Outdoor Vitals founder Tayson Whittaker and OV content coordinator Caden covered the final 36 miles of the Colorado Trail in one day, from the Buffalo Creek area to Waterton Canyon outside Denver (Segments 1 through part of 3), in about 10.5 hours. Going in fall instead of summer, they averaged just under 18 minutes per mile including stops, refilled water once, and stopped less than an hour all day.
On this Live Ultralight Podcast episode, they break down training, gear, food, water, and pacing for a 36-mile day, and what they would change.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN THIS EPISODE
What is the best time of year to hike the Colorado Trail from Waterton Canyon? Outside of summer, if you can. The exposed burn area and the roughly 8-mile road walk through Waterton Canyon get hot and dry in summer. In fall, under overcast skies, those miles were cool and easy on water. In summer, Tayson would hike them very early or late at night.
How much water do you need for a 36-mile day on this section? The amount will vary greatly based on weather. For Tayson and Caden, they both carried around 3 liters at a time, filtering once because it was cool and overcast. On a hot day, it's good to keep in mind there are multiple long water carries (10+) miles. Being ready to carry 4 liters at a time is not a bad idea.
What gear do you carry for a 36-mile day with no sleeping gear? Food, water, a first aid kit, a headlamp, gloves, a rain jacket, a wind layer, and enough insulation to stop for a while if someone gets hurt. Tayson carried wind pants, a wind jacket, a rain jacket, a Vario Jacket, and a Garmin. Caden carried a Nebo Windbreaker, a rain jacket, and a Pursuit Hybrid Fleece.
What food do you bring for a one-day ultra-distance hike? Food you know you will eat, in small portions you can reach without stopping. Tayson carried a little over 3 lb of food including drink mixes and aimed for calories about every hour. Plan for variety in taste and texture so you do not get sick of it late in the day.
How do you pace a 30-plus mile day on trail? Hold an effort level, not a watch pace. We stayed around a 6 or 7 out of 10: hike the climbs, jog the flats and downhills, and check mileage targets like where you want to be by lunch.
How do you avoid blisters and foot pain on a 36-mile day? Use shoes with enough cushion and miles left, dial in your lacing before the trip, and pre-tape hot spots. Tayson's tip: tighten the upper laces slightly for long descents and loosen them for climbs.
Can you hike 30 miles in a day without running? Yes. Walking about 3 mph or faster and limiting stops, this 36 miles would take roughly 12 to 13 hours instead of 10.5. You trade speed for more hours on your feet.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Finishing the Colorado Trail: the last 36 miles into Denver
2:01 The route: Buffalo Creek to Waterton Canyon, Segments 1 to 3
2:47 Why we hiked this section in fall instead of summer
3:37 How we trained for a 36-mile day
7:25 Gear for a 36-mile day: safety layers and essentials
9:30 Caden's gear and the Pursuit Hybrid Fleece
12:26 Food strategy: calories every hour on the move
15:08 Hydration: drink mixes, salt, flasks, and a bladder
15:56 Eating for one big day vs multi-day trips, and avoiding food fatigue
21:01 Starting at 7:30am: cold hands and why gloves matter
23:02 Pacing a long day by effort level, not watch pace
25:48 The first half: rolling hills and the exposed burn area
26:49 Unexpected water situation - going 20 miles on one fill
29:20 The long downhill, hot spots, and a lacing mistake
30:55 Lunch at the river: our only water stop
32:22 The big climb: 1,200 ft after lunch
33:57 Headphones and audiobooks for long days
36:13 Descending into Waterton Canyon and the road walk
40:35 Finishing 2 hours ahead of plan
41:30 The best way to hike this section of the Colorado Trail
43:38 Caden's takeaways: shoes, training, and what a big day unlocks
47:46 Tayson's takeaways: undertraining and lacing for climbs and descents
51:52 Can you do a 30-mile day without running?
58:41 Finishing the Colorado Trail next summer and the OV 100
59:44 Black Friday sale and the Live Ultralight Membership
GEAR FROM THIS EPISODE
Skyline 30 Fastpack: https://bit.ly/3X5QL7y
Pursuit Hybrid Fleece: https://bit.ly/48EPPcN
Nebo Windbreaker: https://bit.ly/3WPiLfD
Vario Jacket: https://bit.ly/4f6RknJ
Have questions for us? Send us a voice message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/LiveUltraLight Or write in to support@outdoorvitals.com!
