need help in a backpacking trip in Colorado

Posted by: toddfw2003

need help in a backpacking trip in Colorado - 06/28/17 08:36 PM

The end of Aug i am planning on spending 5 days somewhere in the Colorado Rockies. This will be my first time backpacking in CO. Needing some recommendations on loops trail. I have been looking at Lost creek wilderness ( goose creek loop)
. Here is what I am dealing with.

Im taking a beginner backpacker with me who has gear but 0 backpacking experience so 10 - 14 mile days is out of the question. 6 - 8 mile days would be best.

I live at sea level. I start getting sick about 10,000 feet.

2 dogs will be going with us as well.

would preferably like to keep my altitude somewhere around 8000 feet. No sure if I can do this or not.

Plan to spend 5 full days int he back country
Posted by: HPD

Re: need help in a backpacking trip in Colorado - 06/29/17 11:56 AM

Tough question Todd!
Goose Creek Loop is a good one, but it doesn't fit your altitude requirements. It starts at 8,200 and tops out at 11,900. You may find it difficult to find what you're looking for in the Colorado Rockies.
Maybe someone else knows of a place that will work but I'm drawing a blank. frown
Posted by: toddfw2003

Re: need help in a backpacking trip in Colorado - 06/29/17 04:45 PM

I may look into getting some diamoxx for the altitude
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: need help in a backpacking trip in Colorado - 06/29/17 06:45 PM

I'd plan to spend the time to acclimatize, even if you use diamox. First night, Denver or equivalent (5,000 feet). Then maybe 7,000 feet for 2-3 nights, but dayhike higher each day, returning to your starting altitude to sleep. Then pick a route where your next sleeping spot is not much more than 1,000 feet higher than the last one. Yes, it will take 5-7 days, but you'll feel a lot better! It's the price we have to pay for living the rest of the year at low altitude!

8,000 feet is about the lower level timberline (the altitude at which trees start growing) in Colorado.

I was going to try a variant ot this in the Wind River Range, spending two days dayhiking and then starting at Green River Lakes (it's practically level for the first two days), but my dog got sick the second day out so I had to backtrack. It turned out to be a good thing, or I'd have been hit with a nasty snowstorm at 11,000 feet!
Posted by: connor45

Re: need help in a backpacking trip in Colorado - 06/29/17 11:29 PM

A couple of guys I know have been to Goose Creek Loop and they said it was a great place! Too bad it didn't meet your altitude requirement.
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: need help in a backpacking trip in Colorado - 06/30/17 12:43 AM

You might find a better fit for your altitude problems out here in the Pacific Northwest, where timberline is about 5,000-6,000 feet and you have to be climbing a glaciated volcano to get over 9,500 feet. I don't think there are any alpine trails over 8,000 feet out here. But they're just as alpine as Colorado at 10,000-11,000 feet!
Posted by: toddfw2003

Re: need help in a backpacking trip in Colorado - 06/30/17 01:33 PM

You are probably right Oregonmouse. Sawtooth might be a better option or Medicine bow in wyoming