Join us for a high-elevation and highly memorable experience.



Outdoor adventure, rich history, lively entertainment, and community spirit will come together in one stunning location. Hike and bike through rugged mountain trails and discover ancient fossils at the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Enjoy breathtaking views from Pikes Peak summit, explore local casinos, and visit a quirky Rock Troll sculpture for a unique experience.

This event blends stunning Colorado natural beauty with the fascinating history of Cripple Creek's Gold Rush days and lively local entertainment. Create unforgettable memories with new friends, surrounded by the crisp Colorado mountain air this Fall.






Join us in the Colorado Mountains this Fall

Cabin of S J Roberts, Cripple Creek CO 1893

Pikes Peak or Bust

Experience the spirit of the historic Colorado Gold Rush, where the rallying cry of 'Gold!' still echoes through the mountains. In 1890, gold was discovered in the heart of Colorado, and more gold came out of Cripple Creek than any other mining district in the state. It was this fortune that helped fuel the rise of Victorian high society in Colorado. Today the hills are filled with thousands of old mines, each with its own story, waiting to be explored. Colorado Springs Historical Walking Tours will visit our camp to entertain us with their engaging historical story-telling. Photo credit: WesternMiningHistory.com

Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak Summit

Pikes Peak is called 'America's Mountain' and inspired the song 'America the Beautiful'. Cripple Creek, on the southwest flank of Pike's Peak, sits at 9,5000 feet elevation. We'll let experienced guides drive us to the top of the mountain so we can focus on capturing the views. Photo credit: MyRockyMountainRide.com

Fossil Wasp

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

We'll be on the doorstep of this National Monument, so pay a visit to Big Stump, a petrified redwood tree stump, see the fish, plant and insect fossils and learn about the Big Five, the scientists and paleontologists who made some of the most important discoveries. There are several self-guided hikes to explore within the Monument. Photo credit: NPS

Escape to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sights of Cripple Creek

The historic mining town of Cripple Creek is abundant with museums and lore telling of how the area experienced a major gold rush boom in the late 1800s, attracting thousands of prospectors and becoming known as 'The World's Greatest Gold Camp' before experiencing a decline and a resurgence with legalized gambling in the 1990s. There will be time dedicated to visiting the museums, casinos and even the old brothels! Photo credit: Pikes Peak Region Attractions



Hangout Highlights
Pikes Peak Summit Van Tour
Historical & Musical Entertainment
Local museums: District Mining Museum, Cripple Creek Heritage Center, Old Homestead House Brothel (yes, red velvet everywhere) and the Outlaws & Lawmen Jail
High altitude hiking trips, bike trails & stillwater kayaking opportunities (BYO Boots, Bikes & Boats)
Casinos
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument




Hangout Location

Rocking M Ranch

Rocking M Ranch Campground

Our own private campground in the Colorado Mountains. Located at almost 10,000 feet in elevation and a few miles out of town, we'll have this wooded and meadow campground to ourselves. Sites are carved into the pine forest and on the edge of a meadow in a high altitude valley. Some sites are full hook-up but most are water/electric sites with an onsite dump station and an affordable onsite honey wagon.



Event Schedule

Scheduled activities are subject to change. Activities marked with an *asterisk are not included in your Hangout fee, such as entrance and parking fees, optional meals or activities.

Wednesday, September 10th
Arrival and Check-in at Campground
Check-in with Hosts
Welcome Gathering & Introductions
Icebreaker Game
Thursday, September 11th
Visitor Center & Heritage Center
Visit Rita the Rock Planter Troll
Campfire
Friday, September 12th
Hike, Bike or Kayak
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (park pass required)*
Musical entertainment in camp
View Full Schedule


Event Details

Date
Sep 10-17, 2025
Host Name
Tom Stockman & Kathi Schmidt
Location
Rocking M Ranch
12654 CO-67
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
(38.796362, -105.123243)
Venue Contacts
https://www.rocking-m-ranch.com/
719-600-9282
Get Directions




Registration Includes
Highlights, stops, sites and tours, including, but not limited to:
7 Nights Camping, 30/50 amp Service
Group Gathering Tent
Hangout Hosts
Musical Entertainment
Pikes Peak Van Tour
Historic Story-telling by local Experts & BBQ Dinner
View More



