Alpine Peaks, Lakes and Waterfalls Thru Hike
Estes Park, CO
5.0 (32 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Point to Point Hike
- Diverse Mountain Scenery
- Historical Sites
- Alpine Lakes
- Summit Remote 13K Peak
- Wildlife & Wildflowers
- On & Off Trail Hiking
Description
This diverse Rocky Mountain National Park backpacking trip offers stunning mountain scenery, on and off trail hiking, visits to wonderful historical sites, cascading waterfalls, and summits a remote 13,000 foot peak. It quite literally has it all! It is also a point to point hike, which means all new scenery every day. And with ample opportunities for day hikes from our scenic campsites, and relaxation at alpine lakes, it is an action-packed but well balanced adventure. Whether you are a seasoned backpacker, just starting out, or somewhere in between, this trip is sure to offer something new for everyone!
$1775 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
On this trip we follow well-maintained trails with moderate distances and elevation gains while carrying multi-day backpacks. The day 3 ascent of Mummy Mountain (13,425 FT/ 4,090 M) is entirely off trail, consisting of steep terrain and occasional loose rocks but is with light day packs.
Hiking Distances:
3-7 mi
Backpack Weight:
35-45 lbs
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
1400 ft
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 35-45 lb backpack for 5-7 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Rocky Mountain National Park backpacking trip a solitude 3. You can expect to see more people at the beginning and end of the trip and fewer people on days 2, 3 and 4.
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
PRIVATE RATES FOR THIS TRIP
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 1.75
- 4 People: Rate x 1.25
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person
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ITINERARY
Day 1
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 20 minutes
- Hiking Distance: 3 miles + optional day hiking
- Elevation Gain: 1100 feet
Our Rocky Mountain backpacking adventure begins in Estes Park, CO with a short shuttle drive to our trailhead (8,550 Ft.). After breakfast and final pack fitting, we will hit start hiking. Our trail gradually gains elevation as we hike towards our campsite located 3 miles in from the trailhead. We will set up camp and enjoy lunch. Our campsite is located next to a gorgeous cascading stream. For those interested and if time allows, we can enjoy additional hiking today before returning to camp and our first backcountry dinner.
Day 2
- Hiking Distance: 4 miles + optional day hiking
- Elevation Gain: 1400 feet
After a scrumptious breakfast, we will dawn our packs and continue our trek. Our trail meanders through forests and meadows that give way to views of the surrounding mountain summits. Gradually gaining elevation, we will leave the day hikers behind us as we enter the Northern region of Rocky Mountain National Park. Here we’ll make camp for the next two nights near the shores of a stunning subalpine lake at 11,000 feet. After lunch, we have the option to explore more of the surrounding area or enjoy the lakes shore and mountain views.
Day 3
- Hiking Distance: 5 miles (all day hiking)
- Elevation Gain: 2800 feet
- Elevation Loss: 2800 feet
Today is perhaps the highlight of the trip, as we wake up with an alpine start to summit a 13,425 Ft. peak! A mountain that is seldom visited due to its remote location within the national park, climbing this peak makes for a great experience. We very often have the summit all to ourselves! Hiking with only daypacks, we will spend the majority of the day off trail and above tree line. It is a rewarding summit offering stunning views of the Continental Divide and the distant Longs Peak (14,259 ft). Many Colorado Wildland Trekking guides refer to this mountain as being their favorite summit in Rocky Mountain National Park. After the hike, we will spend the remainder of the day relaxing in or near camp before sitting down for a celebratory backcountry feast.
Day 4
- Hiking Distance: 7 miles
- Elevation Loss: 3000 feet
Today is all downhill to the next campsite. After a fulfilling breakfast, we have our longest hike of the trip at a distance of 7 miles through a stunning canyon forest. After a final, celebratory backcountry dinner, we spend our last night under the stars in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.
Day 5
- Hiking Distance: 5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 700 feet
- Elevation Loss: 1000 feet
- Shuttle back to Estes Park: 30 minutes
With no reason to rush, we can sleep in and enjoy our last hearty breakfast before hitting the trail. Today is our shortest and easiest day. After packing camp, we will day hike to a gorgeous cascading waterfall located one mile from camp. We will then head back to camp and hike out to our exit all downhill. At the Trailhead, we will meet our pick-up driver for a short shuttle back to Estes Park. We will have lunch, unpack our gear, and say goodbyes to conclude our amazing adventure.
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.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
- High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use) – or bring your own.
- Use of trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- 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.
- Entrance fees and national park permits
- Transportation for the duration of the trip beginning and ending in Estes Park, CO
- Bear cannisters for food storage
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
- Sierra Designs, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware synthetic-fill sleeping bags (or bring your own)
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Bear cannisters
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own down sleeping bag, there are multiple benefits. If not, we’ve got you covered!
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
You will meet your guide and group in Estes Park, Colorado at the Estes Park Mountain Shop (2050 Big Thompson Ave) at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins for an orientation meeting. Your guide will be in contact approximately 2 weeks before your trip to answer any questions you have, provide you with more details about your exact trip, and coordinate the rendezvous.
We recommend guests arrive in Estes Park (or another nearby location that is 7500′ or higher) 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.
Travel to Estes Park, Colorado
All Rocky Mountain National Park trips begin and end from Estes Park, Colorado. Estes Park does not have an airport. The most convenient airport is Denver International Airport (DIA), which is served by most major airlines and is an inexpensive airport to fly into. From DIA one can take a shuttle or rent a car to reach Estes Park. It is a 1.5-hour drive from DIA to Estes Park on good roads.
Denver to Estes Park Shuttles
Estes Park Shuttle: 970-586-5151
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 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.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Weather in the Colorado Rockies
Being a high mountain environment, the Rocky Mountains are prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in Colorado’s high country. On trips in June, snow is a slight possibility, and the rest of the summer rain is always a possibility on your trip. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | |||
|
Month
|
High / Low
|
||
|
June
|
71°
|
48°
|
|
|
July
|
79°
|
55°
|
|
|
August
|
78°
|
53°
|
|
|
September
|
69°
|
45°
|
|
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 Reviews
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Darcy B
This experience was one of the highlights of my year.
Wildland is fantastic - I have nothing but good things to say about their support staff, the guide I had on my last trip, and the end-to-end customer experience.
Courtney T
Top Notch
My sister and I did this together, and we both had an amazing time! The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. This is a challenging hike though - make sure you prepare appropriately! Tamera was an amazing guide, and her food was top notch. Our water filling parties by Lawn lake were the best (if you know, you know). We had an amazing time and would definitely recommend this trip!
Thomas D
Everything and more of what I was hoping for.
I did my first trip with Wildland in March of this year in the Smokey mountains and had a great experience so I booked this one for the last of August and it was amazing!!! Our guide, Tamara, was very knowledgeable and it went off without any problems. Amazing views, great meals and a great group to hike with!!!
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