4.5 day, 4 night, all-inclusive, lightweight backpacking trip
A $200 deposit (which counts towards the total trip cost) is required to secure your spot if you book more than 30-days in advance of the trip departure. The full amount will be due at the time of booking if you book within 30-days of the trip departure.
The 4.5 day, 4 night Coal Mesa Trek begins at Soap Creek Campground near Black Canyon National Park.
We spend a night front-country camping, getting to know one another, our gear, and learning how to pack our backpacks like pros, before heading into the wilderness bright and early the next morning.
Early on, our journey leads us across Coal Mesa, gifting us dramatic views of West Elk Peak and the rolling bald summits to the north, as the plateau drops sharply to the east into the West Elk Creek valley.
A point of interest on this particular trek is Bonfisk Peak, a relatively forgotten and remote—but none the less special—11,558ft summit.
This route traverses a wildly remote, achingly beautiful landscape, one that is ripe with opportunities for wildlife sightings & is sure to provide you an unforgettably rugged backcountry experience.
The Coal Mesa Trek will challenge you in all the best ways, build your confidence if you let it, and teach you a thing or two about thriving (not just surviving) “in the middle of nowhere”.
You might be thinking to yourself, “Holy cow, 4 nights is so much—too much—time to spend sleeping outdoors.”
To that, I say, “You might be surprised!”
I think the first two nights of any camping trip are actually the hardest; you spend a lot of time getting used to your sleep set-up, the weird nocturnal noises, the temperature of the air, and the confines of your tent.
By night 3, you may find you have settled into your new environment quite comfortably, and you are looking forward to another full day of wilderness adventures.
Here is what you get when you book the Coal Mesa Trek:
All the lightweight backpacking gear you need for an epic, long weekend exploring in the backcountry
All your trail meals taken care of
A night of front-country camping at Soap Creek Campground & elevated campfire dinner
A shuttle to and from the trailhead(s)
A qualified guide who knows the area where you are traveling and is so stoked to share its magic with you!
Coal Mesa Trek Stats:
capped at 4 people
35 miles (56km)
10,400ft elevation gain
no point on the route exceeds 11,600ft
you can expect to walk roughly 8.75 miles/day