HIKING COLORADO AUGUST 17-24, 2019 TRIP SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS Hiking both the eastern and western sides of Rocky Mountain National Park Exploring lush meadows, high mountain lakes, craggy peaks, and diverse ecosystems Immersing ourselves in the history, geology, flora, and fauna of the Park Challenging ourselves with some long days and ambitious trails Phone: 877-439-4042 Outside the US: 410-435-1965 Fax: 410-435-3084 Email: info@goodadventure.com
TRIP AT A GLANCE Dates: Aug 17-24, 2019 Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, CO Cost: $2,395l.00 Activities: Hiking Arrive: Arrive at the Denver airport anytime on August 17 Depart: We will be back at the Denver airport by 11AM on August 24, and you can plan flights out after 12:30pm TRIP OVERVIEW Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is arguably one of the most spectacular parks in the National Park system. Known for lush meadows, high mountain lakes, craggy peaks, diverse ecosystems, and abundant wildlife, it offers an outstanding variety of hiking trails. We'll pick some of the best, each showcasing a different part of the park, as we hike different trails every day. Starting with moderate hikes on the western side as we adjust to the altitude, midweek we move over to the eastern side for strenuous and spectacular hiking. During our week we will immerse ourselves in the history, geology, flora, and fauna of the Park. Maximum group size: 12. RATING This trip is for women with some previous hiking experience who are looking for challenging hiking in the mountains, with significant elevation gains. The trip is rated as 5. This rating requires a very high degree of fitness and most women who exercise regularly will need to add some specific conditioning such as strength training, endurance training, longer aerobic workouts, and pre-trip hiking. The length of the hikes and the need to be able to complete them before potential afternoon thunderstorms means that you must be able to maintain a steady and moderate pace. Rating: 1 2 3 4 [5]. WHAT'S INCLUDED Experienced AGC hiking guides Seven nights double occupancy lodging in rooms with ensuite bathrooms All meals from Sunday breakfast through breakfast the next Sunday with the exception of one dinner Transportation during the trip including round trip transfer from the Denver airport Not included: transportation to and from Denver, alcoholic beverages, AGC guide gratuities, and travel insurance
OUR ITINERARY Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests. DAY 1 AUGUST 17, SATURDAY Arrive anytime today at the Denver airport. We'll be staying at a nearby hotel with an airport shuttle so you can arrive whenever it's convenient. Our first formal get together will be tomorrow although everyone who's arrived can get together for dinner. DAY 2 AUGUST 18, SUNDAY We'll leave Denver at 8AM for a three hour drive to Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge, located right on the western edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. For many people, the biggest challenge to hiking in the Rockies is the altitude. Shadowcliff is at 8,370' so we'll be following the maxim of "sleep low, hike high" to aid our adjustment. We'll start adjusting with a hike on North Inlet Trail, part of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, to Cascade Falls. Starting on a relatively flat old dirt road that skirts a montane meadow where wildlife sightings are frequent, the trail then starts climbing steadily to the Falls, a spectacular, multi-tiered cascade that drops roughly 50 feet through a narrow granite chute. We'll settle into our rooms in Shadowcliff where we'll eat dinner. Hiking: 6.8-7 miles, 4-5 hours, elevation gain/loss: 430'/430' DAY 3 AUGUST 19, MONDAY After a hearty breakfast today, we'll hike to Lone Pine Lake on the East Inlet Trail. This is an out and back trail Along the way we'll stop at spectacular Adams Falls, where a rocky outcrop looks down on the rushing falls that are surrounded by small rocky cliffs. We then continue through a beautiful aspen and lodgepole pine forest, classic Rocky Mountain flora and past beautiful outcroppings of grey-black rock. While at Shadowcliff, we'll eat our meals in the Compassionate Kitchen, the name of Shadowcliff's dining facility. The staff at the Compassionate Kitchen specialize in sourcing seasonal, local, and organic food and know how to refuel hungry hikers. Hiking: 10.8 miles, 6-8 hours, elevation gain/loss: 1500'/1500'
