For seasoned adventurers seeking to transcend the well-trodden paths of conventional long-distance hiking, the established trails of the Colorado Rockies often serve as mere preludes. Now, a new benchmark in extreme thru-hiking is poised to redefine the limits of endurance and technical skill in the American West. Donovan "Iceman" Rice, a veteran of several iconic trails, has meticulously crafted and is preparing for the inaugural attempt of the Great Colorado Route (GCR) – a formidable 1,700-mile journey through the heart of Colorado’s most exposed and rugged high-alpine terrain. This is not a casual stroll; it is a meticulously designed "technical sufferfest" that prioritizes breathtaking, high-exposure ridges and challenging Class III and IV scrambling over efficiency and groomed tread, demanding an unprecedented level of skill and resilience from those who dare to attempt it.
The GCR weaves through an astonishing 29 designated Wilderness Areas, encompassing a significant portion of Colorado’s 42 federally protected wilderness regions. The route’s sheer verticality is staggering, accumulating an estimated 377,000 feet of elevation gain – a figure equivalent to summiting Mount Everest approximately 13 times. This immense elevation profile, combined with the technical demands of its chosen path, sets the GCR apart from more traditional long trails, including the state’s popular 500-mile Colorado Trail, which is largely non-technical and designed for a broader range of hikers. Rice’s vision is to offer a "spicy way" to experience Colorado, appealing to a niche segment of the outdoor community that actively seeks out the most demanding and awe-inspiring landscapes.
The Visionary Behind the Route: Donovan "Iceman" Rice
The creation of such an ambitious route is the culmination of years of experience and a deep-seated passion for the mountains. Donovan Rice, known as "Iceman" within the thru-hiking community, brings a unique blend of traditional long-distance backpacking acumen and an evolving appetite for extreme mountaineering challenges to this project.
Early Influences and Thru-Hiking Foundations
Rice’s journey into the world of long-distance hiking began with foundational experiences in the Colorado wilderness. He grew up hiking and camping with his family, fostering an early connection with the outdoors. This interest deepened as he pursued the ambitious goal of completing all 58 of Colorado’s "14ers" – peaks exceeding 14,000 feet in elevation. Many of these summits require multi-day expeditions, introducing Rice to the intricacies of backpacking. It was during his research into gear recommendations on YouTube that he discovered the burgeoning world of thru-hiking through the narratives of prominent influencers like Darwin, Dixie, and Jupiter. The concept of tackling a massive, continuous trail immediately resonated with him, particularly the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) given his roots in the Rockies.
Recognizing the significant skillset required for the CDT, Rice opted for the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) as his first major thru-hike after completing his undergraduate studies. The PCT, known for its well-groomed and generally cruisy tread, served as a crucial proving ground for his long-distance backpacking abilities. While largely adhering to the main route, Rice began to explore the allure of side quests, including a successful ascent of Mount Whitney and an unplanned, yet deeply impactful, detour to the remote Canyon Lake in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. This experience, facilitated by a serendipitous encounter with a fire lookout, solidified his comfort and enjoyment in navigating less-traveled, "off-trail" sections.
Evolution on Iconic Trails
His experiences on the PCT, CDT, and the Eastern Continental Trail (ECT) progressively shaped his understanding of long-distance travel and fueled his desire for increasingly challenging routes.
The Continental Divide Trail (CDT): After completing a terminal master’s degree, Rice set his sights on the CDT, a trail renowned for its "choose-your-own-adventure" nature, offering a plethora of alternate routes thanks to pioneering work by figures like Jonathan Ley. In Colorado, Rice made a conscious effort to "True Divide" – to follow the actual Continental Divide ridgeline whenever feasible, rather than easier trail segments. Further north, he embraced high routes like the Wind River High Route in Wyoming and the Three Sisters ridgewalk in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness. His guiding motto for the CDT was "redline or cooler," where "redline" referred to the official route. This period marked a pivotal fusion of his passions for thru-hiking and peakbagging, solidifying his preference for more technical and exposed terrain.
The Eastern Continental Trail (ECT): The ECT, a monumental undertaking that links multiple trails from Key West, Florida, to L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, further broadened Rice’s perspective. This 9.5-month adventure taught him the concept of linking disparate trail systems into one mega-route. While the ECT involved less scrambling until its northern reaches, his experiences in Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park, where he sought out as many high-route options as possible, reinforced his affinity for dramatic, rugged landscapes. The ECT also exposed him to the necessity of roadwalking – including an infamous 200-mile stretch across Alabama – and the importance of viewing such segments as small parts of a larger, epic quest.
Conceiving the Great Colorado Route
The genesis of the GCR was not a sudden epiphany but an idea that simmered and evolved over years, deeply rooted in Rice’s experiences on the CDT and his intimate knowledge of Colorado’s mountains.
