About us
Welcome!
If you live in or near Colorado Springs and have a passion for multi-day wilderness backpacking trips, you have found your home. Beginners and long-time backpackers welcome!
For the safety of our group members, EVERYone must:
- Participate in a Qualifying Hike before signing up for a multiday backpacking trip. Qualifying hikes are held once a month in April, May, June, October, and November During other months they happen on a rolling basis as needed but are not guaranteed to happen due to leaders taking trips a lot during the summer. So if you think you want to take a trip with us please sign up for a scheduled qualifying hike.
- Sign the waiver to participate in upcoming backpacking trips: [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Tt__wFqqqIdomhpTqziDNRVkAaf-q9wVRj4stHEaT_s/edit ](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Tt__wFqqqIdomhpTqziDNRVkAaf-q9wVRj4stHEaT_s/edit )
Want to meet some of us first? Join us at one of our upcoming Meet + Mingles!
Upcoming events
10
Qualifying + Conditioning Hike - St Mary's Falls Lollipop
Upper Gold Camp Rd, 4415 Gold Camp Rd, Colorado Springs, co, USPLEASE READ THIS WHOLE POST BEFORE RSVPing.
Folks, the weather is looking good! High of 60 and sunny!
If you do not have micro spikes please invest in some now. They will be required to participate as we will not know the ice situation of the whole trail.
This is a qualifying hike to participate in upcoming backpacking events with Colorado Springs Backpackers (COSBP). If you have a dog you want to bring backpacking, your dog must also qualify. Friendly, well behaved, leashed dogs welcome. 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/3DzXeRDJziLAZ8nJ7What it takes to qualify:
1 - Carry a full backpacking pack for the whole hike that weighs at least 24 pounds. I suggest you pack it as you would if you were actually backpacking. I DO NOT suggest carrying actual weights as it will be too unevenly distributed and awkward. 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:
https://caltopo.com/m/KKP91BK
6.83 mi // range: 7504' to 8751' // gross: +1282'-1286'24 attendees
Rucking Tuesday: Stratton Open Space
STRATTON OPEN SPACE, 1600 Ridgeway Ave, Colorado Springs, CO, USWe’re moving our rucks to Tuesdays!
This is for backpacking training and everyone must carry a pack or ruck sack. These are intended to be training sessions and not leisurely walks.
PLEASE NOTE: Headlamps are required. Depending on the weather, spikes may be recommended.
New to backpacking? If you have never backpacked and are working your way up to backpacking, I recommend starting with 10 pounds and working your way up each week by adding 5 pounds until you reach your goal weight - this can be anywhere from 25 pounds to 50 depending on your goals.
Longtime backpacker? Start where you are comfortable based on what you've done most recently. Then add weight as we go throughout the year.
Route: 3.58mi range: 6240' to 6683'gross: +478'-475' https://caltopo.com/m/FV1E2NL
6 attendees
Rucking Thursday: Stratton Open Space
STRATTON OPEN SPACE, 1600 Ridgeway Ave, Colorado Springs, CO, USThis is an alternate (or additional!) time to get a ruck in.
This is for backpacking training and everyone must carry a pack or ruck sack. These are intended to be training sessions and not leisurely walks.
PLEASE NOTE: Depending on the weather, spikes may be recommended.
New to backpacking? If you have never backpacked and are working your way up to backpacking, I recommend starting with 10 pounds and working your way up each week by adding 5 pounds until you reach your goal weight - this can be anywhere from 25 pounds to 50 depending on your goals.
Longtime backpacker? Start where you are comfortable based on what you've done most recently. Then add weight as we go throughout the year.
Route: 3.58mi range: 6240' to 6683'gross: +478'-475' https://caltopo.com/m/FV1E2NL
6 attendees
Learn to Use COTrex from an Expert!
Colorado Springs Fire Station #20, 6755 Rangewood Drive, Colorado Springs, CO, US"Discover and explore Colorado’s unique trail experiences with the Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX). Available for free and without ads, COTREX offers the most comprehensive official trail map in the state and is a collaborative effort spanning over 230 trail managers.
View trails by allowed uses on the map, browse featured routes, download offline maps, view closures, alerts, wildfire boundaries and avalanche forecasts, record trips and notes in the field, and share your experiences with the community."
Join us to learn everything you need to know about how to use COTrex, but this time, learn from an expert! Joe O'Brien, State Trails Program Coordinator with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and manager of the Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) app and program will be joining us to walk us through the app.
Presentation will begin around 5:45 pm.
Come prepared and make sure yo download COTREX on your phone before arriving!
Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cotrexapp
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/colorado-trail-explorer/id1435737776Please note, food and drink (except water) is not allowed in the community room at the fire station. No animals.
15 attendees
Past events
128
Group links
Organizers
Members
714
