Conquering Colorado Trail's Collegiate West: Hope Pass, Lake Ann, and Cottonwood Passes
A thru-hiker tackles the challenging Collegiate West section of the Colorado Trail, navigating steep ascents, stunning alpine scenery, and unexpected trail magic. Days 13 and 14 bring grueling climbs over Hope Pass, Lake Ann Pass, and Cottonwood Pass, testing endurance with relentless elevation gain and emotional highs and lows.
The Collegiate West section of the Colorado Trail kicked off with a punishing ascent up Hope Pass, leaving one thru-hiker both exhilarated and exhausted. Waking before dawn, the hiker set off at 6:30 a.m., immediately confronting the steep climb through dense forest before emerging into an open meadow with sweeping views of the pass ahead. Despite the early start, the ascent proved brutal, with fellow hiker Cinder quickly pulling ahead. The summit rewarded the effort with breathtaking vistas, though the descent brought its own challenges-navigating a rocky terrain while dodging weekend hikers and soaking in the compliments on their ultralight gear.
## Trail Magic and Alpine Dips
The descent from Hope Pass brought unexpected kindness when the hiker met Jess and Laura, two local hikers who extended an invitation to stay at Jess’s home in Salida. The offer of a free guest room was a welcome surprise, especially after planning to stay in a hostel. The day continued with a detour to Lake Ann, where a brief respite under the sun turned into a cold plunge before dark clouds loomed. The final push up Lake Ann Pass was a rocky scramble, but the summit offered a moment of reprieve before a grueling final hill to camp. By day’s end, the hiker had covered nearly 21.5 miles with over 6,500 feet of elevation gain-a personal record that left them both proud and drained.
## A Day of Endless Ascents
Day 14 brought another early start, but the relentless climbing soon took its toll. The trail demanded four major ascents, including peaks over 12,000 feet, with little reprieve between them. The hiker pushed through 16-17 miles without a proper lunch break, fueled only by frustration and exhaustion. Despite the stunning alpine scenery, the mental strain of constant climbing and the fear of thunderstorms dampened the experience. By evening, the hiker found themselves questioning their journey, a rare moment of doubt amid the physical and emotional toll. Yet, with mile 200 on the horizon, the determination to keep hiking remained strong.
