Mummy Range Trek
Estes Park, CO
5.0 (9 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Remote Off Trail Hiking
- River Headwaters
- Alpine Traverse Over 11,000'
- Waterfalls, Alpine Lakes & Wildlife
- Secluded Camps Far from Trailheads
- Point to Point Thru-hike
- Amazing Mountain Views
Description
Please Note: This trip was affected by the 2020 wildfires in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Park Service has not indicated yet whether this area will be open in 2021, or what condition it will be in. For the time being, we are not adding 2021 reservations for this trip. We heartily recommend our Rocky Mountain High Alpine Adventure, Longs Peak Loop Trek, and the Alpine Peaks, Lakes & Waterfalls Thru-hike as excellent alternatives!
The Mummy Range of Rocky Mountain National Park is a seldom visited wilderness treasure. Off the beaten path and high in the mountains is where you will tread on our Mummy Range backpacking trip! This mountain adventure is five days long and four nights of Rocky Mountain tranquility. Not to be taken lightly, this is one of our more challenging hikes as it includes longer trail mileage, as well as both on- and off-trail travel. It rewards with sweeping views, potential wildlife viewing, pristine camps and scenery, and overall unforgettable trekking!
We’ll start in a broad river valley and climb to higher elevations as we cross the Tundra fields of the high Mummy Range on Day 3. We will trek through quiet forests of lodgepole pine, past pristine mountain lakes, high altitude snowfields and over the rugged alpine tundra above tree line at 11,400 feet. This is a beautiful and remote corner of Rocky Mountain National Park and the solitude here is unmatched. Don’t be surprised to see vast elk herds or if a moose happens to walk into camp while your guides are cooking up dinner one night!
$1635 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 4
Our difficulty ratings are based on a scale of 1-5, tours with a rating of 1 being least difficult, tours with a rating of 5 being most difficult
- Backpack Weight:
- 35-45 pounds
- Daily Hiking Distances:
- 6-10 miles
- Most Elevation Loss:
- 2750 feet
- Most Elevation Gain:
- 1250 feet
- Quality of Trails:
- Well maintained and off trail
- Additional:
- One full day of this trip is rugged and off trail. Over all, you can expect a diversity of hiking terrain including trails, alpine meadows, dense forests, potential snow fields, and talus slopes. Our high point is over 11,000 feet. We recommend arriving in Estes Park a day or two early to acclimatize.
Participants should:
- be active and healthy
- exercise vigorously several times per week
- be comfortable hiking, biking, running, or swimming for several hours without many breaks
SOLITUDE LEVEL 4
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Rock Mountain National Park backpacking trip a solitude 4. Once we’re well into the backcountry, you can expect to see no more than a group or two of other hikers per day.
Travel to Estes Park
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.
Estes Park Shuttle: 970-586-5151
SuperShuttle: 970-482-0505
Private Trips
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
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsTRIP ITINERARY
DAY 1
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 1-hour drive
- Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
- Elevation Loss: 500 feet
We’ll begin this Rocky Mountain National Park backpacking trip from a trailhead off of Old Fall River Road, the original road over the Continental Divide. Our drive winds us up steep mountain passes to where we’ll begin hiking at Chapin Pass Trailhead. Our first day of hiking is a great warm-up and features stunningly beautiful valley hiking. The high mountains are all around us as we wind our way through tall grass meadows and deep forests along Chapin Creek. We then follow the Cache La Poudre River to our camp at its junction with Hague Creek.
DAY 2
- Hiking Mileage: 2.6 miles (plus optional day hike)
- Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet each way
Today’s a short day that will take us into the high country. After a hearty breakfast and relaxing morning, we’ll set off to our next camp, which is at an elevation of nearly 11,000 feet. Our hike stays in the trees until we reach our destination, which is at the edge of treeline. We’ll set up camp, eat lunch, and then hike to Mirror Lake (3 miles roundtrip), which is a beautiful mountain lake sitting in a classic Rocky Mountain cirque. That evening we’ll enjoy a big dinner and relaxing evening before turning in.
DAY 3
- Hiking Mileage: 9 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet
Day 3 is the gem and the crux of this trip. We’ll get a very early start and be hiking before sunup, as most of today’s journey is above treeline, and we must be back down before the thunderstorms roll in. We’ll hike on-trail up to Mummy Pass (11,300 feet), but from here we’ll be hiking off-trail across some truly breathtaking high country dotted with alpine lakes and glaciers! We’ll ascend Skull Point (12,026 feet) and Sugarloaf Mountain (12,101 feet) before joining with another trail and following it to camp. All in all, we’re going to cover over 4 miles off trail and above treeline, soaking up some of the most amazing views you’ve ever seen! Tonight’s camp is a welcome refuge where we’ll enjoy a huge dinner.
DAY 4
- Hiking Mileage: 7 miles
- Elevation Loss: 1,800 feet
Awaking to another morning in the mountains, we will enjoy a leisurely breakfast as the trail is mainly downhill from here out. After packing camp, we have a 4 mile hike along the Thompson River to our next campsite. Shortly after camp we will pass by the tumbling white water of Lost Falls. A little further we will stop and take time to hike to Lost Lake. After our exploration we will continue on with our packs to camp. If there are no fire bans, we will bring our last evening to a close with a campfire under the starlight.
DAY 5
- Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
- Elevation Loss: 1,500 feet
We will enjoy our last morning in the wilderness, and begin our descent from the high country. Continuing down trail along the beautiful Thompson River Valley, 5 miles to the Dunraven Trailhead. The mountain peaks continue to surround us as we soak in the last of our time in the backcountry.
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
- A professional, knowledgeable, certified Rocky Mountain hiking guide
- 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 satellite phone
- You will receive a Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and kids to a lifetime discount of 10% off any Wildland Trekking hiking trip after your first one!
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Clothes, raingear and footwear
- 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, Kelty, 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)
WHAT GEAR TO BRING
We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. These items are two 1-liter water bottles per person and either a headlamp or flashlight per person. Basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent (where and when applicable), lip balm, and toiletries are also important.
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!
WHAT CLOTHES TO BRING
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with detailed guidance about what clothes to pack (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, and our recommended clothing system. A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are also required.
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.
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 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 CONSIDERATIONS
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. We’ve developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency, and most tours carry a satellite phone. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 888-804-3267 for more information.
GUIDES
Your tour will be led by a trained, experienced professional with a solid guiding background, years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
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.
GROUP SIZE AND AGE RESTRICTIONS
The standard group size on Rocky Mountain National Park backpacking trips is 6 guests and 1 guide. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 888-804-3267 and we’ll answer all your questions.
Age restrictions 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
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
Of course campsites vary tremendously 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 backpacking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Reviews
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Robert N.
A Great Time.
Guide was great well organized paid attention to individual needs and had great knowledge of area wildlife and mountain environment A great time for all of us thank you
Patrick N.
Terrific Service
Terriffic service, suppoort and our guide tammarra was awesome!
Kaesey G.
Exceptional Gear and Food
Tamara was an exceptional guide! She handed all the issues that arose on the trip with patience and firmness. Also, the food far exceeded my expectations. Oh, and the views were beautiful
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