Hiking Winter Getaway – Rocky Mountain Snowshoe

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of America’s most popular National Parks, but in the winter time there is a completely different feel. With far fewer visitors and more active wildlife you can get immersed in a truly wilderness experience. The majestic high peaks are engulfed in snow, the trees sparkle in the sunlight and sounds of animals echo off the distant cliffs as you enjoy a leisurely walk up the valleys and around the frozen lakes.

No experience is necessary on our Rocky Mountain Snowshoe tours, and snowshoes will be provided. Progress is a bit slower than regular hiking, so our mileage is a bit lower, but you will surely earn your dinner. Our guides are completely familiar with the Rocky Mountain terrain in winter. They are trained in avalanche awareness and wilderness first aid and will be able to instruct you on the proper techniques of snowshoe use. They will probably even carry the thermos of hot cocoa for you!

Our Winter Hiking Getaways allow your group of 4 or more to choose any 3 day period within the season for an exclusive guided adventure. Lodging is not included, but can be added on.  Winter Hiking tours can run from early November to late mid April, if conditions allow.  In the early months, if snow is not deep enough on some trails for the snowshoes, we will proceed with boot traction devices.

On Day 1, after the DIA airport pick up, we’ll shuttle to the south end of the park and the Wild Basin trail head.  We will follow the St. Vrain Creek valley, past numerous waterfalls – or ice cliffs, as they may be.  We’ll have plenty of time to test out our snow shoe technique and will tailor our turnaround point to the needs of the group.   (approx. 5 miles)

On Day 2 we will head to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead for a trek to Mills Lake and beyond. The beauty of winter hikes in the area is that off trail routes forbidden in the summer are available to us. With the knowledge of our expert guides there are many options of loops we can choose. (~8 miles).

Day 3, our final day, we start at the Bear Lake trail head.  After climbing over the Bierstadt Moraine you’ll encounter a pleasant forest walk before reaching the subalpine Bierstadt Lake where you’ll have stunning panoramic views of the mountains along the Continental Divide. The area is more sheltered and you are likely to see signs of deer, elk, rabbits, beaver and fox, if not the animals themselves. (5 miles). Following a late lunch in Estes Park, we’ll return to Denver for a late afternoon arrival.

View our snowshoe packing list!