Number of people
This Rocky Mountain National Park guided tour features the popular Bear Lake, an alpine lake at 10,000 feet. The Glacier Gorge Hike also takes you past Alberta Falls, dense forest, and glaciers. Your day is complete with a picnic on Loch Vale’s idyllic shores before heading back.
What you get in this adventure:
What’s not included:
Hiring a local guide offers you the chance to experience Rocky Mountain National Park’s beauty to the fullest. Local guides know all the hidden gems the area has to offer, will explain the history and geology during the hike, and will transport you to and from the destination. RMNP also has notoriously fickle weather, but your guide will know just what to do if the weather takes a turn or something unexpected happens.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Each hiking trip will be customized to the skill level of your day hike in RMNP. Tours range from 6-14 hours depending on the itinerary.
You need to be able to hike for a full day with around 1000-plus feet of elevation gain, carrying a full daypack. Beginners are invited on day hikes that can accommodate a range of skill levels. That said, the more fit you are the more fun you will have. If you are looking for adventure and up to the task of a full-day of trekking, you’ll be rewarded immensely.
The alpine terrain, however, can be challenging and the weather unpredictable. Additional training recommendations for intermediate and advanced day hikes, include hiking for three days per week at least 12 weeks prior to your trip. Start with short hikes about one hour in length with a light daypack. Also, the altitude can really catch people off guard, so for a 72-hour period before your trip begins, ensure that you are consuming sufficient amounts of sodium and fluids.
Everybody over the age of 12 is welcome on this hiking adventure. Children five and older can join on private tours on a case-by-case basis.
Groups usually consist of seven guests and one guide, with a private tour maximum of 10 guests and two guides if you’re traveling with a larger party. All pricing is per person.
The Colorado Rocky Mountains are home to infamously unpredictable weather, so you need to be prepared with the right gear. The same white cloud shielding you from sunbeams can easily turn into a stormcloud plummeting hailstones within minutes. Rest assured, your guide will know the correct course of action if the weather throws a curveball.
It’s highly recommended that you cover all your bases with travel and medical insurance. While hiking might seem like a low-risk outdoor activity, accidents can happen anywhere and we recommend insurance to avoid paying out of pocket for costly medical expenses. And as we’ve recently seen, travel plans can be abruptly halted, so it’s a good idea to have cancellation insurance that also covers lost baggage. It’s tried and tested and it works.
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.
