Rocky Mountain Vacation Backcountry Planning Checklist

Backcountry camping on a Rocky Mountain Vacation requires careful planning and advance preparation. With careful planning your backcountry camping trip can provide memories to last a lifetime. Without careful planning your trip could be disastrous. The following is a suggested checklist:

2 Months Ahead

  • Decide who is going on the trip
    Decide when and where you are going
    Outline your hiking route
    Call Backcountry Office for likely snow, trail or campsite conditions at time of trip
    Call or write for reservations or permits for campsites
    Backcountry Office (970) 586-1242; mailing address: Backcountry Office; Rocky Mountain National Park; 1000 Highway 36 West; Estes Park, CO 80517.
    Check permit regulations
    Order maps and guidebooks and compass
    Begin breaking in new boots

3 Weeks Ahead

  • Confirm group gear with hiking partners
    Go over checklist of backpacking gear
    Make sure your gear works and replace or repair
    Plan your menu

1-2 Weeks Ahead

  • Buy and repackage food

Days Before

  • Pack gear, checking each piece off list as it enters the pack
    Verify departure plans with hiking partners
    Give a copy of itinerary and return time to a friend or relative

Day of Trip

  • Recheck gear when you meet with your group
    Stop at Backcountry Office for permit and current backcountry information
    Permit cannot be issued without license plate number(s)
    Put car keys in safe place; give a duplicate to your hiking companion.
    Head for backcountry and have a great time

Following this checklist will help make your Rocky Mountain Vacation Backcountry Camping trip a successful adventure.

RSS Feed Add to Technorati Favorites Add to Del.icio.us Stumble It! Submit to Slashdot Submit to Buzz! Digg It!

Tags: , , , ,

Related posts