Our amazing adventure begins with a flight to Denver! Before departure, we'll send you a packing list, important contact information, a flight roster and a t-shirt so you can identify other campers in the airport. In Denver International Airport, your Bold Earth trip leaders will meet you upon arrival. Once the group is all together, we load up our 15-passenger van and head to our campground near Breckenridge, where the leaders cook dinner and we get some time to hang out and relax. During our orientation meeting, we discuss expectations, prepare for our upcoming journey, and get to know each other.
We waste no time getting the adventure started as we set into the Gore Range for three days of backpacking. The Eagles Nest Wilderness boasts formidable topography that keeps the area wild and pristine. Knife-edge ridges, sparkling lakes, remote valleys, sprawling hardwood forets, snow-capped peaks and breathtaking alpine panoramas all contribute to the area's natural magnificence and a genuine sense of solitude. We begin by heading north on the Gore Range Trail past the tranquil Lost Lake to Uneva Pass. The views of the mountain wonderland are astounding as we ascend to a high-country basin near Eccles Pass before camping at a junction with the North Ten Mile Creek Trail. Day three brings us back to the Wheeler Flats trailhead and then into Breckenridge, where we follow the completion of our awesome backpack with hot showers, laundry and a celebratory dinner.
We get an early start as we prepare for our whitewater rafting adventure! After a good breakfast, we break down camp and pile into our 15-passenger van for the drive to Grand Junction. Our surroundings change from cool Rocky Mountain peaks to the sun-drenched sandstone of Western Colorado's Grand Valley as we reach our put-in at the Westwater Ranger Station. Experienced whitewater guides from Sheri Griffith River Expeditions, who Bold Earth has worked with for 25 years, help get us outfitted before we hit the water. We begin by floating through stunning red rock canyons on the swiftly flowing Colorado River before the pace picks up in Westwater Canyon. While navigating class III-IV rapids, we roll through gut-wrenching drops and powerful eddies in our 18-foot oar boats and paddle rafts. At night, our river guides prepare gourmet meals before we fall asleep under the stars on pristine beaches. Our trip ends as we cross the border into Utah and take out in the adventure Mecca of Moab!
After one week of non-stop adventure, we find time to clean up in Moab while enjoying the spectacular sandstone formations that comprise our surroundings. In the morning, we'll restock in town before exploring the legendary Arches National Park. Our campsite in the park's stunning Devil's Garden campground affords us easy access to landmark features like Courthouse Towers, Balanced Rock and Skyline Arch. A sunset hike to Delicate Arch, which famously graces the Utah license plate, caps off our day exploring this desert wonderland.
An early wakeup gets us ready to head north to Carbondale, a classic Colorado mountain town and the base for our mountain biking expedition. After meeting our Bold Earth biking guide, we get outfitted with bikes and helmets before ascending to the top of Grand Mesa. Thought to be largest flat-topped landmass in the world, Grand Mesa is home to a unique high-desert environment dotted by over 300 lakes and a seemingly inexhaustible network of trails. Operating under a long-standing special-use permit which grants us land access unmatched by other commercial outfitters, we rip through the twisting singletrack, fire roads and slickrock trails that have built this area's reputation as a world-class fat-tire playground. All participants succeed because we gear rides to your ability. Our personal guide provides expert instruction and a support vehicle to carry supplies. On the afternoon of our fifth day of biking, we head back to Breckenridge and set up our final camp at Peak One Campground. After taking time to clean all group and personal gear, we head into town to celebrate a summer of challenge, success and friendship in Colorado and Utah!
We drive to the airport bright and early, say goodbye and begin planning our adventures with BOLD EARTH for next summer!
Two BOLD EARTH CPR, Wilderness First Responder and First Aid certified leaders; all ground costs, all ground transportation including airport pickup and drop-off; all camping; all activities and gear listed in the above itinerary; all meals; local gratuities to wait-staff.
Flights to/from Denver, Colorado; personal purchases.
LEARNING • SERVICE • LEADERSHIP
