Medicine Bow Peak rises to 12,013 above steep rocky walls, and the area is dotted with dozens of high alpine lakes. Much of the area is above timberline, with rolling alpine tundra and deep blue tarns. Some of your route will take you from lake to lake off of established trails, allowing you to develop excellent map and compass skills. The second day will be spent rock climbing on the cliff bands below Lake Marie. July and August can be warm in the mountains, with cold nights, and the chance of afternoon thundershowers.
Wildflowers can be beautiful at that time of year.
The Snowy Range is approximately a three-hour drive from Boulder. If you are from sea-level, call us for more information about adjusting to altitude. The Desert Canyons course will start with two nights of car camping below tall sandstone spires, near the confluence of the Colorado and Delores Rivers in Utah. The backpacking portion of the trip will be spent in a deep canyon near Moab and the Colorado River. The canyon has year round running water, tall sandstone walls, and a side canyon with the sixth largest arch in the country.