Thunder Lake Backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park

Things to know

• Covid measures in Thunder Lake, Colorado

  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’s included?

  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
• How fit do I need to be?

  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.

• What do I need to bring?

  Your guide will provide tents, sleeping pads, multi-day backpacks and trekking poles. They will also take care of the food and bear canisters for food storage. 

  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 age requirements

  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.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The meeting location is at your hotel or agreed upon location in Estes Park, CO. You can get there by taking a flight to Denver International Airport or one of the municipal airports around Denver. From DIA, one can take a shuttle or rent a car to reach Estes Park. It is a 1.5-hour drive to Estes Park on good roads.

  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.

• Cancellation policy

  A $250 USD deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 2 months (60 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

  • If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to sixty (60) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking and within 10 days of making their reservation, Client is entitled to a full refund minus a $50 USD cancellation fee.
  • If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to sixty (60) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, but 10 days or more after making their first payment, Client is entitled to a full refund minus a $100 USD cancellation fee.
  • For cancellations fifty-nine (59) to thirty (30) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total trip cost.
  • After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.