Backpacking & Backcountry
Adventure beyond the campground.
Table of Contents
- Backcountry Camping at Eleven Mile
- Pike National Forest Adventures
- Planning a Backpacking Trip
- Gear Checklist
- Water Planning
- Food Planning
- Leave No Trace
- Safety Considerations
- A Sample Overnight
- For the Ambitious: Wilderness Multi-Day
Backcountry Camping at Eleven Mile
The park offers 14 walk-in/boat-in campsites in the backcountry area near the east end of the reservoir. This is a middle ground between car camping and full wilderness backpacking—accessible enough for beginners, remote enough to feel wild.
What to Expect
- Sites: 14 primitive campsites
- Access: Walk-in (0.5–1.5 miles from parking) or boat-in
- Amenities: Fire rings, flat tent pads—nothing else
- Water: None provided (bring all water or filter from reservoir)
- Toilets: Vault toilets in area
Reservations
Backcountry sites can be reserved through CPW Shop, same as drive-in sites. They’re less competitive but still book for summer weekends.
Who This Is For
This option works well for:
- Teens wanting independence from the family
- Parents and older kids wanting wilderness experience
- Adults who want solitude but easy return to base camp
- First-time backpackers building skills
A Hybrid Plan
Consider this approach:
- Base camp: RV sites at Rocky Ridge with the full family
- Adventure nights: One or two nights at backcountry sites for select family members
- Best of both worlds: Wilderness experience with safety net of established camp nearby
Pike National Forest Adventures
For more serious backcountry exploration, Pike National Forest borders the park on two sides. This is true wilderness with extensive trail networks.
Lost Creek Wilderness
Location: Northwest of Eleven Mile Character: Granite domes, rock formations, alpine meadows Permits: None required (wilderness area)
Popular trails:
- Goose Creek Trail – 9 miles one way, moderate
- Wigwam Trail – Access to heart of wilderness
- Lost Park – Meadows, wildlife, solitude
Buffalo Peaks Wilderness
Location: Southwest of Eleven Mile Character: Two prominent peaks, alpine terrain, fewer crowds Permits: None required
Popular routes:
- Buffalo Peaks Trail – Summit access
- Rough and Tumbling Creek – Scenic drainage
Planning a Backpacking Trip
For Beginners (Teens with Parents)
Recommended approach:
- Spend first 3–4 days at base camp acclimatizing
- Day hike potential routes with day packs
- If ready: one-night backcountry camping at Eleven Mile’s walk-in sites
- Keep it short (1–2 miles in, 1 night out)
Skills needed:
- Setting up tent
- Using camp stove
- Filtering water
- Leave No Trace basics
- Navigation basics
For Experienced Backpackers
Pike National Forest offers multi-day routes for those with skills:
- Plan 6–10 miles/day maximum at altitude
- Carry detailed maps (USGS topo or equivalent)
- Register with family at base camp (check-in times)
- Consider PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) for true backcountry
Gear Checklist
The Big Four
| Item | Weight Target | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pack | 3–5 lbs | Fit is critical; get fitted at REI |
| Shelter | 2–4 lbs | 3-season tent, tarp, or hammock |
| Sleep system | 2–4 lbs | Bag rated to 30°F + pad (R-value 3+) |
| Cook system | 1–2 lbs | Stove, fuel, pot, utensil |
Clothing
- Base layer (synthetic or merino)
- Insulating layer (fleece or down)
- Rain shell
- Hiking pants/shorts
- Extra socks (2 pairs)
- Warm hat and gloves (yes, in July)
- Sun hat
Other Essentials
- Water treatment (filter or chemical)
- Food (1.5–2 lbs/person/day)
- Navigation (map, compass, GPS)
- First aid kit
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Fire starter (matches in waterproof case)
- Multi-tool
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Trekking poles (highly recommended at altitude)
Luxury Items
Choose 1–2:
- Camp chair (ultralight)
- Book
- Camera
- Fishing gear (collapsible rod)
- Flask of something nice
Water Planning
At Eleven Mile Backcountry
The reservoir is your water source. You MUST treat all water.
Treatment options:
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Pump filter | Reliable, fast | Heavy, can break |
| Gravity filter | Easy, batch processing | Slow |
| UV (SteriPen) | Fast, light | Requires batteries, clear water |
| Chemical (Aquamira, etc.) | Light, reliable | Wait time, taste |
| Boiling | No special gear | Fuel-intensive |
Recommendation: Bring two methods. If your filter breaks or batteries die, you need backup.
