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Hiking Colorado

Destination: Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

| Activities: Hiking

Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is arguably one of the most spectacular parks in the National Park system. Known for lush meadows, high mountain lakes, craggy peaks, diverse ecosystems, and abundant wildlife, it offers an outstanding variety of hiking trails. We'll pick some of the best, each showcasing a different part of the park, as we hike different trails every day. Starting with moderate hikes on the western side as we adjust to the altitude, midweek we move over to the interior for more strenuous higher altitude hikes.

Highlights

Hiking the most scenic trail in Rocky Mountain National Park
Exploring lush meadows, high mountain lakes, craggy peaks, and diverse ecosystems
Immersing ourselves in the history, geology, flora, and fauna of the Park
Challenging ourselves with longer miles and ambitious trails

Departures and Prices

July 16 to July 23, 2021

$2525.00 - Available

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Inclusions

1 - 2 experienced AGC guides based on group size
One night double occupancy lodging (single supplement available for this night)
6 nights shared rooming at the Ranch House with shared bathrooms
All meals from Day 2 breakfast through breakfast on departure day
Transportation during the trip including round trip transfer from the Denver airport

Not included: transportation to and from Denver, alcoholic beverages, AGC guide gratuities, and travel insurance

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Trip Intro

These trips require a very high degree of fitness and even women who exercise regularly will need to add some specific conditioning such as strength training, endurance training, and longer aerobic workouts. There are typically 5 to 10 hours of daily activity.

This trip is for women with some previous hiking experience who are looking for challenging hiking in the mountains, with significant elevation gains. The trip is rated as 5. This rating requires a very high degree of fitness and most women who exercise regularly will need to add some specific conditioning such as strength training, endurance training, longer aerobic workouts, and pre-trip hiking. The length of the hikes and the need to be able to complete them before potential afternoon thunderstorms means that you must be able to maintain a steady and moderate pace. Rating: 1 2 3 4 [5].

This is a very challenging hiking trip in two very different parts of Rocky Mountain National Park. In addition to the elevation gain on some of our hikes, we'll frequently be hiking at altitudes of 10,000 feet or higher. Trails vary from well maintained to rocky with patches of scree.

We will stay the first night at Courtyard Marriott in Denver near the airport.

The rest of the trip we will stay at the renowned YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, with the entire Ranch House to ourselves. This spacious cabin has ample common space, and rooms with bunk beds (each participant will get her own bottom bunk). Most of the meals will be prepared in the Ranch House by your AGC guides, with a farewell dinner out on the town to celebrate a great week of hiking! The YMCA of the Rockies is a large property offering many different activities, like swimming, crafting and mini-golf, if you choose to take a day off of hiking.

Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.

DAY 1

Arrive anytime today at the Denver airport (DIA). We'll be staying at a nearby hotel with an airport shuttle so you can arrive whenever it's convenient. Our hotel is also located near the light-rail so you can explore downtown Denver easily. Everyone arriving tonight is free to get together for dinner. Our first formal group meeting will be tomorrow morning for orientation after breakfast.

DAY 2

We'll leave Denver at 8AM for a two-hour drive to Estes Park, located on the scenic eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. Elk are the largest, most abundant animal in Rocky Mountain National Park and we may see some on our first day at the YMCA of the Rockies. For many people, the biggest challenge to hiking in the Rockies is the altitude. Our lodge is located at 7,522 feet above sea level, so we'll be following the maxim of "hike high and sleep low" to aid our adjustment. There are scores of trails here and we’ll get to see a variety of ecosystems during our active week. We start the tour with an out and back hike to Gem Lake and Balanced Rock. These trails highlight the best of the Lumpy Ridge area, with rugged rock outcroppings and sweeping views of Estes Park. (B, L, D) Hiking: 7.5 miles round trip, 5 - 6 hours, elevation gain/loss 1,563’/1,563’ (B, L, D)

DAY 3

Today we embark on an early morning to summit Deer Mountain, a beautiful loop off of Trail Ridge Road. The trail passes through what is known as a Montane ecosystem. This zone has the richest diversity of plant and animal life in Rocky Mountain National Park. Meandering rivers and open meadows are surrounded by hilly slopes, dotted with large Ponderosa Pines whose bark changes from grey-brown to a cinnamon-red and releases a pleasant scent in full sun. Colorful wildflowers blanket the meadows throughout the summer growing season. (B, L, D) Hiking: 10.5 miles, 7 - 9 hours, elevation gain/loss: 1,698’/1,698’

