Join me, Kristen Bor of Bearfoot Theory on an epic backcountry hiking adventure in one of the most beautiful regions of the Canadian Rockies!

Fly into a heli-accessed luxury backcountry lodge perched at 7,200 feet in the dramatic Purcell Range for a small group hiking adventure with no roads, no crowds, and no cell service. We'll have expert mountain guides on all of the hikes, gourmet meals, a wood-burning sauna, and like-minded people ready to disconnect.

Purcell Mountain Lodge (3 nights): Perched at 7,200 feet in the Canadian Rockies, this is not your average backcountry hut. The main lodge features private rooms, hot showers, and modern amenities — all completely off the grid. When we're not out hiking, we'll be lounging in the cozy timber-framed living area by the fireplace, sipping something warm on the veranda, unwinding in the wood-burning sauna, or soaking in the views from every angle. We'll have the entire lodge to ourselves, making this a truly exclusive experience. Solo travelers will be paired in a comfortable shared room.

Hotel in Golden (1 night): I've selected the highest-rated hotel close to the Alpine Helicopters hangar so the morning of departure is as smooth as possible. Golden is a small mountain town, so don't expect anything fancy...but it's comfortable, well-located, and perfectly suited for one night before the real adventure begins.

This is not just a mode of transportation. We depart from the Alpine Helicopters hangar in Golden early Friday morning and lift off over the Purcell Range for a 15-minute flight to the lodge. The views on the way in set the tone for everything that follows. No roads reach this place. The helicopter is the only way in and the only way out, which is a big part of what makes this trip feel so removed from the real world.

Every day we head out with ACMG-certified mountain guides into terrain that simply isn't accessible from a trailhead. We're talking ridgelines, alpine bowls, and sweeping views of the surrounding peaks in their full fall glory.

The group will be split based on ability and interest level, so whether you want a mellow day in the alpine or a bigger physical challenge, there's an option for you. If you're reasonably fit and comfortable hiking for several hours a day, you'll be just fine. This is not a trip reserved for hardcore mountaineers.

This trip is organized by me, Kristen - the founder of Bearfoot Theory and a 12-year veteran of planning outdoor adventures and group experiences. I'll be on the trip with you, joining you on the adventure. The group will be small, which means there's real space to connect. Expect good people, good energy, and no pretense - just like-minded adventurers who are there to get outside, disconnect, and enjoy each other's company. On my previous group trips, people have walked away with lifelong friends.

Forget trail mix and freeze-dried meals. All meals are included — and every single one is prepared by the lodge's dedicated chef using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Mornings start with a hearty breakfast before we head out. Lunches are packed and taken on the trail. And after a full day in the mountains, we come back to fresh appetizers on the veranda followed by a three-course gourmet dinner. Dietary restrictions and food allergies can be accommodated with advance notice.

Before we even reach the lodge, we have a full day in the Canadian Rockies. We meet in Calgary Thursday morning and head west on one of the most scenic drives in North America. I'll be handpicking our stops along the way through Banff and Yoho National Parks, so expect some serious scenery, fresh air, and a chance to stretch your legs before we even get to Golden. The drive itself is only about three hours, which leaves plenty of time to explore and have lunch together before arriving for a welcome dinner as a group. Consider it a full day of adventure before the real adventure even begins.

Hi, I'm Kristen — the founder of Bearfoot Theory, an outdoor adventure blog I've been running since 2014. Over the past 12 years I've built a career out of helping everyday people get outside and experience the kind of trips they didn't think were possible for them.

But I don't just write about adventures...I also organize them. I've led group trips to Alaska, Patagonia, Olympic National Park, Southern Utah, and trekked to Everest Base Camp with a group of Bearfoot Theory readers. I also created Open Roads Fest, a 450-person camping and van life gathering in McCall, Idaho. I know how to handle logistics, manage a group, and create experiences that people talk about for years.

I didn't grow up outdoorsy. I came to hiking and adventure in my mid-20s and built my way up from there, which means I know what it feels like to be a beginner. I build trips where everyone belongs, whether it's your first big adventure or your fiftieth.

Every experience I put together is designed to be welcoming, well-organized, and genuinely unforgettable, no matter where you're starting from.

This Canadian Rockies trip is something I've been dreaming about for a long time. I can't wait to share it with you.

We meet in Calgary in the morning and head west into the Rockies together. This is one of the most scenic drives in North America, and we'll make the most of it with hand-picked stops through Banff and Yoho National Parks along the way.

We will have lunch together on the road, plenty of places to stretch our legs, good conversation, and a chance to get to know the group before the real adventure begins.

We arrive in Golden in the early evening and sit down together for a welcome dinner. Tonight is relaxed — get to know your fellow travelers, get a good night's sleep, and get ready for what's ahead.

The alarm goes off early and honestly, you won't mind. We'll head over to the Alpine Helicopters hangar in Golden at 7:00 am for a safety briefing and baggage check before lifting off over the Purcell Range. The 15-minute flight to the Purcell Mountain Lodge is an experience in itself.

Once we land, everyone will check into their rooms, sit down for breakfast, and then head out with our guides for an orientation hike to get a feel for the terrain and the trails around the lodge. Cocktail hour and appetizers on return, followed by our first three-course dinner together at the lodge.

Note: Prior to boarding the Helicopter, you will be required to sign Purcell Mountain Lodge's liability waiver. Please view their waiver here prior to signing up for the trip.

Coffee on the deck at 6:30, plated breakfast at 8:00, and out the door by 9:30. Our certified mountain guides will split the group based on pace and how much of a challenge you're looking for, so whether you want a big day or a more relaxed one, there's an option for you. We spend the full day out in the mountains...moving through dramatic terrain, taking in sweeping views during lunch, and covering ground that most people will never see in their lifetime. We will be back at the lodge in the late afternoon for cocktail hour and appetizers on the veranda, sauna sessions, a gourmet three-course dinner, and conversation around the cozy fireplace.

Rooms will be vacated by 6:45 am, but not before one last breakfast at the lodge. The first helicopter departs around 8:30 am, six guests at a time. As we lift off, we get one final look at the Purcell Range, the headwaters of the Columbia River, and the town of Golden. All flights are typically complete by 10:00-10:30 am, weather permitting. From Golden, we board our private shuttle back to Calgary together, arriving mid-day. We'll drop everyone at the airport for evening flights home.