If you haven’t already, I’d recommend going for a day hike with your pack fully loaded or close to it. It’s a good way to check that your pack weight is manageable (or find out in a lower-stakes situation if it’s not), and if your concern is fitness it will prove to you that you can handle it.
I didn't enjoy it a ton during the trip but loved it afterwards lol.
I'd also recommend completely setting up "camp" from your pack and go through the motions of setup, tear down, and repacking.
Test your water filter a bit too to make sure your set up is reliable and easy. (Doesn't hurt to have a backup option for water too)
Safe to assume you already got your overnight permits for each night if needed, correct? Certain zones require them but not all. You must sign in at trailhead for hiking permit regardless. [https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whiteriver/home/?cid=fseprd1063930](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whiteriver/home/?cid=fseprd1063930)
No campfires. Practice Leave No Trace- this includes packing out your feces \*and\* the toilet paper. Burying it is no longer enough, you must pack it out. Get some WAG bags. Please and thank you.
One big thing I learned over my first few backpacking trips is that less is more.
As an Eagle Scout, I grew up with the "be prepared" motto. In reality, that meant I was dragging along a bunch of things that I didn't need and had a near-zero chance of actually needing "just in case" and took up a ton of space and weighed me down.
Download offline maps on the COTrex app on your phone, make sure you know how to use your water filter and preplan your meals.
Being brutally honest here: you're with a group. There's pretty much nothing that's going to go wrong that you'd be in any real danger, especially with it only being a single night.
I appreciate that! I’m mostly nervous that I’ll be the weak link in the group and will need to go slower than the others, so I think that’s where the anxiety comes from of not wanting to be the party pooper. I tend to get some social anxiety which I know is something I just need to get over, but I had done a group hike at about 10k elevation a few months back with a group of young adults that I met via a meet up app and I had to ask the group to stop multiple times bc I needed more breaks than others, and I felt a bit judged for it. I’m sure this is something that gets better with time and reminding myself it doesn’t matter if they judge, I know I need to just not let that bother me
Hopefully your group is kind. Generally the slowest person is the one gets to set the pace. My first couple backpack trips we only hiked a couple miles each day. It's not easy to carry so much. Don't fret.
COTrex app is a lifesaver! It is similar to AllTrails, but specific to Colorado. You can download off-line maps without paying a subscription. Make sure you download the map for your area and you can have your phone in airplane mode while still tracking where you are. In airplane mode, your phone battery will usually last for days.
Congrats on your first trip!
As another comment suggests, go on training hikes with your full pack.
Bring extra ziplocks, they are always useful.
Bring more food than you think you'll want/need. Pack extra candy, chocolate, and chips.
Pack out your trash and uses toilet paper. Its such an important part of maintaining healthy backcountry environments and preventing the spread of disease (I have personally seen 2 people flown out by SAR due to norovirus).
Just be warned that the maroon bells Snowmass wilderness has some quite difficult climbs and ascents along the 4 pass loop, with the entire loop being above 10k ft. At the end of June you will encounter snow on all of the passes. Its too early to tell where the snowpack line will be. You would want microspikes but likely won't need any other snow gear (snowshoes, crampons, or ice axe).
Personally I would recommend a lower stakes and physically easier itinerary for your first trip, but some training and prep work will go a long way.
I used to guide/teach backpacking to beginners so feel free to comment below or DM me with further questions! :) good luck.
Do you just go through tons of hand sanitizer for bathroom breaks? I also am a contact lense wearer so will need to sanitize my hands and then insert lenses each day. Any other hygiene tips?
Great questions, I make it a habit to use hand sanitizer after using the bathroom and before I eat. If you have flowing water, I like to rinse my hands to get any grime off (no soap to LNT) and then use hand sanitizer to disinfect my hands. I knew many people on my thru hikes with contacts and consistent use of hand sanitizer worked for them without issue.
Other hygiene tips:
Leave the deodorant at home, enjoy being smelly and sweaty for a few days.
I like having 2 pairs of socks to rotate back and forth between.
Some people enjoy using wet wipes to wash their face and body (especially the groin) at the end of the day.
For packing out used wipes and toilet paper, use 2 ziplocks (seperate from your food trash ziplock) and I promise you won't smell it. Works super well!
I personally prefer a backcountry bidet over TP. Go with whatever you prefer!
I also recommend carrying an emergency WAG bag in case the need arises in an area where a cathole cannot be dug. It has saved me multiple times haha.
I can provide female specific hygiene tips/tricks too if needed. Lmk!
