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- Missouri Basin: Floating on a DreamNeeds location
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Total Distance: ~32-40+ miles (depending on side trips)
Total Gain/Loss: ~11,000-13,000+ ft cumulativeLet’s step into the rhythm of the wild and float through some of Colorado’s most pristine landscapes. This expert-level adventure is all about movement and presence—no rush, nothing super technical, just the flow.
We’re diving deep into the Missouri Basin, bagging some of the highest peaks in the area, including Belford, Oxford, and Emerald as our crown jewels. And there’s room for extra adventure if your legs are feeling strong—because this trip is about more than summits - it’s about the freedom to follow the flow. With a laid-back wilderness camp, you’ll have the option to visit Silver King Lake, take one last wild push, or just chill.
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-two weeks before the trip.
4. Previous 14er experience and an interest in long hard days.Group size 8 people.
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.Key Segments:
Day 1 – Approach via Pine Creek (Wapaca – Linehart TH)- Distance: 10.5 mi
- Gain: +2,561 ft / Loss: –1,630 ft
- Camp: Upper Missouri Basin
Day 2 – Elkhead Pass + Peak Options
- to Elkhead Pass: 1.75 mi / +1,160 ft
- to Mt. Belford: 1 mi / +1,000 ft
- to Mt. Oxford and back to Elkhead Pass: 3.5 mi / +1,500 ft
- Emerald & Iowa (Optional): 4.9 mi loop / +1,627 ft / –2,778 ft (For those who want to stretch their wings and bag a Centennial)
Day 3 – Exit Options
- Standard Return: 10.5 mi (same as Day 1, net downhill—drift back out on that mountain breeze)
- Alternate Loop Exit: TBD—includes a bonus 13er, with a little more elevation if you’re up for it.
Side Trip - Silver King Lake (5 mi RT from camp) – because why not float through alpine beauty while you can? We could hit this spot after bagging peaks, after hiking in on Day 1, or before heading out on Day 3.
This trip is like floating on a dream—big gains, big views, with nothing too technical. Whether you’re summiting peaks, soaking in lakes, or just breathing in the silence, you’ll leave feeling like you’ve moved through the landscape, not conquered it.
Equipment/Resources/Etc:
- Everything you need to camp AND "day hike" the peaks. You may want to include micro spikes and/or ice axe (depending on conditions).
- Routes: we'll be camping on the south side of Elkhead Pass so our routes vary from 14ers.com until that point.
- Qualifying + Conditioning Hike: Beaver Creek Loop TrailBeaver Creek Trailhead, Penrose, 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.Meet at the trailhead by 8:00 AM
To carpool: we will meet at 6:45 AM - location TBD.Hike Route: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/beaver-creek-loop-trail
- Colorado Trail: San Juan's - Silverton to DurangoCT Segment 25 Starting Point, Durango, CO
Colorado Trail Segments 25-28
Total Miles: 74.6 Miles
Group Size: 10
Meet Time: 1 PM
Meeting/ Starting Point:
Forest Rd 550M, Durango, CO 81301
Maps:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/colorado-trail-segment-25
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/colorado-trail-segment-26
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/colorado-trail-segment-27
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/colorado-trail-segment-28Description:
Sometimes we don't have to save the best for last. Join us for a 4th of July Trip traversing the Colorado Trail through the beautiful San Juan Mountains. Commonly cited as the most beautiful part of the Colorado, many out - of -state hikers will choose this stretch if they are in a time crunch and cannot hike the entire Colorado trail. Unfortunately, this is not a beginner friendly trip. Having your footwear and gear dialed in is a must. This will be a challenging and rewarding trip.Getting there:
I will be leaving my car in Durango and taking the train to Silverton. Participants are welcome to park directly on the trailhead in Silverton. I will be driving back through there on Thursday July 10th on my return trip. Tickets for the train are here:
https://www.durangotrain.com/now-booking/Plan:
- Due to this being a long trip, we will have planning sessions June 6th and June 27th over google meet. Where we will go over a detailed breakdown of water sources, mileage, and transportation.
- Be mentally and physically prepared for 15 mile days
- We will tackle the mileage by starting early and going slow.
- Day 3 will likely include a 14.5 mile stretch without water refills.
- Rule of thumb is 2 lbs of food for a day of backpacking - be ready to carry at least 10 lbs of food.Requirements:
- 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.
- Additionally, to join this trip, you must have been on at least one previous Colorado Springs Backpackers outing.
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. - Wheeler Geological AreaNeeds location
Group size 15 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, Map, June, and sometimes July.
3- Attend a pre-planning Google Hangout meeting one week before trip start date.
*including any 1+.2+ days / 2 nights, ~22 miles, ~3,210ft - Rating: Beginner+
https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/135324?t=SfHx7Cm6C7bXL9ZNtBFI#activity=hikingFriday - Day 1: Leave Colorado Springs on Friday around noon. Drive, drop off a car in Creede (pending finding a good place to park now) carpool to the trailhead - camp about two miles in near water.
Saturday - Day 2: Hike to the Geological area - about 5 miles in - explore, wander, eat lunch. Hike an additional 3 - 4 miles and camp near water.
Sunday - Day 3: Hike to Creede - about 11 miles, lunch, chill, drive home.
Equipment/Resources/Etc:
- Bear canister, Ursack, or rope/cord for those who have experience hanging food.
- LNT principles are enforced by this group.
- What to Bring Backpacking
- 10 Essentials
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=28996&actid=51
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recarea/?recid=29264
