5 Colorado Backpacking Trips Off the Beaten Path
Tired of seeing the same four backpacking trips recommended in lifestyle magazines? Looking for a wilderness trip with an actual wilderness experience? At onX Backcountry, our Local Experts have helped uncover some high quality backpacking trips hidden in plain sight. While you may not find yourself completely alone on these trips, especially on the busiest weekends of the summer, these are routes that don’t require a reservation system or paid parking. And it is likely you’ll be able to find and pick a quality campsite at your destination without competition.
1. Slide Lake Backpack Trip – Walden Area
Here is a more remote part of Colorado in a small, but unique mountain range with rugged wilderness. This trip can be an out-and-back, or you can get exploratory and create some multi-day bushwack loops around the alpine lakes nearby. The fishing can be excellent, and the quintessential mountain cirques are hard to beat.
- A challenging out and bike hike
- Incredible scenery, mountains, and lakes
- Nearby summit hike
- Fishing
2. Mill Lake Backpack Trip – Gunnison Area
Mill Lake is what basic Colorado backpacking is all about. This was the first backpack trip my son did as a youngster. Being short and close to the trailhead, it meets that sweet spot of having a remote wilderness feel, while not being too far away from the car. It is a steep trail at high elevation, so I wouldn’t exactly call it a cake walk, especially when you’re carrying extra weight. The nearby lakes, Boulder and Lamphere, also offer wonderful backpacking options if you want to hike a little further.
- A short hike
- Classic Colorado mountain lake
- Nearby summit hike
- Fishing
3. Copper Lake Backpack Trip – Crested Butte Area
This is a well marked intermediate out-and-back multi-day trip in the heart of the Elk Mountain. You pass by beautiful Judd Falls and follow Copper Creek all the way to Copper Lake. The elevation gain is mild except for one section toward the end with some switchbacks. Copper Creek Trail #983 is also a great starting spot for backpacking. You can continue toward Triangle Pass, Copper Pass, or East Maroon Pass which all access amazing basins. In the summer, this is a great trail for wildflower viewing.
- A mid-length hike
- Classic Colorado mountain lake
- Nearby alpine day hike loop
- Fishing
4. Timberline Lake Backpack Trip. Leadville Area
This is a fantastic entry-level, or quick-n-easy backpacking trip in the Holy Cross Wilderness. Due to its easy access and easy difficulty level, you are likely to encounter other hikers, fisherpeople, and backpackers. A wilderness permit is required, which you will fill out and obtain along the trail at the wilderness boundary.
- A short hike
- Classic Colorado mountain lake
- Fishing
5. Fancy Pass/Missouri Lakes Backpack Loop – Vail Area
This is a fairly entry-level backpack loop, in that it is short, and does not require expert navigational skills. Nevertheless, this trip will bring you quickly into remote, rugged wilderness, with extended time above treeline. Spectacular views, lakes, and wildflowers make this one a classic for anybody looking for a top-notch backpack trip in Colorado.
- A multi-day loop
- Classic Colorado mountain lakes
- Fishing
- Scenic mountain passes
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- Come back to this webpage and follow step 1 above.
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