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Hiking and Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park

Hiking and Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park

From $ 3,215 AUD

Description

Over four million people visit Rocky Mountain National Park each year – and on this trip, you’ll get to call it home. Get to know the ins and the outs of the park on this five-day camping adventure, hiking by day and sleeping under the stars by night. See Andrews Glacier up close, visit an abandoned mining town and summit Mount Ida, taking time to savour the views over included picnic lunches and swapping stories over campfire dinners. With the wonders of the park waiting on your front doorstep each morning, this will be one all-encompassing adventure.

Trip Name
Hiking and Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park
Last Updated
2024-04-30
Days
5
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Summit all 12,000+ feet of Mount Ida and be rewarded with sweeping views as you hike along the Continental Divide.
  • Pass through the park’s goldrush history on a visit to the site of Lulu City, a mining town that was abandoned in 1885.
  • Start with a flourish as you make your way to Andrews Glacier via Andrews Tarn, The Loch and the thundering Alberta Falls.
  • Pause for included picnic lunches on each of the trip’s hikes and end each day with a campfire dinner with your fellow travellers.
  • Sleep under the stars on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park while enjoying the communal experience that comes with camping.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. In order to travel on this trip, you: 1. Must be able to understand and recognize the risks and hazards inherent in the activities of the trip, must be able to decide to assume those risks and hazards and must actually and voluntarily assume those risks and hazards. 2. Must be able to withstand exposure to the outdoors including exposure to diverse climactic conditions during the trip, including temperatures ranging from below freezing to +100 degrees F, potentially rapidly changing precipitative conditions from dry conditions to precipitation including monsoons and flash floods, for the duration of the Program. 3. Must be able to monitor and evaluate changes in personal health condition including the onset of dehydration, hyponatremia, heat illness or stroke or hypothermia and must be able to communicate any changes in personal health condition or safety concerns to the guide(s). 4. Must be able to participate in all activities at the time scheduled for each activity; e.g. to beat the heat, guest pick-up and hike start times during summer months may range between 3-6 a.m. 5. Must be able to manage all personal care and mobility during extended periods of exertion of 10-plus hours per day, either independently or with the assistance of a companion or an approved assistive device. 6. Must be able to enter and exit a multi-passenger vehicle either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device. 7. Must be able to withstand up to eight hours as a passenger in a multi-passenger vehicle, transporting up to 14 passengers at a time, either independently or with the assistance of a companion or an approved assistive device. 8. Must be able to immediately comprehend and follow verbal instructions either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device. 9. Must be able to traverse wet and dry, sandy, rocky, uneven and/or unstable ground over a distance of 10-plus miles per day including elevation differential (gain and/or loss) of +3,000 feet per day, for a period of up to 10 hours per day, while carrying: a) BACKPACKING/BACKCOUNTRY TRIPS- a backpack weighing 25-50 pounds, b) FRONTCOUNTRY/LODGE, BASECAMP AND INN-BASED TRIPS - a fully loaded backpack weighing 10-15 pounds, either independently or with an assistance companion or an approved assistive device. 10. Must be able to self-manage and self-navigate unsupervised while in the designated camp area either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device. 11. Must be able to perform basic camping activities including sleeping on the ground, consuming water from back country sources, consuming food prepared in a backcountry setting and maintaining personal health and hygiene in accordance with guide directives either independently or with the assistance of a companion or approved assistive device. The use of an assistive device to meet any element of the essential eligibility criteria must be approved in advance by Intrepid Travel.

Day 1 - Estes Park to Rocky Mountain National Park
Welcome to Colorado! This morning, you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow group at your accommodation in Estes Park before driving to your trailhead. Then, it’s time to get acquainted with the Rocky Mountain National Park on your first hike. Starting from the Glacial Gorge/Bear Lake area of the park, make your way past the thundering Alberta Falls and toward The Loch – a simply gorgeous subalpine lake sitting in the shadows of multiple 10,000-foot-plus peaks. Continuing along The Loch’s northern edge, the trail then weaves its way toward Andrews Tarn and Andrews Glacier. Back at the trailhead, you’ll take a scenic drive over Trail Ridge Road to the (wild) west side of the mountains where it’ll be time to set up camp just outside the park. After an included dinner, toast the day’s efforts over a hot chocolate around the campfire.
Day 2 - Rocky Mountain National Park
Have a relaxed breakfast at camp before taking off for today’s trail along the headwaters of the Colorado River. Rolling green meadows will provide prime vantage points for spotting moose, elk and deer, before you encounter the historic site of Lulu City. Now home to only a few remaining (but crumbling) wooden buildings, Lulu City was a booming mining town established in 1879, before being abandoned in 1885. After making your own exit from the former city’s site, a hike along the Red Mountain Trail will give a bird's-eye view back down the lush valley you explored that morning. Back at your campsite, another dinner around the fire awaits.
Day 3 - Rocky Mountain National Park
Start the day on the right foot with a leisurely breakfast, then take a short drive to the trailhead for a wildlife and waterfall exploration. Start by crossing the Big Thompson River, then follow Moraine Park’s western edge. This wetland meadow along the way is a common spot for moose and deer sightings, so be sure to keep an eye out. A lunch break next to the flowing waters of the Colorado River will follow, before you continue along the trail and trace your way in between mountain summits. Head back down the trail to your campsite and a group dinner.
Day 4 - Rocky Mountain National Park
Saving some of the highest highs for last, you’ll tackle all 12,000+ feet of Mount Ida today. An early start is required to avoid any afternoon storms, so after breakfast there’ll be a short drive to the southern end of Poudre Lake. When you arrive at the lake, you’ll hike through evergreen forest – this portion is steep with little to look at, but the reward will come shortly! Pop out above the treeline to views of the Never Summer Mountains and the peak of Mount Ida. Continue along the crest of the Continental Divide, and keep soaking in the large-scale scenery, until you make your way to the mountaintop. A picnic lunch will give some respite to tired legs, before making your way back to level ground and the comforts of camp.
Day 5 - Rocky Mountain National Park to Estes Park
After packing down your campsite, another idyllic drive along Trail Ridge Road will take you to the start of the Ute Trail. This hike provides amazing views of volcanoes, glaciers, wildlife and summits – including Mount Ida’s! Pause for lunch before making your way back to your vehicle. A short drive will see you to Estes Park, where your adventure will end. If you’d like to spend some more time exploring the area, just speak to your booking agent.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
07-07-202411-07-2024AUD $ 3,215-
22-07-202426-07-2024AUD $ 3,215-
29-07-202402-08-2024AUD $ 3,215-
05-08-202409-08-2024AUD $ 3,215-
12-08-202416-08-2024AUD $ 3,215-
27-08-202431-08-2024AUD $ 3,215-
02-09-202406-09-2024AUD $ 3,215-

Accommodation

Camping (4 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle

Map