What we’re about
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 (4+)
See all- Qualifying Hike: Catamount Ranch Open Space + North Slope Rec AreaCatamount Recreation Area, Woodland Park, CO
PLEASE READ THIS WHOLE POST BEFORE RSVPing.
Note, stated ends times vary - it depends on the pace of the group.
This is a qualifying hike to participate in upcoming backpacking events with Colorado Springs Backpackers (COSBP). 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/3DzXeRDJziLAZ8nJ7Note, it you plan to bring a dog on a trip, they must also qualify. Dogs must be well behaved and leashed on qualifying hikes.
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: About 7 Miles
https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/168311?t=qglwB7rpxTVovARVvMZx#activity=hikingVarious Parts of the trail on AllTrails:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/elder-fehn-and-catamount-loop
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/elder-fehn-trail - Three Island Lake + Zirkel Circle (fall colors) - 2 nightsNeeds location
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 25, 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
- Qualifying + Conditioning Hike: Mount Herman Scramble + Raspberry MountainRed Rocks Drive Parking - Monument, Monument, CO
PLEASE READ THIS WHOLE POST BEFORE RSVPing.
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/3DzXeRDJziLAZ8nJ7Please 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
Hard scramble up
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/mount-herman-scramble-and-raspberry-mountain-loop--2
