Backpacking Flat Tops Wilderness
Details
Let's go backpacking in one of my favorite areas in Colorado, Flat Tops Wilderness, entry near Yampa. This is a very scenic area, with lots of lakes and includes the famous Devil's Causeway rock bridge. (going across the Causeway is an option). It actually isn't as scary as it seems. This is a loop hike, total of 26 miles, with 5050 elevation gain, and 2 nights camping, 3 days hiking, in backcountry.
We will meet at the Stillwater Trailhead at 8:30am on Saturday. The Causeway is about 2.5 miles in and we will stop to explore and take photos. After that we will head down through the valley, which passes several lakes, and camp at East Lost Lake (total of 9.5 miles, 1870 elevation gain for day 1).
On Sunday, day 2, we will hike past the famous Trappers Lake, which is very developed, has a campground, SUP, a small store, and facilities (we can decide if we want to stop there for anything). We will pass Trappers Lake at mile 7.5 of 2nd day, then hike another 2 miles (total of 9.5 miles, 1525 elevation for day 2) to Little Trappers Lake to camp.
On Monday (Day 3), we will hike out 7 miles, 1655 elevation, back to trailhead.
Here is the All Trails link. NOTE: We are omitting the 3.5 mile detour to McGinnis Lake.
***I will be driving up on Friday and camping at Bear Lake Campground, 3.5 miles from the trailhead. It is first come first served and costs $20 per tent site. It also has a small lake, which I will SUP on Friday. You are welcome to join me there as well and we can coordinate that ahead of time.
Special considerations:
Mosquitoes might be encountered, bring your preferred repellent. Lemon/Eucalyptus, Deet, Permethrin treated cloths, Headnet, etc...
Please understand the following:
You must be self-sufficient with all your own gear and food/water.
You are solely responsible for your own safety & welfare
Understanding the effort and challenges associated with this hike.
If you have problems with navigation/getting lost, stay with the organizer.
Please be courteous and considerate to all participants.
Hiking Navigation:
Its best to stay together while hiking so no one gets lost or separated.
All participants need to stop at all junctions marked or unmarked to make sure everyone takes the correct trail.
If you CHOOSE to hike ahead and out of site of the group, your responsible for your own navigation, risk hiking past that days stopping point, getting lost or injured without the groups knowledge or support and risk NOT being found.
My style of backpacking is about 2-2.5 miles an hour, taking pictures along the way with occasional breathers/breaks, enjoying the journey along with the camaraderie of others. I have excellent navigation skills and spend a lot of time backpacking within the states and internationally, both with others and soloing. I understand the lay of the land in conjunction with topos & GPS.
ATTENTION VERY IMPORTANT:
Slots are limited on these trips due to tent spaces and the number of people the organizer is comfortable with. If you hold a slot for the entire time the trip is open and then cancel within 4 days of the start date while there are people on the Wait list you will probably not be allowed on further trips. Its difficult to fill these slots in this short amount of time.
'No-Shows' will be banned from future backpack trips that I organize. This is extremely inconsiderate and unacceptable.