Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Collegiate West/Collegiate East junction

Collegiate West/Collegiate East junction

Highlight • Trail

Collegiate West/Collegiate East junction

Name: Collegiate West/Collegiate East junction
Rating: 2

Recommended by 4 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: San Isabel National Forest

Save

Location: Lake County, Colorado, United States

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to Collegiate West/Collegiate East junction

5.0

(3)

hikers

1. Twin Lakes via Continental Divide Trail — San Isabel National Forest

14.4km

04:28

100m

Continental Divide Trail lakeside loop past historic Interlaken resort ruins with Mount Elbert views.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

hikers

2. Twin Lakes Reservoir & Interlaken via Continental Divide Trail — Twin Lakes

14.9km

04:49

110m

Hike two legendary trails at once while exploring a historic 1800s resort site beside Twin Lakes.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

5.0

(1)

hikers

3. Dexter House – Interlaken Trailhead loop from Hartsel

7.06km

02:16

60m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

Tips

Caro "Bandit"

July 21, 2025

Hiking southbound, this is the junction where you decide to hike the Collegiate West alternate (which follows the Continental Divide Trail) or the Collegiate East (which is the original Colorado Trail route). The CW West is more challenging, roughly ten miles longer and takes you into higher elevation, but offers breathtaking scenery, while the CW East stays lower and offers better accessibility to trail towns and hot springs.

Matthew

July 18, 2023

This is an important trail intersection. There are two major trails (CDT and CT) that follow the same path lots of times but diverge here.

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 2,810 m

Weather

Today

Thursday 30 October

10°C

-5°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Lake County, Colorado, United States

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Flume Creek Crossing With View of Twin Lakes

View of Twin Lakes from the Colorado Trail

Hope Pass

Mount Elbert Summit

South Mt. Elbert Trailhead

View of Twin Lakes

Matchless Mine

Twin Lakes Beach Access

Swimming spot at Twin Lakes

Willis Creek Trail

Willis Gulch Trailhead Bridge

Collegiate West/Collegiate East junction

1. Twin Lakes via Continental Divide Trail — San Isabel National Forest

2. Twin Lakes Reservoir & Interlaken via Continental Divide Trail — Twin Lakes

3. Dexter House – Interlaken Trailhead loop from Hartsel

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️