Colorado Trail — Segment 12
~2 days · 25.9 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Colorado Trail — Segment 12 is known for
Segment 12 of the Colorado Trail, 18.5 miles from Clear Creek Road south to North Cottonwood Creek in the Collegiate Peaks. The segment spends long stretches above 11,000 feet, crossing Pine Creek and Frenchman Creek below Mounts Oxford, Harvard, and Columbia. Point-to-point, usually 1-2 days.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 29,236 ft to 38,642 ft over 25.9 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 12.6 mi · 49%
- Downhill 11.8 mi · 46%
- Flat 1.4 mi · 6%
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 12?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Colorado Trail — Segment 12 scores 25/100, 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 many days does the Colorado Trail — Segment 12 take?
Most backpackers hike the Colorado Trail — Segment 12 in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 25.9 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Colorado Trail — Segment 12?
The Colorado Trail — Segment 12 climbs roughly 5,367 ft total — about 207 ft per mile, topping out near 11,857 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.