The Colorado Trail Foundation

09/01/2026

We got to spend the day on Sunday with CT hikers from around the world at the Lake City Hiker Center! A big shout out to the church and community there for welcoming hikers all summer with rides, food and friendship. While the hiker dinners are finished up for the summer, the center will remain open and running shuttles for a few more weeks.

Lets give a big THANK YOU to the wonderful volunteers at the Trail Hiker Center

08/29/2026

⏰ 2 weeks away! Have you RSVP’d for the CTF Friends Picnic yet?

Join us on Saturday, September 12th at Bear Creek Lake Park for an afternoon of good food, cold drinks, and great trail stories with fellow CT enthusiasts.

Quick tip: Park entrance is completely free for attendees! When you arrive at the Bear Creek Lake Park entrance booth, just mention you are attending The Colorado Trail Foundation event.

- Pelican Point Picnic Shelter (ask for directions at the gate if you don’t know how to get there)

- 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM

- Lock in your RSVP so we order enough food & drinks for everyone: coloradotrail.org/events

08/26/2026

If you enjoyed hiking on The Colorado Trail this season, go to our online store and get some official CT merch!

Each purchase supports our trail building and maintenance projects along the CT. When you buy from our store, you support our work by putting money into the trail and spreading the word about what we do, all while wearing cool gear!

If you completed the trail, now is a great time to get your official complete t-shirt! Shipping is worldwide so there is NO EXCUSE!

08/24/2026

High Alpine Crew!

Lets hear it for last week's high alpine crew who worked at Lake Ann Pass above 12,000ft all week. This crew made rock steps, check steps and cleared the trail of talus. Rock work included stabilizing the trail and building retaining walls to stop erosion. No small task at 12,000ft!

A big thank you to our volunteer horse packer who brought tools by horseback into this wilderness area so that our crew would have what they needed to complete the project.

08/24/2026

Together, let's power our crews to success! 🌟 This spring, we set out to raise $50,000 to offset rising crew costs due to inflation, and we're almost there! Your contribution will help us cross the finish line and ensure our crews have the resources they need to thrive. Your support will fuel our efforts to provide our crews: 🥖 Nourishing meals, ⚒ Essential tools, 🪵 Quality materials, and 🚚 the vital supplies they need.

Will you join us in protecting and maintaining The Colorado Trail this summer? https://coloradotrail.org/donate-sponsorship/

08/20/2026

WIllow Fire Closure Update 8/20/26

This afternoon the Leadville RD updated the closure area for the willow fire. Halfmoon road is now open, meaning section 11 is now open from Halfmoon trailhead to Twin Lakes. This allows hikers to hike all of section 11 going southbound. Section 10 is still closed. This includes the CT/CDT south of Timberline Lake and north of Halfmoon road.

What Changes:
The CT bike route is now back to its original and fully open again. Hikers may now go from Tenn Pass to Timberline Lake on section 9, then must skip section 10, but can pick back up at section 11 at Halfmoon trailhead. A shuttle is still required at this time around 10.

Now that the closure area has been reduced, we are working closely with the USFS, CDT, and BLM to identify a detour around section 10 that does not require a shuttle. We hope to have a hiking detour approved in the near future.

08/20/2026

Weekend Event Notice!!! 8/20/26

The Leadville 100 will have over 1,000 racers and pacers on portions of The Colorado Trail this weekend. Areas around Mt. Elbert, Twin Lakes, Hope Pass and portions of the CW2 and CW3 will have large crowds as the race will take over 24hrs and have multiple aid stations and checkpoints. Runners will be running out and back, meaning some sections of the CT will have racers running both directions.

The trail remains open for hikers but thru-hikers should expect crowds and delays through this weekend. If you are hiking these sections this weekend, do your part to share the trail.

08/19/2026

SCAM ALERT!

Have you seen comments on our social media posts about “I would like to inform you that those who have not yet reserved our alumni t-shirt, please reserve it quickly as it will be available for a very short time. Order from here ”

THIS IS A SCAM. DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK IT IS A SCAM SITE.

We only sell official CT gear on our website and at events. Keep your info safe and stay away from suspicious links posted in the comments section.

We have refered this issue to Meta and will be working hard to keep this spam off of our posts.

08/19/2026

We would like to thank Tristram for her years of service and for being a valued partner to the CTF for several decades. We have always enjoyed working with her and her team and celebrate with her in retirement. Thank you Tristram!

The Rio Grande National Forest announces the departure of District Ranger Tristram Post, whose long career in public service has left a deep and lasting imprint on the land, the community, and the Forest Service workforce. Tristram will depart the Saguache District at the end of this month, concluding a tenure marked by exceptional commitment, leadership, and stewardship. More at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/riogrande/newsroom

08/17/2026

Our Executive Director was able to spend the day recently hiking on the CT with the CEO and National Trails Director from the . Partnerships are the backbone of our work protecting and maintaining The Colorado Trail. We are passionate about free, easy to use public spaces for communities, families and individuals to enjoy and love working with other organizations that promote the use and preservation of public lands.