Overnight backpacking trip in the Holy Cross Wilderness, near Vail (3 days)

Hike and camp to your heart’s content in the pristine Holy Cross Wilderness of Colorado! This three day guided program just south of Vail will uncover the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, taking you on a backpacking tour through rivers, streams, valleys, and meadows for a peaceful outdoor adventure!

The Holy Cross Wilderness of Colorado is 122,918 acres of unadulterated nature. Owing its name to its highest peak, Mount of the Holy Cross (14,011 ft.), the area sits just to the south of Vail and is known for its rugged backcountry full of scenic wonder. It is common and expected to come across blooming flower-filled meadows, high ridges and glacier-cultivated cirques, and an extensive network of trails to keep the most ambitious pioneers satisfied.

Your overnight backpacking program places you directly into this gorgeous setting. We will spend three days exploring the more than 150 miles of hiking trails cutting through spruce-fir forests, accompanied by mountain lakes, meandering creeks and streams, and jagged mountain ridges. The elevation throughout the wilderness ranges from 8,500 feet all the way to 14,000 feet. The Sawatch Range of Colorado is notoriously wild, offering us a multitude of fascinating nature to discover.

Our overnights will be held in campsites, allowing us a full immersion in the splendor of the wilderness. After heading out from camp each morning, we can choose from some of the high profile hikes that have come to define the region. The grueling Mount of the Holy Cross ascent, via the Half Moon Pass Trail, takes you to the top of a 14er, covering 11 miles and 4,585 feet of elevation gain. There is also the Fancy Pass Loop, which takes you to the Missouri lakes and even features a possible visit to a ghost town.

Our options are endless, and I will ensure we have a great time. Whether we choose to visit high alpine passes or glittering lakes surrounded by wildflowers, we will enjoy safe and fulfilling hikes you will remember long after leaving the Holy Cross Wilderness. You should have a reasonable level of fitness to appreciate three full days of hiking, but with so many options, there are trails suitable for different itineraries. A passion for the outdoors, camping, and trekking is the most important item to bring to the trail.

If anyone is interested in extending their journey, just let me know and we can incorporate some extra days into your adventure. We can also adjust your expedition to a day or two for a more expedited experience into the Holy Cross Wilderness. There are basecamp and multi-camp options for the trip to accommodate a number of outdoor excursions.

Book this incredible journey into the Holy Cross Wilderness just south of Vail NOW and admire the beauty of Colorado nature on a three-day backpacking program with exciting overnights!

We can also check out mountain biking day tours around Vail for a different type of adventure!