Colorado Trail: Collegiate West Route (Twin Lakes to Monarch Pass)

Very nice! East is east and West is best!

Nice video. This section is iconic of the Rockies in Colorado.

For those putting this on the calendar, be aware that the current (© 2016) NatGeo Trails Illustrated (TI) Buena Vista Collegiate Peaks map #129 has the Collegiates West Trail (CT-West/CDT) following the the wrong route.

The CT/CDT goes east at Texas Creek on 416, not west as shown, then south on 417 to Cottonwood Pass. (The map follows the old  Timberline route.)

The CT/CDT literally follows the divide between Cottonwood Pass and the switchbacks down to Tin Cup Pass road, not the Timberline Trail.

There is an TI “overview” map which gets it right.  I don’t know about map #148 –  The Collegiates Peaks Wilderness.

Also be aware the the current version of #129 obscures the tarn at the top of Cottonwood Pass with a Parking symbol.  It always has water, and is the only source between a small flow about a mile to the north and an unnamed lake at 12,250 on the north edge of Mineral Basin to the south. (Lost Lake and Spout Lake are waaaay down the hill.)

It’s a great hike. Have fun out there.

Get a new CT book from the CTA. Most up-to-date CT maps available. They are GPS accurate as well.

The CTA uses the profits to help maintain the trail.

No, nothing to see here … lots of lightning and bad weather and such. I hear the Sierras and the Tetons are very nice, and the AT is legendary.  ;-)