Thunder Lake Backpacking Trip in Rocky Mountain National Park

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Thunder Lake, Colorado, please refer to the official Colorado COVID-19 updates website.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure:

• An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
• 3-4 days of hiking and camping depending on your chosen itinerary
• Use of tent, sleeping pad, and multi-day backpack
• Use of trekking poles
• Food
• Entrance fees and national park permits
• Transportation for the duration of your tour
• Bear canisters for food storage
• Emergency equipment, including first aid kit and satellite phone

What’s not included:

• Transportation 
• Accommodation before and after the trip

The best thing about hiking in Thunder Lake is that there are incredible options for all skill levels. For beginner hikes, if you can walk for four to six hours with little elevation gain, you are good to go! Intermediate hikes will see a little more change in elevation and hikes will start to increase in length, hiking anywhere between four to eight miles. Advanced hikes are full-day treks with steep descents and challenging switchbacks. Keep in mind, the weather in summer can be very hot and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

• Two one-liter water bottles
• Hiking boots
• Spare warm clothes
• Minimum of three pairs of wool socks
• Compass & map
• Toiletries (sunscreen, first aid kit, toilet paper, etc.)
• High-quality sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Headlamp
• Camera — optional (but recommended)

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and pricing:

• For the group adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. It takes a minimum of 4 people for a tour to operate. The cost does not decrease as the group grows. 

Hiking in Thunder Lake can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
• Minors as young as 12 may be permitted to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistics requirements on a case-by-case basis

If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

The meeting location is at your hotel or agreed upon meeting place in Estes Park, CO. From there, you’ll be transferred to Rocky Mountain National Park. Your guide will transfer you back upon departure. If you’re driving separately, you can also meet your guide at the park or follow them to the trailhead.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop in Estes Park or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.