BEST BUDDIES BREAKAWAY CAMP: ASPEN
HIKING EXPERIENCE
SEPT. 13-17, 2026
What to Expect
Attendees at the Best Buddies Breakaway Hiking Camp are treated to an epic five-day hiking experience from September 13-17, 2026. Set in Aspen’s only Five-Star, Five-Diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel, hikers will receive the amenities, support, and structure of professional athletes. Each day is a full curriculum with pro tips on pacing, fitness, nutrition, recover and wellness.
All hikers start together, with a time cutoff in place to help manage all fitness levels from beginners to the advanced. This will require hikers to do an out-and-back if they do not meet the cutoff time. This enables all hikers to regroup at the same time and accomplish the desired daily hiking goal.
The camp features Ironman World Champion and fitness guru Leanda Cave, and ultra-distance pro runner, Jonathan Toker, who both bring years of racing, mentoring, and coaching experience.
Those hoping for a structured, objective based approach to Camp will have the opportunity to work with Leanda, who is a USAT Certified Coach, to achieve their performance goals. Through focused pre-hike meetings and post-hike debriefs, staff will provide hikers with the tools to achieve their goals, and feedback on how to maintain or improve their performance through a holistic approach to the week and beyond.
Supported by a full staff of licensed coaches, professional chefs, and massage therapists, this five-star Camp helps to raise funds and awareness for Best Buddies International’s global mission to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
What's included
Five days of professionally-led hikes through Aspen with Pro guides SAG support.
- Hike alongside former professional triathlete, Leanda Cave, ultra endurance pro runner, Jonathan Toker and other fitness/hiking experts.
- On-site hike leaders for support before, during and after hikes.
- Fully catered and luxury style health-conscious rest stops to include some homemade items, bars, electrolyte powder, gels, and towelettes.
- Custom Best Buddies hiking gear including T-shirt, hat and Camelbak.
- Daily pre-hike briefing, route-overview, technical discussion and Q&A with hike leaders over coffee and light breakfast.
- Correspondence with coach in the weeks leading up to the Camp to discuss preparation and fitness goals.
- Option for one-on-one break-out sessions with a hike leader throughout the Camp.
- Every hiker will obtain a fitness knowledge to achieve health, nutrition and wellness goals for the year.
What's included
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- Intimate, nature-immersed experience; open to all fitness levels
- Private accommodations for each guest at 5-star resorts
- Custom rain jacket and CamelBak backpack included
- One guided hike each day featuring rugged coastlines and breathtaking views
- Morning yoga sessions to prepare body and mind
- Daily afternoon fitness classes for cross-training and recovery
- Complimentary daily massages
- Full access to resort amenities, including:
- Heated outdoor pool
- Jacuzzi
- Sauna
- Spa
- Nutrition and wellness discussions led by experienced staff
- Caring, attentive, and knowledgeable staff support throughout the week
- A signature “Hiking Queen Stage” – a marquee hike that challenges and inspires
Nutrition and Wellness
Providing a holistic approach to training with special attention given to nutrition and post-training recovery.
- Daily gourmet, nutrient-dense group breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
- Daily post-hike massage and nutrition in the Best Buddies Recovery Room
- Presentations by leading fitness experts, including professional exercise physiologists
- Learn how train and recover for optimal performance day-in and day-out
- Hiking focused guided yoga, stretch, and foam-rolling sessions designed to improve flexibility, relieve tension, alleviate sore muscles, and promote recovery
The Little Nell
The Camp package includes a complimentary four (4) night stay at The Little Nell - Aspen's only Five Star, Five Dimond hotel.
- Complimentary stay at The Little Nell for four (4) nights.
