The Colorado Trail, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, spans 500 miles through Colorado’s forests, mountain passes, and historic towns, showcasing some of the state’s most iconic landscapes. With an average elevation above 10,000 feet, the trail presents hikers, bikers, and equestrians with rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, and the physical demands of high-altitude travel. This summer, two reporters from The Denver Gazette set out to explore the trail—one thru-hiking the entire route and the other biking it in segments—documenting its environmental challenges and sharing their personal experiences along the way.