Segment 6 of the Colorado Trail: Trip Report

Last Updated on March 30, 2022 by foxintheforest

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All was quiet except for a steady breeze and the crackle of the small fire. It was a nice nook to set up camp. The trees were thinning and there was just enough room for a tent and a fire. About the only flat area, we had seen since we started the long arduous climb up Segment Six of the Colorado Trail a few miles back.

I inched closer to the fire, the chill of the night started to seep through my damp clothes. Rain gear was strewn about, for about eight miles the skies opened up on us. Drenched to the core is never a fun way to start off 32 miles, but we endured. Looking up I could see the shadows of the fire dancing against the trees, beyond that the first stars were starting to twinkle. Despite the picturesque scene something just didn’t quite feel right.

mt guyot

“Do you have an uneasy feeling?” I broke the silence.
“Yeah, something just doesn’t feel right.” Squirrel replied. We pondered for a moment, taking in the beauty of the night unfolding around us.

For how comfortable I feel in nature I couldn’t shake this feeling that I shouldn’t be there. We had a long two days ahead of us. I gave a shiver and scuffed the ground with my feet.

“Well…?” Squirrel shifted uneasily onto his right foot. I could tell he had been favoring it since mile 6. A few weeks back he had rolled his ankle while carrying climbing gear and ropes. It hadn’t really felt right since.

We both shrugged, buried the fire, and headed into our tent. I tried to shut my eyes and relax, but my mind was racing. Every little creak from the swaying trees felt like Mother Nature was crying out that we weren’t meant to be here. Not here. Not now. Somehow I managed to drift off and catch some sleep.

Sometimes the Trail Wins: Heading Back to Kenosha Pass

The next morning the feeling was gone, birds were chirping and the early morning sun felt warm and inviting. Squirrel rolled over and groaned. Overnight the altitude had caused his ankle to swell up. Knowing we had 12+ miles ahead of us over a pass and a high ridge that day and another 8+ the next we knew that it wasn’t going to happen.

We decided to turn around. You don’t call the shots out here. You listen to yourself, your gut, and your body or you can end up in a heap of trouble. A hurt ankle has no business walking 32 miles up and over 11,500′ passes with a fully weighted bag. Of course, in true fashion, it was a fantastically beautiful day. As we headed back down the valley we couldn’t help but look back disappointed at the pass we failed to meet. Defeated and deflated we headed home.

hiking kenosha pass

That’s how it goes on the mountain sometimes. You can’t always conquer. As beautiful as it may be, it’s a wild place and you are but a visitor. Don’t worry though, we weren’t about to give up on the segment that easily. The following year, as soon as the snow melted, we returned for another go.

The Second Attempt at the Colorado Trail Segment 6

The thought of repeating the first nine miles for the third time was out of the question. As our luck would have it, our friends had just bought a Jeep and there happened to be a Jeep road close enough to mile 9. We told them we wanted to hit the trail by 7 am. My motto in the mountains is always: “start early.” In order to make it work, we needed to drive our car to the end of the segment in Breckenridge and then drive all the way to Georgia Pass up Michigan Creek Road. If you’re headed there I’d recommend a high clearance vehicle. Logistically, this meant our friends needed to meet at our house at 3 am. You know you’ve got amazing friends if they’re willing to meet you at 3 am to shuttle a car and drive up a mountain pass just for kicks.

After a few jokes and a stretch from the long car ride we heaved our packs onto our backs and set out. The Colorado Trail meets the Continental Divide Trail here and the two stay married for over 300 miles.

Hike kenosha pass

The day only got better from there. The views were breathtaking. The morning light danced whimsically amongst the mountain tops and wildflowers. We hardly saw anyone until well after mid-day, which is shocking considering the area is well trafficked in spots. Just below Georgia Pass, there were fabulous campsites almost every few minutes. However, we had 14 long, hard miles ahead of us.

