Discover

High Valley
Overnight

This trip offers a great introduction to backpacking
in the high country of Colorado with plenty of time
for day hikes.

Intended for beginners, or folks who just want to test out new gear, this trip includes a short hike from the trailhead, pitching camp and then staying overnight high above a stunning valley near the Eagle River headwaters. Just south of Vale, this historic area is easily accessible from Denver.

Click here for more information on the Eagle River Valley.

Backpacking Colorado Wilderness Topo Map
DENVER TO TRAILHEAD: 107 mi (1hr 55min)
TRAIL CONDITION: Excellent
TRIP TYPE: Short trail overnight
HIGHLIGHTS: Perfect for beginners, picturesque
POTENTIAL ANIMAL SIGHTINGS:

                       

ELEVATION PROFILE

Backpacking Colorado Wilderness Elevation Profile

HIGH VALLEY OVERNIGHT

DIFFICULTY: Easy
DISTANCE: Short distance from trailhead (<1 mile)
ELEVATION GAIN: 603 ft. (183 m)
ELEVATION LOSS: 132 ft. (40 m)
ALTITUDE AVG: 9,835 ft. (2,998 m)

More Trips

Explore the vast natural beauty of the Colorado wilderness—with confidence.

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Backpacking Colorado Wilderness Camp Hale Valley

HIGH VALLEY OVERNIGHT

Introduction to Backpacking
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

Backpacking Colorado Wilderness Night

BEAR LAKE

SHORT VERSION
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

Backpacking Colorado Wilderness Night

BEAR LAKE

A Stunning Lake at Timberline
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

Backpacking Colorado Wilderness Night

ON THE UFO TRAIL

Watch the Skies for Visitors
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

Backpacking Colorado Wilderness Alpine Forest

HOLY CROSS WILDERNESS

Deep Forest Dive
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

Backpacking Colorado Wilderness Porcupine Lake

PORCUPINE LAKE

Overnight Backpacking
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
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

Backpacking Colorado Wilderness Mountains

MULTI-DAY ADVENTURES

Custom Backpacking Trips
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

Backpacking Colorado Wilderness Night Hike

NIGHT DIVE

Backpacking with a Night Hike
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?