Alpine Botanicals: A Plant Illustration Retreat in Breckenridge, Colorado is a guided art and hiking experience hosted by Colorado Mountain Expeditions in collaboration with artist and illustrator Marjorie Leggitt. This retreat is designed for illustrators who want to improve their ability to observe, understand, and accurately draw plants through focused field study in Colorado’s mountain environments.
The retreat is based in Breckenridge, Colorado, with the group staying together in a large shared AirBnB home located within town. Daily outings will visit selected field locations in and around the Breckenridge area, offering access to a range of alpine and subalpine plant communities. These sites provide varied subject matter for botanical illustration while prioritizing time spent drawing and observing rather than covering distance. Locations are chosen to allow participants to work carefully and return to subjects as needed.
Daily structure and flow
Each day follows a balanced and consistent rhythm. Mornings begin with a fresh, nutritious breakfast prepared by a Colorado Mountain Expeditions guide at the shared AirBnB before traveling as a group to one or more nearby field locations. Once on site, the majority of the day is spent outdoors drawing from life. Short hikes, generally less than three miles per day, connect study areas and provide access to different plant communities without rushing the pace.
Packed lunches are provided by Colorado Mountain Expeditions and are eaten in the field, allowing the group to remain immersed in the environment throughout the day. Afternoons continue with additional drawing time, observation, and instruction before returning to the AirBnB in the late afternoon or early evening.
Evenings offer an opportunity to build on the day’s fieldwork in a relaxed indoor setting. After returning from the field, participants enjoy a fresh, nutritious dinner prepared by a Colorado Mountain Expeditions guide. Group time at the house may include additional instruction, informal critique, group discussion, or demonstrations as appropriate. These sessions are designed to support learning and reflection without feeling overly formal or mandatory.
Instruction and artistic focus
Instruction is led by Marjorie Leggitt, whose work emphasizes careful observation, plant structure, and accurate visual representation. Teaching takes place primarily in the field and is grounded in drawing directly from living plants. Participants will focus on understanding form, proportion, line, and detail through repeated observation and practice.
Instruction combines group guidance, demonstrations, and individual feedback. Marjorie works closely with participants throughout the day, offering suggestions and support as each person develops their own approach. Evening discussions and critiques provide additional opportunities to review work, ask questions, and connect field studies to longer-term artistic development.
Lodging and meals
Participants stay together in a large, comfortable AirBnB home in Breckenridge. Accommodations are shared, with options for shared or single occupancy rooms depending on preference and availability. The shared house provides ample space for gathering, working, and relaxing as a group.
Fresh, nutritious breakfasts and dinners are prepared daily by a Colorado Mountain Expeditions guide and enjoyed together at the AirBnB. Meals are thoughtfully planned to support active days outdoors and sustained creative focus. Dietary restrictions and food allergies are easily accommodated thanks to Colorado Mountain Expeditions’ extensive recipe collection and long experience preparing meals for a wide range of needs and preferences.
Lunch is provided by Colorado Mountain Expeditions and consists of a packed meal, including a sandwich and a selection of snacks, designed to be eaten in the field.
Group environment and logistics
Staying together in a shared house creates a collaborative and supportive group environment. Participants spend their days traveling, hiking, drawing, and learning together, with ample opportunity for informal conversation and shared reflection.
Colorado Mountain Expeditions manages all trip logistics, including daily transportation coordination, field planning, meal preparation, packed lunches, and on-the-ground support. This allows participants to focus fully on their artwork and learning rather than logistical details.
Physical activity and accessibility
This retreat is designed to be physically accessible. Hiking distances are short, terrain is generally moderate, and no technical hiking or backcountry experience is required. Participants should be comfortable walking on uneven trails at mountain elevations while carrying lightweight drawing materials.
The emphasis is on observation, drawing, and instruction rather than physical challenge, making the trip appropriate for participants with a wide range of hiking experience.
Who this trip is for
This retreat is well suited for illustrators who want to strengthen their plant drawing skills through direct observation in the field. It is appropriate for participants at a range of experience levels who value thoughtful instruction, a well-paced schedule, shared accommodations, and a professionally organized experience.
By combining accessible outings, focused art instruction, fresh and nourishing meals, shared lodging, and the logistical support Colorado Mountain Expeditions is known for, Alpine Botanicals offers a structured and rewarding opportunity to study plants in the landscapes where they grow.
