Colorado Wilderness Pack Trail

Day 1 (D)

You will be met in Colorado Springs and transferred to the trailhead.

The Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Colorado are one of the longest mountain chains on earth. To the west of the mountains lies the San Luis Valley - a flat, unbroken plot of ranch and farmland the size of the state of Connecticut with the Rio Grande river running though the centre. On the east are the Wet Valley and the Raton Basin with a quiet but still active volcanic field. The ride takes you from the eastern plains below Pikes Peak, back into western history - up Hardscrabble, through the Wet Mountains, across the Wet Mountain Valley, to the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. These locations are aptly named. Hardscrabble is just that - a narrow, steep, twisting canyon. Over 12 feet of snow fall on much of the Wet Mountains in a typical winter, and riders in the Wet Mountains may encounter rain, hail, and snow in the mountains on any given afternoon - all summer long.

As the pack string is loaded with duffels (roll-bags) and supplies, one of your two wrangler-guides will give you detailed instructions on riding, saddling and the care of your mount. Setting out around midday, wind up through aspen groves into a long glaciated valley and on to your first nights camp. After setting up the tents and picketing the horses gather round the fire for drinks and dinner.

Day 2 (B,L,D)

After breakfast with a bracing cup of cowboy coffee, you saddle up, load the packhorses, and begin the ascent up South Brush Creek. The trail winds through low-lying bogs, across downfall timber, through dark groves of evergreens, past fields of wildflowers, and ultimately above the timberline to the craggy and windswept pass. It's an incredible day of riding over a 13,000 ft. pass to your first glimpse of the vastness of the San Luis Valley framed by each peak and ridge line descending sharply below you. Ask your guide to point out your route for the next four days from this incredible vantage point. Ride down and establish camp amongst the aspen in Horse Thief Basin for a well-earned restful evening, another gourmet feast around the campfire, and a peaceful night.

Day 3 (B,L,D)

Break camp after enjoying a traditional pack trip breakfast and coffee. Today you will be riding on the west side of the range. Depending on the Forest Service permit, either cross another 13,000 ft. pass above Cotton Lake and make camp along Rito Alto Creek, or go over two passes to settle in San Isabel Creek. Keep your eyes open, and you may see signs of the elusive elk. Deep in the mountains you might cross paths with an elusive elk, a black bear or even a cougar. The smaller predators, such as bobcats or coyotes, are more often seen and heard.

Day 4 (B,L,D)

The day is free to allow the horses time to rest and for you to try some hiking, fishing, or just relaxing around camp. A hiking trip allows you the time and opportunity to enjoy the wild flora close up.

Day 5 (B,L)

After breakfast break camp and cross over our last two passes and descend back to the trail head, arriving late afternoon. This is truly the most spectacular day yet. These breathtaking, lofty views are perfect for watching raptors, such as hawks and eagles. After saying goodbye to your horse, transfer back to Colorado Springs.

Between May and early July we offer an alternate Sangre de Cristos Route because there are times when the snow is so deep at the top of the Sangres that the horses' bellies would drag through drifts.

The alternate route traverses the eastern slopes of the Sangres in the San Isabel National Forest. The description of this trip closely parallels that of the Standard Route, but this trip runs from south to north instead, and you ride and explore on the sun-facing slopes, leaving the deeper snow in the darker, hidden valleys for warmer days.

The trip takes place in the lower elevations of the Wet Mountains and canyons of Grape Creek and allows for a spectacular trip when the Sangre de Cristos' are still clogged with snow. Days 1 & 2 are spent up amongst the peaks of Tanner and Curley in the San Isabel National Forest. Laying over at one camp allows for a great day - ride with spectacular views of the canyons and the front range peaks covered with snow. Day 3 moves from the peaks to Grape Creek along a scenic and little known valley trail. You momentarily pop out onto the remote Grape Creek access road, a point at which you may meet others coming in to fish. Spend the next two days crossing and re--crossing the creek and exploring the canyon (now a BLM designated wilderness area) with its stories of old west mining and homestead history. There is time to fish and relax in the contrasting lush green of the creek bottoms and the wild craggy country towering above you.