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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 - FULL |
| Join Waitlist |
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
Trip Documents
Trip Intro
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.
*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.
4.7
(23 reviews)Loved the group of women on the trip, and the hikes were fantastic. A surprise were the accommodations--much better than expected!
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.
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.
I was pleased with the level of difficulty, I expected a lower level (3) of difficulty, but 5 is what I needed and received.
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
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.
I wanted a physically challenging hiking trip with other participants fit enough to meet the challenge.
This trip exceeded my expectations in every way. The accommodations were lovely, the hikes spectacular, and the leaders capable and terrific people. Seeing a bear on the trail was icing on the cake! I especially appreciated all the trip information prior to the trip from Brenda, which allowed me to train appropriately and be ready for the hikes. All the other women were capable and interesting people as well. Just an all round fantastic experience!
Absolutely loved the transition from treeline to alpine and back again. Couldn't wait to go around each new corner to see something new!
The guides, the participants, one of the lodges and the food were all outstanding. I have to say that the scenery was not as spectacular as I was hoping for, but I can't blame AGC for that...
I wanted a challenging trip -- and this was definitely challenging! I loved the Colorado scenery and the variety of the hikes. Also -- I liked the places we stayed.
I thought the trip was fun, but nothing spectacular. The trails were good and I had hard hikes, but I felt that these hikes were something I could easily have done on my own, with minimal planning. The women on the trip were great people and it was nice to meet them all.
Excellent hikes, fabulous leaders, splendid food (Thanks for vegan choices). Lovely group of women.
Community, guide skills , accommodations, level of difficulty
The hikes and the food were all great
The highlight was the hike to Crested Butte - was an awesome hike as it had so much variety and beauty - Maroon Bells, snow crossings, a river crossing, amazing wildflowers and outstanding views, along with being a challenging hike. Another highlight was meeting amazing women with the same interest in hiking.
Great guides (both AGC
Crested Butte Hike. It would be even more fun if you could figure out a way to spend two nights in CB and then hike back to avoid the drive. Also, if you made 'Aspen night' on Wednesday and just drop people off on the way through town it works better logistically (unless you want to go to the rodeo)
Overall a fantastic trip!! Especially fantastic when the you consider it was the first year this trip was offered. There are definitely a few bumps that need to be ironed out but overall a great experience. The Hike to Crested Butte was a highlight. Super fun and the perfect distance!
I appreciate everyone at AGC - Marian, Anne, and Karen - approving the alternate hike on Friday. I'm glad the group that made it to the top were successful, but from the beginning, that hike wasn't very appealing to me. I've been above 14,000 feet on three different occasions on AGC trips (!), and it just wasn't a big deal. Cathedral Lake was my very definition of a perfect hike. Challenging, beautiful scenery, and a fun group of fellow hikers.
- Where do we eat?
The meals at Shadowcliff will be taken at the Compassionate Kitchen where vegan meals are accomodated and most meals are either vegetarian, or an option of vegetarian and non-vegetarian entrees are offered. In Estes Park the guides will be cooking breakfasts and most dinners in the lodging. At both locations the the lodge or your guides will put out lunch 'fixings' and you’ll take a packed lunch. You’ll go out for one dinner where you can order off the menu. -
What dietary preferences or restrictions can you accommodate on this trip?
If we know well in advance, we can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-sensitive diets. We cannot guarantee a completely gluten-free diet and we cannot provide a kitchen guaranteed to be free of cross-contamination. If you are vegan, we ask that you bring some additional protein bars; and if you are gluten-sensitive, please bring some gluten-free snacks. If you have severe allergies, Celiac disease and/or other significant dietary restrictions, please call the office before you register. - I live near sea level, how can I prepare for the elevations on this trip?Altitude affects everybody differently, and can affect the same person differently over time, so there's no real way of knowing ahead of time how the elevations on this trip may affect you.The trip has been designed to help participants acclimate. The first night is spent near the Denver airport, at 5430', so that will give you one night at a higher elevation. The next day you'll be driving to 8370', and the first hike only has an elevation gain/loss of 430'/430'. This will all help you acclimate gradually, with hikes that have more significant elevation gains and losses coming later in the week.
. Here is a link to a blog post that specifically addresses elevation: http://blog.adventuresingoodcompany.com/blog/high-altitude-hiking-what-you-need-to-know
