Colorado Trail — Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa landscape

Photo: Photo by Ganapathy Kumar on Unsplash

Colorado Trail — Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa

~1 days · 14.1 mi · moderate · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance14.1 mi
Days out1
Elevation gain2,684 ft
Gain / mile190 ft
High point11,709 ft
Difficulty index19/100

What the Colorado Trail — Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa is known for

Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa on the Colorado Trail: a 1-day point-to-point section of about 15.3 miles from Marshall Pass Trailhead to Sargents Mesa. Follows the Continental Divide south from Marshall Pass along broad forested mesa tops through San Isabel and Gunnison National Forests with open ridgeline views.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Colorado Trail — Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 34,177 ft to 38,146 ft over 14.1 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 7.9 mi · 56%
  • Downhill 5.7 mi · 40%
  • Flat 0.5 mi · 3%

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 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa?

19 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Colorado Trail — Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa scores 19/100, 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 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa take?

Most backpackers hike the Colorado Trail — Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa in about 1 days (0 nights out) over its 14.1 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Colorado Trail — Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa?

The Colorado Trail — Segment 16: Marshall Pass to Sargents Mesa climbs roughly 2,684 ft total — about 190 ft per mile, topping out near 11,709 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.

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