Genesis of an Idea
The seed for the GCR was planted during a conversation at the Colorado-Wyoming border while Rice was hiking the CDT. While some hikers expressed relief at completing Colorado’s notoriously brutal sections, Rice harbored a different sentiment. He wished for a full-length, non-stop Colorado trail—one that stretched well over a thousand miles and predominantly featured the challenging ridgewalks he cherished. From that point, the idea began to take shape, often sketched out on his phone during breaks on other trails. The bulk of the route construction and intensive research, however, commenced in October 2025, after his return from the ECT. He notes that typically, a couple of weeks after completing a major hike, the "itch" to plan the next adventure begins.
Route Design Philosophy and Inclusions
Rice approached the GCR’s design with a clear objective: to maximize rewarding views and experiences, unconstrained by existing trail corridors. His process began by identifying Colorado’s most iconic natural highlights – including but not limited to Maroon Bells, Chicago Basin, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Royal Gorge, and Lone Eagle Peak. The challenge then became stitching these points together, adhering to several critical principles: staying primarily on public lands, minimizing roadwalking, and, crucially, opting for the more adventurous and technical routes whenever possible.
Certain areas were deemed too geographically remote or tangential to the core vision to be included, such as Mesa Verde National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, and the Comanche National Grasslands. Similarly, the Sawatch Range, already well-covered by the combined Collegiate Loop of the CDT and Colorado Trail, was largely bypassed to maintain the GCR’s unique character.
The resulting route is a complex network, detailed on his website with a CalTopo map comprising roughly 230 tracks. Of these, 32 represent the main route, while approximately 200 are designated as alternates or backup options. Rice acknowledges that the route is a living entity, expected to "grow and evolve in the future" as he gains real-world experience. His intent is for the GCR to be a "choose-your-own-adventure" style trail, much like the CDT, but with a significant distinction: on the GCR, hikers are generally "opting-out" if they wish to avoid the spicy, technical sections, whereas on the CDT, one usually "opts-in." However, he draws a firm line at including extremely dangerous sections, such as the Blanca–Little Bear Traverse (a notorious Class V ridge scramble), as part of the main route. Such features will be offered only as "extra-adventure alternates" for those who explicitly choose them.
Navigating the Unseen: Technical and Mental Challenges
The GCR’s inherent design presents a unique set of technical and psychological demands that distinguish it from traditional thru-hiking.
The Psychological Demands of Exposure
Rice candidly anticipates that hikers attempting the GCR will, at various points, "curse my name under their breath." This acknowledgment stems from the understanding that constant exposure, technical scrambling, and off-trail navigation impose a profound mental load that can be underestimated. Even seasoned thru-hikers can reach a point where their "scrambling cups are full" and they simply crave the predictability of a groomed trail. Rice recalls a personal experience on the CDT, nearing its end in Glacier National Park, where his exhaustion led him to forgo the planned Glacier Divide Route in favor of a simpler path. This insight underpins his decision to provide numerous options for both scrambling and groomed trails within the GCR, allowing hikers to "mix and match to their heart’s content" and manage their mental and physical fatigue. It is also important to note that the GCR is not a continuous battle; it includes several sections that do not involve scrambling or extensive off-trail travel.
The "Slow Down to Speed Up" Philosophy
To counter the intense demands of the GCR, Rice advocates for a strategy he terms "slowing down to speed up." This philosophy emphasizes the critical role of rest days, not just for physical recuperation but, crucially, for mental recovery. He references a thought experiment posed by Blaze Physio, a physical therapist specializing in thru-hikers: Would a professional basketball player approach a thru-hike with no days off, worn-out gear, poor nutrition, no stretching, and inadequate sleep? The answer, of course, is no. Thru-hikers, Rice argues, must find a sustainable balance, recognizing that regular breaks can "really help reset you for the next challenging section," viewing the entire journey as a "concatenation of section hikes." This approach is particularly vital on a route where sustained focus and decision-making are paramount for safety.
Specific Concerns for the Inaugural Attempt
As Rice prepares for his inaugural attempt this summer, several sections and unpredictable elements stand out as primary concerns.
Lingering Question Marks: The Gore Range portion of the route is one area where he lacks sufficient online beta and has not yet explored in person. He anticipates significant modifications will be necessary, given the current "billion alternates" for this section, many of which serve as bailouts from the aspirational route.
Rocky Mountain National Park: This area is expected to be the most technically demanding segment of the GCR. The main route currently incorporates Pfiffner’s Traverse, stretching from Berthoud Pass to the park’s southern boundary, and then merges with the "LA Freeway" from Isolation Peak to Longs Peak. Within these sections, two features pose particular concern: "The Cleaver" and "Pagoda Mountain." While the ridge proper is acknowledged as definite Class V climbing, bypasses are rumored to exist. Pagoda Mountain’s bypass, in particular, appears to involve "highly exposed catwalks on the dramatic south face." Rice remains prepared to modify the route if, upon personal inspection, these sections prove "radically inappropriate" for a default route, reserving them as "extra-adventure alternates for daredevils."
