Bags & Packing

• (1-2) Soft-Sided Duffel Bags

  We recommend arriving with all clothing and personal gear packed into 1-2 medium sized duffel bags. It is okay to pack your gear into a hard-sided suitcase instead, but most adventurers find more ease in working out of duffel bags during the trip.

• Hiking Daypack

  A pack with 20 to 30-liters of volume works well for this trip. You need space for layers, trail snacks, water, and odds and ends. We suggest using a daypack that works well with a hydration bladder.

• Small Packing Cubes or Stuff Sacks

  Optional

  These will help keep your clothing and gear organized.

Clothing

• (2-3) Synthetic T-shirts or Athletic Tops

  T-shirts or tops made for running or working out are good choices. Stick to moisture-wicking fabrics. Long-sleeve synthetic sun shirts are also a good choice.

• (2-3) Pairs of Shorts

  Bring shorts designed for running or working out or water sports. Look for quick-drying or moisture-wicking nylon, polyester, nylon/spandex, or polyester/spandex fabrics.

• Hiking Pants or Full-Length Bottoms

  Nylon hiking Pants or athletic leggings are good choices. Zip-off pants that turn into shorts rarely look flattering, but often work well!

• Long Sleeve Baselayer Top

  Look for wool, Capilene, or polyester fabrics. No cotton. Don’t plan to wear this while paddling, you’ll want it to stay dry for cold nights at camp.

• Pair of Baselayer Bottoms

  Moisture-wicking long underwear bottoms or ankle-length tights. Look for wool, Capilene, nylon/spandex, or polyester/spandex. No cotton. Don't plan to wear these when paddling; the seats of our sit-on-top kayaks are a bit too wet to expect these to stay dry.

• (3-4) Pairs Athletic Underwear

  Stick to moisture-wicking fabrics. No cotton. If you pack shorts with built-in liners, you can pack fewer pairs of underwear.

• (2-3) Sports Bras

  Stick to moisture-wicking fabrics. No cotton.

• Upper Body Insulation Layer

  A warm, polyester fleece jacket or synthetic "puffy" jacket. This should be able to be worn under your rain jacket. No cotton. Something that is light and packable but still provides insulation is great for backpacking.

• Extra Upper Body Insulation Layer

  A midweight polyester fleece top or other layer to add additional warmth. You should be able to wear this with all your other upper body layers.

• Waterproof/Breathable Rain Jacket

  A lightweight hard shell you can wear over your other upper body layers.

• Swimsuit

  Hot springs are calling!

• Casual Clothing for Travel
• Waterproof/Breathable Rain Pants

  Optional

  These provide obvious protection from precipitation but can also be worn over baselayers if there is a cold snap.

Hand, Neck, and Headwear

• Hat with Brim
• Knit Hat

  A wool, synthetic knit, or fleece hat for cold nights

• Lightweight Gloves

  Pack fleece, Power Stretch, or other gloves made for running or for use as a medium-weight liner.

• Paddling Gloves

  Optional

  Keep those blisters at bay!

• Buff

  Optional

  Use for warmth, or to keep the sun off your neck, weather depending

Footwear

• Pair of Hiking Shoes, Boots, or Trail Runners

  Make sure these fit well with the socks you plan to use on the trail. Also, be aware that feet tend to swell over the course of an adventure. It’s best if your shoes are already broken-in when you arrive for the trip.

• Pair of River Sandals or Water Shoes

  Bring either sport sands with ankle straps (like Chacos or Tevas) or water shoes (like KEENS). Flip flops are not acceptable.

• (3-4) Pairs of Wool Hiking Socks/Athletic Socks

  We recommend sticking to purpose-built, medium-weight hiking socks from companies like Darn Tough and Smart Wool.

• A Pair of Warm Socks for Sleeping
• Shoes for Camp

  Optional, But Recommended

  Pack a pair of sneakers, crocs, foam clogs or other camp shoes. Make sure you can wear your camp shoes with socks. Depending on your packing strategy, your hiking shoes may be able to double as your camp shoes.

Gear

• Sleeping Bag

  Bring a mummy-cut, backpacking-style sleeping bag rated for 15 to 20-degrees Fahrenheit. Bring a sleeping bag that's highly compressible. Avoid large, heavy, roll-up-only sleeping bags because they may be too bulky to fit in a dry bag.

• Camping/Travel Pillow

  A compressible or inflatable camping pillow makes nights more comfortable.

• LED Headlamp and Spare Set of Batteries

  Headlamps with an optional red light won't blind your fellow adventurers or ruin your night vision.

• (1-2) Water Bottles

  Minimum of 1 liter carrying capacity for paddling days and 2 liters for hiking days. Pick bottles with a screw-top lid that covers the areas your mouth contacts. A Nalgene-brand bottle is a good choice.

• Hydration Reservoir/Bladder

  Optional, But Recommended

  A 2-3 liter hydration bladder works well for our hiking days.

• Sleeping Bag Liner

  Optional

  If you are worried about your sleeping bag not being warm enough, a liner is a great idea for staying warmer when the nights get cold.

Personal Care

• Sunglasses with Strap
• Sunscreen

  Pack at least 4oz of sunscreen. Guides recommend at least SPF 30 Small containers work better than larger ones. No aerosol spray cans, please.

• Lip Balm with SPF
• 2oz Bottle Hand Sanitizer

  It's handy to have your own personal hand sanitizer that can either live in your tent, coat pocket, pack or PFD pocket.

• Toiletries

  Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, soap, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, lotion, moisturizer with SPF, brush/comb, ear plugs etc.

• Microfiber Camp Towel

  To dry off after your shower or hot springs dip. We recommend a small to medium-sized towel that won't take up too much packing space. Leave those beach towels at home!

• Any Medications You Take
• Menstrual Hygiene Supplies

  Tampons, Diva Cup, or pads. Pack 50% more supplies than you expect to need.

• Spare Glasses or Contact Lenses
• Bathing Body or Face Wipes

  Optional, But Recommended
• Insect Repellent

  Optional

  Look for the active ingredient DEET. Ben’s brand is packaged well for backcountry travel. No aerosol sprays.

Other

• $40-$50 Cash

  For hot springs admission and lunch in Estes Park on day 4.

• Guide Gratuity

  Please consider rewarding hard work and excellent service with a guide gratuity at the end of the adventure.

• Personal Reading Materials

  Optional
• Notebook and Pen

  Optional
• Portable Charger Battery Pack

  Optional
• Phone Charging Cord

  Optional