Event Overview

Join us for a supportive, beginner-friendly experience where you’ll learn the essentials of backpacking while spending a night under the stars in Golden Gate Canyon State Park! No experience is necessary! This event is specifically for women 18 and older.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT.

Logistics

Date & Time: We’ll meet at the Visitors Center at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 18th. The morning will include learning how to pack our backpacks and covering key backpacking topics at the Visitors Center. At 1:00 PM, we’ll begin our group hike to our campspot. The next morning, we’ll all return to the parking lot by 12:00 PM on Sunday, October 19th.

Meeting Location: Visitors Center, Golden Gate Canyon State Park (92 Crawford Gulch Rd, Golden, CO 80403)

Campspot: The exact location will be disclosed to registered participants. Expect the hike-in to be around 2 miles with a little less than 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

Meals: All main meals will be provided, but please pack extra snacks to eat between meals. Here is an example list of potential Backpacking Snack Ideas. Lunch will be served at the Visitors Center on Saturday while we cover backpacking topics. Dinner will be provided at camp on Saturday evening, and breakfast on Sunday morning before we hike out. A Google Form will be sent to all registered participants about food allergies and dietary needs.

Gear Information

Gear Checklist: Please use THIS gear list to help pack the essential items necessary for this specific overnight. A more comprehensive list for future backpacking trips will be provided after this overnight. If you don’t have the first 5 Essential items (backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, or a headlamp) email Kayla Beltran at kayla.beltran@state.co.us.

Rental & Used Gear Resource List: Refer to THIS list of local gear shops to rent items or purchase at an affordable price.

Optional Zoom Sessions

Before our overnight on Saturday, October 18th, we’ll host a few optional Zoom sessions for registered participants. These casual virtual meet-ups are a welcoming space to ease nerves, ask questions, chat about gear, and get excited together before our adventure begins!

Backpacking Topics

We’ll cover everything you need to feel confident on the trail:

Safety Considerations
Planning and Preparing Trips
Gear Tips & Packing your Pack
Food Storage & Nutrition
Outdoor Hygiene and more!

After registering, all participants will receive an email with a waiver and Google Form to report food allergies and any existing medical conditions. If you have any questions, please email Kayla Beltran at kayla.beltran@state.co.us.

Women's Backpacking 101: Overnight Adventure