finish (not resupplying along the way), it is crucial that I find meals and snacks that are high in calories but low in weight. In doing so, I will spend the next several months researching lightweight, high-caloric foods. Once my decision is made, I will snap a photo for all to see and explain why I chose such foods.

*If there is something you would like me to touch base on or are curious about, please don’t hesitate to ask. Chances are, if you have a question that needs answering, someone else may also share the same inquiry.