Reach for the top of one of Colorado's famed 14'ers within the San Isabel National Forest. Hike the wildflower strewn meadows along the Colorado Trail, home to mule deer, elk, eagles, and marmots. The Collegiate Mountains have more 14,000 foot peaks than any other range in Colorado. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th highest mountains in the 'lower 48' are all within striking distance (Mount Elbert, Mount Massive, and Mount Harvard). In addition, there are many other 14er's in this area that offer challenging but do-able climbs. Wilderness Inquiry will choose a non-technical route on one of these mountains and attempt to reach the summit with our group. Stand on the summit and see a spectacular view over the Colorado Rockies, including many of the highest peaks in the Sawatch, Sangre de Cristo and Elk mountain ranges.

Sample Itinerary

Please note: While the itinerary presented is an accurate depiction of what your trip will be like, it is only an example. Our trips are real adventures in the outdoors--not pre-packaged tours that happen on a schedule.

DAY 1: Ride with WI from Denver in the afternoon or meet at the Snowy Peaks campground in Buena Vista, CO, for campfire and a chance to prepare the next days trek.

DAY 2: This eagerly anticipated adventure begins with the first of a number of challenges! Hike a scenic short trail of about 3 to 5 miles through lodgepole pine forests. Experience considerable elevation gain, (1000 - 2000 ft), making for a more strenuous hike than the mileage might indicate. Set up camp among the Lodgepole Pine-Douglas Firs, next to a mountain stream in early afternoon.

DAY 3: Continue hiking along the Colorado Trail, keeping eyes peeled for mule deer, elk, eagles and a host of smaller animals along the trail. Trek through hills and meadows strewn with wildflowers.

DAY 4: Pack up camp and hike up to approximately 12,000 feet, in the proximity of several 14'er's. There is considerable elevation change on this short hike, and it will give us a good opportunity to acclimatize to higher elevations.

DAY 5: Weather permitting, rise with the sun to attempt a climb to the summit from base camp. This is a long, challenging day, but we will be traveling without full backpacks, returning to base camp late in the afternoon. Wilderness Inquiry treats this climb as a true expedition: emphasizing acclimatization; being prepared for adverse conditions; and utilizing mountaineering techniques for a safe and rewarding day.

DAY 6: This day may be used as a backup in case of adverse weather on Day 4. Or, explore the area on day hikes, fishing for trout, and enjoying nature. Carry backpacks a short distance to reach the trailhead at a convenient time.

DAY 7: Rise to a final day in the mountains, pack up, and hike to the trailhead by late morning. Depart the wilderness and get back to transportation home by late afternoon.

Travel, Terrain, Etc...

TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: You will travel reasonable distances each day (3 to 8 miles). Over the course of the week you may cover up to 25 miles, including one summit attempt. When moving camp, you will carry all gear, both personal and group, in 30-50 lb backpacks. On the summit attempt and on day hikes, you will carry a smaller daypack full of essentials and emergency gear.

TYPE OF TRAVEL/DISTANCE: The area you will backpack is well known for moderate terrain. You'll travel over meadows, through woods, and over rocks and talus. The terrain is non-technical but steep, with some loose rock and gravel. You'll encounter plenty of switchbacks and exposed terrain on the summit trails. The entire trip takes place in high elevation, between 10,000 and 14,500 feet, making a 3 mile hike considerably more of a challenge than it is at sea level.

WEATHER: Alpine weather can change dramatically in a short period of time. Temperatures can range from 40º F at night to 80º F during the day. Wind and sun can both be intense. Proper clothing and good rain gear is CRITICAL.

LODGING/BATHROOM FACILITIES: This is a backpacking trip-you will live and travel outdoors. At night you will sleep in backpacking tents, on a very comfortable Thermarest foam core inflatable mattress--the next best thing to sleeping in your own bed. While on trail, you'll make your own latrines for bathroom purposes. We make every effort to ensure privacy and cleanliness, and practice "no trace" latrine use.

GROUP SIZE: The group size will be about 6 to 10 participants, plus 1 or more WI staff. Each group consists of people of various ages, backgrounds and abilities, including people with disabilities.

