In summer 2024 from 10th of July to 10th of August I solo-hiked the Colorado Trail, starting near Denver at Waterton Canyon, finishing at Molas Lake close to Silverton.

This was a truly remarkable adventure, and the culmination of my plans and preparations that started almost two years earlier.

It was some time in 2022 when I first read about the Colorado Trail on some web site I don’t remember. As I have family in the US, and I have travelled the Rocky Mountains (Colorado, Wyoming) quite a bit in my life, I was immediately hooked.

Until then my longest „thru-hike“ was a five day back pack trip through the French Vosges mountains, plus a few three day hikes. However, the idea for a longer hike was already growing in the back of my head – a friend had hiked the Camino del Norte in Spain and had a great time, and I read a wonderful book about the „Shvil Israel“ – the Israel trail.

After first reading about the Colorado Trail it didn’t take long to make the decision to actually do the hike. That was in late summer 2022.

Of course such a project would require some preparation, so I decided to plan for summer 2024. The real preparations started in late 2023 – watching lots of YouTube-Videos about thru-hiking, gear and experiences of other hikers, buying and trying out gear, and putting together everything that had to be organized (flight, supply on the trail etc.). Then early 2024 I started with my training plan – starting to hike three to four times each week for 6 – 10 km with some weight in my backpack. Distance and weight was increased getting closer to summer. Also two three-day hikes with most of my gear (shoes, backpack, water filter etc.) somewhere in the German woods.

Some of the gear – such as the Bear Container – was not available here, so my family in the US ordered it.

Then on the 10th of July the fun started in Waterton Canyon, around 8 am in the morning. I was overwhelmed by my feelings to actually be on the way now.

Over the next 36 days I had one of the greatest and most demanding experiences in my life so far. I got lots of support from my family, met great people, and was just deeply touched by the nature and the scenery I experienced.

From my photos and videos I created (and at the time of writing I’m still creating) seven videos that can be watched on YouTube.

I will post more about my hike and the videos. Stay tuned…