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- Snowy Range Alpine Lakes - WYNeeds location
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 March, April, May, June, and sometimes July.
3- Attend a pre-planning Google Hangout meeting one week before trip start date (we will also work out carpooling).
*including any 1+.4 days / 3 nights: ~25 miles, ~2,850 ft of gain. Rating: Beginner+
Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/4H7PL46
A route in Wyoming's Snowy Range—ideal for those looking for manageable mileage and elevation, but still ready for the challenge of a 3-night trip.
Day 1 (8/29): Drive 4 hours to TH
Hike in ~5 miles, ~700 ft of gain
Camp near Sheep Lake
Day 2 (8/30): Hike ~7.5 miles, ~850 ft of gain (1.5 miles of dirt road hiking)
Camp near Heart Lake
Day 3 (8/31):
Option 1: Hike ~7 miles, ~1800 ft of gain (go over Medicine Bow pass for a shortcut)
Option 2: Hike ~10.5 miles, ~2100 ft of gain (additional miles and elevation for additional lake views)
Camp near Shelf Lakes
Day 4 (9/1): Hike out ~6.5 miles, ~600 ft of gain
Stop in Centennial or Laramie for lunch
Drive home 4 hoursEquipment/Resources/Etc:
- Bear safety: Bear canister, Ursack, or bear bag, rope/cord and the ability to do a bear hang (unconfirmed grizzly area)
- LNT principles are enforced by this group.
- What to Bring Backpacking
- 10 Essentials
- Alltrails (shorter than our loop): https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/browns-peak-loop-in-snowy-range
- Holy Cross Wilderness: Missouri Lakes, Harvey Lake, Fancy Pass LoopNeeds location
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 LakesDay 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 hrsResources:
- 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
- Rucking Monday: Bear Creek - Sec 16ish - WaterfallSection 16 Trailhead, Manitou Springs, CO
*You can participate in Rucking Mondays without having completed a qualifying hike. Well behaved leashed dogs are welcome.
You MUST carry a backpacking backpack or ruck pack to attend these training sessions. These are intended to be training sessions and not leisurely walks.
PLEASE NOTE THESE IMPORTANT UPDATES:
- Headlamps are required.
- In winter, spikes are recommended.
- Everyone MUST download the map below. These are meant for people to train. We will start together but may not stick to a pack the whole time. It's important everyone has the map.
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: Coming but about 3 Miles
https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/168324?t=bnaOWKgMnvQunwCY3Leh#activity=hiking
