New edition of an excellent guide. Includes topographic maps, elevation profiles, fine color photos, and highly informed, detailed text. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
This won't tell you everything you need to know about the CT, but it's the first stop for forging a plan. The book opens with a tribute to Gudy Gaskill, "The Mother of the Colorado Trail," followed by several informative chapters on the CT Foundation, logistics for hiking the CT, history of Colorado in the CT regions, flora, fauna, and geology of the CT. The bulk of the book provides a section-by-section overview, including important statistics, trailhead directions and parking, water and resupply locations, and points of interest. It contains helpful links and bibliography to other resources. The volume is 26.8 ounces (762 g), for those counting.
I wish I had known prior to buying this guide that it wouldn't have the most up to date water information. Besides that, it was really useful while I hiked the Colorado Trail! However, we were the only ones on the trail using this guide. Most people just used Guthook, an app that doesn't weigh anything.
As of now, the eighth edition is the latest. Full of essential and ancillary notes of interest for anyone wanting to hike/bike the CT, either in segments or as a through hike. August, 2014.