The Colorado Trail

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Interactively explore all 500 miles of The Colorado Trail between Denver and Durango using topographic maps and satellite imagery.The Colorado Trail (#1776) is a collection of roads and trails managed by the United States Forest Service that generally follows the Continental Divide between Denver and Durango. Explore the entire trail on an overview map, or between major access points on more detailed individual satellite or terrain maps. Detailed maps include elevation profiles, as well as forest roads leading to every access point. These features can be useful not only when planning short excursions, but also whenever the ability to anticipate large elevation gains is important. Brief descriptions provide trail conditions and highlights that can be expected along the way, tailored for both hikers and mountain bikers. Driving directions make finding the trail a simple process, even when the trail is at the end of a maze of unmarked roads.

1/27/2015: Updated and simplified the controls for detailed maps, and added the option to switch between satellite and terrain maps.

11/10/2013: Added labels with road names on each of the segment elevation profiles, along with associated dots on the map, that depict where access roads cross the trail. The dots are color coded by road condition, unless the road is gated, in which case the dot will be red. While these additions will be helpful in planning day hikes, they can also be used in case of emergency.

3/6/2013: Driving directions are now displayed to the ends of each segment, and in some cases to points along the trail, in one window. Some results are heavily modified, not only by reducing routing errors, but also by adding roads that are not mapped, which should increase the chances of finding the intended destination, especially in remote areas.