Summit the San Juans
PEAK Experiences

Plan on arriving on campus during PEAK check-in on Sunday, August 16, between 10 am and 1 pm.

Summit the San Juans begins on Monday, August 17, at 9 am.

The $400 fee includes:

• Food
• Transportation
• Outdoor equipment
• Lodging when on campus
• Access to your room for storage during the trip

Participants are responsible for bringing appropriate clothing and footwear listed on the packing list.

Financial assistance:

Substantial financial assistance is available for those who qualify. To apply, complete the registration process, including the financial assistance application. This will hold your space on the trip. We review applications on a rolling basis. You will be notified by June 15 if you qualify for assistance.

**Cancellation policy**

• An administrative fee of $50 will be assessed for any cancellation
• The full trip amount is forfeited if canceled after July 31.

As a participant on Summit the San Juans, you will:

• Backpack for five days and four nights with ten incoming students and two student leaders through the San Juan Mountains, just outside Durango.
• Travel through rugged canyons, camp in aspen groves, and hike across alpine meadows surrounded by Colorado's high peaks.
• Learn the basics of backcountry travel and how to move and work as a group in the wilderness.
• Travel, camp, cook, and share adventures with your group.

These trips are open for all experience levels and are moderately difficult. Most trails are over gradual terrain, but some include off-trail travel, with elevations exceeding 10,000 feet. Many ridges and peaks offer outstanding views, but challenging, steep sections provide an achievable challenge.

Travel, Lodging & Logistics

Will there be a place for me to store all my things while on the trip?

Yes, you will be able to drop off any belongings not needed for the trip at your residence hall when you move in on Sunday.

When should I arrive?

Peak move-in will run from 10 am – 1 pm on Sunday, August 16. Plan your travel to campus so that you arrive during this window.

How do I get to campus from the airport?

Ground transportation options for the Durango-La Plata country airport can be found at flydurango.com. Note that many options need to be booked in advance.

Will I be back in time for New Student and Family Orientation?

Yes, we will return to campus on Friday afternoon. If you are signed up for the New Student Orientation that weekend you will be back in time.

When and where can I meet my family upon returning?

Any family or friends joining for Orientation can meet you upon your return and after equipment clean-up. The trip will end in the early afternoon on Friday.

How many students are on Summit the San Juans?

Summit the San Juans consists of 60 incoming students, split into six groups of ten participants with two Trip Leaders per group.

If I sign up for PEAK with my friend, are we guaranteed to be in the same group?

You are welcome to let the program administrator know that you’d like to be in the same group as your friend, but we may not be able to accommodate that request. Don't worry though, you will make a whole lot of new friends on PEAK to introduce to your friend in the other group!

If I’m over 21, can I bring marijuana or alcohol?

No, even if you can legally use either of these substances, neither is allowed on Fort Lewis College programs. We have a very strict, no-tolerance policy for these substances on Summit the San Juans.

Equipment

What do I need to bring?

You are responsible for your personal clothing and footwear. Please view the packing list for all required personal equipment.

What if I don't have my own equipment?

OP has a complete equipment room where you can check out items such as backpacks, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads. You are responsible for your personal clothing and footwear.  See the packing list for more information.

Can I use my own tent/sleeping bag/etc.?

Yes, you are welcome to use any personal gear you wish, and you are responsible for any personal equipment you bring. All personal equipment must be approved by your Trip Leader.

Can I bring my own pack?

Yes, but your pack must be at least 70 liters and meet our staff approval, as you will have to fit food and group gear. Our rental packs are 90 liters.

Should I bring my cell phone or emergency beacon device?

Cell phone and music player use is discouraged on PEAK, and you will not have service anyway. You are welcome to use your phone for photos if you wish but consider how to protect it from rain and use it in airplane mode to conserve the battery.

Please do not bring your own personal emergency beacon device; the groups will already be carrying a satellite communication device.

Route, Difficulty & Weather

What will the weather be like?