Water Needs
At 8,600+ feet, dehydration accelerates:
- Minimum: 3–4 liters/day/person
- Active day: 4–5 liters
- Carry capacity: 2–3 liters while hiking
- Camp: Refill and treat plenty for evening/morning
Food Planning
Calorie Needs
Backpacking at altitude burns serious calories:
- 3,000–4,000 calories/day typical
- 1.5–2 lbs food weight/day
Food Strategy
Breakfast: Quick, energizing
- Instant oatmeal + nuts + dried fruit
- Granola with powdered milk
- Breakfast bars
Lunch: Snacking throughout day
- Trail mix
- Cheese and crackers
- Peanut butter tortillas
- Summer sausage
- Energy bars
Dinner: Hot, satisfying, rehydrating
- Backpacker meals (Mountain House, etc.)
- Ramen + added protein
- Couscous + dehydrated vegetables
- Instant mashed potatoes + bacon bits
No-Cook Option
On short trips, consider going stove-free:
- Lighter pack
- Faster setup/breakdown
- Works fine for 1–2 nights
- Menu: Bars, wraps, cheese, dried fruit, nuts, cold-soak options
Leave No Trace
In wilderness areas, practice strict Leave No Trace:
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know regulations
- Prepare for weather
- Carry proper gear
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Use established sites and trails
- Camp 200+ feet from water sources
- Walk single-file in center of trail
Dispose of Waste Properly
- Pack out all trash and food waste
- Deposit human waste in catholes 6–8” deep, 200+ feet from water
- Pack out toilet paper (yes, really—in plastic bag)
Leave What You Find
- Don’t pick wildflowers
- Don’t disturb artifacts or wildlife
- Leave sites as found
Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Use established fire rings
- Keep fires small
- Burn all wood to ash, drown completely
- Or skip fires entirely (stoves leave no trace)
Respect Wildlife
- Store food properly (bear canister or hang)
- Never feed wildlife
- Observe from distance
Be Considerate of Others
- Yield to uphill hikers
- Keep noise down
- Leave the solitude others seek
Safety Considerations
Before You Go
- Leave detailed itinerary with base camp family
- Agree on check-in times
- Establish “if not back by X, call for help” protocol
- Know rescue contact (park office, 911)
Navigation
- Carry paper map AND digital backup
- Download offline maps before losing cell signal
- Know how to use compass
- Mark key waypoints (camp, water, bailout routes)
Weather
- Check forecast before departing
- Start early, camp by early afternoon
- Have storm plan (where will you shelter?)
- Tent setup should be practiced and quick
Medical
- First aid trained member in group
- Basic kit appropriate to distance from help
- Know signs of altitude sickness
- Know how to evacuate if needed
Wildlife
- Proper food storage (bear canister or hang)
- No food in tent EVER
- Know animal encounter protocols
- Make noise on trail
A Sample Overnight
For Teens + Adult: Eleven Mile Backcountry
Day 1:
- 9 AM: Depart base camp with overnight packs
- 10 AM: Arrive trailhead to backcountry area
- 11 AM: Set up camp at walk-in site
- Afternoon: Explore shoreline, fish, swim (oh wait, no swimming), relax
- Evening: Camp dinner, watch stars, early bed
Day 2:
- Dawn: Wake with sun, morning fishing
- 8 AM: Breakfast
- 9 AM: Pack up, leave no trace
- 10 AM: Hike out
- 11 AM: Rejoin family at base camp with stories
Total distance: 2–3 miles round trip Total pack weight: 20–25 lbs Difficulty: Beginner-friendly wilderness experience
For the Ambitious: Wilderness Multi-Day
Lost Creek Loop (Advanced)
Duration: 3–4 days Distance: 25–30 miles Elevation: 9,000–12,000 feet Permits: None required
This is serious backcountry requiring:
- Strong hiking fitness
- Full gear (listed above)
- Navigation skills
- Self-rescue capability
- Multiple day food carry
Not for first-timers at altitude. Consider this for a future trip once family has more experience.
Know Your Limits: Backpacking at altitude is significantly harder than at sea level. What feels easy at home may be exhausting here. Start conservatively, build experience gradually. The wilderness will wait.