Our mission is to provide access to outdoor adventures for all, through events and programs that empower individuals, create healthier communities, and foster a respect for the environment.
"Thank you for creating these opportunities! The entire UpaDowna experience has enriched our lives in a way I could never imagine. It's special and I hope you understand how much I cherish it!" -Sarah K.
EVENT & PROGRAM UPDATES
Check back here for the latest updates on our events regarding weather, changes, or cancellations.
participation since 2012:
EVENTS & Programs
Join UpaDowna and OutThere Colorado to make a difference by helping us take care of our adopted parks & trails!
LOCATION: Meet up at the Monument Valley Parking Lot at 205 W Fontanero St, Colorado Springs, CO 80907. We encourage you to ride bikes, parking can be tight!
DETAILS:
Participants that are 21+ will be able to get a free half-pint at the downtown FH Beerworks location following the event. This brewery is located at 521 S. Tejon St.
Trash bags, gloves, water, and snacks will be provided. Have a cleanup or UpaDowna shirt? Please wear it!
The adoption of this parks and trails is in partnership with the City of Colorado Springs. Waivers will need to be signed at every clean up and a brief safety meeting will take place before the cleanup.
Please arrive early, after the safety talk and waivers, we hit the trail ASAP!
Kids are welcome but keep in mind, there can be dangerous objects along the trail. Please keep a close eye on little ones. We currently do not have gloves for kids under 10.
We always suggest to wear lightweight layers, with long pants/ long sleeved shirt and sturdy closed-toed shoes. Bring water and a small backpack for snacks, rain gear, or anything needed to keep kiddos happy, just in case!
**WEATHER: usually we do not cancel. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter feeds for the most updated news, or call 719-429-9006 for info.
See safety guidelines here: https://www.springsgov.com/units/cityeng/StormwaterEnterprise/Adopt-A-Waterway%20Level%201/%286%20%29Adopt-A-Waterway%20Safety%20Guidelines.pdf
Thank you to our 2019 Trail/Park cleanup sponsor:
SOCO Waste
Special thanks to our beer sponsor: FH Beerworks
Join UpaDowna for our 3rd Saturday adventures. Once a month we will lead a guided hike to explore a new trail, hike, or adventure topic. All ages, abilities, and experience levels are welcome!
Trail Name/Park: Paint Mines Trail
About: Paint Mines Trail is a 3.4 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Calhan, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The multi colored rocks and there formations are absolutely stunning and make you feel like you are on a different planet. A great hike to bring a camera on to get stunning photos!
Location: Calhan, CO
Length:
3.4 miles
Elevation Gain:
334 ft
Trail Type:
Loop
Skill Level:
Easy
Dogs?
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed at the Paint Mines so let the pooch sit this hike out
Trail Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/colorado/paint-mines-trail?ref=sidebar-view-full-map
DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD:
From Colorado Springs, take 24 to Calhan. Turn right on Yoder, then left on Paint Mine Road and continue 2.1 miles to the Paint Mines. Parking should be on the left. Look for the UpaDowna Banner
https://goo.gl/maps/fjDjtaTqgs62
**OPEN to the first 200 people, Get your tickets now!**
**GLUTEN FREE & VEGAN OPTIONS AVAILABLE AT ALL MEALS!*
The Folk’n’Flannel is a unique festival & fundraiser that takes place in the fall each year. Festival-goers are welcomed to Camp with numerous activities waiting, corn hole tournaments beginning, yoga classes, music playing, whiskey tastings, and beer flowing. Tent, car camping, lodge, and glamping campers are escorted to their tent or lodge sites and they can set up their camping areas. A BBQ family-style dinner is offered at night with s’mores for dessert. Various bands will play each night at “intimate” settings with amphitheater-like seating. Pancakes are served the next morning and multiple UpaDowna activities like fat biking, stand up paddle boarding, SUP Yoga, hiking, and fly fishing are available during the event. Festival-goers will also get the opportunity to compete in a corn hole tournament or even a “Facial Hair Frenzy” beard and mustache competition! News coverage from FOX21 can be seen here!
What: The “Folk’N’Flannel” is a yearly fundraiser for the 501(c)3 nonprofit UpaDowna
Where: Camp Shady Brook, Deckers, Colorado
When: Fri. Sept. 27th- Sunday Sept. 29th
Friday ONLY tickets are valid from 2pm Friday-4pm Saturday.
Saturday ONLY tickets are valid Sat. at 2pm- Sunday at 2pm.
Friday-Sunday tickets are valid Fri. at 2pm-Sun at 2pm. $10 OFF IF YOU COME BOTH NIGHTS!
How: (Follow these steps when buying tickets) Average price for one day is $60 and includes: accommodations, meals, first 2 drinks, all entertainment including musical performances and most activities the next day.
Step 1: Choose who’s going. You? Your family? You and your friends? Your dog?? Order tickets for the appropriate numbers.
Step 2: Choose where you’re staying. Are you camping in a truck/van, tenting it, staying in a group lodge or Glamping?
Step 3: Choose your activities, sign up to compete in the Cornhole Tournament or Facial Hair Frenzy (a mustache and beard competition)! Some activities are free, some are not, all are FUN! Some extras activities like rock climbing, hatchet throwing, archery, and a challenge course/zip line are in the CHECKOUT section of your tickets
Competitions: Not only do you raise money for UpaDowna but winners of the Facial Hair Frenzy go home with sweet products to tame their mane and the team who wins cornhole gets their very own set of boards!! GOOD LUCK!
Tentitive Schedule:
Fri:
2-4pm: Check in
5-6pm: Dinner
6-7: Music
7-8pm: S’mores
8-11pm: More Music!
Sat:
7-8am: Cold breakfast available
8-9:30am- Hot Breakfast available
10am-3pm: Various outdoor activities
11:30am-1pm: Lunch
2-4pm: Saturday ticket holders check in
4-5: Music
5-6: Dinner
7-8pm: S’mores
6-11: More Music!
Sun:
7-8am: Cold breakfast available
8-9:30am- Hot Breakfast available
10am-3pm: Various outdoor activities
11:30am-1pm: Lunch
2pm: Check out
Remember: This event is family friendly and will consist of live music, beer, food, adventure, and a celebration of the outdoors! Flannel is the dress code! It is overnight and guests are encouraged to stay and not drive home that night unless it is an emergency. Please leave valuables at home (but bring cash/checks, you’ll need it!) This is a FUNDraiser for an awesome nonprofit, so go big or go home! Cash and check transactions at camp are preferred. There is no cell service or wifi, an emergency land line phone is available.
Absolutely NO:
-outside alcohol
-marijuana
-guns or weapons
Questions? Want to sponsor or play music at this event? Email us at info@upadowna.org or call 719-429-9006
Join UpaDowna for our 3rd Saturday adventures. Once a month we will lead a guided hike to explore a new trail, hike, or adventure topic. All ages, abilities, and experience levels are welcome!
Pulpit Rock Park Trail is a 4.2 mile lightly trafficked loop trail with 583 feet of elevation gain located near Colorado Springs, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Well behaved dogs are allowed on leash.
Directions:
