Collegiate Peaks Loop

By Dru Falco, Collegiate Peaks Loop Hiker, August – Sept 2020

The Collegiate Peaks Loop is a breathtaking 160-mile loop trail that circles the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness in central Colorado. The route traverses challenging terrain at high elevations and can be completed in as few as 9 days or up to three weeks, with many opportunities for side hikes and gorgeous views. 

Region: Mountain West (San Isabel, Pike, Gunnison National Forests, Central Colorado)
Distance: 161 miles (plus optional miles on side trails)

Physical Difficulty: Difficult

• Cumulative elevation gain of ~39,000 feet 
• High average elevation, with altitudes ranging between 8,000 and 12,600 feet 
• Steep ascents and descents 

Logistical Difficulty: Moderate

• Loop trail with several resupply opportunities
• Both the Continental Divide Trail and Colorado Trail are well-marked and easy to follow 
• Long sections of trail above treeline in Collegiate West
• Narrow weather window

Season: Summer

Elevation (average): ~11,000 feet
Total Elevation Gain: ~39,000 feet

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Hiking the Collegiate Peaks Loop

Permits: There is a free trailhead permit when you enter the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. 

The Collegiate Peaks Loop (CPL) is a challenging, beautiful route, divided into the Collegiate East and West sections. Historically, Collegiate East has been part of the Colorado Trail (CT), and Collegiate West part of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), with the two connecting at Twin Lakes Reservoir in the north and Monarch Crest in the south. Ambitious, fit, altitude-acclimated hikers on a time crunch can attempt the trail in as little as 8-10 days by walking an average of 18 miles a day. In order to make the most of the many side trails and vistas, more relaxed travelers should plan on taking 2-3 weeks. 

I recommend tackling Collegiate East first, especially if you haven’t spent time at altitude. This section is mostly below treeline, ranges between 8,000 and 11,500 feet, and has slightly less elevation gain than the western half. Collegiate West is almost entirely above 10,000 feet and has expansive above-treeline sections, making for greater risk of afternoon thunderstorms but rewarding vistas. Those with more time and ambition can explore numerous side hikes along the way, including several popular mountains above 14,000 feet (14ers). 

Most people coming from Denver will start and end at Twin Lakes Reservoir. Hikers walk on the shared CDT and CT on the edge of the reservoir and soon reach the intersection where the two trails diverge. Continuing to the left and south on Collegiate East, hikers encounter aspen forests, streams, Clear Creek Reservoir, Harvard Lakes, and the trailheads for Mounts Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Antero, Shavano, and Tabeguache. There is one moderately unpleasant road walk starting at CT mile 226.6 and lasting about 6 miles, but the jaunt does take you past a potential resupply spot of Princeton Hot Springs Resort (and you can stop and enjoy the hot springs or a meal). 

Collegiate East and West meet on Monarch Ridge, which will be the first above-treeline section for hikers who started in the East. From now on, travelers will head west and north on the CDT. Monarch Crest General Store is another potential resupply spot and has an excellent ice cream selection. From here, hikers climb to the top of Monarch Ski Resort, descend to Boss Lake, and cross several passes above 12,000 feet, including Hancock Pass, Lake Ann Pass, and Hope Pass. Side trails on Collegiate West lead to Huron Peak and La Plata, both 14ers. Another flat section around Twin Lakes leads back to the intersection with the CT and then the trailhead.

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How to Get to the Collegiate Peaks Loop

Hikers can start anywhere the trail crosses the road, the most popular choices being the Twin Lakes Reservoir on the northern edge of the loop and Monarch Crest at the southern. Twin Lakes is the closer option for those coming from Denver, but starting at Monarch Crest gives more time to acclimate to the altitude. A car can be left at either trailhead, and loop hikers will return to their car once finished. Currently, there is no access to these two trailheads via public transportation.

Nearest Cities to Twin Lakes: 
Denver International Airport (143 miles/ 2.5 hours)
Leadville, Colorado (16.6 miles/ 21 minutes)
Buena Vista, Colorado (20.8 miles/ 24 minutes)
Northern entry point on Route 25 at Twin Lakes Reservoir (Google Maps pin)

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When to Hike the Collegiate Peaks Loop

This trail has a short weather window—consider it a summer trail with the possibility to finish up in very early fall. You’ll need to hike it after the snow melts in late June or early July, and finish before snow returns in October. August is a safe bet. I recommend checking local trail reports to make sure the 12,000 foot passes are snow-free. We encountered one frosty morning in early September, but were able to get by with summer sleeping bags (20-30 degrees). For anyone hiking after mid-September, warmer sleeping bags might be in order. If you’re using a water filter, you may want to sleep with it at night to keep it from freezing.

