Backpacking at Christikon

Join us for a three, four or five night trip into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness!

Christikon Backpack trips are unique in many ways. We cap our groups at 13—and with two counselor/guides this means a big, fun, inspiring group of people to spend the week hiking alongside! Our intentional rhythm of time on trail centers on community; in acts of meal-making, worship, quiet time, bible study, singing and of course hiking and camping. Our location at the southern end of the Boulder Valley positions us near four amazing circuits through the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness—directly from the gate of camp. Most of our routes include opportunities to see lakes, peak mountains, fish streams, and observe wildlife in God’s Creation. Trips are typically four nights in the backcountry, and this season we have a couple unique opportunities to vary that standard.

Awaken Faith. Explore Creation. Live the Adventure!

Backpacking Trips at Christikon 2027 Season

Christikon is excited to offer six backpacking sessions in 2027! These include four weeks of our traditional four-night backpacking trips, opportunities for shorter three-night adventures, the return of five-night trips for groups seeking a more ambitious wilderness experience.

Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we are able to offer these backpacking experiences at a cost well below the actual expense of the program. The participant contribution is $100 per night, including nights spent at camp before and after the trip.

Registration for our 2027 backpacking trips will be available on this page soon!

June 20-26 | $600

June 19-25 | $600

July 5-10 | $500

July 26— | Starting at $500

July 11-17 | $600

August 8-14 | $600

Registration for backpacking will open soon on this page.

❊ FAQs

Frequently Asked Backpacking Questions:

  • Christikon is unique in our setting, with four amazing circuits of hiking leaving directly from camp, and each of those can be completed in two directions. Each route features rivers, lakes, and peaks to climb. Backpacking days range from 5-10 miles of hiking. We offer two types of backpacking: what we call Mountaineers and what we call Wayfarers. Mountaineers move camp most days, usually with one or two days in the middle staying put for a day hike. Wayfarers base camp the whole trip, taking day hikes and other activities right at their campsite.

  • With our new system for the 2027 season, you should register each person individually. There are a few workarounds for groups and churches wanting to pay a deposit for multiple people. You can buy gift codes for each person and hand them out, Or, if you know emails and contact info for each camper, you can register on their behalf using their personal information. You’ll need email, address, and phone to register. During the simple process, you will also be asked for group affiliation. You can enter the name of your group (ask your leader what name to use—typically a church and city, for example: Our Savior’s Lutheran, Menomonie, WI)

  • At Christikon, our backpacking groups are limited to 13 hikers. With two counselors, this makes a 15-person group as limited by the Forest Service. We typically assign staff and maintain gear, food and supplies for up to five groups per session. By this calculation, 65 people total can register for a given backpack session. This can be flexible, and if you run into trouble please contact us! However, due to these limitations we hope you’ll try to get your group registered soon to secure your spots.

  • Almost certainly! There are a few variables that can complicate this, however. First, if your group has 13 people, you are locked into one singular group with only people in your group. If your group has fewer (or more) than 13, we will likely split or combine to make things efficient. For example: Group A has seven hikers and Group B has five, so we combine them to make a supergroup of 12. Unique groups such as those with all-adult or all-women hikers will be given special consideration and not combined when possible.

  • Maybe! If your group has specific needs or wishes, definitely communicate those once your group is registered.