The weather can range from 70 degrees and sunny to below-freezing temps with rain and snow. Please read the packing list thoroughly to be prepared.

How far are we hiking?

The total route length ranges from 12 to 25 miles, with five days to cover this distance.

Where are the routes going?

Most groups will be between Durango and Silverton in the San Juan Mountains. A few groups will also be La Plata Mountains, just west of Durango.

What elevation is the trip?

All routes travel above 10,000 feet, with many groups traveling higher.

How heavy will my pack be?

Depending on your size, your pack weight will range from 40-50 pounds.

Food

Do I need to bring my own food or water?

No, we will provide food from Monday's lunch through Friday's breakfast. We will also provide water treatment systems when we’re in the field.

What will we be eating on the trip?

Our groups will fuel their adventures with delicious, nutritious meals and snacks. We pack plenty of food so no one will go hungry.

Do you accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies?

Yes, we can accommodate a wide range of dietary needs and allergies. Please identify your dietary requirements in the registration process.

Can I bring my own snacks?

Yes, if you have a special snack you want to have, you’re welcome to bring it.

Unless otherwise noted, all the items below are required to keep you and your group safe and comfortable in the mountains. Summer in the San Juan Mountains is very unpredictable. Groups have experienced warm and sunny days, freezing rain, and even snow. It is very likely that you will get rained on. If you are a person who gets cold easily, please bring an extra warm layer.

Avoid bringing cotton clothing as it gets heavy and cold when wet. Leave jeans, cotton sweatshirts, and cotton socks at home. Synthetic (nylon, fleece, polypropylene, etc.) and animal (wool, silk, etc.) clothing will keep you warmer and more comfortable.

* Denotes items available to rent for free from Outdoor Pursuits at the start of the trip

Clothing

• 1 t-shirt or sun hoody
• 1 pair of shorts or hiking pants
• 1 pair warm fleece pants
• 1 fleece jacket or wool sweater*
• 1 pair light- or medium-weight long underwear, top and bottom*
• 1 warm jacket (down or synthetic puffy)*
• 1 waterproof rain jacket (no ponchos or wind shells)*
• 1 pair waterproof rain pants*
• 1 warm hat*
• 1 hat with a brim for the sun
• 1 pair wool or fleece gloves
• 3 pairs wool or synthetic socks
• 3–5 pairs underwear
• 1 pair sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes (no sneakers or five fingers)
• 1 pair camp shoes (crocs or running shoes work great; sandals not recommended)

Camping equipment

• 1 large backpacking pack, at least 70 liters*
• 1 compact sleeping bag, rated 10–20 degrees F*
• 1 sleeping pad (foam or inflatable, suitable for backpacking)*
• 1 small tent, compact and lightweight for backpacking*
• 1 headlamp or flashlight

Personal items

• 2 32-oz water bottles or water bladder (giant 2-liter or larger bottles will not work)
• Trekking poles
• A personal eating kit including a lightweight bowl, spoon, and mug
• Personal toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
• Medications, glasses, contacts, and menstrual products as needed
• Sunscreen
• Bug repellent
• Chapstick with SPF
• Sunglasses
• Journal and pen or pencil

Optional items

• Small daypack
• Binoculars
• Book or field guides
• Bandana

What to leave at home

• Makeup, deodorant, perfume, and cologne (these attract bugs and animals)
• Recreational drugs, alcohol, and weapons (we have a zero-tolerance policy for these)
• Speakers

Download printable packing checklist

Student leaders make this program what it is! 

They are:

• Committed individuals who are at the heart of every trip.
• Current and past Fort Lewis College students from all majors and disciplines.
• Selected for their judgment and experience in the outdoors, as well as their personality and ability to work with groups.
• Trained in a demanding outdoor leadership course focusing on group dynamics, teaching techniques, decision-making, risk management, backcountry travel, and outdoor ethics.
• Certified in wilderness medicine.

Learn more about our Student Outdoor Leadership program.