About us
It's Colorado Beautiful!
Everyone Belongs on the Trail. The wilderness doesn't care who you are or where you started—it only cares about how you show up for the journey. It’s Colorado Beautiful!
is a community for those who share a spirit of adventure and the capability to pursue it.
We aren't your typical hiking group.
We believe in dwelling in the landscape—waking to alpine mornings and staying under the stars—rather than just passing through. We are a community that values meaningful conversations as much as mileage and elevation gain. We aren't here to race; we are here to be present.
Prepared for the Path
To ensure our group can move together with ease and safety, our adventures are best suited for hikers who are "Trail-Ready."
We ask that members be comfortable with a 6-mile hike, 1,500' of gain, in around 3 hours while carrying an overnight pack, including switchbacks, rocky terrain, and stream crossings. If you can hold a conversation while hiking uphill, you're in good shape!
We are a volunteer-led community of peers who share the journey through the wilderness. Because we focus on immersive experiences, even our entry-level events are active:
- Social Hikes: Active Front Range day hikes to meet the crew and enjoy the scenery. These are steady outings that bypass the flat trails for a more rewarding view.
- Backcountry Nights: Planned 1-to-3 night backpacking trips into Colorado’s stunning wilderness.
Our Culture of Respect
We operate on the principle of "Common Ground." We respect the land (Leave No Trace) and we respect each other. We welcome all who share our "trail-ready" mindset—from those taking their first overnight trip to seasoned backpackers looking to share their knowledge.
If you have the heart for the backcountry and the fitness to reach it, you belong here. Join us as we find community and adventure in the wilderness together!
We hope to see you on the trail soon!
Upcoming events
2
Backpacking ~ Indian Peaks, Mirror Lake (SAT 19-20 SEP)
Denver International Airport, 8500 Pena Blvd, Denver, CO, USJoin us on this backpacking trip, near Granby, CO!
Mirror Lake and Crater Lake are widely considered the crown jewels of the Indian Peaks Wilderness.
Overnight permits are not required after September 15. We have a planned camping area about 4.5 miles into the hike near a waterfall, but this is a very popular destination, even in September. Therefore, we are starting early...☀️We can expect parking to fill up by 8.00 am.
Be prepared for the possibility of an alternate campsite. and some flexibility once we’re on the trail.
❄️ Expect cooler temperatures at night
EXPERIENCE:
- New to backpacking? Welcome! Send Jeremiah a quick message here on Meetup to say hi. Let us know what has you excited about the trip, and briefly outline your setup for sleeping, shelter, and water filtration. It’s a great way for us to connect and ensure everyone feels prepared before we hit the trail!
- Experienced backpacker? You are clear to RSVP!
✅MEET AND GREET AT TRAILHEAD: 7.45 am
✅START HIKING: 8.00 am (our hikes start on time)TRAIL RATING:
🟡Active
FITNESS: You should be in good shape and comfortable hiking steep sections.TRAIL READY
To ensure our group can move together with ease and safety, our adventures are best suited for hikers who are trail ready. Please review the Trail Rating below to ensure this specific trip matches your current conditioning.TRAILHEAD: (Monarch Lake Trailhead)
Route type: Out and back
Crowds: Expect to share the trail with day hikers.DAY 1, Sat Sep 19th:
- 4 miles to camp | +900 ft elevation gain
- Setup camp
- ⛰️ Afternoon hike to Mirror and Crater Lakes | 7 miles (round trip) | +1300 ft of gain
DAY 2, Sun Sep 20th:
- 4 miles | -900 ft elevation gain
- Hike back to cars
WHERE: Indian Peaks Wilderness
HIKE TYPE: Backpacking, one night
TRAIL MAP: https://caltopo.com/m/V94EP2K#
WEBSITE: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/cascade-creek-trail-to-mirror-lake-and-crater-lake🚗CARPOOLING (strongly encouraged):
Wooly Mammoth Park-N-Ride
18560 U.S. Hwy 40, Golden, CO 80401
Section CC
Drive Time: 2 hour
Organize Cars: 5.30 am
Start Driving: 5.45 am (sharp)DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD:
GOOGLE MAP LINKNOTABLES:
- Hikes may be changed or canceled due to weather, snowpack, smoke, avalanche danger and low RSVPS.
- 🐶Dogs must be leashed.
⚠️ KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
We are a community of peers not guides or leaders. Hosts are not experts and should not be relied on for advice, medical care, or emergency assistance. You are responsible for your own safety, gear, and fitness, and must be prepared to complete the hike independently. The host's role is simply to be the anchor point; the person who ensures everyone meets at the right spot so the group can head out together.A signed Safety & Emergency Form is required to join. The link will appear as a required question when you click "RSVP."
Returning members: You only need to resubmit the form if your emergency contact has changed.GUESTS: Want to bring a friend? Have them join ICB and sign the Safety & Emergency Form first. We'd love to have them!
RSVP EXPECTATIONS: Update your RSVP (including waitlist) at least 48 hours before the event. If you miss 2 events without notice, you'll need to wait 90 days before rejoining the group.
BE PREPARED: We prioritize safety and self-sufficiency so we can focus on the experience. If you need to audit your gear or prep, this REI Checklist is a great resource.
