What we’re about
Welcome!
If you live in or near Colorado Springs and have a passion for multi-day wilderness backpacking trips, you have found your home. Beginners and long-time backpackers welcome!
For the safety of our group members, EVERYone must:
- Participate in a Qualifying Hike before signing up for a multiday backpacking trip. Qualifying hikes are held once a month in April, May, June, October, and November During other months they happen on a rolling basis as needed but are not guaranteed to happen due to leaders taking trips a lot during the summer. So if you think you want to take a trip with us please sign up for a scheduled qualifying hike.
- Sign the waiver to participate in upcoming backpacking trips: [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Tt__wFqqqIdomhpTqziDNRVkAaf-q9wVRj4stHEaT_s/edit ](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Tt__wFqqqIdomhpTqziDNRVkAaf-q9wVRj4stHEaT_s/edit )
Want to meet some of us first? Join us at one of our upcoming Meet + Mingles!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Qualifying + Conditioning Hike: Pancake RocksHorsethief Park Trailhead, Divide , CO
PLEASE READ THIS WHOLE POST BEFORE RSVPing.
This is a qualifying hike to participate in upcoming backpacking events with Colorado Springs Backpackers (COSBP). If you have already qualified, you are welcome to participate if you are interested in doing a conditioning hike.
You only have to complete a qualifying hike once unless it's been more than 8 months since last participating in a COSBP trip or hike.
Before being able to participate in this hike you must fill out a waiver -
https://forms.gle/3DzXeRDJziLAZ8nJ7Please note, if you plan to bring your dog on a trip, they must also attend a qualifying hike so we can make sure their temperament is friendly and that they obey your commands.
What it takes to qualify:
1 - Carry a full backpacking pack for the whole hike that weighs at least 24 pounds. NO EXCEPTIONS. We suggest you pack it as you would if you were actually backpacking. We will weigh packs.
2 - Finish the hike without any major problems.
3 - You know and can communicate about when you need to take a break.
4 - No pace requirement.
5 - Good attitude - gets along well with people.Meet at the trailhead by 8:00 AM
To carpool: we will meet at 7:00 AM at Red Rocks Canyon Open Space 3615 W High St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 (38.853669, -104.880992)NOTE: SPIKES may be needed for this trip - please watch weather report and check route info below to decide:
Hike Route: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/pancake-rocks--2 - Barely Backpacking: Browns Creek Falls EditionNeeds location
Note: This is not the Backpacking 101 - skills trip. For folks who attended the 101 session, please sign up for that trip through the email link Leigh sent.
Group size 10 people. Well-behaved, leashed trail dogs are welcome as long as they have completed a qualifying hike.
You will be put on the waitlist before being approved. Those meeting the first two below-required actions will be moved off the waitlist in the order in which they RSVP'd.
Required actions before trip:
1 - *Fill out waiver: https://forms.gle/71SPiqc4iyqDmD8Y7
2 - *Complete a qualifying hike. Check the calendar regularly for upcoming opportunities - we post qualifying hikes once a month in April, May, June, and sometimes July.
3- Attend a pre-planning Google Hangout meeting one week before trip start date (we will also work out carpooling).
*including any 1+.Just enough trail to call it a backpacking trip. Perfect for scratching that early-season itch to get outside without fully committing to a Type 2 sufferfest. We’ll hike 2.6 miles in (900 ft of gain), set up camp below a maybe-frozen waterfall, and soak in some solid views of Mt. Antero along the way. Easy mileage, big scenery, low commitment.
Bonus points: If the snow isn't too deep and you're feeling bold, there’s an optional day hike to a lake above the falls.
It’s a choose-your-own-effort kind of trip—great for overachievers and nap enthusiasts.This is the trip to bring your extravagant, experimental and heavy backcountry meals.
Might stop in Buena Vista on the way back for lunch. Early season trip is weather dependent. If it's gonna be 9 degrees, we're calling it—because we’re here for adventure, not survival training.
2 days / 1 night, ~6 miles, ~1,000ft - Rating: Uber Beginner
Route: https://caltopo.com/m/C006GE4Saturday (5/3) - Carpool or meet at trailhead at 11:30 AM
Hike to camp area and setup. Day hike to falls (optional: up to 6 miles RT to lake)
Sunday (5/4) - Pack up and hike back to cars (potential to stop in Buena Vista for lunch on the way home)Equipment/Resources/Etc:
- Bear safety: Bear canister, Ursack, or rope/cord and the ability to do a bear hang
- LNT principles are enforced by this group.
- What to Bring Backpacking
- 10 Essentials
- AllTrails (not exact route): https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/browns-creek-waterfall-trail
- Rucking Mondays: Palmer Park Open SpacePalmer Park, Colorado Springs, CO
Feliz Cinco de Mayo! ¡Únase a nosotros para disfrutar de tacos después de la caminata en El Rey Del Taco 2 cerca de Maizeland!
Route: 4.2 Miles https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/templeton-trail
Meet at Yucca Flats Trailhead in Palmer Park.You can participate in Rucking Mondays without having completed a qualifying hike.
Let's train for backpacking! You MUST carry a backpacking backpack or ruck pack to attend these training sessions. These are intended to be training sessions and not leisurely walks.
PLEASE NOTE: Headlamps are required. Depending on the weather, spikes may be recommended.
New to backpacking? If you have never backpacked and are working your way up to backpacking, I recommend starting with 10 pounds and working your way up each week by adding 5 pounds until you reach your goal weight - this can be anywhere from 25 pounds to 50 depending on your goals.
Longtime backpacker? Start where you are comfortable based on what you've done most recently. Then add weight as we go throughout the year.
- Rucking Mondays: Red Rock Canyon Open SpaceRed Rocks Canyon Open Space, Colorado Springs, CO
Route: Coming Soon
You can participate in Rucking Mondays without having completed a qualifying hike.
Let's train for backpacking! You MUST carry a backpacking backpack or ruck pack to attend these training sessions. These are intended to be training sessions and not leisurely walks.
PLEASE NOTE: Headlamps are required. Depending on the weather, spikes may be recommended.
New to backpacking? If you have never backpacked and are working your way up to backpacking, I recommend starting with 10 pounds and working your way up each week by adding 5 pounds until you reach your goal weight - this can be anywhere from 25 pounds to 50 depending on your goals.
Longtime backpacker? Start where you are comfortable based on what you've done most recently. Then add weight as we go throughout the year.
