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Exploring Hiking's Triple Tiara and Triple Crown

A Journey Through America's Iconic Long-Distance Trails

By Dan Weida - February 8, 2025

Exploring Hiking's Triple Tiara and Triple Crown

The Triple Tiara: Exploring America’s Three Iconic Mid-Length Long-Distance Trails

For long-distance hikers, few accomplishments are as revered as completing the Triple Crown—the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail. But another prestigious challenge exists for hikers who love rugged terrain, iconic scenery, and classic American backcountry: the Triple Tiara. This trio consists of the Colorado Trail, John Muir Trail, and Long Trail—three legendary routes celebrated for their stunning landscapes, rich hiking culture, and the dedicated organizations that protect them.

While the Triple Crown spans thousands of miles and crosses vast swaths of the country, the Triple Tiara offers a shorter yet equally demanding set of trails. Each brings its own personality, challenges, and rewards, making the Tiara a remarkable achievement for hikers seeking an immersive wilderness experience.

Triple Crown vs. Triple Tiara: How They Compare

The Triple Crown includes the three longest and most well-known thru-hikes in the United States:

  • Appalachian Trail (AT): ~2,190 miles

  • Pacific Crest Trail (PCT): ~2,650 miles

  • Continental Divide Trail (CDT): ~3,100 miles

Completing all three requires months—often years—of commitment, extensive planning, and the ability to endure unpredictable climates, rugged topography, and remote backcountry navigation.

The Triple Tiara, by comparison, encompasses three shorter but exceptionally demanding trails:

  • Colorado Trail (CT): ~485 miles

  • John Muir Trail (JMT): ~211 miles

  • Long Trail (LT): ~272 miles

Though shorter in length, these trails challenge hikers with high altitude, steep climbs, dramatic weather, and technical terrain. They also traverse some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the United States, making them bucket-list hikes for adventurers who want a substantial challenge without committing to months on the trail.

Both achievements require mental resilience, physical endurance, solid preparation, and respect for the natural environment.

The Long Trail: America’s First Long-Distance Hiking Path

The Long Trail stretches from the Massachusetts border to Canada, winding 272 rugged miles across the spine of Vermont’s Green Mountains. Completed in the 1930s, it holds the distinction of being the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States.

Trail Organization: The Green Mountain Club (GMC)

The GMC—founded in 1910—maintains the Long Trail and works to protect the surrounding forests and mountain ecosystems. Their efforts include:

  • Maintaining shelters, campsites, boardwalks, and trail tread

  • Hosting volunteer trail crews

  • Offering educational programs on safety, ecology, and the trail’s history

Through their stewardship, the Long Trail remains one of the most beloved and well-kept routes in the Northeast.

The Experience

Hikers can expect:

  • Rocky summits including Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield

  • Lush forests filled with moss, ferns, and wildlife

  • Stunning fall foliage and vibrant summer greenery

  • Challenging climbs, muddy sections, and classic New England ruggedness

The Long Trail’s combination of history, beauty, and difficulty makes it a defining chapter of the Triple Tiara.

The Colorado Trail: High-Altitude Beauty Across the Rockies

Stretching roughly 485 miles from Denver to Durango, the Colorado Trail is often considered the crown jewel of the Triple Tiara. It offers extraordinary diversity—from alpine tundra and wildflower fields to old-growth forests, granite peaks, and serene high-country lakes.

Trail Organization: The Colorado Trail Foundation (CTF)

Since 1974, the CTF has dedicated itself to preserving, improving, and educating the public about this world-class trail. Their initiatives include:

  • Organizing volunteer trail crews

  • Producing guidebooks, maps, and digital resources

  • Hosting maintenance projects and community events

  • Supporting sustainable recreation and responsible trail use

Their work ensures that the Colorado Trail remains one of the best-maintained long-distance trails in the U.S.

The Experience

Hikers are treated to:

  • 13,000-foot passes and expansive mountain views

  • The Collegiate Peaks Wilderness and Weminuche Wilderness

  • Meadows exploding with wildflowers in July and August

  • Frequent wildlife sightings—elk, marmots, mountain goats, and more

The Colorado Trail offers a perfect blend of challenge, beauty, and solitude.

The John Muir Trail: The Sierra Nevada’s Granite Masterpiece

The John Muir Trail, running about 211 miles, traverses the heart of California’s Sierra Nevada. It passes through three legendary national parks—Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia—and ends atop Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States.

Trail Management: The National Park Service (NPS)

The NPS coordinates:

  • Trail preservation and tread work

  • Visitor education and permit systems

  • Partnerships with local conservation groups

  • Ecological protection in sensitive alpine environments

Their management ensures that the JMT’s pristine, fragile wilderness remains intact for generations.

The Experience

The JMT is known for:

  • Alpine lakes with crystal-clear water

  • Towering granite peaks and dramatic passes

  • Wildlife such as black bears, mule deer, and pikas

  • Challenging climbs and high elevations throughout its entire length

Its iconic status draws hikers from around the world.

Why These Trails Matter: Stewardship, Sustainability & Community

The organizations behind the Triple Tiara—the Green Mountain Club, the Colorado Trail Foundation, and the National Park Service—play critical roles in:

  • Maintaining trail infrastructure

  • Encouraging responsible recreation

  • Protecting wildlife and natural resources

  • Offering volunteer opportunities

  • Promoting Leave No Trace principles

Without their work, these trails would not be the exceptional experiences hikers enjoy today.

Whether you choose the steep granite of the Sierra, the lush forests of Vermont, or the sweeping high-country landscapes of Colorado, each trail contributes something unique to American hiking culture.

Conclusion: The Colorado Trail’s Special Place in the Triple Tiara

While each trail in the Triple Tiara offers unforgettable experiences, the Colorado Trail shines for its remarkable variety, high-alpine scenery, and exceptional trail maintenance. For many hikers, it represents the pinnacle of mid-length long-distance hiking in the United States.

Completing the Triple Tiara is a major accomplishment—one that builds confidence, deepens wilderness appreciation, and connects hikers to a century-old tradition of outdoor adventure. Whether you're taking your first step on one of these trails or planning to complete all three, the journey promises challenge, beauty, and transformation.

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