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- Rucking Mondays: North Cheyenne CañonUpper Gold Camp Rd, Colorado Springs, CO
You can participate in Rucking Mondays without having completed a qualifying hike. Our goal is to host these every other Monday.
Rucking is going on a hike while carrying supplies in a backpack. The difference between backpacking and rucking? You are carrying the back only for training purposes and not to get to a desired camp destination. See benefits here: https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/30-days-of-rucking/
And so to train for backpacking, we decided to start Rucking Mondays. 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: 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: 3.8 Miles // 764 elevation gain https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/mount-buckhorn-loop-via-high-drive
- CSB Trail Work DayNeeds location
Ready to make a difference while hitting the trails? Join us for a day of giving back to the stunning landscapes we love to explore! No experience necessary.
- Hands-on trail maintenance and improvement tasks.
- Fun and camaraderie with fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
- Make a lasting impact on our local hiking havens.
- Learn about what goes into maintaining the trails we love.
What to Wear:
- Long pants and long sleeve shirt required. Plan to get dirty.
- Boots preferred but not required unless doing Sawyer work (USFS requires boots that provide ankle support and have nonskid soles).
What to Bring:
- Sturdy work gloves, garden gloves or full fingered MTB gloves.
- Safety glasses/sunglasses (shaded or clear) depending on the weather.
- A bandana or liner for wearing under provided hard hats.
- Sun protection (sunscreen, buff or bandana for under hard hat)
- Car camping gear and food (if coming up early). For the trailwork bring a small backpack to hold water, snacks/lunch and layers.
Provided:
- Hard hats
- Trail tools
Things to Know:
- Plan to hike up to 3 miles round trip from trailhead to worksite.
- Dogs are welcome but must be approved by organizers and are recommended to be on leash for safety.
Plan:
Friday night- Car camping option near Colorado Trail segment 3/4 trailhead, exact location will be relayed closer to the date once worksite is determined.
- No facilities at camping location so plan accordingly.
Saturday
- All participates must be at campsite by 8:00AM.
- Leave camp at 8:15 AM (camp breakdown can occur in the afternoon).
- At the trailhead we will review the JHA/CTF/USFS waivers and have a tool/safety talk.
- Work on section of Colorado Trail next to or in Lost Creek Wilderness until the afternoon (back to the parking lot by 4PM).
- Optional car camp Saturday night at same camping location.
Everyone will need to fill out the waiver (including +1's) to participate.
https://forms.gle/Y4sthwTqZzyLge5Q8 - Wheeler Peak NM 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 Hangout meeting one week before trip start date (we will also work out carpooling).
*including any 1+.4 days / 3 nights: ~24 miles with a full pack, ~30 miles total, ~5,300 ft of gain. Rating: Moderate Lite™
Route: https://caltopo.com/m/M6QG2PS
Alpine loop hike featuring New Mexico's highest peak over Juneteenth long weekend. There will likely be some snow but it should be manageable. Will keep an eye on conditions. All Trails reports from last year indicate it was not a problem in mid-June.
Day 1 (6/19): Drive 3.5 hours to TH
Hike in ~6.2 miles, 2,300 ft of gain
Camp near Horseshoe Lake
Day 2 (6/20): Day hike to Wheeler Peak and 2 other nearby 13ers
~5.8 miles, 1,800 ft of gain
Pack up camp, hike 1.6 miles, 150 ft of gain
Camp near Lost Lake
Day 3 (6/21): Hike 5.2 miles, 800 ft of gain
Camp near Middle Fork Lake
Day 4 (6/22): Hike 5 miles, 250 ft of gain
Stop in Red River for lunch
Drive home 3.5 hoursEquipment/Resources/Etc:
- Bear safety: Bear canister, Ursack, or rope/cord and the ability to do a bear hang
- LNT principles are enforced by this group.
- What to Bring Backpacking
- 10 Essentials
- Trip recommendations (not our exact route): https://www.backpacker.com/trips/wheeler-peak-wilderness-nm-wheeler-peak-loop/
- Alltrails (not our exact route): https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-mexico/wheeler-peak-via-east-fork-red-river-trail--3
- Colorado Trail 16-17 Marshal Pass to SalidaEnd of CT Segment 17, Gunnison, CO
Colorado Trail Segments 16-17
Total Miles: 35.3
Group Size: 10
Meet Time: 11 AM
Meet at:
Colorado Trail segment 18, Gunnison, CO 81230
Start at:
Marshall Pass Rd, Salida, CO 81201
Maps:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/colorado-trail-segment-16
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/colorado-trail-segment-17Description:
Join us for a scenic Juneteenth getaway on the Colorado Trail!
We’re taking advantage of the midweek holiday to tackle Segments 16 & 17—two beautiful stretches that are typically snow-free by mid-June. Expect expansive views, steady climbs, and classic Colorado high country terrain as we hike from Marshall Pass toward Salida.
That said, this is an early-season trip with a few logistical challenges. Water sources along this section are fairly spread out, so we have two options for planning our camps:Plan: A (Water to Water)
Day 1 : 3 hour 20 min drive from Colo Springs to end point.
Then 2 hour drive from Gunnison to Marshall Pass
3.6 Miles to Silver Creek Trail
Day 2: 7.5 miles to Seven Creek
Day 3: 12 miles to Baldy Lake. See Soldierstone as a side trip on the way.
Day 4: 13.7 miles to TrailheadPlan: B (Possible Dry Camps)
Day 1 (Unchanged): 3 hour 20 min drive from Colo Springs to end point.
Then 2 hour drive from Gunnison to Marshall Pass
3.6 Miles to Silver Creek Trail
Day 2: 10.8 miles to Soldierstone for camp. Possible water in a storage tank.
Day 3: Refill water at Baldy Lake along the way. 11 miles to Razor creek which has a seasonal water source.
Day 4: 9.9 miles to trailhead. Seasonal water sources 7.9 milesRequirements:
- Fill out waiver: https://forms.gle/VkERmkk7ChV3f4c27.
- Complete a qualifying hike - we do this to ensure everyone's safety and to make sure everyone is able to respect others. See calendar for upcoming hikes.
Resources:
The 10 Essentials: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
What to Bring Backpacking: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-checklist.htmlBackground:
In 2025, members of the Colorado Springs Backpackers will continue hiking our very own Colorado Trail—a goal we began in 2024. The CT is a 28-segment, 500-mile trail running from Denver to Durango. Trips will be less frequent but longer, with each segment tackled over weekends and holidays. Most segments are point-to-point, requiring carpool coordination. Planning is based on AllTrails, The Colorado Trail Databook, and the Colorado Trail Section Hikers Facebook page.
