Discover

Camp Hale
Highlands

Backpack rugged and high terrain from the historic Camp Hale valley over to Copper Mountain Ski Resort.

A two-night excursion, this thru-hike along the Colorado Trail climbs high into the White River National Forest, over Kokomo Pass and skirts along the Continental Divide before dropping back down to Copper Mountain Ski Resort. Stunning views with extended hiking above timberline make this a truly incredible experience.

This adventure is best suited for folks with some prior backpacking experience.

Click here for more information on the historic Camp Hale valley.

DENVER TO TRAILHEAD: 109 mi (1hr 59min)
TRAIL CONDITION: Good
TRIP TYPE: Two Night Thru-Hike
HIGHLIGHTS: Extended trekking above timberline
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

CAMP HALE HIGHLANDS

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)

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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)

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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)

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Backpacking Colorado Wilderness Night

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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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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?