East Snowmass Women+’s Backpacking Retreat
with Hannah Rheaume
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Dates: September 8-12, 2021
Destination: Snowmass, Colorado
Length: 5days/4 Nights
Focus: Fitness, hiking, mindfulness + connection
Difficulty: All Levels
Gender: Women+ (inclusive of all people identifying as female or non-binary)
Giveback: Native Womens Wilderness
Escape to the Colorado backcountry to discover your best self and challenge your limits. Located in the White River National Forest, the iconic Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness beckons. Together we will embark on a 24-mile hiking loop over 4 days/3 nights. With unforgettable views that will only be matched by the beautiful relationships formed on the trail. Join us for a supportive backpacking adventure with 7 curious, vulnerable, and challenge-seeking women. This trip is for anyone interested in pushing their limits and helping others reach new goals.
Please note, this trip includes one night in Snowmass Village, but we recommend anyone traveling from lower elevations speak with their doctor regarding altitude sickness and arrive a few days early to help acclimatize.
Includes:
+ Group breakfast and dinner during trek, weight split equally amongst attendees
+ Hotel in Snowmass
+ Daily guided journaling
+ Daily meditation
+ Pre-trek training plan
+ Pre-trek bi-weekly group video chat and check-in
Meet your Tour Leaders
Hannah Rheaume
Founder of Women & the Wilderness Podcast, traveler, writer, and mindfulness & yoga teacher focused on lifting up other women
Breanne Kiefner
Founder of Root Adventures, certified personal trainer, WFA certified, and lover of all things nature and community
Kristen Brumley
Colorado-born nomad, certified nurse assistant, and social worker who thrives on giving to others and spending time in the great outdoors
SUMMARY
DAY 1 ::: Arrive in Snowmass, group Gathering and preparation
DAY 2 ::: Hike to East Snowmass Creek
Day 3 ::: Summit East Snowmass Pass and Willow Pass
DAY 4 ::: Buckskin Pass to Snowmass Lake
Day 5 ::: Final Day!
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1
Enjoy a pre-trip group dinner to review the plan for the following days’ adventure.
Meals: D
Welcome to Snowmass
Upon arrival at your Snowmass hotel, check in and get settled. We will meet in the lobby and walk to a group dinner where we will discuss the coming days’ activity. Upon returning to the hotel, we will divide food, fill up water bottles and camelbaks, and ensure our backpacks are ready to go.
DAY 2
Beauty abounds
Meals: B | D
East Snowmass Creek - Appx 6 miles
After an early breakfast, we will head to the trailhead. After self-registering, we begin our ascent. The East Snowmass Creek trail ascends steeply to moderately steep switchbacks through mixed conifers and copses of aspen. A couple of miles in, the trees give way to stunning meadows and the open terrain offers views of red cliffs rising along the east side of the valley where we will enjoy a leisurely lunch stop and guided meditation. About 4 miles in, the trail starts ascending steeply up the valley’s western wall. Soon the grade moderates and the trees thin, giving way to beautiful alpine meadows where we will find our night’s camp spot.
After a quick snack, we all set up our tents. After settling in, Hannah will guide us in nature journaling. We then gather to prep our dinner. We will divvy up tasks to prepare our meal, filter water, and ensure our dishes are clean and extra food is secure from bears. Settle in for a restful night’s sleep before our big day of mountain pass summits.
Day 3
Camping lakeside.
Meals: B | D
East Snowmass Pass and Willow Pass - Appx 5 miles
Today is our toughest day, as we will hike over two passes, but the views reward us! After a group breakfast, we pack up our stuff and begin our ascent. The trail turns to the south and starts a moderately-steep to steep climb up East Snowmass Pass (12,686 ft) and we enjoy our first view of Willow Lake (11,795 ft) nestled in emerald green meadows flanked by the Sievers Mountain to the east and Buckskin Point (13,370 ft ) to the west. Pyramid Peak (14,018 ft) and the summits rising above the East Maroon Creek valley dominate the view to the south.
We’ll enjoy a lunch at the base of the pass and some visualization exercises before heading up Willow Pass, we descend into the red rocks via switchbacks to reach this evening’s camp spot with views of the Maroon Bells.
We’ll set up camp and prepare our meal, ensuring everyone can have plenty of time to rest after the big day. Option for an evening guided meditation, yogic stretching, and journaling.
Day 4
Snowmass Lake
Meals: B | D
Buckskin Pass to Snowmass Lake - Appx 5 miles
Today, we enjoy a group-prepared breakfast before breaking camp and making our way up the flower-covered slopes to our final summit, Buckskin Pass (12,462 ft). The trail drops from the pass on more moderate grades back into treeline. We’ll sit down for a leisurely lunch along Snowmass Creek. We’ll pass Geneva Lake, as we make our way to picturesque Snowmass Lake (10,980 ft). The lake is nearly .75 miles long and several hundred yards wide framed by iconic peaks and vertical walls.
Snowmass Lake is the most popular campsite on our trek, so we will do our best to set up camp together near the lake. Our shorter day should allow for more free time to sit lakeside and explore our thoughts. Option to join Hannah in some guided movement, meditation, and journaling or spend some time exploring and contemplating on your own.
We’ll gather in the evening for our final group-prepared dinner before tucking in for the night.
Day 5
Until next time!!
Meals: B
Final Descent to East Snowmass Trailhead - Appx 8 miles
Today is a long day for travelers from Denver and beyond, so we will start with an early, easy breakfast. We’ll enjoy a long, but mild descent today. As we make our way through the lush landscape, we’ll be rewarded with the beauty of the changing foliage. We cross a wide beaver damn, so watch your step! Upon arrival at the trailhead, we walk less the .5 miles to our car, where we will say farewell!
PRICE: $995 PER PERSON
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
Deposit: $300 due today
Final Balance: due 45 days prior to departure
Single Supplement: $145 per person
Payment plan available, please inquire
Rental equipment* (must be reserved in advance):
Backpack: $70 per person
Sleeping bag: $60 per person
2 person tent: $80 ($40 per person)
Trekking poles: $25 per person
Airport transfers:
Roundtrip from Denver International Airport to Snowmass: $250 per person
(3 people minimum, taxes and tip included)
*Please note: Many of our local travelers will have equipment to share. We will coordinate in advance to ensure we maximize the available equipment, limiting the need for rental equipment.
Included:
Dinner on Day 1, breakfast Day 2, and Group prepared breakfast and dinner on the trek
Accommodations as detailed
Guided journaling, yogic stretching, and meditation
Cooking stoves and water filters - weight shared by the group
Bear canister
Taxes, resort fees, permits, and fees relating to trek
Trip planners and personal growth leaders
Not Included:
Travel to Snowmass and to the trailhead
Tents (rental available and we will coordinate sharing)
Backpacks (rental available)
Gratuities
Any item not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
Trekking guides (this is a self-guided group trek, we offer planning and coordinating)