New Trails to Blaze: the Northern Colorado Trail

Just about any hiker who has looked out across the mountains surrounding North Park has let their imagination run wild with the possibilities of where these trails might take them. In some of the most unspoiled wilderness in Colorado, North Park has been a destination for hikers, backpackers, and other outdoor enthusiasts for generations. Now it gets to be a part of something historical: a new big thru-hike, ready to take on challengers across northern Colorado.

Kevin Silvernale: A Man with a Plan

No stranger to epic thru-hikes, Kevin began his journey in 2016 with the Pacific Crest Trail. After that, he completed the Appalachian Trail, then much of the Continental Divide Trail the following year. He hiked the length of the Colorado Trail in 2022. Very much hooked on thru-hiking, Silvernale says “I wanted to find a thru-hike that was close to home” He currently resides in Loveland, CO, with an already perfect view of the Front Range and RMNP right in his backyard.

In 2023, Kevin Silvernale went a step further and sat down with some maps in an attempt to chart a course that would lead him all the way across parts of northern Colorado he had always wanted to explore. He figured as long as there were public lands and resources available to chart the course, he could just find a pathway that met all the requirements of a big hike.

Unlike the CDT or the other Triple Crown hikes, you won’t find a pylon marking the trailhead of the Northern Colorado Trail. It began the same way as the other big hikes: with an idea. Kevin Silvernale started this route with the intention of seeing some amazing territory in northern Colorado—connecting communities and unbelievable places seen by so very few. 

The existence of the Northern Colorado Trail is very much grassroots, using public lands to create something new just about every hiker can enjoy, without all the red tape. (below, Mummy Peak in RMNP)

Where is the Northern Colorado Trail?

The Northern Colorado trail runs east/west between Glenwood Springs and Glenhaven, CO, near Estes. Throughout its 300 mile length, the Northern Colorado Trail navigates through a wide range of terrain, from alpine forest to tundra to high desert valleys and canyonlands.  Silvernale completed his hike in 19 days, covering 299.7 miles in total. With an abundance of public land, there are several alternate routes you can take. Here’s the main route he put together in 2023.

Please keep in mind that Silvernale is a veteran thru-hiker with thousands of miles on his boots. Check out this article in Backpacker for more information on Kevin and his accomplishments on the trail!

Editor’s note: at the time of publication of the article in Backpacker Magazine, the route had two short sections on private land, which have since been eliminated from the route.

The Primary Route of the NoCo Trail

 From Dunraven Trailhead, the trail moves into Rocky Mountain National Park along Stormy Peaks Trail and Mummy Pass, then north into Pingree Park and the Poudre Canyon. After crossing CO HWY 14, it follows the Rawah Trail up through Rawah Wilderness in Larimer County and then meets up with the Medicine Bow trail as it runs the ridge of the Medicine Bow range northward along the east side of Jackson County, overlooking North Park for miles to the west and eventually Shipman Park to the east before dropping back down to the basin near the North Sand Hills.

The trail drops back down into North Park and follows Jackson County Road 8 back to HWY 125 between Walden and Cowdrey. Walden sits at the hub of the trail across North Park, and makes a great spot to stop, resupply, and briefly join civilization again.

West of Walden, the trail follows County Road 12 until it forks off to CR 16 and continuing on about 14 miles to the Lone Pine trailhead and up along the Bear Creek Trail and into the Mount Zirkel Wilderness. Beyond that, the Northern Colorado Trail incorporates the Continental Divide Trail where you travel the CDT to the Wyoming Trail until Muddy Pass. 

From HWY 40 the trail continues to Yampa along the Park Range and the Morrison Divide, passing by Sarvis Creek Wilderness area to the next town of Yampa--another gateway town. The last leg of the trail cuts through the Flat Tops. Perhaps one of the most dramatic sections of the Northern Colorado Trail is at the Devil’s Causeway, which is a 30’ section of sheer drop offs on either side. 

The trail reaches its western terminus at Glenwood Springs, which feels like an entire world away from the other end at Rocky Mountain National Park. Alternate routes are available, which can incorporate other stopping points, such as Steamboat, shorten, or lengthen the hike. Whicher route you choose, you’ll find miles of adventure ahead, ready to test your nerve and your limits.

Be sure to check out Kevin Silvernale’s Northern Colorado Trail site to learn more about this trek!

(below, view of North Park from the State Forest State Park)

What You’ll Need to Get Started on the Northern Colorado Trail

If you are a long-term hiker who has completed the Triple Crown of big hikes, or if you are just starting out and want to see some new territory in Colorado, the Northern Colorado Trail is a great way to go! Not only will you experience a rich diversity of terrain, altitude gain, and unforgettable vistas, you’ll be part of a group of new trailblazers who are just now experiencing the route.

Get started with a Thru-hike of Your Own

If you are new to long trail hiking, you’ll need some of the following equipment. This list isn’t exhaustive, but it is a good place to start:

Water: Though the Rocky Mountains look lush and green, water can be difficult to find. Carry a water filtration system and/or iodine tablets to ensure safe drinking water on your hike! A wide range of waterborne illnesses such as giardia and even heavy metals from old mining claims might make you very sick if you drink untreated water.

