Thunder Lake
Guided Backpacking Trips
4 Days, 3 Nights 22MI / 35KM
Trip Highlights
Thunder Lake sits at the top of Wild Basin, one of the most stunning and lesser-visited cirques in Rocky Mountain National Park. This backpacking trip takes us to the shores of Thunder Lake, and then far beyond it into some remote and truly magnificent high country. With a basecamp near Thunder Lake, we venture high into the alpine peaks, hanging valleys, hidden cirques of the Continental Divide for an unforgettable 4-day adventure!
We’ll set up camp in a forest above Thunder Lake surrounded by giant peaks like Tanima Peak (12,420 ft), Chief’s Head (13,579 ft) and Mount Alice (13,310 ft). On day hiking excursions, we’ll climb into the high country above Thunder Lake, which features several beautiful waterfalls as well as signature hiking on classic Rocky Mountain ridges and peaks. The combination of waterfalls, alpine lakes and stunning scenery make these truly unforgettable days in the high country! Come experience an unforgettable Colorado backpacking adventure!
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Waterfalls & Mountain Lakes
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Stunning Alpine Hiking
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Camp near Thunder Lake
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Mountain Solitude
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Gain Elevation of 12,000+ Feet
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Breathtaking Mountain Views
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Abundant Wildlife Habitat
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
4 Days, 3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
5-7 mi -
Group Size
1-6 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle to trailhead: 30 minutes
Hiking Mileage: 6.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,250 feet
This Rocky Mountain National Park backpacking trip starts with a scenic drive from Estes Park to our trailhead. After doing a final fit with the backpacks we begin our hike. In the first two miles we hike past Copeland Falls – a beautiful cascade along North St. Vrain Creek. The remainder of our trek continues up North St. Vrain Creek to our camp at Thunder Lake. We’ll camp a short distance from the lake, next to a serene meadow with breathtaking views into the high country’s snow-capped peaks. After a tasty dinner and a stunning sunset we’ll settle in for the night.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 6+ miles day hiking
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1500 feet
After a relaxing morning and hearty breakfast we’ll depart with light backpacks for a day of hiking and exploring in the higher mountains. We’ll hike west through an alpine basin thick with thousands of wildflowers and up an alpine lake perched near the Continental Divide. We’ll hike around the lake and (for those who want an additional challenge) up to the pass for views into the lush, western side of Rocky Mountain National Park. If the group is really ambitious, we can continue on for a summit attempt of Tanima Peak (12,420 Ft.)
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 5+ miles
Elevation Loss/Gain: 1,250+ feet
Day 3 is often remembered as the highlight of this trip. After breakfast we begin our hike off trail up the South Fork of North St. Vrain Creek. After traversing into the valley we’ll come to Mertensia Falls, a waterfall that thunders down through a steep drainage. As we continue hiking up the valley we arrive at Box and Eagle Lakes, which reside below the Continental Divide. Wildflowers are abundant throughout this entire hike, as are opportunities to see marmot, pikas and bighorn sheep. We’ll eat lunch with a view before turning back and making our way to camp.
Final Day
Hiking Mileage: 6.8 miles
Elevation Loss: 2,250 feet
Shuttle to Estes Park: 30 minutes
After a relaxing morning and a big breakfast we’ll break camp and begin our hike back to the trailhead. We’ll hike a slightly different trail on the way back that takes us along Ouzel Creek, past Ouzel Falls and Calypso Cascades, both Rocky Mountain water features well worth seeing. Ouzel Falls is a sheer waterfall about 50 feet high, and Calypso Cascades is a beautiful stretch of tumbling water in a thick Lodgepole Pine forest. Our arrival at Wild Basin Trailhead marks the end of our backpacking trip; after a short shuttle ride back to Estes Park we’ll drop you off at your hotel where warm showers await you!
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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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.
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Entrance fees and national park permits
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Transportation for the duration of the trip beginning and ending in Estes Park, CO
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Bear cannisters for food storage
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
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 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
Campsites vary 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 trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
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.
We recommend guests arrive in Estes Park (or another nearby location that is 7500′ or higher) 1-2 days before your trip starts. This will help you acclimatize to the higher elevation, and make for a more enjoyable experience during your tour. This is especially important if you have never been to higher altitude, or are flying in from sea level.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Estes Park, Colorado
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.
Denver to Estes Park Shuttles
Estes Park Shuttle: 970-586-5151
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 5 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 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:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Kenny K
1 year agoA Great Hiking Experience
This was my second trip with Wildland trekking and again a great experience,our guide Conor was great, had all details down to a science,made everyone comfortable and part of the experience,no matter what your hiking experience was,great food,I highly recommend if you’re looking for a great hiking experience
Jon P
1 year agoThis was an amazing trip!
This was one of the best trips, with the most exquisite views I have ever taken. Day 1 is just a beating of a hike, but it allows you to get a great nights sleep in preparation for the next few days. Our guide for this trip, Tamera, was so amazing and full of information. We asked a wide range of questions and she was able to answer almost all of our questions. Our group had a mix of abilities and Tamera was able to ensure we all had the greatest experience possible. I think she was Mother Nature reincarnated. She would schedule our arrival back to base camp just as the sky let loose with a torrential rainfall every day. Not once did we get caught up in a rainstorm outside of base camp.
Vanessa C
1 year agoFirst backpacking trip - will not be the last
First time backpacking and I am so glad I chose Wildland and was so lucky to have Sean & Leah as our guides for this trip at RMNP. I was initially nervous about the weight of the pack + the elevation increase on the first day since I was coming from sea level. Drinking a ton of water prior to the trip and during was key as well as having such experienced , knowledgeable and fun guides helped so much. Both were great about checking in, encouraging and staying positive, pushing us when needed. Anyone who gets to trek with them is lucky, I can't stress that enough! They were so so helpful , patient and fun to share this experience with!! The food was wonderful - great creative meals. I probably ate better & healthier during this trip than at home. Thanks chef(s) I will recommend taking the training description seriously as there was some strenuous bits of some of the hikes- I could have spent more time training with heavier packs, but either way our group got through it and even if I was dead tired each evening, it was an amazing sense of accomplishment to get through the trip (with our guides help!) I really loved this experience , particularly being so detached from regular real world stresses - no phone service and just focusing on the present and what's in front of you is a beautiful experience in a beautiful place. I am already plotting my next Wildland trip!!
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