PLEASE REGISTER & PAY AT COLORADO MOUNTAIN EXPEDITIONS FOR THIS TRIP.
July 13 to 15
Backpacking and Art at Finch Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is an immersive backpacking and field-drawing experience for artists and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a focused wilderness art trip. Designed around meaningful time in place, this three-day adventure centers on hiking into the backcountry, establishing a scenic basecamp, and spending dedicated time observing and drawing the alpine landscape.
Hosted by Colorado Mountain Expeditions and led by artist Melanie Damore, this trip combines guided backpacking with structured and supportive outdoor art instruction. CME guides lead the wilderness travel portion of the experience, providing support from trailhead to backcountry campsite, while Melanie guides participants through observational sketching and composition in a high-mountain environment. After hiking into the Finch Lake backcountry area and setting up camp, participants enjoy extended creative time to explore varied viewpoints, capture water and mountain subjects, and work directly from nature.
About the Artist
Melanie Damore is a Colorado-based contemporary landscape artist whose work is inspired by her experiences as an avid hiker and outdoorswoman. Raised near the shores of Lake Erie, she developed an early connection to nature that eventually led her west to explore mountainous environments. Her paintings draw from water reflections, natural textures, and dramatic mountain scenery, translating time spent outdoors into expressive and colorful compositions. She is the owner and instructor of Denver Art Days, where she teaches art classes and workshops that encourage creativity and confidence in artists of all levels. Her passion for observing and celebrating nature makes her an engaging and inspiring guide for creative exploration in the field.
Experience
This trip welcomes participants who are comfortable with moderate hiking and want to deepen their creative practice in nature. CME guides provide hands-on support with pack fitting, pacing, camp setup, group routines, and wilderness travel skills so participants feel confident throughout the journey. Art instruction emphasizes practical field-sketching and observational techniques for outdoor conditions, with guidance on composing landscape subjects, simplifying natural forms, and responding to shifting light and weather. Guided sessions are balanced with open time for individual work and informal group discussion.
Difficulty and Preparation
The backpacking portion of this trip is moderate. The hike to Finch Lake follows established mountain trails with sustained elevation gain and variable terrain. Participants should be comfortable hiking several miles with a backpack at higher elevation and prepared for typical Rocky Mountain trail conditions. Art instruction supports a range of experience levels, from those newer to outdoor drawing to seasoned field sketchers looking to refine their practice in a scenic alpine environment.
What’s Included
This trip includes professional Colorado Mountain Expeditions guides, field-sketching instruction with Melanie Damore, Rocky Mountain National Park backcountry permits, and all meals. Meals are thoughtfully planned and include a mix of fresh foods and nutritious backpacking meals. Group cooking equipment and stoves are provided, and select backpacking gear is available for participants who need it.
What’s Not Included
Personal clothing and footwear, personal art supplies, and transportation to and from the meeting location are not included. A recommended gear list and art supply list will be provided prior to the trip.
Why This Trip
This experience is for artists who want to slow down, carry what they need on their backs, and spend meaningful time learning from a landscape rather than passing through it. By combining guided backpacking with focused field-sketching instruction, this Finch Lake backcountry experience offers a rare opportunity to build skills, confidence, and creative momentum in one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s most inspiring wilderness settings. Space is limited to maintain personalized instruction and strong support.
If you are looking for a deeper backcountry experience and the chance to grow your art practice in a truly wild setting, we invite you to join us July 13 to 15.
PLEASE REGISTER & PAY AT COLORADO MOUNTAIN EXPEDITIONS FOR THIS TRIP.
July 13 to 15
Backpacking and Art at Finch Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is an immersive backpacking and field-drawing experience for artists and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a focused wilderness art trip. Designed around meaningful time in place, this three-day adventure centers on hiking into the backcountry, establishing a scenic basecamp, and spending dedicated time observing and drawing the alpine landscape.
Hosted by Colorado Mountain Expeditions and led by artist Melanie Damore, this trip combines guided backpacking with structured and supportive outdoor art instruction. CME guides lead the wilderness travel portion of the experience, providing support from trailhead to backcountry campsite, while Melanie guides participants through observational sketching and composition in a high-mountain environment. After hiking into the Finch Lake backcountry area and setting up camp, participants enjoy extended creative time to explore varied viewpoints, capture water and mountain subjects, and work directly from nature.
About the Artist
Melanie Damore is a Colorado-based contemporary landscape artist whose work is inspired by her experiences as an avid hiker and outdoorswoman. Raised near the shores of Lake Erie, she developed an early connection to nature that eventually led her west to explore mountainous environments. Her paintings draw from water reflections, natural textures, and dramatic mountain scenery, translating time spent outdoors into expressive and colorful compositions. She is the owner and instructor of Denver Art Days, where she teaches art classes and workshops that encourage creativity and confidence in artists of all levels. Her passion for observing and celebrating nature makes her an engaging and inspiring guide for creative exploration in the field.
Experience
This trip welcomes participants who are comfortable with moderate hiking and want to deepen their creative practice in nature. CME guides provide hands-on support with pack fitting, pacing, camp setup, group routines, and wilderness travel skills so participants feel confident throughout the journey. Art instruction emphasizes practical field-sketching and observational techniques for outdoor conditions, with guidance on composing landscape subjects, simplifying natural forms, and responding to shifting light and weather. Guided sessions are balanced with open time for individual work and informal group discussion.
Difficulty and Preparation
The backpacking portion of this trip is moderate. The hike to Finch Lake follows established mountain trails with sustained elevation gain and variable terrain. Participants should be comfortable hiking several miles with a backpack at higher elevation and prepared for typical Rocky Mountain trail conditions. Art instruction supports a range of experience levels, from those newer to outdoor drawing to seasoned field sketchers looking to refine their practice in a scenic alpine environment.
What’s Included
This trip includes professional Colorado Mountain Expeditions guides, field-sketching instruction with Melanie Damore, Rocky Mountain National Park backcountry permits, and all meals. Meals are thoughtfully planned and include a mix of fresh foods and nutritious backpacking meals. Group cooking equipment and stoves are provided, and select backpacking gear is available for participants who need it.
What’s Not Included
Personal clothing and footwear, personal art supplies, and transportation to and from the meeting location are not included. A recommended gear list and art supply list will be provided prior to the trip.
Why This Trip
This experience is for artists who want to slow down, carry what they need on their backs, and spend meaningful time learning from a landscape rather than passing through it. By combining guided backpacking with focused field-sketching instruction, this Finch Lake backcountry experience offers a rare opportunity to build skills, confidence, and creative momentum in one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s most inspiring wilderness settings. Space is limited to maintain personalized instruction and strong support.
If you are looking for a deeper backcountry experience and the chance to grow your art practice in a truly wild setting, we invite you to join us July 13 to 15.
