Over the past few weeks, I’ve made some major updates to the Northern Colorado Trail (NOCO Trail) based on feedback, field reports, and careful route analysis. These changes improve the trail's viability, eliminate private land crossings, refine the redline route for better flow, and add detailed waypoint data to the trail guides and maps. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new and why these changes were made.

Private Land Adjustments & Mendenhall Route Becomes the Redline into Walden

Two sections of the previous route crossed private land:

Near Walden (where the trail crossed the Canadian River).
Near Highway 131 (approaching Yampa).

While these were the most efficient and scenic routes, they required trespassing or landowner permission—neither of which is a sustainable option for an official long-distance trail. As a result, the NOCO Trail has been rerouted to avoid private property entirely.

Near Walden, the official redline now follows the Mendenhall Trail into town. This was previously an alternate route, but it now serves as the primary route for the NOCO Trail.
The Jack Dickens Alternate (Orange) remains a viable option for hikers who prefer a shorter approach into town. However, it involves more road walking and skips the Medicine Bow ridgeline, which offers some of the best views on the entire route.
Near Yampa, the route now sticks to public forest roads, leading to a short road walk along Highway 131 into town.

This ensures that NOCO Trail hikers have a fully public and legal route, while still maintaining a high-quality backcountry experience.

Lower Route After Mummy Creek Pass

Previously, the redline followed the Comanche Peak High Route, which offered incredible views but also came with challenges. The new lower route was chosen because:

It flows better with the overall direction of the NOCO Trail.
It avoids exposure to storms above treeline, making it a safer and more consistent option.
It offers more camping opportunities and water access.

That said, the Comanche Peak High Route remains a fantastic alternate for those looking for a scenic ridge walk. While the Cameron Peak Fire burn scar remains a dominant feature along this section, it still offers stunning views and a unique look at the landscape’s recovery.

map of the noco trail route on the mummy pass trail with alternates shown — Mummy Pass Trail + Big South Trail (New Redline), Comanche Peak High Route (Purple), Mummy Pass Bypass (Cyan)

Rerouting South of Highway 40 (Segment 3)

A significant update was made to the section just south of Highway 40, near Rabbit Ears Pass:

Previously, the NOCO Trail followed Forest Road 100 straight to the Silver Creek Trail.
Based on a recommendation from a Volunteer at the Friends of Wilderness (FOW), the new route now follows:
- Forest Road 251 → Forest Road 303 → Routt Divide Trail, before reconnecting with Forest Road 100 and the Silver Creek Trail.

This adjustment improves trail flow and makes the transition between segments more natural. It also keeps the route in alignment with existing hiking infrastructure rather than relying too heavily on forest roads.

Forest Road 251/303 - Routt Divide Trail (New Redline), Routt Divide Bypass (Cyan)

More Than 1,000 Waypoints Added!

A major upgrade to NOCO Trail data: detailed GPS waypoints have now been integrated into the trail guides and maps. These waypoints provide key location-based info, including:

Trail intersections (with names and markers matching on-trail signage).
Water sources (including seasonal flow estimates).
Campsites (with estimated capacity and shelter information).
Trailheads & parking areas (noting vehicle accessibility).
Town Service Waypoints (for resupply and town information).
Scenic viewpoints and other points of interest.

To ensure consistency and accuracy, waypoint names in the guide match those in the GPS files and printed maps. This allows hikers to easily reference the same landmarks across different planning tools.

Datasheet Updates & Edit Logs

While revising the trail guides, I caught a few minor mileage errors and clarity issues. These weren’t major, but to keep things transparent, each datasheet now includes an edit log at the bottom. This log:

Documents all version changes (date + specific edits).
Ensures hikers can always verify they have the latest version by checking the date in the PDF header.

This should make it easier to track updates and avoid confusion over past versions of the route.

Growing Excitement & Community Engagement

The response to the NOCO Trail has been incredible so far. While I won’t name specific groups yet, there has been enthusiasm from:

Local land management agencies.
Regional trail organizations.
The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) community.

People are excited to see the trail develop, and I look forward to hearing feedback from thru-hikers, section hikers, and day hikers as more people get out there this season!

Land Access Challenges in Walden & Yampa

The remaining private land issues near Walden and Yampa are mostly related to ranching and recreation conflicts. These sections already have roads and trails, but they pass through private property with posted no-trespassing signs.

While these detours are manageable, the ideal long-term goal is to find a mutually beneficial solution that allows the trail to follow a scenic, optimized route through these areas. This could involve:

Building community relationships with landowners and town officials.
Exploring conservation easements or agreements to allow passage.
Potentially developing a dedicated hiking corridor in the future.

The goal isn’t just trail access—it’s about finding a way for the NOCO Trail to positively contribute to the communities it passes through. These conversations are ongoing, and I’ll provide updates as they develop.

A Huge Thank You to the NOCO Trail Community

This project wouldn’t be possible without your support. Whether you’ve donated, shared information, or just followed along, you’re helping to build something truly special.

This latest round of updates solidifies the NOCO Trail as a fully publicly accessible route, while improving navigation, data accuracy, and overall hiker experience. There’s still more work to be done—particularly with landowner outreach—but the trail is better than ever heading into the 2025 hiking season.

I’d love to hear from hikers heading out this year—Join the Northern Colorado Trail Facebook Community

With these changes the Official Length of the Northern Colorado Trail stands at 299.8 Miles.

Thank you, and happy trails!

Major NOCO Trail Updates: Route Changes, Waypoints & More!