PCT vs. Colorado Trail: one clearly wins for a thru-hike beginner

I did the Colorado Trail in 2022 and the PCT in 2023. For someone who hasn't done a long distance hike before, the CT is the better choice. It's 486 miles vs. 2,650 miles, so you can finish it in 4-5 weeks instead of 5 months. The resupply points are closer together too, like every 3-4 days max. Way less planning and you get real mountains and alpine scenery the whole way. Anyone else find the smaller trails more rewarding than the big name ones?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_phoenix8d ago

Hell yeah, I'm right there with you! I did the Long Trail in Vermont a couple years back and it was only like 270 miles but man, it felt way more complete than anything longer I've tried. The resupply thing is huge - on the CT you're never more than a few days from a town, which cuts down on the stress and heavy food carries. Plus you get that alpine payoff every single day without the weeks of desert walking or mosquito hell. Smaller trails just have better density of good stuff in my experience.

ninab958d ago

Oh man, you know what nobody talks about with these shorter trails? The community aspect. On a 3-week hike you actually get to know the other people you keep running into. You start recognizing the same faces at shelters and campsites. On a thru-hike of the PCT or AT everyone is so spread out and moving at different paces you never really build those connections. I've made actual lasting friendships on those 2-3 week trips that I still talk to years later. There's something about that smaller group of people all experiencing the same stretch of trail together that just hits different. Your mileage may vary but that social piece is honestly half the reason I keep going back to the shorter routes.