Rocky Mountain Discovery Hiking Tour

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 4.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 650 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 260 feet

After the DIA airport pick up, we’ll shuttle past Estes park to Morraine Park – a remnant of the last ice age. We’ll hike through the meadow, over a ridge to a beautiful lake, with views of the imposing mountains behind. It is the perfect introduction to the Rocky Mountains, with views across the meadows and up to the higher mountains. We return to Estes Park where we will stay for the first 3 nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 6 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,050 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 700 feet

We head to the Wild Basin area today, the southernmost trailhead in the national park. Our hike is in the beautiful North St. Vrain River valley, and includes Calypso Cascades and nearby Ouzel Falls. After a lunch stop at the falls, we’ll make a loop by returning on the little-used St. Vrain Trail, taking us to the quiet side, past backcountry camping sites. Wildlife is more plentiful away from the busier trail providing space for quiet reflection.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 6.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 950 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 300 feet

We have a beloved loop planned today starting from the Bear Lake trailhead. The route will take us on a gently meandering trail past some of the most photographed lakes in the park including Bear, Nymph, Dream, Emerald and Lake Haiyaha. Along the route we have stupendous views of the snow topped towering peaks above us. We continue over a rise and down into the Glacier Creek valley, then follow the creek to thundering Alberta Falls, and beyond that into Glacier Gorge and back to the trailhead. We should still have time after the hike to wander a bit around Estes Park which has a quaint, small-town ambiance, before heading up to the famous Stanley Hotel for our evening dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 4.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 100 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 50 feet

On our transition day we’ll enjoy a drive up the famous Trail Ridge Road to above treeline. Every new switchback will inspire awe as we view the high alpine environment. We continue to the Alpine Visitor Center where we can learn more about life above treeline. From there we will start our hike on the Old Ute Trailhead which will take us across the tundra to Poudre Lake, sitting on the continental divide. It is a mostly downhill hike showcasing the Poudre valley to the east and the Colorado River valley to the west, descending through fascinating rock spires and hanging gardens down to the lake. We continue by van into the Colorado River valley to the western town of Grand Lake, our home for the next 2 nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 6 miles

Elevation Gain: 900 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 400 feet

A hike on the western side of the park will showcase the the wider valleys and quieter trails Just 0.3-miles up the trail we reach Adams Falls, which were named after one of Grand Lake’s earliest settlers, Jay E. Adams. The wide dirt path passes through a forest of pine and aspen trees, peaceful meadows where wildflowers bloom in the summer, and marshlands that reflect the towering mountains. Wildlife, including moose, deer, and birds, also frequent the area. We continue along East Inlet to a gently sloping meadow that points up to Mt. Craig and the continental divide. We'll continue up the valley for about 3 miles, where we can never get enough of the towering mountain views to the east, or the sweeping Colorado River valley views to the west. We return on the same trail back to Grand Lake where we enjoy one last western style meal to celebrate our week.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Distance: 4 miles

Elevation Gain: 450 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 100 feet

On our final day we return to the east side, again via Trailridge road for a final visit to the park’s vast alpine world above the treeline. We'll stop where an old Indian route has been converted to a gentle trail across the tundra. This section of the Ute trail provides expansive views and alpine tundra scenery while trekking entirely above tree line. This is a moderate trail that continues generally down for two miles next to Tombstone Ridge before reaching the edge of the Mesa high above the Big Thompson valley. Besides commanding views of Longs Peak to the south and the Continental Divide to the west, you are likely to see pika, marmot, big horn sheep, mountain goats, elk and deer if you scan the surroundings. We usually make one final stop in Estes Park for a treat before our return to Denver.