Discover
Bear Lake
A guide favorite. Backpack the Colorado Trail from aspen trees and lush meadows up through a pristine alpine forest and set up camp at Bear Lake—A magnificent, glacier-carved lake perched right at timberline.
NOTE: A short version of this trip is available. See below for details.
Situated at the base of Mt. Galena, Bear Lake is a favorite among Colorado Trail thru-hikers. Incredible views, abundant summer flowers, and fishing opportunities make this a truly exceptional experience.
Click here for more information on the Galena Mountain area.
DENVER TO TRAILHEAD: 102 mi (1hr 46min)
TRAIL CONDITION: Excellent
TRIP TYPE: In and out overnight
HIGHLIGHTS: Bear Lake at timberline, incredible views, abundant wildlife, fishing opportunity
POTENTIAL ANIMAL SIGHTINGS:
* Over thousands of miles spent on Colorado’s trails, I have yet to see a mountain lion in the wild. I hope to someday.
ELEVATION PROFILE-SHORT VERSION
BEAR LAKE—SHORT VERSION
GREAT FOR KIDS
GREAT FOR BEGINNERS
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)
ELEVATION PROFILE
BEAR LAKE
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)
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?
