Colorado Trail — Collegiate East
~6 days · 80.1 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Colorado Trail — Collegiate East is known for
Collegiate East follows the Colorado Trail's original line along the east side of the Collegiate Peaks — about 78 miles point-to-point between the Twin Lakes area and the US 50/Monarch side, per the Colorado Trail Foundation. It travels between roughly 8,000 and 12,000 feet below Yale, Princeton, and Antero, with dispersed camping throughout and resupply access from Buena Vista and Salida.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 27,244 ft to 39,052 ft over 80.1 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 38.8 mi · 49%
- Downhill 38.4 mi · 48%
- Flat 2.2 mi · 3%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Colorado Trail — Collegiate East take?
Most backpackers hike the Colorado Trail — Collegiate East in about 6 days (5 nights out) over its 80.1 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Colorado Trail — Collegiate East?
The Colorado Trail — Collegiate East climbs roughly 15,640 ft total — about 195 ft per mile, topping out near 11,919 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.