Colorado, North America -
5280'

Highlights

Colorado // You Don't Want to Miss...

#1 Serve Dinner to a Wolf

For this magical experience, we wake up to wolf howls, do meaningful work, and watch the sun set over the 14,000-foot peaks in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. We discover that looking into the eyes of a wolf is indescribable!

#2 Playing In the Largest Sandbox

Great Sand Dunes National Park is probably the most unexpected natural wonder in Colorado. Thirty square miles of vast rolling sand dunes are perfect for testing sand-boarding and sand-sledding skills.

#3 Rafting the Arkansas River

Rafting through Brown’s Canyon is a thrilling introduction to Colorado adventure. Don’t let the views distract you as you navigate around boulders, over falls, and through famous rapids such as Zoom Flume, Big Drop, and the Toilet Bowl.

#4 Cottonwood Pass

Cottonwood Pass on the Continental Divide follows the Taylor River to Almont where the Sawatch Range lines the west side of the Arkansas River Valley. High peaks soar to meet the clouds and sky, stretching almost 100 miles. 

#5 Rock Climb

Between the famous Brown’s Canyon Wilderness Area and the towering 14,000-foot peaks of the Sawatch Range, five crags of exceptional guided rock climbing await all ages and abilities, no experience necessary!

#6 San Isabel National Forest

Claiming 19 of the state's 54 “fourteeners” (peaks over 14,000 feet high), including Colorado's highest point, Mount Elbert, San Isabel is at the core of America’s natural riches. We learn how this treasure is threatened by unprecedented challenges. 

#7 Aerial Course

This amazing course above the Lost Canyon is full of interconnected elements such as swinging bridges, swinging logs, cargo nets, balance beams, and tunnels. 

#8 Cheese and Milk!

Nestled in a beautiful river valley at the foot of the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Peaks, this family-owned, sustainable farm cares lovingly for their goats and makes award-winning cheese.

#9 Princeton Hot Springs

A must do: The hot springs pools are in the middle of the cool rushing waters of Chalk Creek. Fed by its own natural geothermal hot spring, it bubbles up into the creek bed for a good warm soak in the wild.

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Overview

18-22 Community Service Hours

Environmental Community Service, wolf conservation at Mission: Wolf refuge and Organic Farm

A Certificate of Community Service indicating total hours worked and a Presidential Volunteer Service Award will be issued upon successful completion of the program.

Activities

• Whitewater Raft: Arkansas River

• Hike: Great Sand Dunes National Park, Cottonwood Pass

• Rock Climb: San Isabel National Forest

• Aerial Course: Lost Canyon, San Isabel National Forest

• Visit: Goat Dairy Farm; Organic Farm

• Swim: Mount Princeton Hot Springs
  

Completing Grades

6-8

Days

13

Accommodations

We sleep in tents, shower about every three to five days, and use latrines or flush toilets as bathrooms.

Tuition (Airfare and baggage fees not included)

$3,895

Arrive/Depart

Denver, CO

Social Media

Join in on the fun! Check out #5280RLT for a behind-the-scenes look at photos from past participants and leaders.

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Description

We meet and greet one another in the Mile High City of Denver before heading off to Great Sand Dunes National Park, one of the top outdoor and adventure spots in the western United States.

Here we acclimate and explore the park’s 39 miles of trackless sand at the edge of the snow-topped Rocky Mountains. After a day of saucer-riding down the golden sand dunes, we move south to spend four days volunteering at Mission: Wolf, a peaceful sanctuary in the mountains.

Here we have the opportunity to learn about the wolves and possibly even come face to face with them in a safe environment. Gazing into their untamed yellow eyes, we are moved with compassion and respect. Each night as the sun sets, we fall asleep to the howls of these magnificent creatures.

From Mission: Wolf, we move on to the upper Arkansas River Valley and the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area. This region has few rivals. Wide, U-shaped valleys open up onto breathtaking mountain scenery. Dozens of lakes sparkle at the feet of striking rocky cirques and amazing, glacier-sculpted high mountain beauty. The area is home to the Arkansas River and from the riverbed we can see how time and the elements have shaped the earth.

We break out our paddles and rafts and roll down the Arkansas – a wild ride of pour-overs, standing waves, sharp turns, and narrow chutes that soak us all with exhilaration. The next day is spent flying high through 66 unique challenges suspended alongside the Arkansas River on an aerial adventure course.

We head to San Isabel National Forest to learn the basics of rock climbing: ropes, knots, and belaying. Before our journey ends, we take time to immerse ourselves in restorative hot springs, explore the local ranching culture, and hike the Continental Divide.

We enjoy our last moments together sharing a hearty meal and memories as the sunlight paints the peaks above us in brilliant shades of red and orange, and then say goodbye.

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Itinerary

Arrival (Day 1):

From Denver, CO, head out to the first stop, Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Great Sand Dunes National Park (Day 2):

Explore some of the tallest dunes in North America, just over 750 feet high. Hike up and down through the small valleys and up the hills to reach Star Dune (the highest). From the top comes the fun part: sledding back down!

Mission: Wolf Community Service (Day 3-6):

Depart for Mission: Wolf in the morning and, upon arrival, get acquainted with the wolves. Projects include building fire bunkers, rebuilding wolf enclosures, cutting firewood, making repairs to the staff’s housing, repairing the enclosures, and helping out at the farm. Part of the experience will include learning about the wolves and having a chance of socializing with the ambassador wolves.

Rafting, Aerial Course and Climbing Adventure (Day 7-9):

Depart from Mission: Wolf. Head north to Buena Vista to begin the next adventure: rafting down Class 2 and 3 rapids through Brown’s Canyon on the Arkansas River. The next day, harness up for a high aerial course over the river. Final day of adventure is spent trying out basic rock climbing in San Isabel National Forest.

Organic Farm and Goat Dairy Farm (Days 10-11):

Spend a day lending a hand at an organic farm and goat dairy farm. Learn about the ranching culture and how these fascinating animals are raised and cared for.

Multiple Activities Day and Closing (Day 12):

Soak in hot springs, hike the Continental Pass on the Continental Divide Trail. Prepare a final banquet and spend the last evening together before heading home.

Homeward Bound (Day 13):

We say our final goodbyes and board our flights for home.

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Need To Know!

Traveler’s Health

The Road Less Traveled does not require any vaccinations or immunizations to travel with us, other than an up-to-date tetanus shot or booster (within the last nine years).

Packing List

Colorado: 5280' Packing List

Day-To-Day Calendar

For an emailed copy of this program’s day-to-day calendar, please call our office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST at 773-342-5200 and we’ll happily send you one!

General Travel Info

It is imperative that no one make any travel arrangements until RLT provides instructions for specific arrival and departure time windows. Those details are typically released in mid-spring.

Families are individually responsible for booking their own airfare to get their student from home to the starting destination on the first day of the trip, and from the ending destination back home on the last day of the trip.

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