Watching the Skies
On the
UFO Trail
Backpack through an alpine wonderland in the San Isabel National Forest to a timberline clearing at the foot of Galena Mountain. Set up camp at 11,700 feet (3,566 meters) and watch for signs from another world.
Colorado has long been a UFO hotspot. From the northeastern prairie all the way down to the official UFO watchtower in Hooper, there are hundreds of sightings reported every year.
This relatively easy trip offers backpackers ample time to watch the skies for any strange activity from the vantage point of being right at timberline.
Ask me about my own UFO encounter and I’ll give you the lowdown.
Check out more about UFO sightings in Colorado.
DENVER TO TRAILHEAD: 106 mi (1hr 57min)
TRAIL CONDITION: Excellent
TRIP TYPE: In and out overnight
HIGHLIGHTS: UFO watching from 11,700 ft
POTENTIAL SIGHTINGS:
* Over thousands of miles spent on Colorado’s trails, I have yet to see a mountain lion in the wild, but I have seen a UFO.
ELEVATION PROFILE
ON THE UFO TRAIL
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DISTANCE: 3.04 miles (4.89 k) per day
ELEVATION GAIN: 568 ft. (173 m)
ELEVATION LOSS: 114 ft. (35 m)
ALTITUDE AVG: 11,472 ft. (3,497 m)
More Trips
Explore the vast natural beauty of the Colorado wilderness—with confidence.
AVAILABLE
HIGH VALLEY OVERNIGHT
Introduction to Backpacking
2 Days • 1 Night
2 Days • 1 Night
DIFFICULTY: Easy, super fun, waterfalls
DISTANCE: Near trailhead (<1 mile)
ELEVATION GAIN: 603 ft. (183 m)
ELEVATION LOSS: 132 ft. (40 m)
ALTITUDE AVG: 9,835 ft. (2,998 m)
AVAILABLE
BEAR LAKE
SHORT VERSION
2 Days • 1 Night
2 Days • 1 Night
DIFFICULTY: 
DISTANCE: 1.62 miles (2.61 k) per day
ELEVATION GAIN: 425 ft. (130 m)
ELEVATION LOSS: 617 ft. (188 m)
ALTITUDE AVG: 11,191 ft. (3,411 m)
AVAILABLE
BEAR LAKE
A Stunning Lake at Timberline
2 Days • 1 Night
2 Days • 1 Night
DIFFICULTY:
DISTANCE: 3.26 miles (5.25 k) per day
ELEVATION GAIN: 1,526 ft. (465 m)
ELEVATION LOSS: 546 ft. (166 m)
ALTITUDE AVG: 10,839 ft. (3,304 m)
AVAILABLE
ON THE UFO TRAIL
Watch the Skies for Visitors
2 Days • 1 Night
2 Days • 1 Night
DIFFICULTY:
DISTANCE: 3.04 miles (4.89 k) per day
ELEVATION GAIN: 568 ft. (173 m)
ELEVATION LOSS: 114 ft. (35 m)
ALTITUDE AVG: 11,472 ft. (3,497 m)
AVAILABLE
HOLY CROSS WILDERNESS
Deep Forest Dive
2 Days • 1 Night
2 Days • 1 Night
DIFFICULTY:
DISTANCE: 4.12 miles (6.63 k) per day
ELEVATION GAIN: 705 ft. (215 m)
ELEVATION LOSS: 779 ft. (237 m)
ALTITUDE AVG: 10,429 ft. (3,179 m)
AVAILABLE
PORCUPINE LAKE
Overnight Backpacking
2 Days • 1 Night
2 Days • 1 Night
DIFFICULTY:
DISTANCE: 5.06 miles (8.38 k) per day
ELEVATION GAIN: 2,557 ft. (779 m)
ELEVATION LOSS: 1,140 ft. (347 m)
ALTITUDE AVG: 11,123 ft. (3,390 m)
AVAILABLE
CAMP HALE HIGHLANDS
Two Night Thru-Hike
3 Days • 2 Nights
3 Days • 2 Nights
DIFFICULTY:
DISTANCE: 15.2 miles (24.46 k) total
ELEVATION GAIN: 4,532 ft. (1,381 m)
ELEVATION LOSS: 4,374 ft. (1,333 m)
ALTITUDE AVG: 11,087 ft. (3,379 m)
AVAILABLE
MULTI-DAY ADVENTURES
Custom Backpacking Trips
Trip Lengths Vary
Trip Lengths Vary
Adventures spanning several or more days are available. Each trip is personalized based on individual or group skill level. Some prior backpacking experience is recommended.
COMING SOON
NIGHT DIVE
Backpacking with a Night Hike
2 Days • 1 Night
2 Days • 1 Night
At night the wilderness transforms into a place rarely experienced by humans. Otherworldly and dreamlike, walking the forest at night requires added safety but can be rewarding and even transformative.
What are you waiting for?