DAY 4

Today we will drive into the heart of the Park on Trail Ridge Road - the highest continuous paved road in the United States, reaching an elevation of 12,183 feet. Bundle up today - temperatures on top of Trail Ridge are typically 20-30 degrees colder than in Estes Park! On a clear day we can see Wyoming to the north, the Great Plains to the east and the Rockies on the south and west sides. Our hike today begins at Milner Pass Trailhead. We'll hike up the Ute Trail into the tundra and then continue up to the Alpine Visitor Center, all the time keeping our eyes open for yellow-bellied marmots and pika. Not only are there spectacular 360 degree views across the Continental Divide from the Center, it also has a wealth of information about the fragile alpine ecosystem. (B, L, D) Hiking: 4.5 miles, 3 - 3.5 hours, elevation gain: 950'

DAY 5

Now that we're fully acclimated, we're ready for the higher and more challenging hikes. We'll start with an ascent of Hallett Peak. The Arapaho Indians called Hallett Peak "banah ah netaieux", which means Thunder Peak, a reference to the storms that frequent the mountain. We'll definitely be keeping an eye out for storms and be ready to turn around if necessary. At 12,718 feet Hallett Peak is considered one of the most beautiful alpine hikes in the Park. Starting at Bear Lake it traverses the side of a valley that was carved out long ago by a glacier. Today the only remnant is the Tyndall Glacier, which we pass on the way to the summit. Needless to say, the views are stunning both on the way up and at the top. Famous 14,259’ Longs Peak is visible, as well as Otis and Taylor Peaks. You will even be able to see Grand Lake off in the distance. It's an out and back hike. (B, L, D) Hiking: 10.4 miles, 8 - 9 hours, elevation gain/loss: 3240'/3240'

DAY 6

Today's hike is to one of the most beautiful lakes in the park, Chasm Lake. And though we're not climbing a peak today, there is still plenty of climbing to get to it. We'll get another early start today and go for another beautiful hike, this time to Chasm Lake. Chasm Lake sits in a deep cirque at the base of Longs Peak and Mount Lady Washington. The famous east-facing wall of Longs Peak, known as the "Diamond", rises more than 2,400 feet above this stunning alpine lake, and Longs Peak climbers start from the same trailhead. Our trail starts in a thick forest of lodgepole pine, spruce and fir, crosses the familiar subalpine landscape of krummholz and continues through a stretch of boulders with some easy scrambling and rewarding, spectacular mountain views. (B, L, D) Hiking: 8 miles, 6 - 7 hours, elevation gain/loss: 2524'/2524'

DAY 7

Today we have an option for a shorter or longer hike, depending on how your legs are feeling after a week of altitude and adventure! We’ll start early to beat the crowds to Ouzel Falls on the Wild Basin Trail (hikers who stop here and turn around will hike 5.3 miles out and back, elevation gain/loss: 921’). We’ll hike alongside a roaring mountain creek the entire way up to a series of three beautiful rushing waterfalls. Those that want to keep going can continue on toward Bluebird Lake. (Hikers going all the way to Bluebird Lake will hike a total of 11 miles, elevation loss/gain: 2443’) Tonight we'll celebrate our fantastic week together with a celebratory dinner out on the town. (B, L, D) Hiking: 5.3-11 miles, 3 - 8 hours depending on distance, elevation gain & loss: 921 - 2443

DAY 8

Today after breakfast we'll pack up, sadly bidding farewell to each other and this gorgeous Park. We'll be back at the Denver airport by 11:00 am and you can plan flights out anytime after 1:00 pm.

*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "Did this trip meet your expectations?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.

Hiking Colorado 8/17/2019-8/24/2019

Loved the group of women on the trip, and the hikes were fantastic. A surprise were the accommodations--much better than expected!

Hiking Colorado 8/17/2019-8/24/2019

I really enjoyed the challenge and variety each of the hikes offered. The scenery was absolutely stunning and we saw a variety of wildlife, wild flowers, and terrain. The guides went above and beyond to make sure everyone was well taken care of.

Hiking Colorado 8/17/2019-8/24/2019

This trip exceeded my expectations. We had a great group of women, terrific guides, and perfect weather for challenging day hikes in different ecosystems within RMNP. The itinerary was switched around a little in an attempt to catch optimal weather conditions for the Hallett Peak summit. I thought it worked out very well -- not only were we able to summit in clear weather, we had a challenging highlight hike for the last day of our trip. It was one of my favorite days.

Hiking Colorado 8/17/2019-8/24/2019

I was pleased with the level of difficulty, I expected a lower level (3) of difficulty, but 5 is what I needed and received.

Hiking Colorado 8/17/2019-8/24/2019

Climbing Hallett's Peak and hiking to Chasm Lake, aided by my guides Karen and Alicia Hiking and relaxing afterwards with the other women in my group

Hiking Colorado 8/17/2019-8/24/2019

Thank goodness for Chasm Lake hike....that was the highlight. Weather and scenery gorgeous, yet an ambitious hike. Suggest rearranging the sequence of hikes to allow for a slower day in the middle of the week. Unfortunate weather kept most of us off Flattop and Hallett.