Segment 16-20
Marshall Pass to San Luis Pass
segment 16
Segment 16
Marshall Pass Trailhead to Sargents Mesa
- 15.2 Miles
- Water Availability: Very little
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Camping: No good spots for horses
- Trailer Access: Only at the Marshall Pass Trailhead
Trail Overview: The terrain of the Colorado Trail is changing, and it is not hard to miss. The trails start to open up more, and you will stay in higher elevation (over 10,000 ft) for most of the segments that are left. Segment 16 is not too long of a segment, but water sources will be more scarce. This segment is a nice moderate ride.
Concerns: There are no good camping spots for a group with horses. Water is scarce and known sources are not always reliable.
Motorized vehicles are now allowed in the next few segments (aka dirt bikes). All of the dirt bikers were very courteous on trail! Just be aware of your horse and stay safe.
No trailer access at Sargents Mesa!
Trail Description: Segment 16 starts at Marshall Pass Trailhead. Motorized vehicles are allowed for the next few segments, so please be aware of mountain bikers and atvs.
Water sources are going to start becoming more scarce as you continue on through the next segments. In Segment 16 there is reliable water at the beginning of the trail. At mile 11.6, you will come across Tank Seven Creek which is the last reliable source until you reach Baldy Lake in Segment 17. Baldy Lake can be found slightly off trail around 7 miles into Segment 17. This makes it an 11 mile dry stretch from Tank Seven Creek to Baldy Lake.
There are no great camping spots to camp along with horses in this segment. In 2017, we rode Segment 16 and then continued into Segment 17 to camp at Baldy Lake.
segment 17
Segment 17
Sargents Mesa to CO HWY 114
- 20.4 Miles
- Water Availability: Very little
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Camping: Baldy Lake (intersection is at mile 6.9)
- Trailer Access: No trailer access at Sargents Mesa. Good trailer access at HWY 114
Trail Overview: The trail of this segment offers a nice ride and is not too difficult. Though, water is scarce. Baldy Lake offers a reliable source of water. It is half a mile off trail, but worth it if you need to plan a spot to camp. Baldy Lake was one of our favorite camping spots! It is such a beautiful place to stop and camp. This segment drops a little bit below 10,000 ft in elevation toward the end of the segment as you reach HWY 114.
Concerns: The only reliable water source is at Baldy Lake mile 6.9 of this segment. Motorized vehicles are allowed on this segment.
There is no trailer access at Sargents Mesa!
Trail Description: Segment 17 starts at Sargents Mesa continuing to follow the Continental Divide. At mile 6.9, you will find the intersection that will take you to Baldy Lake. Baldy Lake is half a mile off trail, but it is worth it if you need a place to camp for the night. This is the last reliable water source on trail. You might find water further along, but this varies greatly from year to year depending on how much rain the area has gotten.
segment 18
Segment 18
CO HWY 114 to Saguache Park Road
- 13.8 Miles
- Water Availability: Good
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Camping: Okay, depending on available water sources
- Trailer Access: Yes
Trail Overview: This segment is not a difficult ride. You will be riding through a lot of open land and pastures.
Concerns: Scarce water sources, and the trail is open with very little shade - it can get hot. Just stay safe and make sure you don't make any wrong turns like we did!
segment 19
Segment 19
Saguache Park Road to Eddiesville Trailhead
- 13.7 Miles
- Water Availability: Good
- Difficulty: Moderate - Difficult
- Camping: Good camping spots at the end of the segment. There are even a few livestock pens.
- Trailer Access: Yes
Trail Overview: The terrain on this trail was beautiful! We do like a little bit of a challenge, and there were some nice sections to this trail.
Concerns: Crossing Cochetopa Creek and some narrow sections.
Trail Description: Segment 19 starts at Saguache Park Road. If the rain has been good that year, you may find some seasonal water at the beginning of this segment. In 2017, we were able to find a good campsite with seasonal water stream.
The beginning of this segment is open terrain. When we reached Cochetopa Creek at mile 9.7, there was a rock formation that you go up over the west bank of the creek. It was muddy and a little challenging to ride through, but all the horses did well.
The trail gradually climbs over the last few miles. We rode along some narrow ledges as we made our way to the end of the segment.
Eddiesville Trailhead was where we camped. There is a creek by the Trailhead, and we set up camp close by. We found some livestock pens, but it was more convenient for us to highline all of our horses. The livestock pens are located to the left of the trailhead, which is the direction if you were continuing to the next segment. There are signs that point in the direction of the pens.
segment 20
Segment 20
Eddiesville Trailhead to San Luis Pass
- 12.7 Miles
- Water Availability: Okay
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Camping: Camping available at Eddiesville Trailhead
- Trailer Access: Trailer access at Eddiesville Trailhead. No trailer access at San Luis Pass.
Trail Overview: This is a beautiful trail, but it is a difficult segment. The trail takes you over 2 saddles before you descend down to the end of the segment.
Concerns: Lengthy climb up to the saddle just below San Luis Peak. There is no trailer access San Luis Peak.
Trail Description: Segment 20 starts at Eddiesville Road Trailhead. The first few miles there is not that much elevation gain, but around mile 4 the trail begins a gradual climb over the next 5 miles. The climb will take you over the saddle at mile 8.8 that is just below the San Luis Pass.
The trail then descends before climbing back up to gain another saddle at mile 10.1.
Again, there is no trailer access at San Luis Pass.