Lake County Backpacking Trip

Discover your backyard with HMI — at no cost.

The Lake County Backpacking Trip is a fun, week-long adventure that culminates with a backpacking trip in the very mountains that make up our backyard. Visit beautiful high alpine lakes, learn how to cook on a camp stove, sleep under the stars, make new friends, and challenge yourself.

The trip is free for all participants and is run each summer by the High Mountain Institute. No previous outdoor experience is necessary.

2026 Update & Message from Director of Programs

July 8, 2026

Dear Lake County and Chaffee County Families,

We appreciate your patience as we have evaluated the Willow Fire situation. With that, I am sad to say that we have decided to cancel the LCBT for July 2026.

Of course, we have not made this decision lightly. The Willow Fire has been disruptive and emotionally taxing on our community in numerous ways. We are always committed to offering the HMI experience to students, even in the face of significant challenge, and frankly we have been super excited to welcome you in just a few weeks. Unfortunately, we feel that the current situation and outlook for how the Willow Fire will progress make offering this trip untenable. The air quality hazards, ongoing fire risk, and disruptions to basic services, among other challenges, are unlikely to resolve by the time LCBT is scheduled to begin. Amid all that, we imagine it feeling very difficult to be separated from a family member for even a few nights on a camping trip. Likewise, we know that cancelling this trip may impact your family’s plans and want to give you as much notice as possible.

Again, we are saddened and very sorry to cancel this trip. Our hope, once the Willow Fire has resolved, is that we may be able to offer another opportunity for you to be part of the HMI experience. We will be in touch with you soon, and we deeply appreciate your understanding. Please feel free to reach out with any further questions or concerns.

Are you a current 6th, 7th or 8th grader at Lake or Chaffee County Schools? Join us next summer.

Enrollment Paperwork can be viewed here. Please return your application to Steph Schneider from the High Mountain Institute (719-486-8200 x107; sschneider@hminet.org; 531 CR 5A, Leadville, CO 80461). Click here for more information about the program, and here for a wilderness equipment packing list.

Se puede ver los documentos de inscripción aquí. Por favor llena la aplicación adjunta y entrégala a Steph Schneider de High Mountain Institute (719-486-8200 ext 107; sschneider@hminet.org; 531 CR 5A, Leadville, CO 80461). Haz click aquí para la solicitud y más información sobre el programa y aquí para una lista de equipo.

Applications are accepted on a first-come first-served basis based on available space.

Las solicitudes se aceptan por orden de llegada según el espacio disponible. 

What to Expect

Day 1: Join LCBT participants, families, and HMI staff for a welcome dinner on HMI’s campus.  Spend the evening getting to know each other and learning about the week ahead. Return home for a good night’s sleep. 

Day 2: Students should be dropped at the High Mountain Institute at 10 AM. If you are not able to drop your student off, please reach out and we can help organize a bus pickup from your home! 

Day 3: Wake up for a delicious breakfast on campus. Pack your lunch and get ready for a full day of adventures. Come back to campus and sleep in a cozy cabin after roasting marshmallows on the campfire. 

Day 4: Spend the morning preparing for the expedition. HMI staff will make sure students have all of the gear they need for a successful overnight trip. We’ll enjoy a picnic and fun time at Turquoise Lake in the afternoon.. Come back to campus for one more night in HMI’s cabins. 

Day 5: Pack your backpacks and head out on expedition. Spend the next few days exploring the mountains that make up our own backyard. While on expedition you will practice camp skills, play lots of games, and eat delicious meals like cheesy pasta, rice and beans, and hash browns! 

Day 6: Wake up in the mountains and enjoy a day hike to a beautiful alpine lake. 

Day 7: Return to HMI’s campus at 10 AM. Clean and organize the gear that you borrowed. Families are invited for lunch and a graduation ceremony from 12 – 1 PM. 

The Lake County Backpacking Trip is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Kayne Family Foundation.

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