Desert now, mountains next summer

Canyoneering on Saturdays and backpacking on Thursdays through mid-November. The Alpine Traverse is done for 2026, and 2027 dates open in January.

Trips

Where we go

Camp meals, permits, and group gear included on every trip.

Colorado high country

Alpine Traverse: 4 Days

A hut-to-hut ridge traverse above treeline in Colorado, with two summit options and a packraft crossing on day three. Runs July through mid-September. Done for 2026. The 2027 dates open in January.

$1,450

Utah slot canyons

Canyoneering Descent: 2 Days

Two days in a sandstone slot near Hanksville, Utah, with rappels, downclimbs, and one cold swim. Camp, meals, harness, and helmet included. No technical experience needed. Saturdays through mid-November.

$690per person

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First trip friendly

Backpacking Basics: 3 Days

Three days and two nights on a desert loop with a guide who teaches as you walk: packing, water, navigation, and a camp that leaves no trace. Loaner pack and tent. Thursdays through mid-November.

$820per person

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Your group only

Private Departures

Any of our routes on its own date for your group of four to six, in that route's season. Priced by route and group size. Call the office for a quote.

By quote

Call to book

Heading out on your own

Gear Room Rentals

Packrafts, tents, bear canisters, and canyon harnesses for people heading out on their own. Fitted at the Spruce Street office.

From$15a day

Part of the traverse

Hut Nights on the Traverse

The traverse sleeps in stone huts for three nights, with a bunk, a stove, and dinner cooked by your guide. No tents to carry above treeline. Part of the Alpine Traverse price.

Included

What is handled

Everything except your boots

The list of things you do not have to think about.

Permits

Every route we run is permitted, and the camping reservations are made before your seat goes on sale.

Group gear

Ropes, harnesses, helmets, stoves, water filters, and a satellite messenger. Backpacking Basics adds a loaner pack and tent.

Camp food

Cooked in camp by the guides. Tell us about allergies and diets when you book, not on day two.

A plan B we have walked

If rain is forecast upstream we do not enter a slot. Every desert trip has a dry alternative we have already scouted.

Before you book

Questions we hear before every trip

Fitness, gear, getting to the desert, and the weather.

How fit do I need to be?

Canyoneering and Backpacking Basics suit active beginners who can walk six to eight miles a day. On Backpacking Basics you carry your own pack, about 30 pounds with food and water. The Alpine Traverse in summer assumes 8 to 12 miles a day at altitude.

How do I get to the desert?

You drive. The canyoneering trip meets near Hanksville at 7am Saturday, which is about six and a half hours from Boulder, so most people drive Friday and sleep at the trailhead camp. We send a carpool list the Monday before.

What is the weather like in October?

Days in the 60s and low 70s, nights near freezing. Bring a warm sleeping bag and a puffy. If rain is forecast upstream, we do not go into a slot and switch to the dry alternative.

What gear do you provide?

Harnesses, helmets, ropes, stoves, water filters, and all camp food. Backpacking Basics adds a loaner pack and tent. You bring broken-in boots, layers, and a sleeping bag. A full packing list goes out when you book.

What is your cancellation policy?

Full refund up to 30 days out, half up to 14 days, and we will always try to move you to another departure first. If a guide cancels for weather, you get a full refund.

When does the Alpine Traverse run?

July to mid-September. It is done for 2026, and the 2027 dates open in January. Join the newsletter and you will hear first.

Six weeks of desert left

Six seats a trip. Pick yours.

Canyoneering on Saturdays, Backpacking Basics on Thursdays, through mid-November. Call if you want help choosing.

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