Hiking boots: Protecting your feet not only helps you drop some miles, it also prevents injuries that keep you from your next hike!

Backpack: These kinds of hikes put a lot of wear and tear on equipment. A good quality backpack will keep your gear secure, as well as a more comfortable hike.

Hiking clothes: You are going to be spending a lot of time in these clothes. Make sure you have materials that will wick away sweat, keep you dry, and dress in layers so you can peel a layer when you get hot or add it if you get cold.

Hiking poles: Not a bad way to help you negotiate the terrain, especially with areas that don’t get a lot of maintenance. You’ll add miles to your daily limit, and save your knees in the process.

Sleeping bag: As with most choices in long distance hiking, at least a three season sleeping back that is both lightweight and warm in alpine conditions is a must.

Tent or hammock: Switch up your gear with a lightweight backpacking tent to share or use solo, or a camping hammock to save on weight and add some comfort to a good night’s rest after a day on the trail.

Bear protection: Some of these areas are home to black bears and other wild predators, who will mostly be sniffing out your food reserves. Add bear proof food containers and bear spray for personal protection. Areas such as Rocky Mountain National Park make bear canisters a mandatory part of your backpacking equipment list. 

Navigation: Some areas along the trail are too remote for GPS and mobile phones, not to mention the lack of charging stations along the 300 miles of trail. Be sure to carry paper maps as well as a compass—more importantly, learn how to use them before attempting a big hike.

Education: Get to know your equipment. The trail is not the place to find out what doesn’t work for you, and chances are you will be too far away from a store to get what does when you need it most.

Permits and fees: While accessing public land such as National Parks and State Parks, keep in mind that you might need to pay a fee for daily use as well as getting the appropriate permits to hike and camp on public land.

Emergency preparedness: Being ready for the worst case scenario goes further than First Aid kits and signal mirrors. Knowing how to use them, as well as telling others where you plan to hike, when they can expect you to be at the next checkpoint, and regularly checking in is a smart way to hike.

(below, a box canyon near Glenwood Springs, CO)

Give Me Fuel, Give Me Fire!

You’re going to need calories for the trip, which means food and a way to cook your meals. During certain times of the year, fire bans prevent the use of open fires and even cookstoves. Familiarize yourself with ongoing regulations and plan accordingly. Not only did wildfires cause billions of dollars worth of damage in Colorado in 2020, fires also endanger lives of wildlife and people. Including your own, if caught in the middle of a fire.

Knowing your limitations is crucial to long distance hiking. Pushing yourself too much can result in injuries, taking short-cuts can get you lost, and taking unnecessary risks can kill you. Much of hiking relies on common sense and knowing your limitations and how far you can push yourself to your limits. Let’s be safe out there so we can live to hike another day!

Pro tip: Always observe rules and regulations, not only when it comes to public lands such as Wilderness areas, but also to private property you might be crossing on access roads. Trespassing laws are in place to protect you from dangerous livestock or hazardous conditions. Please observe these laws and respect the rights of others while hiking.

Walden Welcomes You! 

Gateway towns are great places to stock up, resupply, get cleaned up, and even pamper yourself. Let’s be honest, gateway cities and towns are what gives a trail its character and makes a hiker feel like they are more at home whenever they can stop. Putting ten to fifteen miles every day on those hiking boots can be both physically and mentally exhausting. Along the Northern Colorado Trail, Walden is one of the largest communities along the way—in either direction—you will find a chance to resupply. Or sit down and enjoy a cold beer.

Camp out in Hanson Park to give yourself a break on cool grass with picnic tables and BBQ grills, and a sand volleyball pit! Or check in to one of our local hotels or  VRBO or AirBnB vacation rentals to really indulge yourself for completing 1/3 of the trail. You’ll find showers at the Jackson County Public Pool and the RV dump station nearby at the baseball diamond will have fresh water to fill your bottles for the next leg of the journey. With plenty of local restaurants to choose from, you can satiate that craving for a cheeseburger you’ve had for the last 80 miles in Walden!

Check out our list of places to shop to replace equipment, resupply yourself on everything from jerky to trail food, cold pop and beer, and even fuel for your camp stove. We look forward to seeing you on your adventure! Be safe and let us know how your hike on the Northern Colorado Trail went! (below, the ridge-line of the Medicine Bow trail facing North Rawah Peak)

The Continental Divide Trail Coalition Open House in Walden, CO

On June 9th, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition is having an open house at the River Rock in Walden, CO to meet with the public and answer any questions visitors might have about the Continental Divide Trail. 

In case you missed the article about the Muddy Pass Gap on the CDT, you can read about it here. Not many locals are even aware one of the greats of the Triple Crown of American thru-hikes runs through North Park’s backyard. The CDTC is here to change that and hopefully give Walden the tools it needs to become a gateway city along the CDT.

The event is free to the public and will be providing snacks and refreshments to attendees. Come find out how you can help complete the CDT in Colorado and make history with thru-hiking in the Rocky Mountains! Gateway towns are part of what makes or breaks a big hike. Let’s help make Walden a gateway town worthy of a starred review on any hiker’s app!