Trip Pricing & Payment Options
The cost of Alpine Botanicals: A Plant Illustration Retreat in Breckenridge is $2,725 per person for a shared room.
Single occupancy rooms are available for $3,150 per person.
You may choose to pay a deposit or pay in full when registering for a shared room.
To request a single room, please select “Single Room Deposit” below. After we receive your deposit, we will email you to confirm your selection of a single room and provide a link to complete full payment. Full payment is not due until 90 days before the trip start date for both single and shared rooms.
This four-day plant illustration retreat is hosted by Colorado Mountain Expeditions in collaboration with artist Marjorie Leggitt and is based in Breckenridge, Colorado. Participants stay together in a large shared AirBnB home located in town, with daily outings to selected field locations in and around the Breckenridge area. Each day focuses on botanical illustration through careful observation and drawing from life, with short hikes used to access a variety of alpine and subalpine plant communities. Packed lunches are eaten in the field to maximize drawing time. Evenings are spent indoors at the AirBnB with additional instruction, discussion, and informal critique. This is a structured, field-focused illustration retreat designed for artists who want dedicated time outdoors, clear instruction, and a well-supported schedule.
Dates: September 20–23
Basecamp: Breckenridge, Colorado
Lodging: Shared AirBnB home in Breckenridge; shared or single occupancy rooms available
Meals: Fresh, nutritious breakfasts and dinners prepared daily by a Colorado Mountain Expeditions guide; packed lunches provided in the field
Illustration Locations: Breckenridge-area meadows, forest edges, wetlands, and trailside plant communities
Difficulty: Easy to moderate — generally less than 3 miles of walking per day on established trails
Experience Level: All levels welcome; designed for illustrators interested in improving plant drawing skills
Group Size: Limited enrollment to ensure a supportive learning environment
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival & Orientation (September 20)
5:00 PM — Arrive at the AirBnB in Breckenridge for welcome, introductions, and retreat overview
6:30 PM — Dinner prepared by a Colorado Mountain Expeditions guide
7:30 PM — Evening instruction session focused on materials, observation strategies, and goals for the retreat
Day 2 – Alpine & Subalpine Plant Studies (September 21)
7:00 AM — Breakfast at the AirBnB
8:00 AM — Depart for field illustration sessions in alpine and subalpine environments near Breckenridge
12:00 PM — Packed lunch in the field
1:00 PM — Afternoon drawing focused on plant structure, form, and detail
4:00 PM — Return to the AirBnB
6:00 PM — Dinner prepared by a Colorado Mountain Expeditions guide
7:15 PM — Evening critique and instruction
Day 3 – Meadows, Wetlands & Forest Edges (September 22)
7:00 AM — Breakfast
8:00 AM — Field illustration sessions visiting meadows, wetlands, and forest-edge plant communities
12:00 PM — Packed lunch in the field
1:00 PM — Continued drawing with emphasis on comparison studies and refinement
4:00 PM — Return to the AirBnB
6:00 PM — Dinner
7:15 PM — Evening critique, discussion, and demonstration
Day 4 – Final Field Session & Wrap-Up (September 23)
7:00 AM — Breakfast and pack up belongings
8:00 AM — Final morning field illustration session
11:30 AM — Return to the AirBnB
12:00 PM — Group wrap-up, reflections, and departures
Weather & Conditions
Late September in the Breckenridge area typically brings daytime highs in the 50s to low 60s °F, with cooler mornings and evenings that may dip into the 30s or 40s °F. Weather can include sun, wind, clouds, and occasional rain or early-season snow at higher elevations. Participants should be prepared for variable mountain conditions with layered clothing, sun protection, and rain gear. Colorado Mountain Expeditions will adjust field locations as needed to account for weather, conditions, and group comfort.
Profile
This retreat is designed for illustrators who want to strengthen their ability to draw plants accurately and confidently through direct observation in the field. Participants may range from those newer to botanical illustration to more experienced artists looking to refine their observational skills and deepen their practice.
The trip emphasizes careful study of living plants in their natural environments, supported by clear instruction, individual feedback, and structured time outdoors. Hiking distances are short and the pace is intentionally relaxed, allowing participants to focus on drawing rather than physical exertion. No technical hiking or backcountry experience is required.
Participants should be comfortable spending full days outdoors at mountain elevations while carrying lightweight drawing materials and walking on uneven trails. This is not an endurance-based trip, and accessibility has been prioritized throughout the itinerary.
