Conquer the Divide / August 11 - 17, 2024
| Designated for: Men & Women (minimum age 18) |
| Dates: August 11 - 17, 2024 |
| Cost per person: $750 |
| Payment: $150 deposit due upon registration. Balance due June 27 |
Do you want to push the envelope a little further? Seeking a challenging backpacking experience? Then this is the one!
The main focus of this trip will be the Life Zones of the Rocky Mountains.
Wonders of the San Juan Mountains
The first day we enjoy some of the charm and comforts of the lodge and it's beautiful surroundings as we relax around the fireplace, dine with new friends, read a good book from our library, or simply have some quiet time on the deck looking at the surrounding mountains before turning in for the night. Bright and early the next morning we will have a hearty breakfast, pack up, and head for the trail.
Over the next five days we will encounter the many wonders of the San Juan Mountains that can only be experienced with a backpack. As we hike the beautiful surrounds, you will learn map and compass skills, wilderness cooking, and other essential camp skills. we hike through vast evergreen forest and beautiful meadows decorated with a variety of wildflowers. The trail meanders along a stream that eventually leads to its headwaters, high above the timberline.
Williams Lake & The Continental Divide Trail
Your endurance to reach the timberline is rewarded by a day of exploration as we set up camp just below the Continental Divide Trail. The next day we will grab our day packs, hike to the Continental Divide, and have the option to hike to Knife's Edge for wonderful vistas, or hang out at Williams Lake swimming and enjoying the scenery and good conversation. At daybreak the next morning, we continue the journey as we set out for a breathtaking hike back to the trailhead, viewing one vast mountain range after another, to the east as well as to the west. HAVE YOUR CAMERA READY, you are in for a treat as well as a challenge!
Descending back into the Forest
Descending back into the forest, we make our way back down through gorgeous canyons, past serene lakes and cascading waterfalls, to the peaceful valleys and meadows below. Along the way, expect to see a variety of wildlife, including the possible moose sighting.
As we head down the trail on the last day, look forward to a soak in the hot springs along the banks of the San Juan River and a feast on the deck of Mountain Light Lodge.
It is a complete wilderness challenge you will not want to miss!