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BPX 2-Day: Burning Bear Campground

Trip

BPX Trip – BPX 3-Day: Burning Bear Campground

BPX Winter Camping Gear Check, 2 Nights, 3 Days at the Burning Bear CG adjacent to Abyss Lake Trail and Bruno Gulch.

Contacts

Steve Norman
Steve Norman
Primary Leader
  • Fri, Dec 4, 2026 — Sun, Dec 6, 2026
  • Backpacking Section
  • Camping, Snowshoeing
  • Adults
  • Moderate
  • High Point Elevation: 10,000 ft
  • Pace: ~ 1.5 mph

This is, first, an opportunity to test out our winter camping gear in sub-freezing temperatures—albeit under somewhat different conditions than backcountry snow camping. And second, it will be an opportunity to socialize, swap stories (or tell tall tales), learn from one another's vast repository of outdoor experience, and complete an overnight practice run in anticipation of more serious winter backpacking trips after the holidays.

This trip will take place in at Burning Bear CG (which will require payment of a campsite fee) so that we can drive in, setup our winter gear, and test it out.  That way, if something doesn't work as expected, we can always retreat to the warmth of our cars, if needed.

  • Leader's Permission is required to register for this trip. Please let the leader know if/when you have completed CMC Winter Camping School and give a brief summary of your recent winter camping experience.
  • The trip leader reserves the right to change the trip date, shorten the trip, modify the location or cancel the outing if potentially severe weather conditions threaten to impede our ability to safely complete the trip.
  • We will NOT be hiking or camping in avalanche terrain.
  • The campground is near 10,000' elevation.

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1 - Drive to Campsite, Set-up Camp and spend the night

Day 2 - Breakfast, Snowshoe or Spike-hike, return to Campsite and spend the night

Day 3 - Break Camp, Drive home

Meeting time, location, driving directions, and carpooling will be provided via email prior to the trip date.

Roster
Route/Place

BPX 2-Day: Burning Bear Campground

Required Equipment

Required Equipment

$20 annual BPX Membership Dues are required to participate. Please contact the office at 303-279-3080 ext. 3 or office@cmc.org to join the pack!

  • Standard winter camping gear or appropriately repurposed three-season backpacking gear is required.  Review the links below if you need a refresher on what to bring for this type of trip.
  • Gear should include snowshoes and microspikes; extra-fuel canisters, a 2L pot, and a winter-worthy stove suitable for melting snow into water; and sufficient layers and insulation, both daytime clothing and sleep system, to stay warm down to ZERO degrees Fahrenheit, if needed, while remaining nimble enough to adapt to possible "warmish" daytime temperatures in the 30s. 
  • Food should include at minimum  two lunches, two dinners, two breakfasts, and LOTS of snacks and hot drinks.
  • Avalanche gear is not required as we will not be traveling in avalanche terrain.
  • A sled/pulk is not required for this trip but you are free to bring one for the planned Saturday outing, conditions permitting.

For more information on Winter Camping Gear:

REI Winter Backcountry Camping Checklist
Winter Backpacking on a Budget: Gear Up without Breaking the Bank
Winter Backpacking - a fourth season delight

Trip Reports