What to expect at a Hangout
Is this event right for me?
Every member is welcome at all Escapees RV Club events and every activity is optional. With that said, this Hangout is best suited for members who:
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enjoy exploring in groups
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can participate in activities all day during weekdays and weekends
are able to participate at high elevation (10,000 ft). Trying to acclimate before the Hangout would be ideal
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enjoy walking, kayaking and biking
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have their own transportation if carpooling cannot be arranged
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Internet
AT&T customers will not have cell service at the campground. Limited Wi-Fi is available to campers throughout the campground. If it is necessary for you to have a consistently strong and steady signal, please bring your own service. The number of users, trees, other RV’s, etc. may affect our service.
🐶
Pet Owners
We love our pets and try to select pet-friendly activities and venues so your pet can come along. But, it’s not always possible. The longest outing during this trip will be a 5.5 hour guided van trip to Pikes Peak Summit. The weather in camp should not warrant A/C use during the day, and most sites remain partially or fully shaded.
If this event is not right for you, please check out another Hangout. For events designed specifically for working-age RVers, with most scheduled activities in the evenings and on weekends, try an Xscapers Convergence. Or, for more of an all-inclusive, guided-tour experience, you may prefer one of our HOPs.


Disclaimers
By registering for this Hangout, you are representing and agreeing to the following:
You are physically capable of participating in the event.
Your recreational vehicle, other vehicles, and any other equipment you may use to participate in the event will be in working condition.
You will observe all applicable laws (including obtaining relevant licenses) and event rules and will conduct yourself in a safe and prudent manner while participating in the event.
Although volunteers may be directing and assisting you to your parking area, it is the driver of the vehicle who is ultimately responsible for avoiding obstacles or dangerous situations and is solely responsible for any damage to your property or the property of others.
You accept and assume all risks arising from participation in the event and waive and release all claims against Escapees, Harvest Hosts Opco LLC or its affiliates relating to such participation.
You consent to receive medical treatment deemed necessary if you are injured or require medical attention during your participation in the event and agree that you are solely responsible for all related costs.
You grant your permission to be filmed, videotaped, audiotaped, or photographed and grant to Escapees full use thereof without compensation.
You will receive occasional email notifications of future Escapees events; however, you can opt out of these notifications at any time.
The above is only a summary. Please carefully read the full terms and conditions, assumption of risk, and waiver of claims agreement that will be provided to you during the registration process.


Cancellations
Should you need to cancel your registration, call Escapees Event Registration ASAP at ‭‭936-329-6499‬ between 8 am and 4 pm Central Time, Monday through Friday, or email registration@escapees.com.
Cancellations before 11:59pm Central Time on Friday July 11, 2025 are entitled to a full refund, minus a $50 administrative fee.
Cancellations before 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Monday, August 11, 2025 will receive a 50% refund.
No refunds will be given for cancellations made after 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Monday, August 11, 2025.
All ticket sales on and after Monday, August 11, 2025 are final.
If Escapees RV Club has to cancel the Hangout, you would receive a full refund of your registration fee.
This cancellation policy is firm. There are no exceptions.

After You Register

1
Email Confirmation
You will receive an Order Confirmation email from Showclix. Please scroll down and read it. Email registration@escapees.com or call Escapees Event Registration at ‭(936) 329-6499 with any registration concerns.
2
Event Facebook Group
After you register, please join the private Hangout group on Facebook (a link to this group will be in your confirmation email). We will use this Facebook group as our primary source of communication with Hangout attendees before and during the event.
3
Preparing for the Event
You will receive a pre-arrival email about 30 days prior to the Hangout’s start date with details to help you plan for the Hangout.


Travel Insurance
Things can happen; and we don’t want you to be even more disappointed by not receiving a refund.
We highly suggest you purchase travel insurance to protect your investment in this Hangout should you need to cancel. Insurance can also help cover unexpected illnesses, emergency medical and trip interruption expenses during the Hangout. If you or a family member has a pre-existing medical condition, consider purchasing trip cancellation or interruption insurance.