Chasm Lake Private Hike
Estes Park, CO
5.0 (4 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Views of Longs Peak
- Breathtaking Mountain Cirque
- Stunning Alpine Lake
- Top-shelf Backpack & Trekking Poles
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
- Tasty Trail Snacks & Picnic Lunch
Description
Chasm Lake is a stunning alpine body of water at the base of the Rocky Mountain National Park‘s most famous summit, Longs Peak (14,259 feet). More specifically the lake lies in the bottom of a cirque below the 2400-foot-tall, east-facing cliff (“Diamond”) that protects Longs Peak’s lower flanks. Because of Chasm Lake’s views of The Diamond, Longs Peak, Mount Lady Washington (13,281 feet), and Mount Meeker (13,911 feet), it is regarded as one of the most breathtaking destinations in the Park.
The hike to Chasm Lake takes us through dense spruce-fir forests into subalpine stands and finally the big views, stunted trees and scree fields of Colorado’s famous alpine mountains. We pass views of distant peaks and waterfalls before finally arriving at the shores of Chasm Lake.
(Important: We run hikes in almost all weather conditions and very rarely cancel. See our terms and conditions for information on cancellations and refunds.)
$115-$525 Per Person
Season: July-Oct
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This hike follows a very steep out and back trail, necessitating scrambling over boulders the final stretch to the lake. This hike requires starting before or at sunrise. It is a challenging hike in terms of distance, elevation gain/loss and terrain but rewards with phenomenal scenery.
Hiking Distances:
8.5 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
2500 ft
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 6-8 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
- Covering 2500 feet of elevation gain and loss (5,000 feet of elevation change total) over 8.5 miles
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
- Level 1: around other hikers the entire time
- Level 2: around other hikers most of the time
- Level 3: around other hikers some of the time
- Level 4: see a couple other groups during the hike
- Level 5: most likely to have the trail to ourselves
Learn About Our Private Trips
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Rates
- 1 person: $525
- 2 people: $275 per person
- 3 people: $245 per person
- 4-5 people: $205 per person
- 6-7 people: $175 per person
- 8-10 people: $115 per person
- 10 and younger: $135 per person
Private day hike tours are only open to your party.
*Prices do not include guide gratuity
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.
The listed dates reflect general availability for Rocky Mountain National Park day hike tours. You will select your exact hike during the registration process. The season for this hike is July-October.
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
- 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.
- A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you’d like, and as is possible in a day
- Transportation to the trailhead and back (originating/ending in Estes Park)
- National park entrance fee
- Trail snacks and a picnic lunch
- Use of a top of the line, technical day pack
- Use of trekking poles
What's Not Included
- Clothing and personal items
- Water (2 liters capacity)
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Food: What To Expect
Day hike tours include energizing trail snacks and a delicious picnic lunch. Your guide will customize the food for your hike, but a typical lunch consists of gourmet sandwiches or wraps, fruit, veggies, chips, drinks and a dessert. On wintery or cold days you may be treated to soup or a hot, freshly cooked lunch (if you’d prefer a hot meal, please let us know!)
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.
Trip Logistics
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Estes Park by 7am or earlier the morning of your hike. If you are traveling into town the day of the tour, you will meet at the Estes Park Mountain Shop – 2050 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO.
Tours hiking above the tree line or attempting mountain summits will begin before sunrise. An early start is essential for safety to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.
Your guide will contact you approximately one week before your hike to coordinate the exact time and location of your rendezvous in Estes Park, as it may also be affected by weather forecasts.
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:
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval 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° |
| October | 61° | 38° |
Trip Reviews
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Ishwari V
Fabulous!
Savannah was an excellent guide. She was patient, very competent and made our entire experience of hiking to Chasm lake a fabulous one!! Thank you!
Karyn R.
AMAZING Day
We had an AMAZING day with Floyd on our hike to Chasm Lake. We lucked out with beautiful weather, blue skies and the smoke subsided that day, so our views were incredible! Floyd was a great guide! Taught us about different wildlife, history of the area (avalanche and flooding), weather, hiking tips, and some great hiking stories! Not only that but he packed us a wonderful lunch full of goodies and we all sat on the best rock at the lake for our lunch. We were big into taking pics and Floyd was also a great photographer. We had a great hike and can't wait to head west again for more hiking.
Peggy R.
Amazing Guide!
Our guide Hayley was amazing! She was very communicative before the trip and answered all of our questions. During the trip she was very informative, personable (we loved hearing all of her stories!) and helped set the pace so we wouldn't burn out at the end. Her lunch and snack selections were spot on. Without Hayley's guidance, we likely wouldn't have made it to Chasm Lake, but she helped us accomplish our hiking goals. Thank you Hayley!
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