Customer Reviews

The Colorado Trail (Colorado Mountain Club Guidebooks)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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Comments to 7th Rev edition (2008), 256 pages
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After reading a comment to my review I've decided to finally purchase the newer edition to replace my torn down hiking companion. The book is a tiny bit smaller and lighter than before. Which sounds about right as it is also 32 pages shorter. The pictures, maps, elevation profiles look all the same (still no topo maps and same coarse elevation profiles). The chapter layout is the same, but certain sections have been rearranged (equipment checklist moved to the front, GPS coordinates are in the chapters now). The CT summary, a table with very dense but great information on all segments, sadly, disappeared completely. I am getting the impression that the Colorado Mountain Club will do everything to make you buy the Trail Databook as well. Considering this and the fact that the cover price has been increased from USD 22.95 to 24.95, I would not say this book is evolving in a hiker friendly direction.

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Review of 6th Rev edition (2002), 288 pages
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This is the first book that I have read from back to front. I hiked the CT from Durango to Denver in 32 days from mid-August to Mid-September 2005 and this book was my main guide. I wanted to give this book 2 stars only, but because it actually brought me all the way, I decided on 3. What is the reason for this harsh judgment?

The reason is not, that I had to read it backwards! - Some people on the trail found it confusing to read it the wrong way, but I found the description of the trail adequate in most places. I got lost a few times when missing a junction, but this happened maybe once a week and is part of the game. In general the trail is extremely well marked. - No, I find the data in this book incomplete. Everything and more (except for sketches of trail towns) you will find in the tiny and cheap Trailside Databook from the same publisher. My main complaints are, that this book
* has very little concrete information about water sources (!) and campsites.
* poor maps. The maps included are US Forest Service maps that show no elevation data (unlike USSGS topo maps). This makes it near impossible to figure out any geographic features. This also means you probably want to buy additional maps. This could easily cost you 100 bucks! Other guide books (PCT) include usable maps.
* has very coarse elevation profiles. Usually only 4 to 6 data points are given for each of the 28 segments. You might actually be walking uphill, while the elevation profile points down! In a time of computer generated elevation profiles this is inexcusable. (Even the displays at segment trailheads show _much_ better profiles.)
* gives elevation "gain" for each segment but no "loss" information. This is important if you have a bad hip or hike the "wrong" direction where "down" and "up" switch places.

The book is printed on very glossy, heavy paper. This means beautiful pictures are included. But it also means that most hiker tear out pages as they go to save weight. The paper does not burn well and can't be used as a fire starter at all.

On the positive side the book tries to teach you a little bit about the history of each of the 28 segments (usually one page). As I went on I really enjoyed reading them and got a feeling for the history (mostly mining and railroads).

The book is adequate as a guide. My recommendation for those planning a thru-hike: get the trailside data book from the same publisher (better get 2 copies, as I lost mine early and it was impossible to replace on the trail) and a set of good topo maps. You might get away without maps, as the trail is very well marked, but having them provides an additional layer of safety and a lot of interesting information.

The new 6th edition comes with latitude, longitude, and elevation for each of the main waypoints and intersections along each of the segments.

The book overall was helpful when hiking for the first time in some areas but some descriptions were contradictory

Get this book. You won't find a better Guidebook. I have numerous Guidebooks from several publishers and authors and I haven't seen anything better. The book includes sections on planning your trip, the heritage, natural history and geology of the Colorado Trail.

The book provides a tremendous amount of information. A great deal of effort went into the organization and layout of the information in the book. The individuals that were responsible for making this book available should take tremendous pride in a job very well done.

Note that this book is bigger and heavier than many other Guidebooks because of the great color photographs. I consider this to be a plus. This is a beautiful Guidebook. My other Guidebooks for the most part all have black & white photographs. They all pale in comparison to this beautiful book.

I agree with all of the positive points of the first review.

The only things that are missing, which I think are important, is that on the book's maps none of the coordinates are given for the trail. Waypoints would be excellent information so that you can map it on your own Topo! software without having to buy something else in addition to the book.

This was a gift for my brother who is an avid hiker. He really enjoyed this book and said it was just what he was looking for. He had no complaints about the shipping or packaging so neither do I.

I had only been hiking in Colorado once before, but am an experienced hiker. This book had all the important info about each segment, parking at TH, restrictions, etc. I also found it to be current and up-to-date. I hiked segments 4 and 5 using this book.....I can't wait to go back to the CT.

Some friends and I are planning our thru hike of this trail this summer, and this guidebook was amazingly helpful. It details where nearly all water sources are as well as offering suggestions for food, showers, campsites, and all other necessary amenities. The maps provided are helpful but I'm still planning on buying the set of full topos for the trip to understand the topography of the trail better. This book is fairly heavy to pack on the trail, but I think I'll still probably bring it because of its turn by turn details of the trail, scenery, and what to look and watch for along your trek. Overall a fabulous guidebook and I would strongly encourage anyone planning a thru hike of this trail to get this book.

Now in a fully updated fifth edition, The Colorado Trail: The Official Guidebook provides comprehensive and essential information for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts wanting to enjoy one of Colorado's premier wilderness features available to the public year round. Featured are full-color maps of each trail segment; detailed descriptions of every mile; tips and advice from outdoors experts; more than 80 color photos; recommendations for equipment, food, and safety; resupply information at nearby towns; accurate mileage charts and useful elevation profiles; even mountain bike detours. If you are bound for the Colorado Trail, don't leave home without your very own backpacking copy of The Colorado Trail: The Official Guidebook!