Backpacking and Plein Air Landscape Painting for Beginners at Sandbeach Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is an immersive plein air landscape painting experience designed for artists of all abilities — and especially welcoming to beginners. Whether you have never painted before or are looking to strengthen your foundation, this three-day wilderness adventure is built to support you step by step.
Centered on building a strong foundation in drawing and painting with gouache (an opaque watercolor), this trip focuses on core artistic skills including composition, perspective, form, and color mixing. Instruction is structured, approachable, and beginner-friendly, making it an ideal introduction to plein air painting in a supportive backcountry setting.
Participants will hike into the Sandbeach Lake backcountry area, establish a scenic alpine basecamp, and spend dedicated time observing, sketching, and painting directly from nature. We will zoom out to capture expansive mountain landscapes and reflective water scenes, and zoom in to study trees, birds, rocks, flowers, and other natural details up close. Melanie’s teaching style emphasizes clarity, encouragement, and building confidence at every level.
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 campsite, while Melanie guides participants through field sketching and painting sessions tailored to a range of experience levels. After camp is established, participants enjoy extended creative time, individual feedback, and relaxed group discussion.
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 approachable guide for creative exploration in the field.
Experience
This trip is intentionally designed for all skill levels, including complete beginners. No prior painting experience is required. Instruction begins with the fundamentals of drawing strong compositions and understanding perspective and form before gradually introducing color mixing and gouache techniques. More experienced artists will also benefit from refining foundational skills and working deeply from observation in a spectacular alpine setting.
Guided sessions are balanced with open creative time and personalized support. CME guides provide hands-on assistance with pack fitting, pacing, camp setup, group routines, and wilderness travel skills so participants feel confident both on the trail and at camp.
Difficulty and Preparation
The backpacking portion of this trip is moderate. The hike to Sandbeach 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. Artistic experience is not required — beginners are warmly encouraged to join.
What’s Included
This trip includes professional Colorado Mountain Expeditions guides, structured field sketching and plein air painting 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 (including gouache paints and sketching materials), 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 anyone who wants 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 foundational drawing instruction and beginner-friendly plein air painting in gouache, this Sandbeach Lake backcountry experience offers a rare opportunity to build artistic confidence in one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s most inspiring wilderness settings.
If you have been curious about painting outdoors but felt intimidated, this trip is for you. Beginners are encouraged, supported, and welcomed.
Day 1 – July 13
The trip begins on the morning of July 13 with a shared start at the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride, where participants leave personal vehicles behind and shuttle together to the Sandbeach Lake trailhead in a Colorado Mountain Expeditions van. From the outset, the tone is collaborative and intentional, offering space to step away from daily routines and begin the transition into Rocky Mountain National Park’s backcountry.
At the trailhead, Colorado Mountain Expeditions guides take time to ensure everyone feels prepared and confident. Packs are adjusted, gear is reviewed, and guides offer instruction on pacing, efficient movement, and what to expect on the trail. This orientation sets the foundation for a supportive and enjoyable backpacking experience, especially for those newer to overnight backcountry travel.
The hike to the Sandbeach Lake backcountry area follows well-established mountain trails through dense forest and along mountain streams before reaching higher elevation terrain. The group moves at a relaxed pace with frequent breaks to rest, hydrate, enjoy lunch, and take in the scenery. Rather than rushing to camp, the journey itself becomes part of the experience, encouraging participants to begin observing the landscape with an artist’s eye.
Upon arrival at camp, CME guides assist with campsite setup and share best practices for low-impact camping. Once settled, Melanie introduces the foundations of plein air drawing and painting with gouache. This opening session focuses on building strong compositions, understanding perspective and form, and learning how to approach landscape subjects step by step. No prior painting experience is required, and beginners are warmly encouraged to join.
As evening settles in, the group has time to unwind, connect, and ease into the creative rhythm of the weekend.
Day 2 – July 14
The second day is devoted to drawing and plein air landscape painting with gouache in the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park. With no hiking required, participants spend the day near Sandbeach Lake working from direct observation in a setting defined by alpine water, subalpine forest, granite peaks, and changing mountain light.
Instruction is structured yet relaxed, making it accessible to artists of all abilities, including complete beginners. The day begins with guided exercises focused on strong composition, simplifying complex natural forms, and reinforcing perspective in expansive landscapes. Melanie provides demonstrations on color mixing and layering techniques using gouache, an opaque watercolor medium that allows for vibrant color and expressive detail in outdoor conditions.
Participants will zoom out to capture wide alpine vistas and reflective water scenes, and zoom in to study smaller elements such as trees, rocks, birds, and alpine flowers. Individual feedback and hands-on guidance are woven throughout the day to help each participant build confidence and technical skill at their own pace.
CME guides manage camp logistics and meals, allowing participants to fully immerse themselves in their creative practice. The rhythm of the day balances focused instruction with independent work time, rest, and informal group discussion.
