Segment 1 Route Update: Mendenhall & Jack Dickens Alternates
As the Northern Colorado Trail approaches Walden, one small section of the proposed route crosses private property, with signage indicating restricted access. We will be reaching out to the land managers to explore possible thru-hiker access and determine what may be needed to make this a reality. That being said, we do not currently have the land owner's permission for what we believe is the best route into Walden. To address this, here are two alternate routes to avoid the private property issue.
The Jack Dickens Trail Alternate (Orange) follows a more southern path through State Forest State Park and stays at a lower elevation than both the Redline and Northern Alternate. This route shaves off 7.3 miles from the Redline route, making it a great option if you're low on food or if the weather isn’t cooperating with your plans to hike the epic Medicine Bow Trail along the ridge.
The Mendenhall Trail Alternate (Purple) continues on the Medicine Bow Trail, extending north past Ute Pass (Redline) before reaching the Mendenhall Trail, which descends along Mendenhall Creek. This alternate adds five miles to the Redline route and requires a 4.3 mile road walk along Highway 125 into Walden. However, it's a small price to pay if you're interested in camping on the stunning Medicine Bow Trail ridge.
Both alternates have their pros and cons while providing a scenic detour around the current Redline route. Trail guides, maps, and GPS files for navigation are available for download.
More details will be published as we establish contact with the land managers and owners and continue discussions. Stay tuned!