Colorado High Mountain Snowshoeing

Experience the beauty and splendor of Southern Colorado by backpacking and snowshoeing in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness area. This trip will have participants backpack into the wilderness area, establish a basecamp, and partake in a series of low-weight and high intensity day hikes, including a summit of 14er Humboldt Peak. Trip participants will learn and practice snowshoeing skills, basic Alpine skills, Avalanche safety and risk awareness, backcountry skills, and MORE! 

Cost: $350 

Cost Includes: includes ORC trip leaders, all camping equipment, meals on location, all permits, camping fees, gear rentals, post-trip lodging, and transportation from WSU in 12-passenger van. 

Activity Level: Advanced. This trip will require participants to backpack with packs up to 45 pounds with snowshoes over/through very thick snow at elevations up to 14,000ft.  
Remoteness Scale: Level 3, this is a backcountry trip. Participants will not have access to toilets, showers, or running water during this trip. Water will be treated from local sources (lakes and streams) and participants will be required to dispose of their waste properly when in the backcountry. Trip leaders will educate all participants on best practices throughout the trip. 
Physical Challenge Scale: Level 4, this trip will be extremely challenging. Participants can expect to snowshoe with packs up to 40-pounds across uneven and snowy terrain. Some hikes will feature very steep hiking up to elevations above 14,000ft. Temperatures will drop below freezing with potential for sub-zero temperatures and wind could fluctuate from standstill to 30mph or higher at certain elevations and areas of exposure. 

Registration: Up to 8 participants. Registration required by December 13. Click here to register. 

Questions? Visit the Outdoor Resource Center at 037 Student Union or email outdoor@wright.edu 
 

Brief Itinerary: 

Day 1, Saturday January 4: Meet at WSU ORC at 5:00AM and drive all day to a frontcountry campsite in Southern Colorado. 

Day 2, Sunday January 5: Arrive early in the morning, eat breakfast at a local restaurant and head to a front country campsite to practice backcountry and winter/snow skills. 

Day 3, Monday January 6: Pack up camp and leave very early (before sunrise) for the trailhead. Hike into basecamp/first trail camp  

Day 4, Tuesday January 7: Short hike/day hike with light packs to acclimate to elevations above 8,000ft and to practice skills, possibly move camp in preparation for summit push. 

Day 5, Wednesday January 8: Summit a smaller peak, weather permitting to practice skills, potentially moving camp or utilizing light packs via basecamp. 

Day 6, Thursday January 9: Sunrise a peak (aiming for Humboldt) with light packs, weather permitting. Small hike following or rest. 

Day 7, Friday January 10: Pack up camp and hike out early for the trailhead. Stay at a hotel, resort, or cabin for the night for showers, beds, and relaxation. 

Day 8, Monday January 11: Load car(s)/van(s) and depart for home early. Arrive on campus late into the evening/early morning on 1/12.