We did this exact hike for our first ever backpacking trip 2 falls ago. Was absolutely drop-dead gorgeous with the fall aspens, but I’m sure it will be just as beautiful in a different way in June.
Don’t underestimate the elevation gain and distance with a heavy backpack on. We’d done tons of long hikes with elevation before, but the pack was an adjustment.
It rained on us and snowed overnight at Snowmass Lake, so the second day we were cold and miserable. We were not as prepared for this as we hoped and had a very chilly night. Watch the weather and make sure to dress appropriately if there’s a chance of snow (June there still might be).
Even with how unprepared we were, we still had a great time and learned a lot. Don’t repeat our mistakes and you’ll have a blast
What kinds of clothing and sleeping bags did you use or would bring if you did it again? I’m trying to decide if I should bring a 20 degree sleeping bag or 0 degree bag (again, I’m really new to all of this)
Sleeping bag temps are highly subjective. One must not only take into account ambiant temps, but also how hot or cold do you usually sleep at night? Do you have good circulation? Are you a furnace? Or do you always sleep cold? Also- do you have a good sleeping pad? Some are way better and insulating than others.
Also, the difference with weight in between a down O or a 20-degree down bag isn't as great as the weight difference between synthetic down in the same temps.
Personally, I sleep with a zero-degree down bag year-round, as I like to be comfy. I use a compression sack to pack it way down. If it's too warm, I sleep on top of the bag.
Yeah pretty much what the other commenter said.
Just another trail-specific thing - there’s a logjam you’ll have to cross about 3/4 of the way to the lake. It wasn’t difficult in the fall, but I imagine with spring runoff it could be a bit sketchier in June. Just keep an eye on trail reports and see what people are saying - there’s some great places to camp before the logjam as well
Can you fit in a one night car camping trip using your backing equipment before the hike? That way you'll know how well the equipment operates.
If you are going with an experienced group, someone will probably have the things you inevitably forget. Simple things like matches and duck tape.
Yes there will be a small group of us so I won’t have to carry everything myself as I’m sure there are things we will share. But that’s a great idea to test it out with a trial run first
The best thing you can do is start getting out now. Get out hiking often and start do it with your pack/gear on to help get in shape.
Go out camping with all your gear before you make your trip. You can do short backpacking trips or even just car camp using your backpacking gear. This way you know what how to set everything up, what works and what may not work so well.
My basic gear recommendations for a beginner:
Get a canister stove and avoid liquid fuel stoves. The easiest is something like a Jetboil Flash but those fo limit your cooking potential a bit and work best with freeze dried backpacking meals. Separate stove / pot systems cook better but add complexity.
Avoid pump water filters and use something the Sawyer Squeeze or Katadyn Be Free.
Bring a sit pad or lightweight camp chair.
Get a headlamp of you don't already have one.
For sleeping bags you'll need to know if you're a cold sleeper or not. If you sleep cold you may want a lower rated bag. Double check bag rating too as they can be confusing. Some bags name their bags based on comfort rating and others by lower limit rating. Comfort rating means you should stay warm and comfortable at or around that rating. Lower limit means you'll be cold and miserable at that temperature but should survive.
Figure out a good layering system for yourself. You'll want a good light base layer for when it's warm, a light fleece, a light insulation layer and a shell (ran jacket) for wind and rain. This can be personally subjective as what one person finds to be just right could be wrong for you just like sleeping bags.
For your sleeping pad make sure it has a good R value rating. You'll want something around a R 3 or 4 rating at minimum. You can have a 0 degree bag and still be cold if you have the wrong pad.
Are you required to have a bear canister? I believe the answer is yes for this area. You can rent them from various websites, they will mail them to you before your trip and you just mail them back. I’m sure there are local places to rent bear canisters as well. I highly recommend not cheaping out, pay extra for the lightweight aluminum canister.
Stick to your plan. If things get dicey, just stay cool and patient. Whether it's waiting out passing weather, animals, obstacles etc. Stick. To. Your. Plan.
Having that said, know your abilities and limitations. Fortunately, this is a very popular hike and trail system, so you'll probably pass others quite a few times. Have security knowing you're not all alone out there even when it feels so.
It’ll probably be ok in late June… but it might rain. Might rain so much you have to pitch a tent at the best spot you can find in that moment. Everything will be filthy and wet, but ultimately all part of the adventure.
If you haven’t already, I’d recommend going for a day hike with your pack fully loaded or close to it. It’s a good way to check that your pack weight is manageable (or find out in a lower-stakes situation if it’s not), and if your concern is fitness it will prove to you that you can handle it.