- Guests will have access to the resort’s five-star spa, pool, and fitness facilities
- Complimentary daily laundry service
DAILY ITINERARY
Sunday, Sept. 13 - Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026
Your premium hiking experience all begins as you wake up in to the beauty of Aspen’s foothills in the refined comfort of a spacious room in The Little Nell. For the next five days you will enjoy daily a healthy breakfast while breathing in the fresh mountain air. Now that you have disconnected from the hustle and bustle of your daily grind, it’s time to take a deeper dive into nature where you will experience a vigorous hiking adventure. You will be guided by our experts, and encounter seasonal treasures, including wildflowers and birdlife as you wind your way through Redwood forests or up open pastures on mountain side – all in your pace and your time. Once you return to the Little Nell, you will receive a bountiful lunch and rejuvenating massage before rolling into the evening for a social dinner amongst fellow hikers, where we recap the day over a culinary delight.
Day 1
Ute Trail
It’s always refreshing to end a travel day with a hike to get the blood flowing. Ute Trail delivers full value in just one mile. It ends at an overlook which consists of a break in the dense trees and a small plateau/rock outcrop. Enjoy a stunning panorama of Aspen over 1,000 feet below. We take a short walk from the hotel to the trailhead where we will then be met with the out-and-back route with some punchy pitches and numerous switchbacks. Don’t underestimate this hike based off the distance. It might be short but it’s steep! This is a good opportunity to determine your hiking level for the future hikes. We will all be starting this hike together (A & B Routes are the same) and you will make a u-turn and descend upon seeing our hike leader.
See Route & Schedule
Route
2.2 miles with a 45min cutoff where hikers will be required to turn at 0.5 miles.
Difficult: 1,082ft elevation; average grade 23%; 44% max grade.
Schedule
12:00 PM Guest arrival at The Little Nell
12:00 pm – 3:00 PM Hiker meeting and gear distribution check.
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Departure for hike
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Welcome dinner with schedule overview and group goals discussion
Day 2
American Lake
This popular trail has just enough elevation gain at altitude to be a good workout. The rewards are ample: beautiful fields of wildflowers, a pristine alpine lake and a heaping dose of colorful aspens. From the parking area, you will hop across a small stream and enter a fenced meadow encircled by stands of mature aspen. From here, the climb begins via a series of long switchbacks. The going is fairly steep, but you’re ensconced in one of the most majestic aspen forests in the area with occasional views across the valley. Just as you begin to suffer from aspen splendor overload, the trail abruptly enters a shady evergreen forest and the grade eases. There are still a few steep pitches through the woods but overall this is where you can recover a bit as you cross through a couple of grassy meadows where wildflowers thrive. This soon ends as the trail angles up steeply again for the last push to the lake. You will emerge from the woods into an alpine wonderland of scree, distant peaks and intense sunlight. Navigate a couple of short talus fields on the way to the water’s edge. Find a spot to contemplate while you take in the beauty and a snack before we descend. We will meet with B route hikers on the way down.
See Route & Schedule
Route
6.5 miles out-and-back with a 2hr cutoff where hikers will be required to turn at 4 miles.
Intermediate/Difficult: 1,792ft elevation; average grade 12%; 29% max grade
Schedule
5:00 AM – 6:00 AM Meditation / Stretching Session
5:30 AM – 7:30 AM Coffee and breakfast
7:30 AM – Hiker Meeting
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Departure to trail head.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Lunch at the Little Nell
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Massage and compression therapy with protein smoothies in The Spa
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Nutrition Seminar
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Dinner at the Little Nell
Day 3
Cathedral Lake
The route offers great views of a high alpine lake surrounded by towering peaks in the Elk Mountain Range. Expect a gradual climb the entire way to Cathedral Lake with some rocky sections. From the trailhead, the route gradually climbs through groves of aspens with views to the east along the Castle Creek Valley. Eventually, the terrain starts to open up, passing through groves of aspens and firs and boulder fields. The first view into the upper basin can be seen at approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead. This point is approximately half way to Cathedral Lake and is a great place to take a break before continuing the climb to Cathedral Lake. As you gradually ascend into the basin, the views continue to open up, with more views of Malemute Peak and Cathedral Peak. The final climb to the lake is very steep with many steep switchbacks and you will be rewarded with the view of Cathedral Lake with its deep jade blue color.
See Route & Schedule
Route
5.5 miles out-and-back with a 90min cutoff where hikers will be required to turn at 2 miles.