DAY 4 AUGUST 20, TUESDAY Today we will head to the alpine and then the eastern part of the Park. An hour's drive brings us to the Milner Pass Trailhead. We'll hike up the Ute Trail onto the tundra and then continue up to the Alpine Visitor Center, all the time keeping our eyes open for yellow-bellied marmots and pika. Not only are there spectacular 360 degree views across the Continental Divide from the Center, it has a wealth of information about the fragile alpine ecosystem. We then continue our drive across the spectacular Trail Ridge Road, to the eastern part of Rocky Mountain National Park. Our lodging is quite different! We'll spend tonight and the next three nights in a huge 8 bedroom reunion cabin at The YMCA of the Rockies inâ Estes Park. Not only is it in a spectacular setting with access to great hiking, we'll be able to enjoy meals home-cooked by the guides. Hiking: 4.5 miles, 3-3.5 hours, elevation gain: 950' DAY 5 AUGUST 21, WEDNESDAY Now that we're fully acclimated, we're ready for the higher and more challenging hikes of the eastern side. We'll start with an ascent of Hallett Peak. The Arapaho Indians called Hallett Peak "banah ah netaieux", which means Thunder Peak, a reference to the storms that frequent the mountain. We'll definitely be keeping an eye out for storms and be ready to turn around if necessary. At 12,718 feet, and thus not a "fourteener", Hallett Peak is considered one of the most beautiful alpine hikes in the Park. Starting at Bear Lake it traverses the side of a valley that was carved out long ago by a glacier. Today the only remnant is the Tyndall Glacier, which we pass on the way to the summit. Needless to say, the views are stunning both on the way up and at the top. Famous Longs Peak is visible, as well as Otis and Taylor Peaks. You will even be able to say Grand Lake off in the distance. It's an out and back hike. Hiking: 10.4 miles, 7-9 hours, elevation gain/loss: 3240'/3240' DAY 6 AUGUST 22, THURSDAY Today's hike is to one of the most beautiful lakes in the park, Chasm Lake. And though we're not climbing a peak today, there is still plenty of climbing to get to it. We'll get another early start today and go for another beautiful hike, this time to Chasm Lake. Chasm Lake sits in a deep cirque at the base of Longs Peak and Mount Lady Washington. The famous eastfacing wall of Longs Peak, known as the "Diamond", rises more than 2,400 feet above this stunning alpine lake, and Longs Peak climbers start from the same trailhead. Our trail starts in a thick forest of lodgepole pine, spruce and fir, crosses the familiar subalpine landscape of krummholz and continues through a stretch of boulders with some easy scrambling and rewarding, spectacular mountain views. Hiking: 8 miles, 6-7 hours, elevation gain/loss: 2524'/2524'
DAY 7 AUGUST 23, FRIDAY While many of our hikes have been out and backs, today we hike the Twin Owls Loop. This loop circles and scalesâ Lumpy Ridge, a massive granite rock complex sculpted by wind and erosion over the last 2 billion years and popular with technical rock climbers. We hike through ponderosa pine forest, along riparian corridors, past montane and lower-subalpine forests. This trail is one of the most ecologically diverse trails in the Park, with abundant wildlife, terrific views, and mature aspen groves. About 1.5 miles from the end, we reach Gem Lake. Most people hike to Gem Lake from the same trailhead going the opposite way and it is one of the more popular destinations in the park. The lake has the distinction of having neither an inlet or outlet stream. Instead, the lake is formed by trapped snowmelt and rainwater that collects in the basin at the base of the granite cliff walls that surround the lake. Hiking: 11 miles, 7-9 hours, elevation gain/loss: 2615'/2615' DAY 8 AUGUST 24, SATURDAY Today after breakfast we'll pack up, sadly bidding farewell to each other and this gorgeous Park. We'll be back at the Denver airport by 11am and you can plan flights out anytime after 1PM. ADDITIONAL TRIP INFORMATION GETTING THERE 1. If you are flying, plan to fly into the Denver (DEN) airport anytime on August 17. We will be spending the first night at the Courtyard Marriott which has a hotel shuttle. 2. If you are driving, you can plan on parking at either the Denver airport or the Courtyard Marriott. More details will be in the Pre-Departure document which will be sent four months prior to trip start.
