Colorado Trail — Segment 13
~2 days · 25 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Colorado Trail — Segment 13 is known for
Segment 13 of the Colorado Trail covers 22.8 miles point-to-point from North Cottonwood Creek Road to the Chalk Creek Trailhead, crossing the lower east side of the Collegiate Peaks in central Colorado. It is commonly hiked in two days as part of the Collegiate East route.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 26,995 ft to 38,835 ft over 25 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 12.1 mi · 48%
- Downhill 10.5 mi · 42%
- Flat 2.3 mi · 9%
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 13?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Colorado Trail — Segment 13 scores 29/100, 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 13 take?
Most backpackers hike the Colorado Trail — Segment 13 in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 25 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Colorado Trail — Segment 13?
The Colorado Trail — Segment 13 climbs roughly 6,257 ft total — about 250 ft per mile, topping out near 11,906 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.