Glacier Gorge Private Hike
Estes Park, CO
4.9 (17 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Alpine Lakes & Views
- Wildlife & Wildflowers
- Stunning Waterfall
- Top-shelf Backpack & Trekking {oles
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
- Tasty Trail Snacks & Picnic Lunch
Description
The Glacier Gorge Hike takes us into the justifiably very popular Bear Lake – Glacier Gorge part of Rocky Mountain National Park. This area features mountain scenery that is as breathtaking and beautiful as any in the world, literally. Glacier Gorge is a sub-alpine valley that drains several high mountain cirques. Our hike is characterized by dense forests, meadows, waterfalls, alpine lakes, glaciers and mountain cirques.
Our hike takes us past Alberta Falls, a beautiful waterfall below treeline. We’ll continue up a timbered valley with a tumbling creek to Loch Vale, a mountain lake at over 10,000 feet ringed by granite cliffs. We’ll stop on the idyllic shores of Loch Vale and enjoy a picnic lunch. From here we have many options which include hiking to more lakes, continuing to views of glaciers, or returning back the way we came. Your guide will be ready to do whatever is going to make your day an unforgettable one!
(Important: We run hikes in almost all weather conditions and very rarely cancel. See our terms and conditions for information on cancellations and refunds.)
$145-$525 Per Person
Season: June-Oct
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
- Level 1: 2-6 miles, less than 500 feet elevation change on good trails
- Level 2: 3-8 miles, up to 2000 feet of elevation change on good trails
- Level 3: 4-10 miles, up to 3000 feet of elevation change on good to rugged trails
- Level 4: 4-12 miles, up to 4000 feet of elevation change on rugged trails or off trail
- Level 5: 6-16 miles, up to 5,500 feet of elevation change on rugged trails or off trail
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
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 Jun-Oct.
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
- A professional, knowledgeable, medically trained, friendly wilderness guide.
- 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 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 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, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
Group Size and Age Restrictions
The maximum group size on this hiking tour is 10 guests. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) and we’ll answer all your questions.
Age restrictions are as follows:
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
Weather in the Colorado Rockies
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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Felicia G.
Awesome Adventure
My friend and I had an awesome adventure with Patty in Rocky Mountain National Park! If you are weighing whether or not to book a tour with Patty, go ahead do it! You will be so glad you did. Patty has years of experience in the park and generously shared her stories and knowledge about the flora and fauna with us throughout the hike. My friend and I are both in moderate shape (not experienced hikers), and Patty patiently showed us how to use the hiking equipment she provided and answered every question we had. We came to RMNP looking for an adventure and an out-of-the-ordinary experience, and that's exactly what we had. Patty encouraged us to push ourselves in order to have a memorable experience, but she absolutely respected our boundaries when we encountered a tough part of the hike that was snow-covered and a little tricky. Thank you Patty for a wonderful visit!
Chen W.
Amazing Guide!
Patty is an amazing guide! She's super helpful, friendly and knowledge about the park. We loved getting to know her and hiking with her. Would definitely love to do a hike with her again in the future!
Natalie D.
GREAT Time!
My guide was knowledgable and shared on every practical occasion. Lunch was fabulous and healthy. I had a GREAT time!
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