Unpredictable Elements: Beyond the known technical challenges, Rice identifies several unpredictable factors. Water access is a major concern, especially given the current low snow year in Colorado. Unlike established trails with community-sourced data on apps like Farout, the GCR lacks such real-time information. This necessitates a return to "old school" map reading and on-the-ground assessment for water sources. He also anticipates encountering "really messy scree fields or overgrown bushwhacks" that could prove frustrating and slow progress. Finally, weather cooperation is a significant variable, particularly on a route that "unapologetically throws you above treeline" for extended periods, exposing hikers to the full force of the elements.
Pioneering the Future of Colorado Thru-Hiking
Donovan Rice’s inaugural attempt on the GCR is more than just a personal thru-hike; it’s a pioneering mission to establish and refine a route that could become a defining challenge for future generations of extreme hikers.
A Dual Mission: Completion and Refinement
Rice approaches his summer endeavor with a clear dual objective: to successfully complete the thru-hike for himself, while simultaneously collecting crucial data necessary to empower other hikers to replicate the route in the future. He understands that a route of this complexity cannot be perfected in a single pass. Therefore, he anticipates "revisiting areas and tinkering with them" after his inaugural attempt to ensure the GCR achieves its best possible version. This commitment to iterative improvement underscores his dedication to the broader thru-hiking community. He also acknowledges that his personal hike may not strictly adhere to the "main route" for all 1,700 miles; he reserves the flexibility to take lower routes in adverse weather or to explore even more adventurous ridgelines that he might deem inappropriate for a default recommendation to others.
Legacy and Evolution
Looking ahead 20 years, Rice expresses profound honor at the prospect of people still hiking the GCR. He hopes that future adventurers will approach the route with a clear understanding of its "scrambling-forward" nature, recognizing that it significantly deviates from more traditional thru-hikes. He addresses the common thru-hiker complaint of "PUDs" (pointless ups and downs), arguing that while the GCR certainly involves elevation changes, they are far from pointless, serving to access unparalleled views and experiences. Ultimately, Rice encourages future hikers to "modify the route however they see fit," embracing the ethos of "hike your own hike." He emphasizes the importance of community feedback to continually "grow and improve the route," envisioning a collaborative evolution of the GCR over time.
Broader Implications for Wilderness and Adventure
The establishment and attempted thru-hike of the Great Colorado Route carries significant implications for the broader outdoor community, wilderness management, and the evolving landscape of adventure sports.
Safety and Preparedness
The GCR’s extreme technical demands necessitate a heightened focus on safety and preparedness. Wilderness search and rescue teams frequently advise that routes involving Class III and IV scrambling, sustained exposure, and off-trail navigation require advanced wilderness skills, including route-finding, risk assessment, self-rescue techniques, and comprehensive first aid knowledge. The lack of a widely adopted GPS app like Farout for the GCR means hikers must rely on traditional navigation skills and carry detailed maps and satellite communication devices. The potential for severe weather events above treeline, coupled with the isolation of many sections, underscores the critical need for meticulous planning, conservative decision-making, and the ability to turn back when conditions warrant.
Impact on Colorado Tourism and Conservation
The GCR has the potential to attract a niche segment of highly skilled adventure tourists to Colorado, further cementing the state’s reputation as a premier destination for outdoor recreation. However, this also brings responsibilities. Conservation organizations continually stress the importance of "Leave No Trace" principles, particularly in sensitive high-alpine and wilderness environments. A route traversing 29 Wilderness Areas demands an exceptional level of environmental stewardship to minimize human impact on fragile ecosystems, protect wildlife, and preserve the pristine character of these protected lands. Effective communication and education for GCR aspirants will be crucial to ensure sustainable recreation.
Evolution of Thru-Hiking
The Great Colorado Route represents a significant step in the evolution of thru-hiking. It embodies a growing trend within the community towards "alt-routes" and "high routes" that prioritize challenge, solitude, and unique aesthetic experiences over mere mileage or established trails. This movement, often inspired by Fastest Known Times (FKTs) on technical routes, pushes the boundaries of what constitutes a "thru-hike," blurring the lines between backpacking, mountaineering, and technical scrambling. The GCR, with its explicit "scrambling-forward" design, could inspire similar endeavors in other mountainous regions, fostering a new era of exploratory and skill-intensive long-distance adventures.
Donovan "Iceman" Rice’s creation of the Great Colorado Route is a bold declaration, setting a new benchmark for Rockies travel. By linking Colorado’s most remote peaks and demanding terrain, he is not merely undertaking a personal journey but actively forging a blueprint for future generations of adventurers. Starting counterclockwise from Black Canyon in May, Rice is poised to test the limits of human endurance and skill, while simultaneously refining a route that celebrates the high, the wild, and the untamed jaggedness of Colorado’s magnificent mountains.