Day 3 – July 15
The final morning begins with a relaxed breakfast at camp and time for final drawing and painting sessions beside Sandbeach Lake. Participants may refine previous compositions, experiment further with gouache techniques, or complete smaller studies before packing up.
Colorado Mountain Expeditions guides assist with camp breakdown and efficient packing techniques, ensuring everyone feels comfortable for the hike out. The return follows the same scenic route through forest and along the creek, offering a fresh perspective on the landscape explored through both hiking and painting.
The group returns to the trailhead and shuttles back to the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride in the afternoon. Participants leave with stronger foundational drawing skills, increased confidence in plein air painting with gouache, and a sense of accomplishment from having spent meaningful time immersed in Rocky Mountain National Park’s backcountry.
Weather and Conditions
Sandbeach Lake sits at high elevation in Rocky Mountain National Park, and mountain weather can be variable even in mid-summer. Days are often sunny with comfortable temperatures, but afternoon thunderstorms are common and conditions can change quickly. Mornings and evenings tend to be cool, and overnight temperatures may dip into the 30s or 40s. Participants should be prepared for sun, wind, rain, and rapidly shifting mountain weather.
Lodging
For those coming from out of state, participants are encouraged to arrive in the Denver area at least one day before the trip begins. The Origin Hotel Red Rocks is located directly across the street from the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride and offers a convenient lodging option for those wanting to stay close to the meeting location prior to departure.
Arrival Transportation Options
Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from the Denver area. Colorado Mountain Expeditions will provide group transportation to and from the trailhead as part of the trip. Uber and Lyft rides are easy to arrange to and from the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride from anywhere in the Denver metro area, including Denver International Airport and Union Station.
On Monday, July 13, all participants will meet at the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride in Golden, Colorado, where personal vehicles will be left for the duration of the trip. From this meeting location, the group will travel together in a Colorado Mountain Expeditions van to the Sandbeach Lake trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Participants who prefer to travel independently to the meeting location may do so, but personal vehicles will not be driven to the trailhead due to park restrictions and limited parking.
Final meeting reminders and timing details will be confirmed in a pre-trip logistics email sent to registered participants.
Meeting Location Day 1
The group will meet at the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride located at 11300 U.S. Highway 40, Golden, Colorado 80403. This location serves as the centralized meeting point for the trip. Participants will leave their vehicles here and shuttle together to the trailhead with Colorado Mountain Expeditions.
Please plan to arrive at the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride by 8:00 AM on Monday, July 13. This allows time for check-in, gear organization, and loading before departing for Rocky Mountain National Park. The shuttle will depart promptly once all participants are accounted for.
Parking
Participants may leave their vehicles at the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride for the duration of the trip. This location is commonly used for multi-day trips and is considered a reliable long-term parking option. Colorado Mountain Expeditions is not responsible for vehicles left at the park and ride.
There is signage at the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride stating no overnight occupancy. This refers to sleeping in vehicles, which is not permitted at the lot. Parking vehicles overnight for the duration of the trip is common and allowed.
Transportation During the Trip
Colorado Mountain Expeditions will provide all necessary group transportation from the initial meeting location to the trailhead and back. Once the trip begins, participants will not need access to their vehicles.
Departure Day 3
On Wednesday, July 15, the group will hike out from the Sandbeach Lake area and return to the trailhead. From there, participants will shuttle back to the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride in the Colorado Mountain Expeditions van.
The anticipated return time to the Wooly Mammoth Park N Ride is approximately 3:00 PM, though this may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and group pace. Participants should plan onward travel accordingly and avoid scheduling flights or other commitments too early in the evening.
We’re excited to welcome you to this immersive backpacking and art experience in Rocky Mountain National Park.
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 trip, we are pleased to partner with artist Melanie Damore. Melanie’s work is grounded in careful observation of place, light, and atmosphere, and her teaching approach encourages artists to slow down, look closely, and respond creatively to the landscape around them. Her instruction supports a wide range of experience levels and emphasizes drawing and painting as tools for seeing, understanding, and engaging more deeply with the natural world.
This trip is a true backcountry experience, with the group traveling by foot into Rocky Mountain National Park and camping near Sandbeach Lake. Once in camp, participants will have extended time to sketch, paint, and observe the surrounding alpine environment, including forests, water, and high mountain terrain. Instruction and guidance will take place outdoors, with a flexible structure that allows participants to work at their own pace while benefiting from group discussion and individual feedback.
By combining guided backpacking with focused creative time in a remote setting, this trip is designed to offer a meaningful balance of physical movement, artistic practice, and immersion in one of Colorado’s most iconic landscapes. We look forward to welcoming you to a thoughtfully guided and creatively rewarding experience in Rocky Mountain National Park.
