About Us

A life-changing retreat in the mountains.

We offer an enriching weekend of exploration, connection, restoration and reflection. Our Guided hikes connect you with nature to climb mountains, hear meadowlarks, touch cascading waterfalls and experience sunsets.

Watch our video to see what Larkspur Retreat has to offer.

Our Mission

Larkspur Retreat is a provider of hiking, yoga and wellness retreats that connects you to nature, helps you discover new trails and form new friendships. We believe that sharing a hike, sunset or communal dinner strengthens social bonds and creates lasting memories. Spending time in nature has numerous benefits, including reduced stress, improved mood, enhanced creativity, and increased physical well-being. Are you ready to explore, connect, and restore to thrive when you return home?

Kristen Poggensee

Larkspur Retreat Founder

Our Beginnings

It all began with a passion project to detach from my corporate life and share my love for nature and hiking. In Colorado our backyard is the ideal playground to escape from the stress of everyday life. Hiking offers many physical and emotional benefits. Simply put hiking makes you happy! I have completed Chicago Marathons, run numerous half marathons in Grand Tetons, New Mexico, Texas, IL, UT, CO and a 7-day trail race in New Zealand! I have hiked fourteeners in Colorado and trails in Africa, Costa Rica, Europe, and South America.

“Larkspur Retreat is an incredible opportunity for women seeking a holistic experience! Kristen’s blend of fitness expertise, love for nature, and emphasis on building a supportive community creates an environment where participants can truly rejuvenate and grow. Whether you’re looking to deepen your fitness practice, connect with like-minded individuals, or simply immerse yourself in beautiful surroundings, Larkspur Retreat is the perfect choice. 5 stars.

~ Meg M.

Our Team


Kristen Poggensee

Founder

@LarkspurRetreat

Kristen loves making health her hobby. Running has always been her therapy to relieve stress from everyday life. When she moved to Colorado in 2017, her road running spilled into the mountain trails. She likes to finish her trail race with a cartwheel at the finish line. Spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being. Kristen is a Certified Health Coach through the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute. As a Certified Health Coach and outdoor enthusiast, she plays a key role in helping others develop healthier lifestyles by sharing her expertise and supporting guests along their journey toward optimal health and a happier life.


Leda Olmsted

Yoga Instructor

Ledaolmsted.com

@LedaOlmsted

An adventurous spirit inspired by nature, Leda supports students in self-exploration through the dialogue of not just the body and breath, but also the conscious and unconscious self. She is known for her intelligently sequenced classes-often based upon the seasons and lunar phases, her energetic embodiment cues, and lighthearted presence. Her unique style is cultivated from over a decade of teaching and studying multiple linages of yoga. Most recently inspired by the practices of Katonah Yoga®, which intertwines fluid movement, Kundalini, Taoism, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She is most passionate about bringing students out into nature and inspiring a sense of empowerment through adventure. This had led to her teaching thousands of students the joyful practice of SUP yoga, as well as guiding many surf and yoga retreats. When she is not on her mat, you will most likely find her deepening her connection to nature either on a bike, a board, or the back of her horse.


Lizzy Donahue

Catering Manager

501Local.com

Lizzy manages 501 LOCAL restaurant in Winnetka, IL. She is best known for her customer service making every customer feel at home at this neighborhood bistro. She is passionate about serving high quality food and delivering a memorable, warm experience. Lizzy personally knows many of her customers as she grew up in Winnetka and her parents owned the restaurant at the same location named Elliot’s Pizza after her brother.


Cyndy Hinkelman-Smith

Artist

cyndyhinkelmansmith.com

@cyndyhinkelmansmith_art

Cyndy is a fine artist that has called the beautiful Boulder area her home since a very young age.  Influenced by time in nature & the outdoors growing up - camping, skiing, hiking - Cyndy is an outdoor girl at heart.  Hiking with her dogs, family & friends is her favorite outdoor activity.  She also enjoys time gardening, traveling, cooking & baking, yoga, and photography.  The magic of the natural world is often influential in the creation of her artwork & paintings including abstracts, landscape, aspen tree, floral, bird and animal paintings.  Meaningful poetry, lyrics, collage and images can frequently be found in her artwork.  Cyndy also facilitates Inspiration Board, Collage, and Playful Painting Workshops in her home studio.


Our Team In Action