Colorado Trail — Segment 1: Waterton Canyon to South Platte River
1 days · 15.8 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Colorado Trail — Segment 1: Waterton Canyon to South Platte River is known for
Segment 1: Waterton Canyon to South Platte River on the Colorado Trail: a 1-day point-to-point section of about 16.8 miles from Waterton Canyon Trailhead to South Platte River Trailhead (Gudy Gaskill Bridge). Begins on a gentle paved road beside Strontia Springs Reservoir, transitions to singletrack through Pike National Forest foothills with moderate elevation change.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 18,061 ft to 24,478 ft over 15.8 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 8.8 mi · 56%
- Downhill 4.6 mi · 30%
- Flat 2.3 mi · 15%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Colorado Trail — Segment 1: Waterton Canyon to South Platte River?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Colorado Trail — Segment 1: Waterton Canyon to South Platte River scores 24/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much elevation gain is on the Colorado Trail — Segment 1: Waterton Canyon to South Platte River?
The Colorado Trail — Segment 1: Waterton Canyon to South Platte River climbs roughly 3,773 ft total — about 239 ft per mile, topping out near 7,516 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.