If you are looking for a focused, well-organized opportunity to improve your plant illustration skills in a supportive group setting, this retreat is an excellent fit.
Arrival Transportation Options
Participants are responsible for arranging their travel to and from Colorado. Colorado Mountain Expeditions will offer a group shuttle from the Denver area to Breckenridge on Saturday, September 20, with pickup times coordinated to allow for arrival at the group AirBnB by the scheduled 5:00 PM meeting time.
Pickup locations may include:
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Select hotels near Denver International Airport along Tower Road
Wooly Mammoth Park-n-Ride — 11300 U.S. Highway 40, Golden, CO 80403
Final pickup locations and times will be confirmed in a pre-trip logistics email sent to registered participants.
Participants who prefer to travel independently may rent a car or arrange a private shuttle. Driving time from Denver International Airport to Breckenridge is approximately 2 to 2.5 hours via I-70, depending on traffic and weather conditions.
Meeting Location
Private Group AirBnB
Breckenridge, Colorado
The group AirBnB will serve as our basecamp for the duration of the retreat. Participants will receive the exact address and arrival instructions in the pre-trip logistics email. The house is located in Breckenridge and provides shared living space, dining areas, and space for evening instruction and group gatherings.
Our Air BnB location is within walking distance of downtown Breckenridge.
Meeting Time
Please plan to arrive at the AirBnB in Breckenridge by 5:00 PM on Saturday, September 20. We will gather for introductions, trip orientation, and an evening session with artist Marjorie Leggitt, followed by dinner prepared by a Colorado Mountain Expeditions guide.
Check-In
Check-in begins in the afternoon at the AirBnB. Participants arriving earlier in the day may explore Breckenridge independently, relax in town, or enjoy nearby trails until the scheduled meeting time.
Parking
Parking is limited at the group AirBnB. There are three on-site parking spaces, which will be used by Colorado Mountain Expeditions for guide van parking, loading and unloading, and parking for the leading artist.
Additional parking is available on the street near the AirBnB. Breckenridge also offers a variety of public parking options if more parking is needed beyond what is available on the street.
Colorado Mountain Expeditions will assess parking needs in advance through the pre-trip logistics email, which will ask participants whether they plan to drive independently, take the group shuttle, or be picked up by CME. Based on this information, specific parking guidance will be provided prior to arrival to ensure a smooth check-in and minimize congestion at the property.
Transportation During the Retreat
Colorado Mountain Expeditions will provide all transportation during the retreat, including daily travel to and from hiking and illustration locations in and around the Breckenridge area. Participants will not need their own vehicle once the retreat begins.
Departure
The retreat will conclude on Tuesday, September 23, with departures following breakfast and final wrap-up activities at the AirBnB. Shuttle return transportation to the Denver area will be coordinated for participants who used CME’s group shuttle.
Participants wishing to extend their stay in Breckenridge may arrange additional lodging independently at their own expense.
We’re excited to welcome you to this focused and immersive plant illustration retreat in Colorado’s high country.
Colorado Mountain Expeditions (CME) was founded with a simple mission: to help people connect more deeply with Colorado’s mountain landscapes through professionally guided outdoor experiences. CME is a licensed Colorado outfitter specializing in small-group trips that emphasize thoughtful planning, learning in the field, and a strong connection to the natural world. Our team is committed to creating well-organized experiences that highlight Colorado’s alpine environments while supporting responsible and sustainable recreation.
For this retreat, we are pleased to partner with artist and illustrator Marjorie Leggitt, whose work is rooted in careful observation and the study of plant form and structure. Marjorie’s approach to teaching botanical illustration encourages artists to slow down, look closely, and build accuracy and confidence through direct study of living plants. Her instruction emphasizes observation, clarity, and drawing as a tool for understanding the natural world, making the retreat valuable for illustrators at a wide range of experience levels.
The retreat is based in Breckenridge, Colorado, with the group staying together in a shared AirBnB home located in town. Daily field sessions will take place at selected locations in and around the Breckenridge area, offering access to a variety of alpine and subalpine plant communities. From focused time drawing in the field to evening instruction and discussion at the house, the experience is designed to support sustained learning in a structured and supportive environment. Short hikes, comfortable accommodations, fresh and nourishing meals prepared by CME guides, and a well-paced schedule allow participants to concentrate fully on their artwork while enjoying Colorado’s mountain setting.
We look forward to welcoming you to Breckenridge for a rewarding, well-organized, and thoughtfully guided plant illustration retreat.
