For more information on the Colorado Trail visit our CT Resource page. »
Resupplying on the Colorado Trail is fairly easy. Food is readily available throughout the entire Colorado Trail (CT). With the exception of one area. Finding water shouldn’t be an issue as there’s very few dry sections. Logistically speaking the Colorado Trail Race (CTR) is probably the easiest of the three trails in the Triple Crown of Bikepacking (Arizona Trail, Tour Divide and Colorado Trail). That didn’t stop me from making this Colorado Trail Resupply Guide, to make your life even easier.
Despite being the easiest trail to resupply and find water on, you should still set up an Itinerary before you go. Having more information available will only increase your odds of finishing. Don’t let your lack of planning be the reason you don’t reach the finish line.
My options for resupplying on the CT came from the Atlas Guides/Guthook app and the Colorado Trail Data Book. You can also try the Bikepacking.net’s forum. There is also a Facebook page for the CTR. Here in this Colorado Trail Resupply Guide you’ll find everything I learned and more to help you plan your own race/tour of the CTR.
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The race is on August 14th, 2022. It will start at Waterton Canyon (SW Denver) at 4 am.
In regards to Resupplying, the toughest stretch is between Silverton and Mt. Princeton Hot Springs. It’s a distance of around 181 miles without an on trail resupply option. There are six optional off trail resupply located in the 181 miles where one could resupply but all but one involve many extra miles and thousands of feet of elevation loss. For those touring who don’t want to carry tons of food these might be the only option.
The resources below is based off the race GPX and every effort was made to accurately determine mileage. The mileage, what’s available and any other information should be used at your own risk. These should be paired with your own research.
Being that I’m also a Triple Crown thru-hiker I’m used to quality planning tools. After finishing the Bikepacking Triple Crown I realized bikepacking didn’t have quality planning tools available. The Project’s Planning Aids and Resources are our answer to this.
After 100’s of hours of research, 1000’s of keystrokes, more emails and phone calls than I can recall the One of Seven Project’s Colorado Trail Race Planning Aids are done. They’re the ultimate planning resources for the Colorado Trail Race. They contain everything you need to plan and execute your race/ride of the CTR. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in these then it’s probably in our Colorado Trail Resources.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
One package including our two most popular planning aids.
One package including all of our planning aids.
NEW for 2023
NEW for 2023
DATA SHEET and TOWN LIST DIFFERENCES
The Data Sheet has the most info. It gives the distance, elevation +/-, average grade, max grade, pavement sections, references CTF segments, bike shops, resupply options, key water sources, and has key notes between two POI. Example: A and B, then B to C, and so on.
The Town List gives cumulative distances between POI. Example: A to B, A to C, A to D. The next section would be B to C, B to D, B to E, and so on. The Town List has distance, elevation +/-, resupply options, bike shops, key water sources, and key notes.
The Town List helps with not having to do the math to figure out how far away things are if they’re not the next POI.
The Mileage Chart is now only available for purchase as part of the Big Bundle.
Mileage Charts:
The Elevation Gain Chart is now only available for purchase as part of the Big Bundle.
Elevation Gain Charts:
Below you’ll find a Mileage Difference chart. The Google link below will be take you to the chart, as well as a Gear List, Planning Checklist, Itinerary, Mail Drop Planner, and Food Planner.
This spreed sheet is available on Google Docs, Please highlight entire sheet then copy to your own sheet. Then make all the changes you like! Happy planning and trails.
Water sources along the CTR are not hard to find. With this in mind I have not made a water report like I did for the AZT. My capacity for the Colorado Trail Race was 3.5 liters. I had a 3 liter Platypus Hoser and one 20 oz cycling bottle (which I lost very early on). Use your head and keep tabs on your levels and you should be fine, it’s rare you’ll go very long without water. For more on water carrying and filtration options checkout the gear section of this guide.
Whether you’re racing or just touring the CTR you should at least have a rudimentary itinerary. You don’t need to stick to it, but the simple act of making it will help you familiarize yourself with the route. Having an itinerary is a good way to stay focused and also remind you of what your goal is.
In the accompanying “Bikepacking, pre-trip considerations” post, there’s more details on Itineraries. Covering a wide array of subjects like making a plan, gear, to health and personal considerations, and dealing with electronics.
Both the Colorado Trail Foundation and the Climbingdreams website are good reference points.
Below you’ll see an example. There’s a link to make a copy. This link also will supply you with Gear Lists, Planning Checklist, Mail Drop Sheet, and Food Planner.
A big part of setting up an Itinerary is knowing what’s available and how difficult something is. Do you due diligence and collect all the information you can.
This spreed sheet is available on Google Docs, Please highlight entire sheet then copy to your own sheet. Then make all the changes you like! Happy planning and trails.
SUPPORT THE COLORADO TRAIL FOUNDATION
The Colorado Trail Foundation are the acting stewards of the trail and help manage/maintain it. Because of them and their members you have this amazing trail to ride. Please consider donating or joining a work crew, so they may continue their amazing work
Everything you need to plan a bikepacking trip on the CTR.
Your ultimate bikepacking guide to the CTR.
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