Odessa Gorge Private Hike
Estes Park, CO
5.0 (8 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Stunning Alpine Lakes
- Jaw-dropping Mountain Views
- Top-shelf Backpack & Trekking Poles
- Rivers, Gorges & Peaks
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
- Tasty Trail Snacks & Picnic Lunch
Description
This great point-to-point hike takes us from Bear Lake into the lake-strewn canyon of Odessa Gorge and the Fern Lake drainage beyond. In just over a nine mile hike, much of which is gentle downhill, we’ll find ourselves in a world of mountain spires and alpine lakes beneath them. We’ll take in views of the Little Matterhorn,The Gable, Notchtop and Knobtop mountains, all near 12,000 feet or higher, as we make our way on this one-way route through the glacially carved canyon.
We’ll enjoy a great lunch along the way, we’ll have time for rest and reflection at any number of alpine lakes we pass, and we’ll enjoy a long and gradual descent for much of our journey – with a handful of steep sections just to keep us on our toes!
Fern Falls flows in an elegant free-fall some 60 feet at 6.6 miles or so, and from there we enter the canyon of the Big Thompson River, past Arch Rocks, and The Pool to the Fern Lake Trailhead and our waiting shuttle back to Estes Park.
Come join us for this top-to-bottom canyon journey, with lunch, snacks, and expert guides all included!
(Important: We run hikes in almost all weather conditions and very rarely cancel. See our terms and conditions for information on cancellations and refunds.)
Please Note: This hike travels through a section that was impacted by the 2020 East Troublesome Fire.
$115-$525 Per Person
Season: July-Oct
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This point-to-point hike follows well-maintained trails with large steps, and ascends 1700 feet before going mainly downhill for over 3000 feet. June and July may require crossing snow patches requiring use of Micro Spikes.
Hiking Distances:
9 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
+1724 / -3064 ft
Heights Exposure:
Moderate
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 with possible snowy/icy sections
- Ascending 1700 feet, then descending over 3000 feet
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
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Rates
- 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 – October.
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
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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Jane K
I highly recommend!
We had a great time on the Glacier Gorge and Odessa Gorge hike. Our guide Savannah was very experienced, knowledgeable and personable. She made our hike lots of fun and memorable. My husband and I had a wonderful time hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park with Wildland Trekking. I highly recommend!
Scott G.
Great Hike
Great hike. The trail was challenging but worth it. Going to Lake Helene and getting our feet wet was awesome. The scenery was amazing. . .
Jerome G.
Outstanding Guide
Zion was an outstanding guide. Knew the territory very well and was very professional throughout the day. A great conversationalist and focused on the client at all times.
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