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 the unforgettable experiences, we met some fantastic people too! -S.M.

"Glad to have this as part of Colorado Springs."

"I went to the last climb night that was held at Cityrock. It is a great introduction to the facility and climbing. Also, the volunteers make sure that you aren't feeling uneasy about climbing. If you are not climbing, one of them will come to you and find an area that is good for you. TJ is very patient and helped me make it to the top! I loved it! Thanks for offering this event to the community."

"My family and I just had our first experience with Upadowna this weekend at their Folk and Flannel fundraiser event. We had a great time as we learned about this awesome organization! The only thing we wish was different was that we had been a part of this organization sooner!"

"Such a great event (Folk'n'Flannel)! I really appreciate everyone who volunteered and worked to make the event a success. In particular I enjoyed the musical performances - I've always been a fan of Roma Ransom, and now I've added The River Arkansas to my list of must-see bands."

"Fantastic! Thanks for all you’re doing! My boyfriend & I attended one of your climbing events a while back, and it really opened his mind to something he didn’t realize he liked. You are making a positive difference in the community; thanks for that!" -Shelley H.

"Thanks for a great climb night on Tuesday! I had a great time, and it was fun meeting everyone and trying something new." -Tami O.

"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.

"We had a great time and discovered a whole new set of trails to ride on!! What an awesome organization!!" -Chrysauna P.

"Thanks to the patience of many but especially Mark and Luke my 6yo, Lydia, learned how to ride her bike after her training wheels broke on the pedal party ride! Thank you UpaDowna for fostering an environment that truly made us feel welcome!" -Corrie C.

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EVENTS & Programs

Aug

Sat

3rd Saturday Adventure- Black Forest Section 16 Trail @ Black Forest Section 16 Trail

Tickets

Aug 18 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

“Black Forest Section 16 is a square-shaped loop in the Black Forest, north of Colorado Springs. The trail is a fairly wide gravel path with very little elevation change. The area is heavily forested, providing some shade during your hike. It is open to non-motorized use and it’s popular with horse riders.” –Blackforesttrails.org

No matter the season Black Forest’s Section 16 is an accessible close to town easy adventure escape. The hike difficulty is novice to intermediate at best. Lots of small rolling hills and flat trail. Five years after a fire in the surrounding area, we will be discussing the ecological concepts of how our environment deals with and recovers from forest fires.

Trail name(s): Section 16 Trail

Trail Length: 4.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 210ft

Trail Type: Loop

Skill Level: Easy to moderate, family-friendly, leashed and friendly dogs welcome

Trail Map: http://www.farrunner.com/Courses/CSTRBlackForestSect16.html

Directions to Trail Head: Drive east on Woodman road. Turn left on Black Forest Road and then immediately right on Vollmer Road. Drive for 4.5 miles and then turn left on Burgess Road. The parking lot will be on your right. Click here for a map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Black+Forest+Section+16+Parking+Lot/@38.998781,-104.668746,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x87134a7a977ecaeb:0x7e1560516385a80f

Also remember to be prepared with snacks and water as well as inclement weather gear!

Categories: Programs Tags: 3rdsaturdayadventure black forest hike section 16 black forest

Aug

Wed

2018 Pedal Party @ Oskar Blues Grill & Brew @ Oskar Blues Grill & Brew

Tickets

Aug 22 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

UpaDowna’s weekly summer cruiser ride is back for its 8th year, in a new location at Oskar Blues Colorado Springs! We hope you can join us!

Details:
-Cost: FREE
-Location: Oskar Blues, 118 N. Tejon
-Time: Wednesdays, meet at 5:30pm, leave at 6pm SHARP!
-What: All ages/abilities, WEEKLY slow cruise, no drop ride
-Where: 6 mile loop along the Greenway/Legacy Loop
-Why: Because community+bikes = awesomeness!
-How: Sign the waiver once a year: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/5ac531258b7a4/web/! Don’t have a bike? Don’t want to bring your own bike? Use one of ours! Borrow one for free here, OR reserve a bike for the season here!
-Tell your server that your here for the Pedal Party and 10% of your tab will go to UpaDowna!

-What if I really want to ride but need assistance? Call us! 719-429-9006

Categories: Programs Tags: bicycle bike bike ride colorado springs cruiser ride cycling oskar blues pedal party pedalparty

Aug

Sat

Trail Cleanup- SPECIAL LOCATION @ Chick-fil-A

Tickets

Aug 25 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Join UpaDowna to make a difference on our urban trails!

This month we’re teaming up with Garden of the Gods Chick-Fil-A to host a cleanup near their location! The best part…lunch is provided to all of the volunteers!

Trash bags, gloves, water, and snacks will be provided. Have a volunteer shirt? Please wear it! Don’t have one? We’ll do our best to get you one!

The adoption of this waterway trail is in partnership with the City of Colorado Springs. A brief safety meeting will take place before the cleanup. Also, please arrive early, after the safety talk, we hit the trail right at 10am! Thanks!

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 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 Facebook 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

Categories: Programs Tags: america the beautiful park cleanup colorado springs trail cleanup

Aug

Sun

Cleanup & SUP! @ Quail Lake Park- West Parking Lot

Tickets

Aug 26 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Help UpaDowna be stewards of the land at our first ever Cleanup & SUP event at Quail Lake! FIND US HERE: https://goo.gl/maps/iiXndnRCJ2F2

We’ve recently adopted this beautiful park where we host events and we want to take care of what we use by giving back to the land & lake! Come for the cleanup, stay for the SUP! We’ll be hosting a BBQ and donation-based SUP rentals after the cleanup!

The day’s agenda will look like this:
9am- Meet at the WEST parking lot
9:15- Start cleanup (walk around the lake, or clean up the water on a SUP Board)
11am- Finish

12pm- BBQ starts and donation-based SUP rentals begin. We are keeping the numbers down for this SUP event due to lack of parking at this location. Please RSVP for a board here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/upadowna-paddleboard-rentals-tickets-48924766293

ALL equipment is provided for both the cleanup and the paddleboard event. Please wear sturdy shoes if participating in the cleanup, there are some steep slopes along the banks.