Backpacking and Art at Fern Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is an immersive backpacking and field-drawing experience for artists and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a focused wilderness art trip. Designed around meaningful time in place, this three-day adventure centers on hiking into the backcountry, establishing a scenic basecamp, and spending dedicated time observing and drawing the landscape.
Hosted by Colorado Mountain Expeditions and led by artist Melanie Damore, this trip combines guided backpacking with structured and supportive outdoor art instruction. CME guides lead the wilderness travel portion of the experience, providing support from trailhead to backcountry campsite, while Melanie guides participants through observational sketching and composition in an alpine environment. After hiking into the Fern Lake backcountry area and setting up camp, participants enjoy extended creative time to explore varied viewpoints, capture water and mountain subjects, and work directly from nature.
About the Artist
Melanie Damore is a Colorado-based contemporary landscape artist whose work is inspired by her experiences as an avid hiker and outdoorswoman. Raised near the shores of Lake Erie, she developed an early connection to nature that eventually led her west to explore mountainous environments. Her paintings draw from water reflections, natural textures, and dramatic mountain scenery, translating time spent outdoors into expressive and colorful compositions. She is the owner and instructor of Denver Art Days, where she teaches art classes and workshops that encourage creativity and confidence in artists of all levels. Her passion for observing and celebrating nature makes her an engaging and inspiring guide for creative exploration in the field.
Experience
This trip welcomes participants who are comfortable with moderate hiking and want to deepen their creative practice in nature. CME guides provide hands-on support with pack fitting, pacing, camp setup, group routines, and wilderness travel skills so participants feel confident throughout the journey. Art instruction emphasizes practical field-sketching and observational techniques for outdoor conditions, with guidance on composing landscape subjects, simplifying natural forms, and responding to shifting light and weather. Guided sessions are balanced with open time for individual work and informal group discussion.
Difficulty and Preparation
The backpacking portion of this trip is moderate. The hike to Fern Lake follows established mountain trails with sustained elevation gain and variable terrain. Participants should be comfortable hiking several miles with a backpack at higher elevation and prepared for typical Rocky Mountain trail conditions. Art instruction supports a range of experience levels, from those newer to outdoor drawing to seasoned field sketchers looking to refine their practice in a scenic alpine environment.
What’s Included
This trip includes professional Colorado Mountain Expeditions guides, field-sketching instruction with Melanie Damore, Rocky Mountain National Park backcountry permits, and all meals. Meals are thoughtfully planned and include a mix of fresh foods and nutritious backpacking meals. Group cooking equipment and stoves are provided, and select backpacking gear is available for participants who need it.
What’s Not Included
Personal clothing and footwear, personal art supplies, and transportation to and from the meeting location are not included. A recommended gear list and art supply list will be provided prior to the trip.
Why This Trip
This experience is for artists who want to slow down, carry what they need on their backs, and spend meaningful time learning from a landscape rather than passing through it. By combining guided backpacking with focused field-sketching instruction, this Fern Lake backcountry experience offers a rare opportunity to build skills, confidence, and creative momentum in one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s most inspiring wilderness settings. Space is limited to maintain personalized instruction and strong support. If you are looking for a deeper backcountry experience and the chance to grow your art practice in a truly wild setting, we invite you to join us July 30 to August 1.
Day 1 – July 30
The trip begins on the morning of July 30 with a shared start at the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride, where participants leave personal vehicles behind and shuttle together to the Fern Lake trailhead in a Colorado Mountain Expeditions van. From the outset, the tone is collaborative and intentional, offering space to step away from daily routines and begin the transition into Rocky Mountain National Park’s backcountry.
At the trailhead, CME guides take time to ensure everyone feels prepared and confident. Packs are adjusted, gear is reviewed, and guides offer instruction on pacing, efficient movement, and what to expect on the trail. This orientation sets the foundation for a supportive and enjoyable backpacking experience, especially for those newer to overnight backcountry travel.
The hike to the Fern Lake backcountry area follows well-established mountain trails through forests, along rushing water, and into higher elevation terrain. The group moves at a relaxed pace with frequent breaks to rest, hydrate, enjoy lunch, and take in the scenery. Rather than rushing to camp, the journey itself becomes part of the experience, encouraging participants to settle into the rhythm of walking and begin observing the landscape with an artist’s eye.
Upon arrival at camp, CME guides assist with campsite setup and share best practices for low-impact camping. As evening settles in, the group has time to unwind, connect, and enjoy the feeling of having arrived in the backcountry, knowing the days ahead are dedicated to creativity, learning, and immersion in the landscape.
Day 2 – July 31
The second day is devoted entirely to field sketching and creative immersion in the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park. With no hiking required, participants spend the day near Fern Lake working from direct observation in a setting defined by alpine water, subalpine forest, granite cliffs, and changing mountain light.
Melanie Damore provides ongoing instruction throughout the day, offering demonstrations, guided exercises, and individual feedback. Instruction focuses on deepening observational skills, simplifying complex natural forms, composing landscapes in the field, and responding creatively to shifting light, weather, and atmosphere. With an entire day in one location, participants have the opportunity to return to subjects multiple times, allowing sketches to evolve as conditions change.
