Flat Tops Explorer
Denver or Rifle, CO
5.0 (1 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Alpine Lakes
- Ascend 2 Flat Tops Peaks
- High Plateaus & Alpine Tundra
- Mountain Solitude
- Creeks Tumbling from the High Country
- Abundant Wildlife Habitat
Description
Enjoy a challenging, isolated, and scenic experience in Colorado’s backcountry! The Flat Top Wilderness offers an escape from crowds, while showcasing landscapes worthy of being a national park. Known as the “Cradle of Wilderness,” the Flat Tops are said to have inspired Congress to create the Wilderness Act. It is Colorado’s second largest wilderness area consisting of 235,000 acres of alpine lakes, streams, peaks, and wildlife. This five-day backpacking trip is a fantastic choice for any individual aiming to explore vast amount of terrain in authentic wilderness. The Flat Tops Explorer follows a beautiful route around Trappers Lake, exploring the high plateau and alpine lakes. A combination of moving campsites and day hiking creates opportunities to view wildflowers, herds of elk, marmot, and lakes filled with Colorado Cutthroat Trout. Day 4 grants the chance to hike one of the tallest summits in the region, Trappers Peak (12,002 ft.). Returning to civilization will come far too soon after experiencing such beauty and adventure.
$1320 Per Person
$1215 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:
- 5-8 miles
- Most Elevation Loss:
- 1600 feet
- Most Elevation Gain:
- 1300 feet
- Quality of Trails:
- Lightly maintained
- Additional:
- This trip follows dirt and rock trails that are lightly maintained with multiple creek crossings. All Flat Tops trips require significant elevation gain the first day to reach the alpine plateau, and on the final day to descend back to the trailhead.
Participants should:
- be active and healthy
- regularly exercise vigorously
- 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 Colorado hike a solitude 4. You can expect to see a couple other groups of hikers per day.
Learn More about our Rating SystemIn 2021 our Flat Tops Wilderness backpacking trips originate in Denver on Day 1. We rendezvous at 1:00 PM at Union Station and shuttle 6 hours to the trailhead, where we camp overnight and begin our hike the next morning.
In 2022 and beyond our Flat Tops trips originate in Rifle, CO on the morning of Day 1, where we shuttle 2 hours and begin our hike the same day. Trips are one day shorter due to the much shorter drive times. The hikes themselves are the same length and duration.
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 Trips- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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