Intro to Backpacking

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 15 mile loop (about 5 miles per day) (Longer for longer trips, fix and insert here) that takes us along the Sweetwater Creek, past Rim 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!

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.