The Colorado Trail Cataract Ridge Re-route for Segments 23 and 24
This route follows existing trails along the continental divide from Cataract Lake. This avoids the motorized portions of the Pole Creek Trail, and the Jeep trail connecting the Pole Creek portion to Beartown. It is a really intriguing bicycle alternative as well, as cyclists will emerge at Stony Pass and can descend to Silverton to avoid the Weminuche Wilderness. Cyclists note - much of the route consists of navigating between cairns with no built trail. If you choose to go this way, expect to carry your bike a lot of the time. Bicycles are not allowed south of Stony Pass as this is the boundary for the Weminuche Wilderness Area.
The route is the idea of Merle McDonald, who researched the way beginning in 1998. The proposed trail was GPS'd by Merle McDonald and Jerry Brown in August, 2003. Actual construction on the route began in 2006, when crews working for both the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail spent extensive time on the route. The route is scheduled for completion in 2007, but is marked well with cairns and not particularly hard to follow in it's current state of development. Users should carry a GPS to help find the way. Waypoint data is below.
Campsite in Cuba Gulch Merle McDonald enjoys a view Looking towards the SW Some tundra flora Passing Elk herd
(click on photos to enlarge)
The route is detailed in "The Colorado Trail - Seventh edition revised" which was released in mid-summer 2008. (make sure you get the revised edition), and in "The Colorado Trail Map Book" For information on the map book click here. Earlier versions of the guide book do not have information on this part of the trail.
To go to The Colorado Trail Home Page to order a guidebook or Mapbook click here.
The entire Colorado Trail waypoint list is available in Garmin Mapsource, Magellan Mapsend, GPX, and convertible to other formats. Download HERE
Go to The Colorado Trail Home Page
Go to the Bear Creek Home Page