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Hauling around a 40 pound backpack is not for everyone. If you love hiking and love camping, this trip is for you! Our Western Rockies Basecamp Trip settles you in a great campground for the duration of the trip, while dayhiking with lightweight packs. But make no mistake, this is still a great adventure! We hike on many of the same trails that our backpacking trips do, but we can explore the Rockies with a bit less burden. We hit all the “must see” sights that a proper Rockies trip should include- beautiful trails in Rocky Mountain National Park that include waterfalls, crystal clear lakes, old forests, waterfalls and mountain streams, wildflowers and opportunities to see Rocky Mountain wildlife! Camping in a single location allows our guides to dig into our camp chef cookbook and create great meals. Showers and electricity close by keeps you more civilized than a backpacking trip, and we have chances to experience true mountain town culture- rustic restaurants, hot springs, cold river swimming, boating, horseback riding to name a few of the possibilities.
We will start our Rockies adventure by gathering at our Estes Park hotel and double-checking guest gear, pack fit, and supplies. Stopping for breakfast at a local eatery allows for a taste of Estes Park and mountain morning life before heading out of town. While the goal is to get across to the west side of The Park, we'll make stops while driving on Trail Ridge Road to sightsee, take pics of majestic mountain peaks and glaciers, and hike. Bear Lake is first, and we'll have a great lunch alongside an alpine lake. Tombstone Ridge, Jackstraw Mountain, and Mt Patterson allow us to get out and move the legs as we head west. Later, we'll settle in to camp, freshen up, and have a great open country meal!
After waking up in our camp, we'll shake off the night with a tasty camp breakfast. Today we'll hike to an abandoned mining camp from the mid 1800s. The real highlight is the view — gorgeous mountains and valleys. Our trail meanders along the actual headwaters of the Colorado River. We'll lunch on the trail and then take a side trip to enjoy some hot springs before heading back to camp.
After a morning breakfast and some coffee, we'll head towards the North Inlet area for a great day-hike. The area has meadows, streams, wildlife, and wildflowers along our trail. We'll be able to witness firsthand how our forests rehabilitate after a burn — this regeneration gives us flowers galore! We'll pass a 1,000' cascade waterfall and climb into the North Inlet Canyon. We'll head back for a picnic lunch at the Grand Lake Town Square — a great time to do some shopping in this true seasonal mountain town. We'll follow with a walk along the lake, then head back to camp.
Every trip has a highlight, and today marks ours. We'll need an alpine start to accomplish today's hike, so after an early breakfast we'll head to the Continental Divide Trailhead. The first 2 miles are a challenge until we get to the tree line. Mt. Ida does not give up her secrets easily, and the last mile brings some switchbacks and light scrambling. However once there, you'll experience one of the best views in the Park! Many famous Rocky Mountain landscape shots have originated here. Lunch up here is a treat. We'll eventually wind our way down the mountain and head back to camp. After a shower, our reward is a restaurant dinner in Grand Lake.
Today marks the end of our trip, but we'll still pack in some fun. After breakfast and a camp breakdown, we'll get back on the famous Trail Ridge Road and head towards the Great Divide. The Alpine Visitor Center awaits, where we can gear up for a final 4 mile hike on the Ute Trail. Another chance to shop for mementos at the Alpine Center, operated by Rocky Mountain National Park. We'll head back to Estes and part ways, for now.
