Stage 3 of 15 · Colorado Trail

Start → End

Distance

26.4 km

Ascent

+686 m

Descent

-869 m

Est. Time

7h 09m

Altitude

3,235.3–3,750.5 m

Type

point-to-point

⛰️ Rolling Hills❄️ Alpine

📍

Start: Start

No nearby transit stop. Consider getting dropped off or using the previous stage's end stop.

📍

End: End

No nearby transit stop at the end. Check the next stage's start stop.

📥 Download GPX 🗺️ Open in Planner 🏔️ 3D Flyover 26.4 km · 686m gain

Elevation Profile

Easy (5–10%) Flat (<5%) Moderate (10–15%)

Route Map

🗺️ Open in Planner → | 🏔️ View 3D Flyover →

Segment Breakdown

Auto-analyzed from the elevation profile. Each segment shows the dominant character for planning your effort.

Segment	Dist	↑ / ↓	Time	Character
Start → km 8.2 (3656m) 3,461–3,751m	8.2 km	+864m / -669m	3h 25m	📈 Climbing
km 8.2 (3656m) → km 16.5 (3312m) 3,311–3,665m	8.3 km	+656m / -1000m	3h 15m	📉 Descending
km 16.5 (3312m) → End 3,235–3,344m	9.9 km	+739m / -761m	3h 35m	🏃 Highly Runnable
Total	26.4 km	+686m / -869m	10h 15m

Pace & Fuel Calculator

Adjust your flat 10K pace to see personalized finish time, calorie burn, and hydration needs.

Your flat 10K pace 7:00 /km

4:00 /km (elite) 12:00 /km (leisure)

Fast Hiker / Jogger

Est. Finish Time

4h 17m

Calories

2,102 kcal

Water Needed

3 L

Effort Distance

37.6 km

flat-equivalent

🍫 Recommended: ~45g carbs/hr (193g total) 🧂 Electrolytes: ~2143mg sodium/hr 🩹 Consider anti-chafe and blister prevention

Terrain Analysis

Runnability

Steep / Technical

% of route below 15% gradient

Climb Ratio

26 m/km

Moderate profile

↑ 686m ↓ 869m

Surface & Technicality

Terrain Difficulty Breakdown

Runnable Flat (51%) Easy Grade (24%) Moderate Climb (25%)

Surface Type

Ground (79%) Unknown (8%) Unpaved (5%) Gravel (4%) Wood (2%) Asphalt (1%) Dirt (1%) Paved (1%)

🏃 Mostly runnable with gentle terrain. Great for fast trail running.

Surface Breakdown

Natural Ground (78%)

Unknown (8%)

Unpaved Trail (5%)

Gravel (4%)

Wood (2%)

Current Conditions

Loading live weather...

Conditions for June

ℹ️ Shoulder season

Snow Risk

15%

Low

Mud Risk

30%

Moderate

Ice Risk

Unlikely

🌤️ Occasional snow patches possible above 3188m. Trail should be mostly clear but carry microspikes just in case.

🥾 Muddy sections likely. Waterproof boots recommended.

Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov

Suggested Gear List

Auto-generated based on 26.4 km, 686m ascent, max altitude 3750.5m, ~7h duration.

Essential 8 items

👟
Trail running shoes / hiking boots

Required for any trail
📱
Phone (charged) + offline map

Navigation & emergency contact
💧
3L hydration vest

No water sources on route
🍫
Trail mix, bars & sandwich

Est. 2503 kcal burn
🧴
Sunscreen SPF 50+

UV intensifies above 2000m
🧢
Sun hat / cap

Exposed alpine terrain
🧥
Windbreaker / shell jacket

Summit at 3750.5m — wind chill
🆘
Emergency space blanket

Critical if injured at altitude

Recommended 5 items

🕶️
Sunglasses (cat 3+)

Snow & rock glare at altitude
🧤
Warm mid-layer (fleece)

Temps drop ~6°C per 1000m
🔦
Headlamp

7h route — plan for delays
🩹
Mini first aid kit

Blister plasters, tape, antiseptic
🧊
Microspikes / light crampons

Snow risk in Dec, Jan, Feb

Nice to have 1 items

🦵
Gaiters

Keep snow out of boots

Logistics

This route runs from Start to End (26.4 km by trail). You'll need to arrange transport back to your starting point.

Start — Getting There

Start

No transit stops detected nearby.

Finish — Getting Back

End

No transit stops detected nearby. Check local timetables.

🗺️ Transit directions (Google)

←

Previous Stage

Colorado Trail Stage 2: Start → End

Next Stage

Colorado Trail Stage 4: Start → End

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← Back to all 15 stages of Colorado Trail

Take this route with you

Download the GPX file for your GPS watch or phone. Works with Garmin, Suunto, COROS, Apple Watch, and all GPX-compatible apps.

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