Good backpacking trip for Scouts?

[douglas]

I'm looking to take a small group of Boy Scouts on a one night backpacking trip. We'd like to climb a 14er the next day, but not a must. Any suggestions? I think some of them have done Holy Cross already. Not looking for anything too strenuous.

[Jim Davies]

"Climb a 14er" and "not too strenuous" are kind of contradictory. Maybe you could do the standard route on Belford with a camp around timberline. You'll have a lot of competition for campsites if it's a weekend.

[Curve]

Sherman is always an option. We took our scouts to sherman and camped in the basin at treeline at Iowa gulch. During the day we took them to the many streams and mining ruins. Next morning woke up and ascended.

If that doesn't sound good you can try Mt. Democrat. Just camp somewhere in Alma or Fairplay and go the next morning. But these are just the trips I've taken scouts on.

[Trotter]

SW ridge of Grays. Camp below tree line in Ruby Gulch. Beautiful and nobody climbs Grays from that side.

But there is some talus hopping near summit

[rideWP]

You can backpack to tree line on the Missouri Gulch trail, then have the option to do Missouri, Belford, or the Bel Ox combo. Last time I was up, there was a pretty big group camping along the river, enough room for 3 or 4 tents.

[sheller]

We were looking at taking our scouts up La Plata (SW RIdge, non standard) and camping in the valley below the ridge. Just don't know how soggy that valley is going to be.

[dwoodward13]

We were looking at taking our scouts up La Plata (SW RIdge, non standard) and camping in the valley below the ridge. Just don't know how soggy that valley is going to be.

I think you'll be fine. I camped just before the willows next to basically the last set of trees. I don't really remember there being a whole bunch of camping options though if you are going with a large group, as I remember it being a pretty steep slope until just before the willows. Going thru the willows in the morning was not bad at all. Most places had either rocks or logs across wet/muddy sections and those that didn't you could usually just jump it. Pants probably got a bit wet from the willow leaves, but nothing extreme. The worst part for me of that route was the slick scree to gain the ridge at the saddle, otherwise its a great route!

[climbingbetty]

You could camp at Kite Lake and do DeCaLiBron (some or all). I think those are comparable or slightly easier than MHC.

[rockchalker]

As mentioned the scree to gain the ridge on the way to laplata is pretty nasty. Maybe Huron is a better option. I am bring a group of scouts to that area in July, hope all goes well.

[jibler]

4th of July pass outside Nederland


I took a trip there as a youth -- and returned many times later as an adult!


nice simple yet dramatic hike up that pass - with option to hit that lake and/or mount neva

[two lunches]

4th of July pass outside Nederland

bump

Fourth of July is a GREAT suggestion. when i hiked to Lake Dorothy, i recall thinking how fantastic it would be to backpack in the area at the base of Mt Jasper. you need a permit for Indian Peaks Wilderness, (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/rec ... ecid=80803) and keep in mind groups of more than 12 are prohibited.

[douglas]

Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like we're hiking on the Wigwam Trail in Lost Creek Wilderness (someone else chose it but looks fun). I didn't have time to get a permit for 4th of July area but that looks like a great hike and I'll plan ahead for our next trip.