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Collegiate Peaks Loop Terrain

Collegiate East is mostly below treeline on well-marked trails and a few Forest Service roads, with one 6-mile road walk. Collegiate West features long stretches of trail above treeline, making for great views but more risk during summer thunderstorm season. There are some rocky stretches on this section but nothing too difficult. Both East and West are well-blazed and require no route-finding, but we pulled out our maps at some intersections to check we were following the correct trail.

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Collegiate Peaks Loop Trail Resupply Strategy 

The trail crosses the road and passes potential resupply stops at several locations. Our group was lucky, especially in the time of Covid-19, to have two friends in the area who brought us resupplies at predetermined spots. Depending on the length of your hike and how much you’re comfortable carrying, there are a few different options for Collegiate West. The most convenient resupply option for Collegiate West is a 30-minute hitch to Buena Vista via Cottonwood Pass. 

Mount Princeton Hot Springs: Hikers will pass by this resort on the one road walk at mile 114.6 on the CT. It has some snacks for purchase, will accept mail drops, and allows access to their hot springs for a fee. This is a good option for a first resupply on the Collegiate East side. 

Monarch Spur RV Park: The RV park accepts resupply boxes and is about one mile off the trail at CT mile 91.7, on the eastern side. There is a campsite here.  

Monarch Crest General Store: Also right on trail, the General Store is about halfway through the loop at the southern end. There are snacks to purchase (great ice cream!) and the store will accept mail drops. 

Cottonwood Pass West/ CPL Mile 35.7: County Road 306 / Cottonwood Pass is a frequently traveled road. The trail crosses this road twice, once each on Collegiate East and Collegiate West, and could provide a hitch to Buena Vista. This will be the most convenient place to resupply on all of Collegiate West. Hikers just starting out on Collegiate East may wish to resupply at Mount Princeton Hot Springs via a mail drop, right on the trail a bit farther down. The drive to Buena Vista from the western crossing is about 30 minutes / 18 miles.

Corruption Backcountry Outpost: Not currently open as of June 2021, but will be a potential resupply spot and hostel. 

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Logistics: Camping, Navigation, Water

Navigation: Both halves of the trail are well-blazed with CT and/or CDT trail markers, but there were a few intersections where we pulled out maps to double-check the way. FarOut’s CT guide includes both Collegiate East and West, and there’s also a separate Collegiate Peaks Loop guide.

Water: Crowd-sourced comments left us with no worries about finding the next campsite or water source; both are abundant enough even later in the season that you can happen upon them easily.

Camping: The Collegiate Peaks Loop is mostly on National Forest land, so dispersed camping in well-used sites is the way to go. We looked ahead to about where we wanted to be at the end of each day and planned out a few campsite options based on FarOut.

Special Gear: Sun protection is vital. All members of our group were equipped with long-sleeved sun shirts, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Light rain layers will be useful during brief, frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Temperatures drop at night, so be prepared with a down jacket, hat, gloves, fleece-lined pants, and a warm sleeping bag (20-degree is a safe bet), even during the height of the summer.

As for food storage, there are black bears to worry about, in addition to rodents like marmots, pika, and mice. Two members of our party hung their food each night but it was often a hassle to find the correct tree configuration to do so. I used an Ursack and had no issues, but have heard reports of bears chewing up the bag. The safest and easiest option is to use a bear canister. 

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Know Before You Go

Think carefully about your fitness level, experience at altitude, and desire to hike side trails when planning out food and resupplies. This is already a challenging trail, and altitude makes everything harder. Err on the side of planning to hike more, shorter days so you can acclimate or explore a 14er or two. 

There are plenty of shorter options to explore this area. You can leave a car at both Twin Lakes and Monarch Crest and hike only Collegiate West, or set up a base camp on Collegiate East to hike nearby 14ers. 

Fires are usually banned all summer due to danger of wildfire, so plan on bringing a stove or cold soaking your meals. In the same vein, watch out for Forest Service alerts about closures due to fire or heavy smoke.

Make sure to bring a trowel to bury your poop 6-8 inches in the ground, at least 200 feet from the trail, water, or your camp. Plan to pack out all your toilet paper instead of burying it due to the dryness of the soil (it won’t decompose quickly). Pack out all other trash, too!

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Collegiate Peaks Loop Additional Resources

The Colorado Trail Foundation’s guide 

FarOut Continental Divide Trail app

FarOut Colorado Trail app

CDT map set (free digital download)

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