ACCOMMODATIONS We will be stay the first night at Courtyard Marriott in Denver near the airport. The next two nights are at Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge. Shadowcliff is a not-for-profit organization that has created an eco-friendly mountain sanctuary helping to create a climate for a restorative world. It is comprised of rustic lodges and cabins, completed through the efforts of approximately 650 volunteers from 42 countries. We will be staying in Rempel Lodge, with double bedrooms and shared hallway bathrooms, and eating our meals at the lodge s Compassionate Kitchen. The staff at the Compassionate Kitchen specialize in sourcing seasonal, local, and organic food, and is also a non-profit organization where we all take turns helping with kitchen clean-up. In Estes Park we'll stay in a large Reunion cabin at the YMCA of the Rockies. These 8 bedroom cabins have ample common space, and rooms with two queen beds and an attached bathroom. Most of the meals will be prepared in the cabins by the guides. The YMCA of the Rockies is a large property offering many different activities if you choose to take a day off. Vegetarian (and vegan) options for this trip are available. If you cannot eat gluten or if you have other dietary restrictions, you may need to bring some supplemental food with you. Please contact the office if this is a potential concern for you. WEATHER August is a beautiful time in Colorado. Typically, high temperatures near Grand Lake and Estes Park are in the upper 70s and lows are in the mid 40s. Temperatures can be 10-15 degrees cooler at high elevations. Colorado is known for its afternoon thunderstorms, and we will be keeping that in mind as we plan our daily schedules. TRAVEL INSURANCE WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION/TRIP INTERRUPTION INSURANCE, WHICH COVERS YOUR COST IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL OR INTERRUPT YOUR TRIP for medical reasons, trip delay, lost baggage, and other unforeseen emergencies. Adventures in Good Company will send you information about travel insurance with your registration information, or you may purchase coverage through your own insurance company. In order to avoid disappointment and expense in the event that you must cancel your trip we strongly urge you to purchase some type of insurance coverage. You can also sign up for it online at Travelex Insurance. To get the best rates, use 20-0016 as your location number on the Get A Quote page.
PACKING LIST FOOTWEAR 1 pair of lightweight hiking boots 1 pair of comfortable shoes for general use 2-3 pairs of hiking socks (wool or synthetic equivalent: Smartwool, Thorlo, Darn Tough) CLOTHING 1-2 pair of comfortable synthetic long pants (or 3/4) for hiking - zip-offs work well 1-2 pair of shorts (or 3/4) lightweight and quick drying 1 lightweight, light-colored, long-sleeved shirt to protect you from the sun 2-3 synthetic or lightweight merino wool T-shirts or short-sleeved shirts 1 lightweight long-sleeved shirt for sun/bug protection button up front is the best 1 lightweight fleece/down jacket/vest 1 pair lightweight long underwear top and bottoms: silk, wool or synthetic equivalent 1 medium-weight top layer: wool shirt/pull-over or synthetic equivalent 1 warm fleece/down jacket/vest 1 rain jacket and rain pants: coated nylon or a waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex. Underwear/nightwear a warm wool or fleece hat 1 pair wool, capilene, or fleece gloves 1 wide-brimmed hat for protection from the sun 1 Swimsuit (the Y has a pool) 1 2 changes of casual clothes to wear at end of day ESSENTIALS 1 daypack (see notes on packing list for recommended capacity) Trekking poles (required) Sunglasses (100% UV protection) with case and retention strap Tupperware (or equivalent) sandwich box for carrying your lunch Small headlamp or flashlight Capacity to carry 3 quarts of water: 1 one-quart water bottle and a 2 liter hydration system that fits in your pack is ideal Your favorite snack (snacks will be provided- though it s nice to have what you re familiar with and like) Ear plugs (for a good night s sleep!) TOILETRIES (small everything) Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, hand sanitizer, shampoo, contact lens paraphernalia, sanitary supplies Sunscreen and lip protection with sunblock of at least SPF 15 Personal first aid/patch kit - Band-Aids, 1 safety pin, moleskin, Compeed (or blister bandages), ibuprofen, any personal medications. Please note: Individuals who have had or have the potential for a severe allergic reaction to insect stings, specific foods or medications must bring an epi-pen. Please consult your physician and tell your guide. OPTIONAL Bandana or buff (very multi-useful) Camera (extra battery or charger) and film/memory card Book, notebook, journal, pencil/pen Wrist watch/travel alarm clock