CAMP CHORES: Our trips are cooperative in nature. WI staff will assist you in whatever areas you need, however, we ask that you pitch in when you can. Part of the adventure involves participating in daily camp activities such as cooking and dishes.

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING: If you are new to outdoor activities, you need not spend a lot of money on gear. WI can provide all necessary camping equipment, including backpacks. All you need to provide is your personal gear, such as clothing, hiking boots and a sleeping bag. A detailed equipment list will be sent to you upon confirmation of your participation. If you need to borrow personal gear, that can usually be arranged.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Previous hiking and backpacking experience is helpful. You must have the ability to hike moderate to strenuous terrain for several hours carrying a 30-50 lb pack. With proper advanced conditioning, most mobile WI participants will be able to complete this trip. Training should mimic the conditions of the trail as closely as possible. We recommend hiking or walking in hilly terrain on a regular basis, wearing the hiking boots you intend to wear on the trip, working up to walking (with ease) 3-4 hours at a time carrying a pack with weight.

Wilderness Inquiry is proud to serve Caribou Coffee on all our trips. Great food, great coffee, and great company are just some of the ingredients that make Wilderness Inquiry trips special.

[ Dates & Fees ]      

Mount Elbert and Mount Massive are in the Sawatch Range of the Colorado Rockies, and rise just to the west of the well-known Colorado Hiking Trail. The Sawatch Mountains were formed by two tectonic plates pushing together and uplifting along their edges. This range is the highest area along the Continental Divide. Although the area was largely missed by the Ice Ages, over a dozen glacial lakes hide in and around the wilderness. The summits of these peaks offer a glorious view of the surrounding Rockies, including many of the fourteeners in the Sawatch, Sangre de Cristo and Elk ranges, only enhancing the unmatchable feeling of standing on top of the world.

Mt. Massive, the second highest peak in Colorado, was first ascended in 1873, by Henry Gannett. The origin of its name is evident to all who see its three mile long ridgeline, but the history of the name is not so simple. Its official name has always been Massive, with short-lived campaigns to name it 'Mt. McKinley' (after the president), 'Gannett Peak' (after its discoverer), and 'Mt Churchill' (after the English statesman) have come and gone.

Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado, was named after Samuel Elbert, a controversial territorial governor of Colorado in 1873. H.D. Stuckle of the Haydon Survey is credited with the first of many recorded summits of the peak, in 1874. In the 1970s, there was another popular campaign in these mountains, this time to recognize Mt. Massive as the highest peak in Colorado, instead of Mt. Elbert. The people involved stacked rocks in an effort to raise the height of Massive's summit, but detractors repeatedly tore them down until the effort was abandoned and Mt. Elbert retained its distinction.

In 1980, Mt. Massive was proposed as an addition to the adjacent Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness. Through a technical blunder, Mt. Massive became a separate wilderness, with nothing physically separating the two areas besides the imaginary line of the Continental Divide. The Mt. Massive Wilderness Area was designated by Congress in 1980, and now has a total of 30,540 acres. Mt. Elbert is also on Forest Service land but is not itself a wilderness area.

 

For more information, visit these links:

14ers.com

SummitPost.org - Mt. Elbert

Mt. Massive Wilderness Area

[ Dates & Fees ]

2010 Dates		Fee
07/31/2010 - 08/06/2010		$695
2011 Dates		Fee
07/23/2011 - 07/29/2011		$695	Register Now
07/30/2011 - 08/05/2011		$695	Register Now
Transportation Most people fly or drive to Denver by 11 a.m. on the first day listed and then take a free shuttle to the Comfort Inn Denver International Airport and then ride with Wilderness Inquiry to the starting place in Buena Vista, CO. You can take your own transportation or use WI’s van transportation from Denver. Detailed meeting place instructions will be sent to you when you are confirmed for the trip.
Meeting Places:		Additional Round-trip Fee:
Denver - Comfort Inn		$75 per person
Buena Vista, Snowy Peaks Park		$0 (No charge)