Western Rockies Inn-based Tour at Grand Lake
Inn-Based Hiking Tours
5 Days, 4 Nights 34MI / 54KM
Trip Highlights
This premier hiking adventure offers adventurous guests the opportunity to explore the quiet side of Rocky Mountain National Park and the headwaters of the mighty Colorado River. The town of Grand Lake is a quaint mountain enclave on the shores of Colorado’s largest natural lake, and our home for four nights. Each day we head into Rocky Mountain National Park for unforgettable hikes to waterfalls, pristine mountain valleys, alpine vistas, crystal clear lakes and rivers, and more. You’ll learn about the amazing history of this area and get to know its ecosystem of plants and animals. Each evening we’ll return to our lodge overlooking the town of Grand Lake and the majestic peaks of the Rockies for delicious dinners and much-deserved relaxation.
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Breathtaking Scenery
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Quiet Side of the Rockies
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Headwaters of the Colorado River
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Unforgettable Hikes
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Premier Mountain Lodging
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Fascinating Natural & Cultural History
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Inn-Based Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
5 Days, 4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
4-8 mi -
Group Size
2-12 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This tour hikes on well-maintained trails, ranging from gradual to steep inclines.The difficulty of this trip (hiking distance and elevation change) may vary based on the group’s motivation level. Ratings reflect maximum hiking distances.
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: 20 minutes
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1500 feet
Shuttle to Grand Lake: 1.5 hours
This Rocky Mountain National Park hiking tour begins in Estes Park, where we drive to the famous Bear Lake/Glacier Gorge area of the Park. Our hike takes us past Alberta Falls, a beautiful cascading waterfall that plunges through a glacial-cut canyon. We’ll continue up to Mills Lake, for a picturesque lunch before heading back to the trailhead the way we came. This hike is an extraordinary day in one of the most stunning alpine cirques in the Continental United States.
Following our hike we’ll drive up and over Trail Ridge Road to the quieter west side of the Park, and check into our home for the next 4 nights: Grand Lake Lodge. After a chance to get settled and clean up, we’ll head into Grand Lake to walk around town, soak up views of the lake and mountains, and enjoy a delicious dinner in the mountains.
Day 2
Shuttle to trailhead: 30 minutes
Hiking Mileage: 7 miles
Elevation Loss/Gain: 600 feet
We’ll have a relaxing morning and breakfast before heading to today’s trailhead. Our hike today meanders along the head waters of the Colorado River in a secluded valley with vast beautiful meadows. This is a prime location for wildlife sightings of moose, elk, and deer. We’ll break for lunch at Lulu City, a historical mining site abandoned in 1885. On our way back we’ll be able to enjoy a dramatic, bird’s eye view of the valley we just explored. Another enchanting evening and dinner in Grand Lake cap this amazing day off.
Day 3
Shuttle to trailhead: 15 minutes
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 800 feet
After a leisurely breakfast we will make our way to our trailhead for a day of wildlife viewing and waterfall exploration. Our hike skirts the edges of a wetland meadow, where sitings of moose and deer are common. The trail is very level for the first two miles as we hike along the creek. We will break for lunch and listen to the rapid water flowing to the headwaters of the Colorado River. Continuing further down the trail will bring more breathtaking views of mountain summits.
Day 4
Shuttle to trailhead: 30 minutes
Hiking Mileage: 9.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2400 feet
Today we embark into the alpine to the remote summit of Mount Ida (12,889 feet). Of all Rocky Mountain National Park’s peaks, Mount Ida provides one of the most astonishing vantage points on top of the Continental Divide, even compared to many higher summits. An early start is necessary to get ahead of afternoon thunderstorms, so after a nutritious breakfast and short shuttle, we will begin hiking above Poudre Lake. The trail begins with a steep incline until reaching tree line. We continue hiking along the crest of the Continental Divide, interspersed with some off trail travel and a few steep sections til reaching Mount Ida. From the summit we are rewarded with panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains as the backdrop to a delicious picnic lunch.
Day 5
Shuttle to trailhead: 1 hour
Hiking Mileage: 4 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 400 feet
Shuttle to Estes Park: 45 minutes
We will start our last day with another wonderful breakfast and relaxing morning. After collecting our belongings we will drive across Trail Ridge Road towards Estes Park. Along the way, we will stop to hike the Ute Trail. A moderate trail offering fantastic views of Long’s Peak and yesterday’s summit of Mount Ida. After lunch, we will make our way back to Estes Park to conclude our tour.
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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4 nights of premier, double occupancy lodging in Grand Lake, CO (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
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Top-of-the-line daypack and 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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Transportation for the duration of the tour (beginning and ending in Estes Park)
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Entrance fees and national park permits
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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
Grand Lake Lodge
4 Nights
Grand Lake Lodge puts us right in the action to enjoy the quieter side of Rocky Mountain National Park and the charming town of Grand Lake. With 70 newly renovated guest cabins, a mountainside deck and tavern, swimming pool and hot tub – all with dramatic views of Grand Lake and the high peaks of the Rockies – this lodge is the perfect home away from home for our Colorado adventure.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
You will meet your guide and group in Estes Park, Colorado on the morning of Day 1, when we pick you up at your hotel. 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 pick up.
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 in the pre-trip contact. 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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Christopher S
1 year agoWonderful Route and Lodge
The routes, guides, inns and food were great. I really enjoyed hiking above tree line. DeAnna, our guide, did an exceptional job understanding our needs.
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