Alpine Beginners Backpack, Rawah Wilderness, Colorado

The Trip

Our trip will take us across the ancestral lands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Eastern Shoshone peoples, which were ceded under duress in the treaty of Fort Laramie.

The 78,000-acre Rawah Wilderness is one of five Colorado wilderness areas designated with the passing of the Wilderness Act of 1964. It is located northwest of Rocky Mountain National Park and many people consider it grander and wilder than its larger neighbor. Its glacially carved elevations vary from 8,400 feet to 13,000 feet, resulting in spectacular cirque lakes and moraines. In total, it has over 25 named lakes and is the headwaters for four rivers, including the Laramie River. Our traverse will explore several beautiful lakes as well as mountain meadows and forested mountainsides and valleys. Expected sightings include moose, deer, marmots, and pika – all this while enjoying dramatic views of the high peaks at the southern end of the Medicine Bow Range. Two 2020 fires that decimated significant parts of Rocky Mountain National Park and the Cache La Poudre river valley to the east barely lapped at the Rawah’s boundary, so our route was not affected. 

This trip is open to experienced and beginner backpackers. Everyone will be given detailed instruction on gear selection, training, and practical outdoor skills leading up to and during our trek. A layover day is planned to bask lakeside, practice photography, or even fish. Subject to time, weather, and group abilities, we may explore nearby lakes or mountains.

We will take a slow but steady approach to backpacking. The goal is not to set any speed records; rather it is to appreciate and relish the beautiful country through which we will be passing.

We will hike an approximate total of 24 miles on varying terrain over 6 days. One layover day is planned. Our itinerary is approximate, as weather and the group's pace may necessitate modifications.

Day 1: The trip will start in the late afternoon at a group campsite in the Mountain Park Campground, approximately 35 miles west of Ft. Collins along the Cache Le Poudre highway. We will get acquainted over dinner, distribute group commissary, and review the week to come.

Day 2: After a hearty breakfast, we will caravan roughly 34 miles to the West Branch trailhead, our wilderness entry and exit point. We will then follow the West Fork of the Laramie River to a cozy riverside campsite at 9,500 feet elevation. (3.5 miles, 900-foot gain)

Day 3: We will have a short but steep trek up to our campsite above tree line at a stunning lake at 11,100 feet. Arriving by early afternoon will allow time to relax or explore its surrounds. Or, a short day-hike may be recommended to a higher vista. (3.0 miles, 1,600-foot gain)

Day 4: This longer day will be rewarded with a lakeside campsite in a charming basin, our campsite for two nights. After retracing part of yesterday’s route, we’ll head up to Grassy Pass (11,200 feet) then down to our camping spot at 10,700 feet. (5.0 miles, 1,000-foot gain, 1,250-foot loss)

Day 5: Our layover day will allow ample time to explore nearby lakes or up accessible ridges. A longer day-hike may be offered, incorporating lunch, although a mid-morning walk and afternoon trek may also be proposed, depending on the group’s desires. Resting, reading, and relaxing lakeside is also an option.

Day 6: Our path today is relatively gentle to another cirque-encircled lake, at 10,750 feet. Expect to have the afternoon to explore around the lake or perhaps even farther. (3.5 miles, 250-foot gain, 200-foot loss) 

Day 7: The end of our journey is the longest day; however, it’s nearly all downhill and made easier by much lighter packs. We will head down from our last lake campsite and continue through forested slopes down to the West Fork of the Laramie River. The last few miles back to our trailhead will be leisurely, and we will sadly say our farewells at our waiting cars. Arriving by mid-afternoon will allow participants to be back in Ft. Collins/Denver by early evening. (8.5 miles, 300-foot gain, 2,450-foot loss)

Getting There

The trip will begin at our group campsite, Mountain Park, about 35 miles along Hwy 14, the Poudre Canyon highway. The leaders hope to be at the campground the prior evening, or at the latest by noon on day 1, to accommodate those arriving before the trip’s late-afternoon official start. 

Hwy 14 follows the Cache La Poudre river, Colorado’s only designated Wild & Scenic River. Our trailhead is 27 miles farther up the highway, then 7 miles up the well-tended dirt/gravel Laramie River Road. There are over a dozen campgrounds along the highway and a few private resorts, however some may have been affected by the 2020 fire season. If you have time you may want to visit the Arrowhead Visitor Center, which tells the logging and mining history of the area (Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests), also in the Cache La Poudre river corridor. 