NOTES ON PACKING Adventures in Good Company's packing list covers everything you need to assure your safety and comfort. You may not use everything you bring; however, you need to come prepared for all possible weather conditions. At the same time, you must be able to carry your own luggage, sometimes up and down stairs. Footwear: Well-fitting, sturdy boots or trail shoes are very important to your safety and enjoyment. If you plan to buy new boots, break them in by wearing them around town and taking some short hikes before your trip. For general hiking, lightweight or midweight cordura or leather boots with a Vibram sole work well. If you have weak ankles or are recovering from an ankle injury, get boots that come above the ankle you ll find that this will give you more support in uneven or slippery terrain. Remember to waterproof your boots before the trip. Even boots billed as waterproof need to be treated with a waterproofing product. Daypacks: Your daypack should be large enough to hold the following items: 1 liter of water, rain gear, lunch/snacks (for the day), sun screen, warm layer (fleece pullover or vest), personal first aid kit, lightweight gloves, warm hat and personal items such as camera,etc. We recommend a daypack with a capacity of between 24-30 Liters (1450-1850 cubic inches) with a hip belt, padded shoulder straps, and lifters. Line your daypack with a durable plastic bag to keep your belongings dry and/or have an elasticized pack cover that fits snuggly over it. Before you leave home check to be sure that it is comfortable to wear all day and has sufficient space for all of the items listed above. Note: Fanny-packs and hydration packs are not large enough to hold all of the items you will need for the day. Clothing: All clothing for active wear should be made from synthetic/synthetic blends, down/down blends or wool/wool blends. NO COTTON for your active wear. The clothing listed on the packing list has been chosen for your specific trip conditions and for its versatility for layering. Layering is the most practical and efficient method of insulating the body. Several layers of varied weight materials provide better insulation than one thick Layer of clothing. Also, adding or subtracting layers allows you to adjust to the temperature at your particular level of activity. Hydration: Being able to easily access your water without assistance, so that you can drink frequently, is important to your safety and enjoyment. One method is to have a water bottle attached to your waist strap. Another option is to use a HYDRATION SYSTEM such as CamelBak, Platypus, and MSR bladder bags, which are collapsible water bags with a hose attachment that you drink from. The bags fit inside or outside your pack with the hose positioned over your shoulder so that you can access your water as you hike. Bladder bags can hold 1-3 liters of water. Rain Gear: You will need a parka or jacket made of a coated nylon or a waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex, HellyTech, Membrane, H2No, or Ultrex. Be sure it keeps water out. Before making this important purchase, be sure that it fits you properly. It should be large enough to fit over all your layers. In particular, the hood needs to be effective. It should shield your face from the rain and turn with your head. Movement of your arms must not interfere with the hood. Put on your daypack; can you still raise your arms? Your wind/rain pants should be comfortable, allow enough room for your layers, and permit free movement of your legs (for example, can you crouch comfortably?). Partial or full-length leg zippers are useful for easily putting your pants on over your boots. An inexpensive plastic poncho will both leak and tear easily and is not recommended. Personal First Aid Kit: Bring a small first aid kit with familiar medicine and first aid supplies you might need. Recommendations include the following: blister or foot remedies like moleskin, Compeed, blister bandages, or similar, a small role of duct tape (always useful!), remedies for respiratory ailments, stomach ailments, sore muscles or joints. The guides will have a first aid kit but having what you know works well for you is a good idea Trekking Poles: Trekking poles are required for this trip. Trekking poles contribute to your safety by improving your balance and stability, and to your health by saving stress on your hips and knees. If you are not familiar with trekking poles, read this blog post that addresses the most commonly asked questions: http://blog.adventuresingoodcompany.com/blog-women-travel/bid/154714/trekking-poles-for-hiking-trips-the-4-mostcommon-questions.