Elk Lakes Retreat

Service Description

The Elk Lakes Retreat is an intimate three-day, two-night backcountry experience created for just four participants. From September 29 to October 1, we will step away from everyday routines and spend three days immersed in the mountains of Elk Lakes Provincial Park, British Columbia. Our home will be Elk Lakes Cabin, reached by a relatively gentle 9 km hike from Elk Pass Trailhead with approximately 200 m of elevation gain. Over the three days, we will combine hiking and exploring with sunrise yoga, breathing sessions, creative mindfulness games, sensory and haptic challenges, photography, journaling, sunset stillness and plenty of unstructured time to rest and connect with nature. Professional photographs will also be captured throughout the retreat, giving you a collection of memories from the experience. The retreat is designed to be active without feeling rushed. No previous experience with yoga, meditation, photography or backcountry huts is required, although participants should be comfortable hiking for approximately 3–4 hours while carrying their personal backpack. The cabin is a traditional shared backcountry hut with wood heat, propane lighting, a propane stove and oven, mattresses, creek water and an outhouse. There is no shower or electricity and cell service should not be expected. The cabin accommodates up to 14 people. Our group will consist of Mike, Michelle and four retreat participants, so other hikers may also be staying at the cabin and sharing the sleeping, kitchen and common areas. Late September in the Rockies can bring sunshine, rain, freezing temperatures or snow, so everyone will need appropriate hiking boots, warm layers, waterproof clothing, a sleeping bag, food, water and essential backcountry equipment. A complete packing list will be provided to participants. More than anything, this retreat is an opportunity to create space. To move, breathe, explore, create, connect and experience a few days with fewer distractions and more attention to the world around us. Three days. Two nights. Four participants. One cabin in the mountains.