TRIP STYLE:
We backpack to nature. Our adventures are less about the destination and more about the journey itself. We immerse ourselves the splendor of nature. We spend our evenings by the fire, telling stories under the stars. Many trips challenge us but we are never in a hurry to get there.TRAIL RATING
Trips are rated based on the distance, elevation, and terrain of their most demanding day.🟡Active
5–7 miles, moderate elevation (1,000 - 2,000’)
Uneven terrain, steady movement throughout, possible stream crossings
You can hike continuously uphill with a full overnight pack without frequent long breaks🟠Strenuous
7–10 miles, sustained elevation gain (1,500–3,000')
Longer climbs, rocky sections, frequent stream crossings
You can maintain a steady, conversational pace while ascending🔴Challenging
10+ miles and/or significant elevation gain (3,000’+)
Extended climbs, variable terrain, potential off-trail travel
You have strong endurance and are comfortable being pushed for most of the day8 attendees
Dispersed Camping ~ 14er: Belford Mount (SAT SEP 19 -20)
Denver International Airport, 8500 Pena Blvd, Denver, CO, USThe occasional car-camping trip never hurt anyone, right?
We’re heading into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness for cooler temperatures, beautiful fall aspens, and a climb of Mount Belford (14,202 feet).
Rather than backpacking in, we’ll car camp at one of the established dispersed campsites along Clear Creek Road / CR 390, around 9,600′. Expect nighttime temperatures around the 30s.
We could backpack in a couple of miles and sleep around 11,200′, where nighttime temperatures will likely be down in the 20s. But that only saves us about 1.5 miles of hiking on summit day—and personally, I’m not convinced that’s worth giving up a warmer night.
One logistical note: we’ll need to carpool and caravan together so that we can arrive at the same dispersed campsite.
❄️ Expect cooler temperatures at night
✅CARPOOL & CARAVAN TIME: 10:45 AM
✅SETUP DISPERSED CAMPSITE: 1:00 PM
☑️ START HIKE ON SUNDAY: 7:00 AMTRAIL RATING:
🔴Challenging
FITNESS: You should be in very good shape. We are climbing a mountain.TRAIL READY
To ensure our group can move together with ease and safety, our adventures are best suited for hikers who are trail ready. Please review the Trail Rating below to ensure this specific trip matches your current conditioning.TRAILHEAD: (Missouri Gulch Trailhead)
Route type: Loop
Crowds: LightDAY 1, Sat, Sep 19:
- dispersed camping at around 9,600 feet along Clear Creek Road / CR 390
DAY 2, Sun, Sep 20:
- Start Hike: 7:00 am.
- Climb Mount Belford
- Mount Belford: 9 mile round trip, +4,600 feet of elevation gain (7-9 hours)
WHERE: Collegiate Peak Wilderness
HIKE TYPE: Dispersed Car Camping, one night
TRAIL MAP: https://caltopo.com/m/DT02M15WEBSITE:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/mount-oxford-and-belford🚗CARPOOLING (recommended):
Wooly Mammoth Park-N-Ride
18560 U.S. Hwy 40, Golden, CO 80401
Section CC
Organize Cars: 10:45 am
Start Driving: 11:00 am (sharp)Drive Time: 2 hours 15 min (from Park-n-Ride)
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD:
GOOGLE MAP LINKNOTABLES:
- Hikes may be changed or canceled due to weather, snowpack, smoke, avalanche danger and low RSVPS.
- 🐶Dogs must be leashed.
- ❄️ Expect cooler temperatures at night
⚠️ KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
We are a community of peers not guides or leaders. Hosts are not experts and should not be relied on for advice, medical care, or emergency assistance. You are responsible for your own safety, gear, and fitness, and must be prepared to complete the hike independently. The host's role is simply to be the anchor point; the person who ensures everyone meets at the right spot so the group can head out together.A signed Safety & Emergency Form is required to join. The link will appear as a required question when you click "RSVP."
Returning members: You only need to resubmit the form if your emergency contact has changed.GUESTS: Want to bring a friend? Have them join ICB and sign the Safety & Emergency Form first. We'd love to have them!
RSVP EXPECTATIONS: Update your RSVP (including waitlist) at least 48 hours before the event. If you miss 2 events without notice, you'll need to wait 90 days before rejoining the group.
BE PREPARED: We prioritize safety and self-sufficiency so we can focus on the experience. If you need to audit your gear or prep, this REI Checklist is a great resource.
TRIP STYLE:
We backpack to nature. Our adventures are less about the destination and more about the journey itself. We immerse ourselves the splendor of nature. We spend our evenings by the fire, telling stories under the stars. Many trips challenge us but we are never in a hurry to get there.TRAIL RATING
Trips are rated based on the distance, elevation, and terrain of their most demanding day.🟡Active
5–7 miles, moderate elevation (1,000 - 2,000’)
Uneven terrain, steady movement throughout, possible stream crossings
You can hike continuously uphill with a full overnight pack without frequent long breaks🟠Strenuous
7–10 miles, sustained elevation gain (1,500–3,000')
Longer climbs, rocky sections, frequent stream crossings
You can maintain a steady, conversational pace while ascending🔴Challenging
10+ miles and/or significant elevation gain (3,000’+)
Extended climbs, variable terrain, potential off-trail travel
You have strong endurance and are comfortable being pushed for most of the day4 attendees
Past events
30
