This is a 304-mile route recently linked together by Kevin Silvernale. People have thru-hiked the route the last couple of summers, with updates shared in a route Facebook group and via the NOCO trail website. Depending on route direction, it typically begins near Estes Park and ends near Glenwood Springs, broken into four major segments.
This route travels across beautiful Colorado terrain that has not previously been linked together in an extensive way like this. Some highlights include:
- An ascent of just under 50,000 ft (49,861 ft)
- Travel through 5 wilderness areas, 4 national forests, a state park, and Rocky Mountain National Park, and nearby towns including Estes Park, Walden, Steamboat Springs, Oak Creek, Yampa, and Glenwood Springs
Overall, this NOCO Trail route provides trail visitors with the opportunity to a see a wide range of Northern Colorado trails and spots on a huge 'new' thru-hike route. It's a creative new trail opportunity with a grassroots origin.
There is a website with more information, including maps and photos. This is where GPX files have been sourced from (for the redline route- which is the route without alternate segments). Website link: https://www.northerncoloradotrail.org/
Note: This is not a segment of the Colorado Trail. GPX files and photos provided are from the NOCO Trail website. A running partner and I plan to run the route this summer, and have received permission from Kevin via email to submit this as a route to the FKT website. Thank you for your consideration!