CME guides handle camp logistics and meals, freeing participants to fully engage with their creative practice. The pace of the day is intentionally unstructured, encouraging a natural rhythm of sketching, resting, observing, and revisiting work as inspiration unfolds.
Day 3 – August 1
The final morning begins with a relaxed breakfast at camp and time for final sketching or quiet reflection beside Fern Lake. CME guides assist with packing and camp breakdown, reviewing efficient packing techniques and ensuring everyone is comfortable for the hike out.
The hike out follows the same scenic route back through the forest and along the creek, offering a fresh perspective on the landscape encountered on the way in. With lighter packs and a familiar trail, the mood is often reflective and celebratory, with time for conversation, photos, and final moments of appreciation for time spent immersed in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The group returns to the trailhead and shuttles back to the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride in the CME van in the afternoon. Many participants leave with a stronger connection to their art practice, increased confidence in their backpacking skills, and a sense of accomplishment from having spent meaningful time in the backcountry.
Weather and Conditions
Fern Lake sits at high elevation in Rocky Mountain National Park, and mountain weather can be variable even in mid-summer. Days are often sunny with comfortable temperatures, but afternoon thunderstorms are common and conditions can change quickly. Mornings and evenings tend to be cool, and overnight temperatures may dip into the 30s or 40s. Participants should be prepared for sun, wind, rain, and rapidly shifting mountain weather.
Lodging
For those coming from out of state, participants are encouraged to arrive in the Denver area at least one day before the trip begins. The Origin Hotel Red Rocks is located directly across the street from the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride and offers a convenient lodging option for those wanting to stay close to the meeting location prior to departure.
Arrival Transportation Options
Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from the Denver area. Colorado Mountain Expeditions will provide group transportation to and from the trailhead as part of the trip. Uber and Lyft rides are easy to arrange to and from the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride from anywhere in the Denver metro area, including Denver International Airport and Union Station.
On Thursday, July 30, all participants will meet at the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride in Golden, Colorado, where personal vehicles will be left for the duration of the trip. From this meeting location, the group will travel together in a Colorado Mountain Expeditions van to the Fern Lake trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Participants who prefer to travel independently to the meeting location may do so, but personal vehicles will not be driven to the trailhead due to park restrictions and limited parking.
Final meeting reminders and timing details will be confirmed in a pre-trip logistics email sent to registered participants.
Meeting Location Day 1
The group will meet at the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride located at 11300 U.S. Highway 40, Golden, Colorado 80403. This location serves as the centralized meeting point for the trip. Participants will leave their vehicles here and shuttle together to the trailhead with Colorado Mountain Expeditions.
Please plan to arrive at the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride by 8:00 AM on Thursday, July 30. This allows time for check-in, gear organization, and loading before departing for Rocky Mountain National Park. The shuttle will depart promptly once all participants are accounted for.
Parking
Participants may leave their vehicles at the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride for the duration of the trip. This location is commonly used for multi-day trips and is considered a reliable long-term parking option. Colorado Mountain Expeditions is not responsible for vehicles left at the park and ride.
There is signage at the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride stating no overnight occupancy. This refers to sleeping in vehicles, which is not permitted at the lot. Parking vehicles overnight for the duration of the trip is common and allowed.
Transportation During the Trip
Colorado Mountain Expeditions will provide all necessary group transportation from the initial meeting location to the trailhead and back. Once the trip begins, participants will not need access to their vehicles.
Departure Day 3
On Saturday, August 1, the group will hike out from the Fern Lake area and return to the trailhead. From there, participants will shuttle back to the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride in the Colorado Mountain Expeditions van.
The anticipated return time to the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride is approximately 3:00 PM, though this may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and group pace. Participants should plan onward travel accordingly and avoid scheduling flights or other commitments too early in the evening.
We’re excited to welcome you to this immersive backpacking and art experience in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Colorado Mountain Expeditions (CME) was founded with a simple mission: to help people connect more deeply with Colorado’s mountain landscapes through professionally guided outdoor experiences. CME is a licensed Colorado outfitter specializing in small-group trips that emphasize thoughtful planning, learning in the field, and a strong connection to the natural world. Our team is committed to creating well-organized experiences that highlight Colorado’s alpine environments while supporting responsible and sustainable recreation.
For this trip, we are pleased to partner with artist Melanie Damore. Melanie’s work is grounded in careful observation of place, light, and atmosphere, and her teaching approach encourages artists to slow down, look closely, and respond creatively to the landscape around them. Her instruction supports a wide range of experience levels and emphasizes drawing and painting as tools for seeing, understanding, and engaging more deeply with the natural world.
This trip is a true backcountry experience, with the group traveling by foot into Rocky Mountain National Park and camping near Fern Lake. Once in camp, participants will have extended time to sketch, paint, and observe the surrounding alpine environment, including forests, water, and high mountain terrain. Instruction and guidance will take place outdoors, with a flexible structure that allows participants to work at their own pace while benefiting from group discussion and individual feedback.
By combining guided backpacking with focused creative time in a remote setting, this trip is designed to offer a meaningful balance of physical movement, artistic practice, and immersion in one of Colorado’s most iconic landscapes. We look forward to welcoming you to a thoughtfully guided and creatively rewarding experience in Rocky Mountain National Park.