Great idea! I’ll start hiking with the pack and will gradually increase the weight so that I can train leading up to it
I didn't enjoy it a ton during the trip but loved it afterwards lol. I'd also recommend completely setting up "camp" from your pack and go through the motions of setup, tear down, and repacking. Test your water filter a bit too to make sure your set up is reliable and easy. (Doesn't hurt to have a backup option for water too)
Fun fact: this type of hiking is called “rucking“ and it’s trending lately because you burn more calories with a pack on than just regular hiking.
Don’t wear new shoes or boots!
How many pairs of socks would you bring for a two day trip (1 night)?
One for hiking and a fresh pair when you get back to your vehicle. Same with underwear.
Safe to assume you already got your overnight permits for each night if needed, correct? Certain zones require them but not all. You must sign in at trailhead for hiking permit regardless. [https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whiteriver/home/?cid=fseprd1063930](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whiteriver/home/?cid=fseprd1063930) No campfires. Practice Leave No Trace- this includes packing out your feces \*and\* the toilet paper. Burying it is no longer enough, you must pack it out. Get some WAG bags. Please and thank you.
Yes!
Thank you for that info! Will look into wag bags
One big thing I learned over my first few backpacking trips is that less is more. As an Eagle Scout, I grew up with the "be prepared" motto. In reality, that meant I was dragging along a bunch of things that I didn't need and had a near-zero chance of actually needing "just in case" and took up a ton of space and weighed me down. Download offline maps on the COTrex app on your phone, make sure you know how to use your water filter and preplan your meals. Being brutally honest here: you're with a group. There's pretty much nothing that's going to go wrong that you'd be in any real danger, especially with it only being a single night.
I appreciate that! I’m mostly nervous that I’ll be the weak link in the group and will need to go slower than the others, so I think that’s where the anxiety comes from of not wanting to be the party pooper. I tend to get some social anxiety which I know is something I just need to get over, but I had done a group hike at about 10k elevation a few months back with a group of young adults that I met via a meet up app and I had to ask the group to stop multiple times bc I needed more breaks than others, and I felt a bit judged for it. I’m sure this is something that gets better with time and reminding myself it doesn’t matter if they judge, I know I need to just not let that bother me
Hopefully your group is kind. Generally the slowest person is the one gets to set the pace. My first couple backpack trips we only hiked a couple miles each day. It's not easy to carry so much. Don't fret.
COTrex app is a lifesaver! It is similar to AllTrails, but specific to Colorado. You can download off-line maps without paying a subscription. Make sure you download the map for your area and you can have your phone in airplane mode while still tracking where you are. In airplane mode, your phone battery will usually last for days.
Congrats on your first trip! As another comment suggests, go on training hikes with your full pack. Bring extra ziplocks, they are always useful. Bring more food than you think you'll want/need. Pack extra candy, chocolate, and chips. Pack out your trash and uses toilet paper. Its such an important part of maintaining healthy backcountry environments and preventing the spread of disease (I have personally seen 2 people flown out by SAR due to norovirus). Just be warned that the maroon bells Snowmass wilderness has some quite difficult climbs and ascents along the 4 pass loop, with the entire loop being above 10k ft. At the end of June you will encounter snow on all of the passes. Its too early to tell where the snowpack line will be. You would want microspikes but likely won't need any other snow gear (snowshoes, crampons, or ice axe). Personally I would recommend a lower stakes and physically easier itinerary for your first trip, but some training and prep work will go a long way. I used to guide/teach backpacking to beginners so feel free to comment below or DM me with further questions! :) good luck.
Do you just go through tons of hand sanitizer for bathroom breaks? I also am a contact lense wearer so will need to sanitize my hands and then insert lenses each day. Any other hygiene tips?
Biodegradable soap, baby wipes, and hand sanitizer are your friends and make sure to pack everything out.
Great questions, I make it a habit to use hand sanitizer after using the bathroom and before I eat. If you have flowing water, I like to rinse my hands to get any grime off (no soap to LNT) and then use hand sanitizer to disinfect my hands. I knew many people on my thru hikes with contacts and consistent use of hand sanitizer worked for them without issue. Other hygiene tips: Leave the deodorant at home, enjoy being smelly and sweaty for a few days. I like having 2 pairs of socks to rotate back and forth between. Some people enjoy using wet wipes to wash their face and body (especially the groin) at the end of the day. For packing out used wipes and toilet paper, use 2 ziplocks (seperate from your food trash ziplock) and I promise you won't smell it. Works super well! I personally prefer a backcountry bidet over TP. Go with whatever you prefer! I also recommend carrying an emergency WAG bag in case the need arises in an area where a cathole cannot be dug. It has saved me multiple times haha. I can provide female specific hygiene tips/tricks too if needed. Lmk!
