Colorado Trail — Segment 9 (Tennessee Pass to Hagerman Pass Road)
~2 days · 15.1 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Colorado Trail — Segment 9 (Tennessee Pass to Hagerman Pass Road) is known for
This is Segment 9 of the Colorado Trail, a section running from Tennessee Pass near Leadville toward Hagerman Pass Road along the Sawatch Range. As a point-to-point section it climbs through spruce forest and open meadows and passes near historic mining areas of the upper Arkansas River country. It is one of 28 segments that make up the roughly 486-mile Colorado Trail between Denver and Durango. It is known as a moderate, forested segment relative to the trail's higher alpine crossings farther south.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 10,079 ft to 11,709 ft over 15.1 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 6.1 mi · 41%
- Downhill 5.6 mi · 38%
- Flat 3.3 mi · 22%
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 9 (Tennessee Pass to Hagerman Pass Road)?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Colorado Trail — Segment 9 (Tennessee Pass to Hagerman Pass Road) scores 20/100, 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.
Best season & permits
Season: Summer into early fall (roughly late June through September) is the reliable window, after high-country snow clears; afternoon thunderstorms are common.
Permits: No permit is required to hike or backpack this section, which crosses national forest land, though standard Leave No Trace and dispersed-camping rules apply.
Official trail & permit info
Always confirm current conditions, closures, and permit rules with the managing authority before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Colorado Trail — Segment 9 (Tennessee Pass to Hagerman Pass Road) take?
Most backpackers hike the Colorado Trail — Segment 9 (Tennessee Pass to Hagerman Pass Road) in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 15.1 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Colorado Trail — Segment 9 (Tennessee Pass to Hagerman Pass Road)?
The Colorado Trail — Segment 9 (Tennessee Pass to Hagerman Pass Road) climbs roughly 2,917 ft total — about 193 ft per mile, topping out near 11,726 ft.
When is the best time to hike the Colorado Trail — Segment 9 (Tennessee Pass to Hagerman Pass Road)?
Summer into early fall (roughly late June through September) is the reliable window, after high-country snow clears; afternoon thunderstorms are common.
Do you need a permit for the Colorado Trail — Segment 9 (Tennessee Pass to Hagerman Pass Road)?
No permit is required to hike or backpack this section, which crosses national forest land, though standard Leave No Trace and dispersed-camping rules apply.
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.