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Below is a sample itinerary.  Wild Trek is proud of our flexibility during trips.  We may notice the weather is better for a certain activity and move days around.  Or our staff may find some hidden gem that we just have to see and bump another hike for a new discovery.  Or there may be a local event in town that we think the kids would like and we may go there.  Our staff's flexibility is what makes our trips special!  

 The expedition begins with an evening train departure. Settle in for an overnight journey across the rails as the landscape shifts toward the mountains. The train will arrive in Denver in the morning, but we will keep going through the mountains to Grand Junction, Colorado.  

Arrive in Grand Junction, Colorado in late afternoon and then we will travel 2 hours by van to Ouray. We will head to the Ouray KOA resort for cabin move in and settle in. Spend the remainder of the evening enjoying the resort amenities and relaxing by the campfire.  

Morning Hike: Ouray Perimeter Trail

• Distance: ~4.5 to 5.0 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: ~1,100 ft
• Highlights: Encirclement of the entire town along the canyon cliffs. Cross the high pedestrian suspension bridge over the Uncompahgre Gorge, pass the roaring Box Canyon chasm, and view Cascade Falls.
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Afternoon: Free time to explore historic downtown Ouray and local shops along Main Street.

Evening: Camp dinner followed by a campfire and stargazing under the dark skies of the box canyon.

 Morning: 50-minute drive north via US-550 to the South Rim of the Black Canyon.

• Oak Flat Loop to Rim Rock Trail: ~3.5 miles total | Difficulty: Moderate
• Warner Point Nature Trail: ~1.5 miles total | Difficulty: Easy-to-Moderate
• Total Mileage: ~5.0 miles
• Highlights: Experience dramatic, near-vertical 2,000-foot Precambrian canyon walls dropping directly to the rushing Gunnison River

Afternoon: Stop at the Painted Wall and Gunnison Point overlooks before returning south to Ouray.

Evening: Relaxed camp dinner and downtime at basecamp cabins.

 Morning Hike: Sneffels Ghost Town & Canyon Creek Basin

• Distance: ~4.0 to 4.5 miles out-and-back | Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: ~800 ft
• Highlights: Hike the scenic, hard-packed road along the roaring waters of Canyon Creek toward the foot of Mount Sneffels. The trail brings you directly into the historic 1880s Sneffels Ghost Town site and the historic Revenue-Virginius Mine complex, featuring weathered wooden mining cabins, rusted iron relics, tailing sites, and staggering views of sheer 13,000-foot volcanic spires looming over the basin.

Afternoon: Return to basecamp for free time and relaxing.

Evening: Ouray Hot Springs Pool

• Activity: Relax and soak in the natural, sulfur-free mineral water pools (ranging from 75°F to 106°F) directly beneath the box canyon peaks.

Morning Hike: Silvershield Trail to West Gold Hill Trackway

• Access: Departs from the north edge of town (Oak Street trailhead)
• Distance: ~4.0 to 4.5 miles out-and-back | Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: ~1,400 ft
• Highlights: Climbs steady switchbacks along the northern canyon rim, opening up panoramic, bird's-eye views of the Ouray box canyon, the Amphitheater rock walls, and the Uncompahgre River Valley. Along the sandstone layers, hikers can observe the preserved 150-million-year-old fossilized dinosaur trackway.

Afternoon: Head back to camp for free time and relax.

Evening: Return to basecamp for a final celebration campfire dinner under the canyon stars.

 The adventure wraps up on Friday morning as you pack up and depart camp. Students will board the train in Grand Junction, Colorado late morning.