How to Hike the Colorado Trail with David Fanning: Seasons, Trail Towns, and Extra Experiences Backpacker Radio

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are chatting all things Colorado Trail. Rachel, who filled in for Zach, and Chaunce are joined by David Fanning, who has seven complete hikes of the Colorado Trail, which is tied for the record we think. Topics covered today include the pros and cons of hiking the CT both east and westbound, the best weather windows, transportation to the trail, recommended gear, information about the campsites, water availability, the best towns, resupply strategy, preparation strategies, how to navigate the trail, wildlife, comparing the Collegiate East and West, and more.
We wrap the show with the official details of our upcoming LIVE podcast in Denver, how to cook corn, and the triple crown of bread.
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Panel with David Fanning
David's Website Time stamps & Questions
00:06:14 - Reminders: Come attend BPR live in Denver on April 23! Apply to be a Trek blogger or Ambassador and suggest a potential Trail Days guest for BPR!
00:07:37 - Introducing the Colorado Trail panel
00:08:54 - Introducing David Fanning
00:12:04 - How did you go from the PCT to CT?
00:14:20 - When was the first year you hiked the Colorado Trail?
00:15:52 - Do you think having that conversation with the doctor turned out to be a blessing?
00:20:25 - Colorado Trail basics
00:22:40 - Hiking season and weather
00:30:10 - What crazy weather have you seen across 7 hikes?
00:31:45 - Discussion about keeping gear dry and rain gear
00:36:42 - What experience have you had with snow on the trail?
00:39:14 - Have you had any sketchy experiences with lightning? (NOLS lightning resources)
00:41:56 - Discussion about dead tree fall
00:43:15 - Hiking NOBO or SOBO
00:49:08 - Trail termini
00:51:00 - Discussion about taking the train from Grand Junction to Denver
00:52:12 - Resupplies and towns
00:53:18 - Discussion about hitching
00:59:50 - Trail towns: Bailey, Conifer, Jefferson, and Fairplay (See The Colorado Trail Guide: Resupply and Towns on the Colorado Trail)
01:04:04 - Trail towns: Breckenridge, Frisco, and Copper
01:05:45 - Sending resupply boxes
01:06:53 - Trail towns: Leadville
01:09:54 - Trail towns: Twin Lakes
01:10:35 - Collegiate East vs West
01:17:05 - Trail towns: Buena Vista and Salida
01:19:05 - The Cochetopa section
01:24:10 - Trail towns: Gunnison, Lake City
01:31:56 - Discussion about sheepdogs
01:34:06 - Trail towns: Silverton and the scenic train
01:38:40 - Discussion about the section between Lake City and Silverton
01:40:20 - Discussion about wildlife encounters
01:48:00 - Food storage on the CT
01:50:04 - Shelter considerations on the CT
01:54:15 - Discussion about campsites and Chaunce’s scary story
01:58:45 - Navigation on the CT
02:00:48 - Dogs and bikes on the CT (Backpacker Radio #214 | Tisha McCombs, Executive Director at the Colorado Trail Foundation)
02:03:30 - What has changed the most over your many hikes?
02:07:00 - Section hiking versus thru-hiking
02:14:02 - What’s your elevator pitch for the Colorado Trail?
02:17:04 - Physical preparation on the CT
02:21:25 - Discussion about food and appetite
02:21:55 - Tell us about Voices of the Colorado Trail
Segments
Trek Propaganda
Tisha McCombs is Leaving the Colorado Trail Foundation Best Trekking Poles for Backpacking in 2024 by Katie Kommer QOTD: How do you cook corn?
Triple Crown of bread
Plug Me: Old Man Murph's Coffee Roasters
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
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