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- 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. - Meet, Mingle, + Share: Stoves + Favorite Recipes!Poor Richards - The Restaurant, Colorado Springs, CO
Our Meet + Mingles are a great way to meet fellow COS Backpackers or mingle with those you already know. Newbies and long-time trekkers are welcome!
Come for the whole event or just pop in to say hello!
This month we're asking everyone to bring their backpacking stove, fuel, and a recipe or example of their favorite stove-needed backpacking meal (homemade, traditional backpacking meal, or grocery store bought). We'll spend some time chatting, having people demonstrate how to use their stove, and answer any questions that others might have.
Any stove type is welcome - from canister to wood burning to alcohol to whatever you got!
Please note that this room is provided to us free of charge, with the expectation that attendees will support the venue by purchasing food or beverages. You can view the menu here.
OR get the "meet-up" special: a 2-topping slice of pizza and soda/tea for $6 - - $9 if you want to upgrade to a 6oz house wine or beer!
- 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
- Double Bypass Loop - Indian Peaks Wilderness - Option 1Niwot Picnic Area, Allenspark, CO
This permit-required hike is limited to 3 additional people and 1 car.
You will be put on the waitlist before being approved. Those meeting the 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, and sometimes July.
3- Attend a pre-planning Google Hangout meeting one-two weeks before the tripRating: Difficult
The plan:
Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/AQB331L
We have a single parking permit for the trip, so we will all have to arrive together, parking at Niwot Picnic Grounds. If anyone needs to arrive at a different time, they will need to figure out their own transport and parking.
Day 1 - Friday
Arrive at trailhead by noon. Camp before Buchanan Pass
Hike: distance: 7mi // range: 9782' to 11378' // gross: +1463'-1632'
Sunrise: 6:09 am // Sunset : 7:51 pmDay 2 - Saturday
Camp along Cascade Creek, or continue up to Pawnee Lake.
Hike: distance: 10.1mi // range: 8790' to 11840' // gross: +2584'-3088'
Sunrise: 6:08 am // Sunset : 7:52 pmDay 3 - Sunday
Hike back to the car. Possibly explore out to Crater lake (+2 miles)
Hike: distance: 9.3mi // range: 9719' to 12541' // gross: +2909'-2261'
Sunrise: 6:08 amEquipment/Resources/Etc:
- Fires are not permitted in the planned camping areas.
- Qualified dogs will be considered, but may not fit in the car. Dogs must be on-leash.
- Bear canisters or Ursacks are highly recommended for this trip per Indian Peaks Wilderness. Bear hangs are difficult in certain areas, and bears got into hangs in the Cascade Creeks area last year.
- LNT principles are enforced by this group.
- Trip Report: https://www.hilaryhikes.com/home/2018/8/12/backpacking-buchanan-pass-pawnee-pass-loop-indian-peaks
