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Intro to Backpacking Retreat

July 31st - August 2nd, 2026

 Colorado, USA

Catholic Worldview in Creation

We backpack in the beautiful Flat Tops Wilderness of Colorado! This loop is approximately 30 miles of beautiful terrain, including lakes, meadows and "flat top" mountains. This outdoor adventure journey will help you hone your skills as a seasoned backcountry leader in effort to confidently explore God’s beautiful creation. Creatio’s experienced guides will lead you on this adventure in nature and in spirit. We provide meals, group gear, and itinerary so all you have to do is join us here in Colorado.
 

 
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We can pray perfectly when we are out in the mountains or on a lake and we feel at one with nature. Nature speaks for us or rather speaks to us. We pray perfectly.

- St. Pope John Paul II

Details

  •  

  • Location: Flattop Wilderness, Colorado (near Glenwood Springs)

  • Dates: July 31st - August 2nd, 2026

  • Early Bird Price: $522

    • Price Increases April 2nd, 2026
  •  
While this experience is a retreat, we do classify this is "Intermediate". The trail is around a 15 mile loop (mileage may vary), meaning up to 7 miles with 3000ft in elevation gain while carrying 40-50lbs on your back in one day. Not every day looks like those numbers, but it is important to be prepared and capable of more milage than planned in the backcountry. We do have a physical training guide to help prepare you for this trip. We have plenty of time for rest but discomfort and pushing oneself in strenuous hiking is part of the Creatio Backpacking Retreats.
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Includes:

  • Transportation, food, and lodging Between Denver and the Flattops

  • Mass and Confession in the Backcountry

  • Talks on Beauty, transformation, and communion 

  • Missionary guided silence, prayer, journaling, and conversation time

  • Group Gear  

    • Ex: Tents, Cooking Supplies, First Aid Supplies

Excludes:

 

  • Transportation before and after Experience

  • Personal Gear*

    • Ex: Backpacks, Sleeping Pads and Bags, Headlamps,
      • Rental Backpacks, Sleeping Bags, and Sleeping Bags are available upon request.
    • *a Packing List will be provided upon registering

 

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Schedule

01

Arrival

Day 1

Meet up at Creatio office by 9:00am to drive to trailhead (3 hour drive). Arrive to trailhead, divide up group gear. Begin hiking. Set up camp, dinner, activities, talks, & reflection, hangout.
02

Backcountry

Day 2

Wake up/break camp and have breakfast. Backpacking (approx. 5 - 7 miles a day)  all day with lunch. Set up camp, dinner, activities, talks, & reflection, hangout. 
03

Departure

Day 3

Wake up/break camp and have breakfast. Backpack to cars. Drive back to Denver. Sunday Mass in Denver. 

YOUR GUIDES

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Ryan Brady Missionary Guide Read More
TOUCH
Chris Lanciotti Executive Director Read More

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Flat Tops Wilderness Area?

The Flat Tops Wilderness Area lies deep in the mountains of Colorado and encompasses over 235,000 acres of land! We will be backpacking a 30 mile loop (about 5 miles per day) that takes us along the Sweetwater Creek, past Trappers Lake and down the Shingle Peak Trail. This wilderness area offers wide open skies, aspen forests, and gentle running streams that all combine to make for an unforgettable outdoor experience!
What will we eat on the trip? We will begin with a decent breakfast, snack periodically, and end with a larger dinner at the destination for the day.
Do I need to train for this trip?

Hiking in Colorado is world-famous and a truly privileged experience for those of us who call Colorado home. Despite the incredible beauty of the rugged backcountry, hiking and backpacking can pose serious health challenges and risks. Altitude sickness can affect all participants, regardless of fitness level. Constant hydration (water and electrolytes), proper nutrition, and regular exercise can help prevent altitude sickness. It is recommended that participants drink 3 L of water daily in the days leading up to the trip and approx. 4 L daily while hiking. Doing several hikes in preparation for this trip is recommended. Even better if you can train with your pack! Please alert Creatio if participants have sports related asthma, diabetes, or other pertinent medical conditions that may come into play in the backcountry. If you're not sure if you should say or not, err on the side of caution, better to be safe than sorry. 

Ever Wonder why We Climb Mountains?

 

Check out our film to learn why!

Start your adventure