Continental Divide Summits Private Hike
Estes Park, CO
5.0 (2 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Climb Prominent Peak
- Alpine Lakes & Cirques
- Breathtaking Views
- Top-shelf Backpack & Trekking Poles
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
- Tasty Trail Snacks & Picnic Lunch
Description
The Continental Divide Trail is one of three mega long scenic trails in the United States. It extends 3,100 miles from the Canada to Mexico, and for one stretch winds through the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. This tour hikes one of the most stunning sections of the Continental Divide Trail above 12,000 feet. Along the way we’ll have the opportunity to summit multiple peaks including; Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak!
An early start from Bear Lake Trailhead is essential to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. The trail gradually gains elevation as we hike through dense forests of aspen and spruce trees. We’ll be close to treeline as the sun rises, taking a break to enjoy the magnificent views- of alpine lakes and streams below us.
The trail eases as we gain the summit of the aptly named Flattop Mountain (12,324 ft.) and joins the Continental Divide Trail. While this is an accomplishment already, going the extra distance to achieve Hallett Peak (12,713 ft.) is well worth the effort. Its summit rewards with enthralling views of Longs Peak and distant mountain ranges. Always keeping an eye on the weather, we will head back the way we came stopping for lunch in route to Bear Lake.
Safe weather permitting, your guide is willing to help you achieve your goals and desires.
(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-Sept
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 4
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This hike is a very steep out and back hike on well-maintained trails leading to the summits of Flattop Mountain (12,329 FT/ 3,757 M) and Hallet Peak (12,717 FT/ 3,877M). This hike requires starting before or at sunrise.
Hiking Distances:
9 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Lightly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
2840 ft
Heights Exposure:
None
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 6-8 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on lightly rugged terrain
- Ascending and descending nearly 3,000 feet over 9 miles
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
- 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
View Private TripsRates
- 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-September.
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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Liz B
Looking forward to booking again!
Everybody was so helpful is rearranging our trip so many times...booked in 2019 for 2020 but didn`t get there until 2022! We are in the UK but responses to emails were quick and all our questions were answered promptly. Savannah was so helpful when my partner unexpectedly suffered altitude sickness. Looking forward to booking again!
Kim R.
Enjoyed This Immensely
Loved our hike!! Floyd is a great guide. Our family all enjoyed it immensely. Lunch was excellent. Would love to do more. Thank you!
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