Chinese Wall Loop
Guided Backpacking Trips
5 Days, 4 Nights 26MI / 42KM
Trip Highlights
A challenging, isolated, and scenic experience in Colorado’s backcountry! The Flat Top Wilderness offers an escape from crowds, while showcasing landscapes worthy of being a National Park. Known as the “Cradle of Wilderness,” the Flat Tops are said to have inspired Congress to create the Wilderness Act. It is Colorado’s second largest wilderness area consisting of 235,000 acres of alpine lakes, streams, peaks, and wildlife. This five-day backpacking trip is a fantastic choice for any individual aiming to explore vast amount of terrain in authentic wilderness.
The Chinese Wall Loop follows a one of a kind trail onto a breathtaking plateau above tree line. Truly the crown jewel of the Flat Tops, this hike spends four days hiking at altitude above 11,000 feet, offering phenomenal views and solitude. Experience camping in pristine locations, resulting in magnificent night skies. Returning to civilization will come all to soon after experiencing this awe-inspiring wilderness!
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3 Days Above Treeline
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Wildlife Habitat
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Flat Tops' Crown Jewel Trail
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High Plateaus & Alpine Tundra
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Spectacular Backcountry Campsite Locations
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Mountain Lakes
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Exceptional Service & Cuisine
Book This Trip
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
5 Days, 4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
5-7 miles -
Group Size
2-10 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip mainly follows dirt and rock trails that are lightly maintained. The plateau has long segments without any trail, consisting of uneven hiking terrain. Day 2 through Day 5 are spent above 11,000 FT/ 3,350 M above sea level.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle to Trailhead: 5 hours
For this amazing Colorado backpacking tour, you will meet your guide and group at Union Station in Denver, Colorado at 9:00 AM. Union Station is centrally located in downtown Denver, has light rail to and from the airport, provides nearby lodging and multiple dining options.
From Denver we will shuttle across the Rocky Mountains, stopping for a picnic lunch along the way. Once reaching our destination at a beautiful mountain lake, we will set up camp at an established campground at 9,600 feet. Your guide will distribute camping equipment, and food, as we prepare our packs for our journey. After a scrumptious dinner, if no fire ban is in place, we will light a fire while the sun sets and stars emerge.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 2000 feet
After a filling breakfast we’ll make our way to Trappers Outlet Trailhead. We will leave roads, cell service, and people behind and begin hiking South along the lakeshore. Our beginning leg of the journey may seem desolate as it is recovering from a forest fire in 2002. Signs of beauty emerge as wildflowers and young pine trees are quickly returning. After our first mile, the trail departs from the lake and gradually gains elevation to 11,300 feet.
Rising out of the valley onto the plateau, one can understand how this region earned the name Flat Tops. Once your guide locates a campsite, we will wrap up the evening with dinner. As the sun sets, expect to see the clearest night skies you may ever witness.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 650 feet
Waking to the fresh mountain air, we will have breakfast and pack our bags. We now begin hiking on the Chinese Wall Trail, known as the crown jewel of the Flat Tops. Above the tree line we hike in a seemingly endless meadow of alpine tundra offering stunning views of surrounding peaks and lakes. This is region is seldom visited, making the trail barely recognizable. Our destination is located near the highpoint of our mountain traverse.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 7 miles
Elevation Loss: 800 feet
Today’s hike will likely be the highlight of our journey, as we continue North along the rolling highlands. One can’t help being enthralled by the fascinating land formations along our trek. After our first mile we will drop packs to explore these unique landscapes. Before arriving at camp, we will have the opportunity to summit Lost Lake Peak (11,913 feet). We will make camp near an alpine lake, offering a fantastic view of our previous day’s journey.
Day 5
Hiking Mileage: 5.5 miles
Elevation Loss: 2600 feet
Shuttle to Denver: 5 hours
Waking to another spectacular sunrise, it may be difficult to leave the solitude and scenery. Today’s hike will feel like a breeze compared to what we have done. Making our way off the plateau, we soon enter a dense pine tree forest, offering a great opportunity to see wildlife. Arriving to the trailhead around lunchtime, we will take in the last moments of wilderness before our shuttle back to Denver. Anticipate returning to Union Station around 6pm.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Roundtrip transportation from Denver, Colorado to the trailhead and back
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Entrance fees and public lands permits
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear] -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
BACKCOUNTRY SLEEPING
Tent Camping
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
BACKCOUNTRY CUISINE
Fresh & Delicious
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
AMAZING CAMPSITES
In the Action
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
You will meet your guide and group at Union Station in downtown Denver, Colorado on Day 1 at 9:00 AM. Your guide will coordinate the rendezvous in their pre-trip communication. Other options are to meet the group in Silverthorne, CO (between 10 and 11 AM) or Trappers Lake, CO between 2 and 3 PM.
We recommend guests arrive in Denver 1-2 days before your trip starts. This will help you acclimatize to the higher elevation, and make for a more enjoyable experience during your tour. This is especially important if you have never been to higher altitude, or are flying in from sea level.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Start/End Times
Your trip officially starts at 9:00 AM on Day 1 with pick up in Denver. We will drop you off in Denver on the final day normally before 6:00 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 10 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
- specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Cristina S
1 year agoHidden Gem
Ellie was a wonderful guide in the Flattop Wilderness. This area is a hidden gem
Brady T
3 years agoWe will do it again!
Erin was incredible. Knowledgable, patient, kind, & a great cook! The trip was as advertised and everything was taken care of. We will do it again!
Nicholas C
4 years agoWorth Every Cent
Absolutely outstanding experience! This was our second trip with Wildland and both have been worth every cent. Locations are great, food is delicious and the knowledge of both guides we have had was invaluable. Cannot recommend Wildland enough!!!
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