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
Outlaw Backpacking: Cuchara Canyon
Location not specified yet“Unwilling to wait for mankind to improve, the outlaw lives as if that day were here.” — Tom Robbins
South of the familiar routes and beyond the managed wilderness lies Cuchara Canyon. This is a quiet landscape of creek bottoms, cottonwoods, and long bends where the map loosens its grip and the days stretch out.
This will be a 3-day / 2-night outlaw-style backpacking trip, built around movement, presence, and flexibility rather than milestones. We’ll walk into the canyon, make a good camp, and let the place tell us what comes next.
The Anti-Plan
Day 1: Refusing to Sleepwalk
We drive south from Colorado Springs (~2 hours). Start at Wilson Crossing and hike south up the canyon, camping somewhere mid-way where the creek runs and the walls close in.
Day 2: Rearranging the Nightmare
We explore deeper into the canyon and return to camp—or pack up and keep moving, wandering as we go, raising the exhilaration content of the universe. No trophies, no finish lines.
Day 3: Sailing Against the Flow
Hike back to Wilson Crossing—or continue through to Sheep Crossing if the outlaw maps that lead to outlaw treasures take us there. Drive home, possibly stopping for lunch in Walsenburg to re-enter less hangry.
Notes from the Edge
- Mileage: Total mileage will land somewhere around 10–15 miles, with plenty optional. We care about the line we choose, not the distance.
- Conditions: Expect off-season reality, where badgers toilet: cool nights, mud, patchy snow, open skies. The outlaw boat sails against the flow.
- Water: Available in the creek.
- Crew Size: Group size capped at 10. “All outlaws are photogenic” but only when crews stay small.
This is about living beyond the spirit of the everyday rules—slowing down, choosing our own line, and refusing to be a victim of the mundane.
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, including any +1. Check the calendar regularly for upcoming opportunities - we post qualifying hikes once a month in April, May, June, get it while it's hot.
3- Attend a pre-planning Google Hangout meeting one or two weeks before the trip.
“Outlaws are can openers in the supermarket of life.”
Let's go.4 attendees
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
8 attendees
Three Island Lake + Zirkel Circle (fall colors) - 2 nights
Location not specified yetThis 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
9 attendees
Past events
122
Group links
Organizers
Members
666