Ft. Collins (pop. 164,000) is an hour down the river/highway and has a thriving downtown and nightlife. It is an easy jumping-off point that is served by a shuttle service directly from the nearest airport, Denver International Airport, one hour away. Presuming Covid-19 concerns have decreased, participants will be encouraged to carpool to share rental-car costs – the leader will share participants' names and contact information (with permission) to facilitate travel plans.

Due to the unpredictable nature of wilderness travel, airline reservations for return flights should be made for Sunday, the day after the trip ends. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

Participants are encouraged to arrive in Colorado a few days ahead of time to adjust to the altitude. Pre- and post-trip lodging expenses are not included in the trip price but nearby camping/lodging options will be suggested by the leader. The trip price includes all meals from dinner on day one through lunch on the last day, as well as cooking gear, stoves, and fuel. Group gear will be divided and distributed before we commence hiking. Everyone will start with at least 10 pounds of commissary gear, which will dwindle to a few pounds by the last day. A nutritious, high-energy, mostly vegetarian menu is planned (vegetarians and gluten-free preferences can be accommodated). Breakfasts will generally consist of hot cereals, while dinners will include hot soup and a high-carb main course such as pasta. Lunches will be simpler – such as crackers, cheese, fruit, and trail bars – as many will be on-trail. Any food allergies or limitations should be indicated on your trip application. Trip members will be divided into cook crews so everyone will have the chance to prepare the day's meals and clean up two or three times during the trip.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is rated 3 (moderate). Most hiking days will involve relatively short lengths, but at moderate grades at significant elevation. Two will be somewhat longer and more challenging. One will be to our lakeside campsite for two nights and the other will be the last day, with lighter packs and headed downhill to our waiting cars.

This outing requires that you be in the physical condition necessary to carry no more than 25 pounds of your own gear, 10-12 pounds of food and commissary gear, plus one liter of water (two+ pounds) for at least a few hours. Good aerobic conditioning is important. The leader will recommend several activities to prepare for the outings. Our objective is to enjoy some spectacular country while having fun, and most importantly, to complete the trip safely as a group. Proper preparation and conditioning will make your wilderness experience more enjoyable and will ensure fellow hikers can also enjoy their experience.

Equipment and Clothing

Late-summer weather in the Rockies can be comfortable and pleasant, but can also be highly variable. Participants should be ready for rain, sleet, or snow, and cold temperatures. Excessively hot temperatures are unlikely. Nighttime lows will be in the 30s while the 20s are possible. Daytime highs should be in the 60s to 70s.

The leader will provide a detailed equipment list, gear suggestions, and other trip information in the months prior to the trip. Trip participants are required to provide their own backpack and gear, including a sleeping bag rated to 15-30 degrees, a foam or inflatable sleeping pad, a quality lightweight tent (we will encourage tent sharing), raingear, non-cotton long underwear and broken-in, waterproof hiking boots. We will be carrying bear canisters, so be sure to allow ample room in your pack. You may also find hiking poles useful for stream crossings, steep downhills, and difficult terrain. Participants must minimize non-essential items to ensure room for food, commissary gear and bear canisters, and to keep your overall pack weight to a maximum of 25 pounds, with 20 pounds being ideal.

References

• The National Geographic Trails Illustrated "Poudre River Cameron Pass" shows our entire route.
• The Rawah Lakes USGS 7.5 minute Quads (1:24,000) map is preferred for navigation. The leaders will have these maps and will happily help you learn how to orient and navigate with maps.
• Warren, Scott, 100 Classic Hikes in Colorado. See hike No. 21.

Conservation

The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused organization. We will follow all Leave No Trace principles and leave our campsites cleaner than when we arrived.

Although the Rawah Wilderness is federally protected, it still faces challenges. As the climate changes, the Rockies face increased threats from wildfire; the 2020 Cameron Peak fire was the largest in Colorado history, impacting a massive area near the wilderness boundary. We will travel through areas significantly impacted by the invasive mountain pine beetle, which has killed millions of trees throughout the western United States. The mountain pine beetle benefits from a longer breeding season as a result of the warmer winter temperatures created by climate change. We will also discuss the ongoing drought impacting the western United States, which has reduced snowpack in areas like the Rawah Wilderness and has seriously reduced water availability throughout the West. While hiking, the leaders will introduce other contemporary conservation topics.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.