Colorado Trail: Segment 2
Colorado Trail: Segment 2
5/3/2025
South Platte River Trailhead - Little Scraggy Trailhead
Miles hiked: 11.9 mi
Elevation gained: 2,482 ft (6,101 - 7,786 - 7,848)
Animals seen: almost ran over a family of Canadian geese, turkeys spotted in a parking lot
Jake’s fomo (fear of missing out, Mom) bested him sooner than expected and he was all set to join in hiking with us for Segment 2. However, due to some really bad work luck he had to make it to the post office instead of hiking. Plan B had him biking this segment in the opposite direction, leaving the Yellow Submarine at the end with some cold trail beers for me and Amanda, while he took the Mazda home. This eliminated the shuttling of cars at the end of the day at least. Anywho, onto the hiking…
After our morning car shuttle, almost hitting a family of geese this time, we arrived at the start of Segment 2 on the South Platte River. Once again using the pit toilet after another gas station coffee and brek burrito.
Segment 2 has a bad reputation. It’s almost entirely uphill and through a burn scar that leaves you in complete sun exposure. Couple that with no water source except at the very start, it makes for a potentially very hot, very sunny, very long slog. So with 3 heavy liters of water and my turbo boost (Leinie) attached, we set off across the South Platte river at a balmy 29 degrees.
Turbo boost, go.
We had a very short distance of flat trail next to the river where Leinie had his first trail poop. Very quickly the trail turned into a good punchy up, complete with switchbacks. After gaining an unreasonable amount of elevation in way-too-short of a distance, we were rewarded with the first viewpoint of the day before the trail mellowed out on the steepness and became a much more gradual climb.
Full speed ahead
First viewpoint
And climb, and climb, and climb, we did. A few punchy pieces kept our confidence in check. I attempted snacking while hiking and had the same result of having to choose between chewing and breathing. While not in the burn scar, there was near constant sun exposure along the route with only intermittent trees providing shade for quick water breaks.
Sweet camping spot for thru hikers
Despite the near constant climb, we made it to the high point (sorta, the end is technically the high point) in good time and stopped for the token picture.
High point, sorta
After the “high point” we got a short lived down before a mild speed bump up where we found a nice snack rock with some views. While snacking and some mild first aid (blister on my hand from my trekking poles of all places) Jake called to let us know he was starting off from Segment 3 trailhead. Fueled and muled we hit the trail and entered the notorious burn scar.
The Scar
They weren’t joking, it was very exposed and very warm. I can’t imagine how thru hikers do this in July. Leinie had been pulling me along until this point where he then needed extra encouragement to keep trucking.
Halfway through the scar we crossed paths with Jake. Leinie was very excited for a surprise doggo dad appearance while Jake and I swapped keys. Jake had taken the wrong trail from the trailhead, adding some bonus miles to his ride. We verified that the remainder of his trek had minimal trail crossing for him to get lost on. One of these days I’m going to attach an airtag to him, I swear.
We waved goodbye and continued on our way over taking a Boy Scout troop that was hauling shovels. Amanda and I concurred that they were likely burying a body and this would not be the place we would personally choose for that chore. What? Trail does things and brings out interesting conversation.
Abruptly the burn scar ended and we enjoyed some glorious intermittent shade. One last uphill push brought us bouncing along the highway before having to cross it rapidly. The trail turned into a dirt road that seemed to go on forever. Leinie needed a lot of convincing at this point, wanting a shade break every time a tree offered some.
Scraggy Peak, yes that’s its name
End of the scar and a view of Pikes Peak
Trail Doggo enjoying shade
We made it back to Little Scraggy trailhead and enjoyed some homebrew trail beers before heading back to civilization.
Little Scraggy TH
Anti-Social Cactus that dotted this segment
Jake Biking Addendum:
“I enjoyed washing off in the river after the ride.”
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Our hiking heroines join up once again, this time a Leinie Trail Dog in toe to tackle the dreaded Segment 2 of the CO Trail.