Editor's Note: The CT Series is a special series of hiking articles about the Colorado Trail (CT) that runs from May through October. The CT is a unique and well maintained continuous trail, spanning 485 miles from Denver to Durango. The Colorado Mountain Club Guidebook to the Colorado Trail is an indispensable tool for planning and executing trail excursions. The book divides the CT into 28 segments of varying length. The Colorado Trail Foundation website (coloradotrail.org) also has a ton of useful information.
Some Colorado Trail sections lie at lower elevations near Deckers so they are a better option for spring exploration when there tends to be less snow along the trail.
Segment 3 begins near a paved road access north of Deckers. This route covers the first half of Segment 3 and features a tranquil setting with an open forest of Ponderosa Pine and Douglas-Fir and multiple creek and stream crossings.
From Deckers, bear left on County Road 126 and continue along the winding paved mountain road for about 11 miles to Forest Service Road 550 and turn left. After a couple hundred yards reach the trailhead parking area on the right. Note that a day use fee is required to use this lot.
Hike westward on the CT, paralleling the road then after about a half mile cross to the south side of FS 550. Continue westward and after about another 1.5 miles pass a trail intersection and swing southward for about another 1.5 miles where the trail trail swings westward. Farther from the road now, the trail takes on a more remote look and feel, with chunky granite outcrops, springtime green grass and aspen groves sprouting tiny leaves.
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Birds have recently returned to their breeding grounds and the trilly wings of the Broad-tailed Hummingbird fill the air, along with the arhythmic drumming pattern of sapsuckers.
The trail climbs slowly to about 8000 feet and reaches some open ridges with distant views. After about another 2.75 miles take a sharp left at Tramway Trail. Continue for about another .75 mile, passing the intersection with Green Mountain Trail then reaching a creek crossing after about another 200 yards, the turnaround point for this route. Find a nice spot for a lunch break before retracing the route for about 6.5 miles back to the trailhead.
Joe LaFleur has logged about 200 miles of the Colorado Trail from Denver to the Salida area. Contact Joe with questions or feedback at [email protected]. Hiking is great exercise but can be hazardous. Always be sure to plan well, check the weather, bring a printed map, tell someone where and when you are going and contact them when you return safely.