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# Bypassing an Early Colorado Winter
- URL: https://www.hikingamerica.com/winterbypass/
- Published: 2022-10-05T19:42:00.000Z
- Updated: 2022-10-05T19:42:00.000Z
- Description: At the request of an on-trail ADT Hiker, we've added a new bypass to the Colorado Southern Route to avoid a collision with early winter at 10k feet.
- Author: John Wesley Brett
- Tags: Colorado

Above 10,000 feet, winter comes much earlier than at lower elevations. Science! 🙄 (I know, but stay with me a second).

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/0f/28/0f286572-aa37-49a3-8704-f6d42aa3a69a/content/images/2022/09/Hiking-America-wordmark-GreenSlogan.png)](https://www.hikingamerica.com/#/portal/signup)

[**Shawn "Ruk Runner" Whitcomb**](https://www.tiktok.com/@ruk%5Frunner?is%5Ffrom%5Fwebapp=1&sender%5Fdevice=pc&ref=hikingamerica.com) is finishing the +10,000 ft western Colorado section of the **American Discovery Trail** and should reach **Denver** in the coming days — where the **Northern and Southern ADT Routes** diverge at 5,280 ft. Shawn will then take the ADT Southern Route.

But there's a problem. It's October.

While the **ADT Southern Route** begins heading due south for **Colorado Springs**, it takes a hard turn to the **WEST** and then **NORTH**, back **into the mountains**, and **back up above 10,000 ft!** 🥶 It is a 73.73mi counterclockwise, ear-shaped journey to finally reach **Cañon City** down at 5,000 ft and then another 45 miles to **Pueblo**.

It is not a trek you want to tackle in early Fall.   
So, Shawn reached out to us to consider an alternative route for him.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/0f/28/0f286572-aa37-49a3-8704-f6d42aa3a69a/content/images/2022/10/ColoradoAlt.jpg)

Hiking America's Colorado South Alternate - Main ADT Trail in **BLUE**, the New Alternate in **PURPLE**

## Colorado South Alternate

What we've come up with is a no-brainer. In **Colorado Springs**, the alternate will continue south on the [**Pikes Peak Greenway**](http://www.cospringstrails.com/hikes/greenway.html?ref=hikingamerica.com)rather than following the Sinton Trail west. The Greenway becomes the **[Fountain Creek Regional Trail](http://www.cospringstrails.com/hikes/greenway.html?ref=hikingamerica.com)** near the confluence of Fountain Creek and Sand Creek. In the town of **Fountain**, our alternate then follows three rural roads until rejoining the **Fountain Creek Multi-Use Path (MUP)** in northern Pueblo. It rejoins the ADT Southern Route at the **Fountain Creek MUP Confluence.**

With Shawn still a couple of weeks away, we will be using the time to work up **Hiking America Turn-By-Turns, Maps, and Gaia GPS Hiker Notes and Services** waypoints of the route in time for his bypass. And, of course, we'll share with Hiking America members when they are available.

**Hiking America** prides itself in working closely with our subscribers before a hike and **especially during it** to aid in the success of those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime thru-hike of America or simply wanting to knock out a section or two here and there.

[JOIN HIKING AMERICA FOR FREE!](https://www.hikingamerica.com/#/portal/signup)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/0f/28/0f286572-aa37-49a3-8704-f6d42aa3a69a/content/images/2022/07/Swoosh_UPDATES.png)

## *NEW:* [The Hiking America Library](https://www.hikingamerica.com/library/)

### 📚 Books, Resources about the American Discovery Trail

***– and trails that are a part of the ADT.***

Hey, this week, we have added a new **FREE** section to the Hiking America website — **[The Hiking America Library](https://www.hikingamerica.com/library/)**. We have compiled some of the most popular books and resources about the American Discovery Trail. And we will continue to add to the collection. I hope you find it helpful. 

Hike Your Hike. — **John.**