Thunder Lake Llama Adventure
Estes Park, CO
4.7 (3 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Camp Near Mountain Lake
- High Country Day Hikes
- Hike with Light Daypacks
- Stunning Mountain Scenery
- Hike and Bond with Llamas
- Hike to the Continental Divide
- Waterfalls
- Guides Choice Trip
Description
This llama-supported backcountry trip takes us to the shores of Thunder Lake in the amazing Wild Basin region of Rocky Mountain National Park. Llamas transport our supplies to our campsite where we will settle in for the trip, allowing us to hike with day packs while enjoying a thoroughly authentic backcountry experience. On the final day, the llamas will pack out all the heavy camping gear for us, completing the trip. Our camp is in a Spruce-Fir forest looking down on the clear mountain waters of Thunder Lake, which sits at the bottom of a cirque framed by giant peaks like Tanima Peak (12,420 ft), Chief’s Head (13,579 ft) and Mount Alice (13,310 ft). On day hikes from camp we’ll ascend into the high country above Thunder Lake, which features stunning waterfalls as well as iconic hiking on classic Rocky Mountain ridges and peaks. On the third day we’ll head off trail, making our way up North St. Vrain Creek, past an amazing waterfall, to Eagle Lake and the Moomaw Glacier. The mix of waterfalls, alpine creeks and lakes, and towering mountains make this one of our most popular Colorado trips!
This trip is operated by Wildland Llamas, an authorized backpacking and llama outfitter in Rocky Mountain National Park.
$1895 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
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:
- 10-15 pounds
- Daily Hiking Distances:
- 5-7 miles
- Most Elevation Loss:
- 2250 feet
- Most Elevation Gain:
- 2250 feet
- Quality of Trails:
- Well maintained and off trail
- Additional:
- This trip follows well-maintained trails to our camp near Thunder Lake. From there, our hiking follows wildlife trails and off-trail routes that can be relatively rugged.
Participants should:
- be active and healthy
- exercise several times per week
- be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles per day in hilly or mountainous terrain
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Colorado llama trek a solitude #. You can expect several hours of solitude at a time.
Learn More about our Rating SystemTravel 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
Traveling in perfect company is a wonderful thing! With our private trip offerings you can book a trip exclusively for your group. Whether it’s with family, friends or colleagues, private trips are a fun and enriching way to explore the outdoors.
Private trip pricing is based on a sliding scale, depending on the number of people in your party. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax and national park fees (where applicable) or guide gratuity. Give us a call at 800-715-HIKE to get the ball rolling!
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2
- 3 People: Rate x 1.3
- 4 People: Rate x 1.1
- 5+ People: Rate x 1
*all rates are per person
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsITINERARY
Day 1
- Hiking Distance: 6.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2250 feet
We begin this Colorado hiking trip with a beautiful drive from Estes Park to our Wild Basin trailhead where we will pack up and complete a llama orientation. Then we’ll hit the trail! After less than an hour of hiking we come to Copeland Falls, a mesmerizing cascade along North St. Vrain Creek. The rest of today’s hike continues up North St. Vrain Creek, eventually bringing us to the shores of Thunder Lake. Our camp is a short distance from the lake, with breathtaking views into the mountain cirque above the lake and the high country’s snow-capped peaks. After a wonderful first night’s dinner and a Rocky Mountain sunset, we’ll settle in for a peaceful night’s rest.
Day 2
- Hiking Distance: 6+ miles
- Elevation Gain: 1500 feet
- Elevation Loss: 1500 feet
Today we’ll enjoy a leisurely morning and feast of a breakfast before setting off on our day hike. Leaving our llama friends in camp, we’ll head out for a day of hiking and exploring in the higher mountains. We’ll start by heading west from camp through wildflower-laden meadows and pristine subalpine forests to the spine of the Rocky Mountains, the Continental Divide. A few hundred feet below the Divide, with permanent snow surrounding its shores, Lake of Many Winds offers us a perfect spot for a break, with breathtaking views of Longs Peak, the entire Wild Basin drainage, and of the plains of the Front Range extending east from the foothills. We’ll traverse around the lake and up to the Divide for a picnic lunch in front of one of the most dramatic panoramas you’ve ever seen. Eventually we’ll return to camp for a relaxing evening and another delicious backcountry dinner.
Day 3
- Elevation Gain: 1250 feet
- Elevation Loss: 1250 feet
Today after breakfast we again leave our llama friends in camp and hike off trail up a pristine mountain creek. We’ll take a break at Martensia Falls, a very tall, sheer waterfall that plunges through a narrow chasm in the towering cliffs above us. Today’s destinations are Box Lake and Eagle Lake, two remote, beautiful alpine lakes below the Continental Divide. Surrounded by boulder fields, scree and meadows, this place is one you won’t want to leave! We’ll sit down for a picnic lunch near one of the lakes and take plenty of time to soak up the magic of where we are. Eventually we’ll head back to camp for a celebratory final dinner and our last night in the backcountry.
Day 4
- Elevation Loss: 2250 feet
- Shuttle to Estes Park: 30 minutes
No rush today! We’ll take our time breaking down camp, then load up the llamas, shoulder our light packs, and begin our descent back to the trailhead. We’ll enjoy an alternative route back that takes us along Ouzel Creek to two different waterfalls we didn’t see on our way in. At our trailhead we’ll pack up the gear, say goodbye to the llamas and shuttle you back to Estes Park for much deserved showers and relaxation. What a week it’s been!
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary park restrictions, campsite availability, weather, road closures, guest ability/injury, and natural events like fires and flooding.
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
- Pack llamas to transport the majority of gear and food
- One or more professional, knowledgeable, certified Colorado hiking guides
- 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
- Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Estes Park, Colorado to the trailhead and back
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and satellite phone
- You will receive a Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and your 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 (Oboz hiking shoes and boots recommended)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Waterbottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-15% 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 or Mountain Hardware 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
- Mountain Safety Research cooking stoves
- Mountain Safety Research cookware
- Bear spray cannisters and food-hanging gear
- 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 waterbottles per person, either a headlamp or flashlight per person, and a lightweight waterproof stuff sac for your clothes and belongings. Basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent (where and when applicable), lip balm, and toiletries are also important. All of these items are available online at Wildland Trekking Outfitters.
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. All of these items are available online at Wildland Trekking Outfitters.
Trip Logistics
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 6 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 Wyoming 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 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) 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, training in llama-handling, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
Group Size
This trip has a max group size of 5 guests. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 800-715-HIKE (4453) and we’ll answer all your questions.
Weather in the Colorado Rockies
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 trekking 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 llama trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Reviews
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Gail F.
Exquisite Scenery
The scenery was truly exquisite, and Hayley and Zion were excellent guides! I think Wildland Trekking is a very professional outfit, I felt totally safe. I would definitely recommend this company to others!
Sharene M.
Awesome trip
Thanks to Hayley, Zion and "The Boys" for providing the support necessary to allow us to do this trip. It was awesome.
Deanna A.
Beautiful Area!
Thunder Lake is a beautiful area! Tamara and Haley were great guides and great cooks too! I felt safe and Tamara encouraged us to hike up to some other beautiful lakes. Challenging but fun. Another great trip with Wildland!! #6 Tamara and Haley had our safety as a priority and allowed us several needed breaks on the first day especially. They are great cooks and had good variety of foods. Tamara encouraged us on our day hikes as we got up higher so we could see some beautiful sites! Haley is great with the llamas and made sure they were well cared for. We enjoyed the trip, maybe a little harder than expected, but I could of trained more too.
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