Colorado Ruck 2026
Sat, Mar 21
|Active Adult Center
Join us for a one-day event all about long-distance backpacking. Whether you're new to backpacking, or a seasoned thru-hiker, this event will educate and inspire you for the upcoming year. Details can be found by clicking "Buy Tickets"
Time & Location
Mar 21, 2026, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM MDT
Active Adult Center, 6363 W 35th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, USA
About the Event
Below is the final agenda with speakers and topics:
8:00 - 8:45 -- Check In & Breakfast
8:45 - 9:00 -- Welcome from ALDHA-West Leadership
9:00 - 10:00 -- Anjelica Avella (@adventureswithanjelica) - View her hiking documentary "Forward" and discuss her story
10:00 - 11:00 -- Bethany "Fidgit" Hughes (@_slowtravel_) - "Your Thru-Hiking Heritage"
11:00 - 11:15 -- Break
11:15 - 12:15 -- Sarah Bowlin (@bowlandkettle) - "From Town Food to Trail Food: Real Talk on Thru-Hike Nutrition"
12:00 - 1:30 -- Lunch / Pack shakedowns
1:30 - 2:30 -- Jason McDonald - "Linking the Arizona Trail & Heyduke Trail via the Grand Canyon"
1:30 - 2:30 -- Rolf Asphaug - "Backcountry bidets and other toileting tips to save weight, space, your health and the environment"
1:30 - 2:30 -- Pacific Crest Trail Breakout - led by past hikers
2:30- 2:45 -- Break
2:45 - 3:45 -- Ron Stokley / Jenny Askey - "Ultralight Basics - How to Reduce Your Base Weight"
2:45 - 3:45 -- Tom Magee - "So you want to hike the Appalachian Trail"
2:45 - 3:45 -- Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail Breakout - led by past hikers
3:45- 4:15 -- Legendary Gear Raffle - https://www.aldhawest.org/2026-co-ruck-sponsors
4:15 - 4:30 -- Wrap-up / Clean-up / Leave no Trace
Table sponsors:
Remember to to bring you water bottle. There is a refilling station and we will have some water bottles
We will have a hiker box and gear for sale table. If you have items please bring and label accordingly.
Food plan is
Morning - bagels, bananas (maybe), blue berries, coffee, and oranges
Lunch - Costco pizzas and Jimmy Johns for food restrictions
Snacks - items from the morning, cookies, and chips
If for some reason you are unable to afford the ticket and want to attend, please send a request for help via our contact form: https://www.aldhawest.org/contact