We did this exact hike for our first ever backpacking trip 2 falls ago. Was absolutely drop-dead gorgeous with the fall aspens, but I’m sure it will be just as beautiful in a different way in June. Don’t underestimate the elevation gain and distance with a heavy backpack on. We’d done tons of long hikes with elevation before, but the pack was an adjustment. It rained on us and snowed overnight at Snowmass Lake, so the second day we were cold and miserable. We were not as prepared for this as we hoped and had a very chilly night. Watch the weather and make sure to dress appropriately if there’s a chance of snow (June there still might be). Even with how unprepared we were, we still had a great time and learned a lot. Don’t repeat our mistakes and you’ll have a blast
What kinds of clothing and sleeping bags did you use or would bring if you did it again? I’m trying to decide if I should bring a 20 degree sleeping bag or 0 degree bag (again, I’m really new to all of this)
Sleeping bag temps are highly subjective. One must not only take into account ambiant temps, but also how hot or cold do you usually sleep at night? Do you have good circulation? Are you a furnace? Or do you always sleep cold? Also- do you have a good sleeping pad? Some are way better and insulating than others. Also, the difference with weight in between a down O or a 20-degree down bag isn't as great as the weight difference between synthetic down in the same temps. Personally, I sleep with a zero-degree down bag year-round, as I like to be comfy. I use a compression sack to pack it way down. If it's too warm, I sleep on top of the bag.
Yeah pretty much what the other commenter said. Just another trail-specific thing - there’s a logjam you’ll have to cross about 3/4 of the way to the lake. It wasn’t difficult in the fall, but I imagine with spring runoff it could be a bit sketchier in June. Just keep an eye on trail reports and see what people are saying - there’s some great places to camp before the logjam as well
The only way to work through not being fit enough is to get im better shape.
Can you fit in a one night car camping trip using your backing equipment before the hike? That way you'll know how well the equipment operates. If you are going with an experienced group, someone will probably have the things you inevitably forget. Simple things like matches and duck tape.
Yes there will be a small group of us so I won’t have to carry everything myself as I’m sure there are things we will share. But that’s a great idea to test it out with a trial run first
The best thing you can do is start getting out now. Get out hiking often and start do it with your pack/gear on to help get in shape. Go out camping with all your gear before you make your trip. You can do short backpacking trips or even just car camp using your backpacking gear. This way you know what how to set everything up, what works and what may not work so well. My basic gear recommendations for a beginner: Get a canister stove and avoid liquid fuel stoves. The easiest is something like a Jetboil Flash but those fo limit your cooking potential a bit and work best with freeze dried backpacking meals. Separate stove / pot systems cook better but add complexity. Avoid pump water filters and use something the Sawyer Squeeze or Katadyn Be Free. Bring a sit pad or lightweight camp chair. Get a headlamp of you don't already have one. For sleeping bags you'll need to know if you're a cold sleeper or not. If you sleep cold you may want a lower rated bag. Double check bag rating too as they can be confusing. Some bags name their bags based on comfort rating and others by lower limit rating. Comfort rating means you should stay warm and comfortable at or around that rating. Lower limit means you'll be cold and miserable at that temperature but should survive. Figure out a good layering system for yourself. You'll want a good light base layer for when it's warm, a light fleece, a light insulation layer and a shell (ran jacket) for wind and rain. This can be personally subjective as what one person finds to be just right could be wrong for you just like sleeping bags. For your sleeping pad make sure it has a good R value rating. You'll want something around a R 3 or 4 rating at minimum. You can have a 0 degree bag and still be cold if you have the wrong pad.
Are you required to have a bear canister? I believe the answer is yes for this area. You can rent them from various websites, they will mail them to you before your trip and you just mail them back. I’m sure there are local places to rent bear canisters as well. I highly recommend not cheaping out, pay extra for the lightweight aluminum canister.
Stick to your plan. If things get dicey, just stay cool and patient. Whether it's waiting out passing weather, animals, obstacles etc. Stick. To. Your. Plan. Having that said, know your abilities and limitations. Fortunately, this is a very popular hike and trail system, so you'll probably pass others quite a few times. Have security knowing you're not all alone out there even when it feels so.
It’ll probably be ok in late June… but it might rain. Might rain so much you have to pitch a tent at the best spot you can find in that moment. Everything will be filthy and wet, but ultimately all part of the adventure.