Segement six of the colorado trail

The Colorado Trail is no joke. It’s approximately 486 miles and divided into 28 segments. A majority of the trail is over 10,000′ and there are endless numbers of steep climbs (gaining 1,500-2,000 vertical feet over a couple of miles). With a weighted pack on your back, this is no easy task.

hiking the colorado trail

Taking a Dog on the Colorado Trail

Every time I backpack I always hit a point where I ask myself why the hell do I do this for fun? It’s hot, it’s tiring, you sweat, you’re moving slow, and at times it feels as if you are on never-ending uphill or (even worse) downhill grind. By the time we hit mile 11 that’s where I was at. It had become brutally hot, exposed, 10,000+ feet high, and we were on the final push over the second pass of the day. Even the dog wasn’t having it, she kept wandering off the trail and sitting down in what little shade she could find about scrubby pines. All three of us were going through water quickly, and we had both filled up water bottles as well as our Osprey bladders.

hiking with a dog on the colorado trail

Soon we crested the pass. But that means that the real challenge begins. No matter what they say downhill is harder. It’s tougher on your knees, feet, and body. Any well-seasoned hiker or backpacker will tell you it’s more dangerous. It’s tougher on the dog’s feet too.

The Final Struggle to Camp: A Warning about Water

By the time we got to camp I had my pace down to a slow shuffle, I passed Squirrel and mumbled: “I’ll see you at camp, if my feet stop moving, they won’t start again.” We hobbled into what is easily the most beautiful campsite we had seen on the trail. A small cluster of trees provided lots of protection and just outside was a sprawling valley with peaks on either side of us. It was worth all of the effort ten times over.

best views of the colorado trail

We set up camp and realized that we were getting low on water. We ventured out to where we figured there was, according to the pocket guide, a seasonal stream. Colorado had gotten a lot of snow and rain. All of the other seasonal streams were flowing, this one was mis-marked. There was no stream. Defeated and beat up we knew we were going to be waking up a little dehydrated the next morning.

best segments of the colorado trail

Despite the water situation we were in good spirits, it was so stunningly beautiful. We sat on a log enjoying the view and the golden hour. But exhaustion took over quickly once the sun went behind the mountain. I had the best night’s sleep of my mountain life.

Day 2 on Segment 6 of the Colorado Trail: to Breckenridge

Fully rested we struck out the next day with the urgent need for water. The air was crisp and the scenery amazing. We crossed paths with a fellow backpacker who said there was a seasonal stream about a mile and a half down the trail. When we arrived at the trickle of water it was like coming across an Olympic pool-sized oasis in the desert. Shortly after our water break, we encountered a moose which was a pleasant surprise.

Finding water on the colorado trail

Soon, the trees broke on the trail and we were welcomed by a beautiful view overlooking Breckenridge. The trail ends with a series of tough switchbacks, jogs through a neighborhood, then crosses a highway to the parking lot where Segment 7 begins. We gave a few hoots and whoops as we let down the tailgate of the truck and kicked our shoes off (always leave flip flops in the car). Our victory was short lived as we examined Segment 7in front of us. It climbs steeply back out of the valley and follows a ridge on the Tenile Range for several miles before dipping down towards Copper Mountain. That chapter has yet to be written. Judging by its size and difficulty it will grant us pain, beauty, and satisfaction all the same.

how to hike the colorado trail by segment

Segment 6 of the Colorado Trail: Trail Facts

Point to Point Length: 32.9 miles

Elevation Gain: 4,988 vertical feet. Most of this gain is done in two parts. The shot up to Georgia pass, which averages around a 10% grade and the short saddle at around 10,000 feet, near the valley before Breckenridge. This second climb is more difficult, averaging around a 20% grade.

Trailheads: Kenosha Pass is an easy access, right off of the 285 highway a little past the turnoff for Guenella Pass. It is super obvious when you get there, as there are large parking lots on both sides. On the Breckenridge side, the Goldhill Trailhead is right off of Highway 9 on your way into Breck.

Total Time: If you move quickly and are well-seasoned you can bust this one out in two days. However, to do so you have to have good weather over the pass as there is limited coverage should a storm move in. This segment is best done in three days, camping below tree line, about nine miles in, then camping in the valley about five to six miles from Breckenridge. Just keep in mind that both campsites are dry.

Looking to learn more about backpacking? Check out a few handy resources I have.

Meg Atteberry
Meg Atteberry

Meg is a long-time Colorado local and outdoor industry professional. She's spent the last 15 years hiking, climbing, mountaineering, and canyoneering all over Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada in search of the best views. She's written for Outside Magazine, REI, Backpacker Magazine, and appeared on the Weather Channel.

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Meg Atteberry standing on a mountain sticking her tongue out

Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. Toddler mom, queer, and neuro-spicy her favorite things to do are climb in the alpine and camp in the desert. Her mission is to get you out on your greatest adventure.