Intermediate/Difficult: 2,098ft elevation; average grade 15%; 45% max grade.
Schedule
5:00 AM – 6:00 AM Meditation / Stretching Session
5:30 AM – 7:30 AM Coffee and breakfast
7:30 AM – Hiker Meeting
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM 5.5 miles out-and-back with a 90min cutoff where hikers will be required to turn at 2 miles.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Lunch at Little Nell
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Strength & Conditioning Seminar
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Dinner at one of Aspen’s premier restaurants
Day 4
Queen Stage – Lost Man Trail
This is a point to point hike passing multiple alpine lakes with high peaks all around. The hike begins to the left of the bulletin board and quickly crosses a wooden bridge. At the 0.25 mile mark the trail forks. Take the right branch (the left goes to Midway Pass) and continue to Lost Man Reservoir. Stay left around the reservoir. At approximately the 4 mile mark there is a junction where you will turn right. The trail gradually ascends to Lost Man Lake. From the Lake, the trail ascends steeply to the top of the pass and then descends steeply to Independence Lake. The trail descends gradually to Highway 82. You will start this hike at 10.500ft and will pass through a variety of terrains from aspen forests to open grassy plains at 12,500ft punctured by lakes and streams and an abundance of wildflowers.
See Route & Schedule
Route
A Route:
9.2 miles one way starting at the lower trailhead to the upper trailhead.
Intermediate/Difficult: 2,338ft elevation; average grade 8%; 32% max grade.
B Route:
6 miles out-and-back starting and finishing from the upper trailhead.
Intermediate/Difficult: 1,560ft elevation; average grade 8%; 32% max grade.
Schedule
5:00 AM – 6:00 AM Meditation / Stretching Session
5:30 AM – 7:30 AM Coffee and breakfast
7:30 AM – Hiker Meeting
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
A Route: 9.2 miles point-to-point (start at Lower Lost Man and finish at Upper Lost Man trail)
B Route: 6 miles out-and-back (start and finish at Upper Lost Man)
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Lunch at the Little Nell
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Recovery Seminar
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Dinner at the Little Nell
Day 5
Smuggler Mountain Trail
A little bit of everything and a nice way to finish off the week while taking in the last bit of the beautiful scenery this venue has to offer. Smuggler Mountain Road is a very popular dirt road for hikers with a view of Aspen almost the whole way. The road stays sunny most of the day. It is best used as a quick leg burner from town or to access the Smuggler Mountain single track trails. We will walk the 0.6 miles together to the trailhead from the hotel (A & B Routes are the same) and one of our hike leaders will turn early with anyone who needs or wishes to return early for flights, etc.
See Route & Schedule
Route
3 to 6 miles out-and-back with a 90min cutoff where hikers will be required to turn at 2 miles. Hikers with early flights will also need to turn early.
Intermediate: 738ft elevation; 9%average grade %; 23% max grade.
Schedule
5:00 AM – 6:00 AM Meditation / Stretching Session
5:30 AM – 7:30 AM Coffee and breakfast
7:30 AM Hiker Meeting
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM 3 to 6 miles out-and-back with a 90min cutoff where hikers will be required to turn at 2 miles. Hikers with early flights will also need to turn early.
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Lunch at the Little Nell
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Massage and compression therapy with protein smoothies in the Spa
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Check Out and Departure
Five-Day Breakaway Camp Package
$10,000 One-Time Hiker Fee ($5,000 Deposit Due at Registration)
Once registered, you’ll have access to your own fundraising webpage, which you can easily personalize. Your webpage makes it easy for donors to give and for you to ask for and keep track of donations.
We’ll also provide you with fundraising materials, including email and letter templates, posters and step-by-step guides for holding your own fundraising events. And, you’ll have the support of a Best Buddies Coach. Whether you are new to fundraising, or an old pro, we’ve got all the tools you’ll need to not only meet, but exceed your fundraising goals.
Supporting Best Buddies
All funds raised benefit Best Buddies International, the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities.