Colorado Springs Backpackers

Sun, Nov 23 · 9:00 AM MST

Qualifying + Conditioning Hike: Palmer Section 16

Section 16 Trailhead, 378-380 Gold Camp Road, Manitou Springs, CO, US

PLEASE READ THIS WHOLE POST BEFORE RSVPing.

IT'S WINTER! THIS HIKE IS WEATHER DEPENDENT. PLEASE CHECK BACK AT 7:30 AM THE DAY OF THE HIKE TO CONFIRM THIS IS STILL HAPPENING.

This is a qualifying hike to participate in upcoming backpacking events with Colorado Springs Backpackers (COSBP). If you have already qualified, you are welcome to participate if you are interested in doing a conditioning hike.

You only have to complete a qualifying hike once unless it's been more than 8 months since last participating in a COSBP trip or hike.
Before being able to participate in this hike you must fill out a waiver -
https://forms.gle/3DzXeRDJziLAZ8nJ7. You only need to complete this waiver once.

Please note, if you plan to bring your dog on a trip, they must also attend a qualifying hike so we can make sure their temperament is friendly and that they obey your commands.

What it takes to qualify:
1 - Carry a full backpacking pack for the whole hike that weighs at least 24 pounds. NO EXCEPTIONS. We suggest you pack it as you would if you were actually backpacking. We will weigh packs.
2 - Finish the hike without any major problems.
3 - You know and can communicate about when you need to take a break.
4 - No pace requirement.
5 - Good attitude - gets along well with people.

Hike Route: 5.7 Miles
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/palmer-trail

Fri, Jul 17, 2026 · 9:00 AM MDT

Holy Cross Wilderness: Missouri Lakes, Harvey Lake, Fancy Pass Loop

Location not specified yet

***Tentative date for rescheduled trip: July 17-19, 2026. Those who signed up for the September 12-14, 2025 trip will have first priority.

Group size 10 people. Well-behaved, leashed trail dogs are welcome as long as they have completed a qualifying hike.
You will be put on the waitlist before being approved. Those meeting the first two below-required actions will be moved off the waitlist in the order in which they RSVP'd.

Required actions before trip:
1 - *Fill out waiver: https://forms.gle/71SPiqc4iyqDmD8Y7
2 - *Complete a qualifying hike. Check the calendar regularly for upcoming opportunities - we post qualifying hikes once a month in April, May, June, and sometimes July.
3 - Attend a pre-planning Google Meet meeting one week before trip start date (we will also work out carpooling).
*including any 1+.

Description:
2.5 days / 2 nights: ~17.5 miles total, ~3,695' of gain. Rating: Moderate
Route: https://caltopo.com/m/8M8JJ6K
Jaw-dropping views, meadows full of vibrant blossoms, bridged crossings over surging creeks, opportunities for angling, and serene ponds and alpine lakes reward hikers on this lollipop loop. The Missouri Lakes Trail skirts the rim of a deep, imposing gorge to reach the lakes, and then over the alpine tundra of Missouri Pass to Treasure Vault Lake, Blodgett Lake, and Harvey Lake; just past Harvey Lake is a "waterpark" of rock slides and pools. Return and merge with Fancy Pass Trail to the high point of Fancy Pass at 12,360' for exceptional views of the Sawatch Range and the steep descent ahead.

Day 1 (Fri 9/12): Meet @ 12:00 pm to carpool (eat lunch beforehand/bring for the ride)
Drive ~3.5 hrs to Fancy Creek Trailhead: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6GCM25bbKbZScPAE7
Backup/overflow - Missouri Lakes Trailhead: https://maps.app.goo.gl/N5nZpmApX1Zri7q86
Backpack 3.4 miles, +1,510' elevation
Camp at Missouri Lakes

Day 2 (Sat 9/13): Backpack to Harvey Lake: ~6.8 miles, +635' / -1,190' elevation
Camp near Harvey Lake
Hike to the waterpark 0.5 miles, +220' elevation (bring something to swim in!)

Day 3 (Sun 9/14): Break camp early/be on trail by 7:00 am
Backpack to TH: 6.8 miles, +1,548' / -2,492' elevation
Stop for lunch (Leadville?)
Drive home ~3.5 hrs

Resources:

• Route:
• Bear safety: Bear canister, Ursack, or bear bag and the ability to do a bear hang
• LNT principles are enforced by this group: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/
• What to Bring Backpacking: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-checklist.html
• 10 Essentials: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
• Forecast @ camp 1: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.39491757853078&lon=-106.51227951049805&site=all&smap=1
• Forecast @ camp 2: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.433006734579756&lon=-106.51455402374269&site=all&smap=1

Fri, Sep 18, 2026 · 9:00 AM MDT

Three Island Lake + Zirkel Circle (fall colors) - 2 nights

Location not specified yet

This is a rescheduled event from 2025. RSVPs from 2025 have first choice and their RSVP has been carried over.

Group size 8 people. Well-behaved, leashed trail dogs are welcome as long as they have completed a qualifying hike.

You will be put on the waitlist before being approved. Those meeting the first two below-required actions will be moved off the waitlist in the order in which they RSVP'd.

Required actions before trip:
1 - *Fill out waiver: https://forms.gle/71SPiqc4iyqDmD8Y7
2 - *Complete a qualifying hike (dogs included). Please look at our calendar of events regularly as we update it often!
3- Attend a pre-planning Google Hangout meeting on September 28, 2025 at 7 pm.
*including any 1+.

Combining 2 popular hikes into a 21 mile backpacking loop!
3 days / 2 nights, ~ 21 miles, ~4633 ft - Rating: Moderate

• Friday: Drive to Trailhead // Hike ~6.13 mi // gross: +2529'-105' // Camp 10,537 ft
• Saturday: Hike ~9.1 miles // gross: +2018'-3052' // Camp 9,499
• Sunday: Hike ~ 5.57 miles, including 2.5 miles of road hiking // gross: +92'-1489'

Equipment/Resources/Etc:

• Bear canister, Ursack, or rope/cord for those who have experience hanging food.
• What to Bring Backpacking
• 10 Essentials
• Reach out if you have packing questions.
• Caltopo route: https://caltopo.com/m/DM0VR
• Alltrails Zirkel Circle: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/mount-zirkel-loop-trail
• Alltrails Three Island Lake: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/three-island-lake-trail