Hike: Front Range Best Kept Secrets (5 day Camping)

Trip Details

Itinerary

Day 0: Meet and go over gear, food, and itinerary in afternoon.

Day 1: We start the day with a wonderful hike through Boulders Mountain Parks’ to visit the Front Range’s tallest sandstone arch. In the afternoon, explore Eldorado Canyon State Park and see the ruin of the Crags Hotel, which burned down in 1912.  In the evening, we will tent camp in a campground 30 to 45 minutes west of Golden or Boulder.

Day 2:  Explore a local state park with the Indian Peaks rising majestically in the distance. Hike a moderate 6.4-mile trail to the summit of a small peak where we’ll have spectacular views over Boulder and the Rockies stretching 100 miles north to south.  In the evening, we will tent camp in a campground 30 to 45 minutes west of Golden or Boulder.

Day 3:  Hike 6-8 miles through a national forest to explore woodlands, forests, and a pair of shimmering sub-alpine lakes. We’ll be surrounded by mountains, wild alpine landscapes, and have the chance to view wildlife.  In the evening, we will tent camp in a campground 30 to 45 minutes west of Golden or Boulder.

Day 4:  We’ll hike 9 miles in Rocky Mountain National Park to a majestic lake surrounded by jagged mountains and forests in a gorgeous sub-alpine basin. This is one of the most classic trails in the park!

Difficulty Description: Difficult – On difficult trips, you will hike up to 8 miles a day with a 15-25-pound backpack. Elevation gain/loss may be as much as 3000 feet on maintained trails, or up to 2000 feet on more rugged trails. For a difficult trip, you should be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles in a day in hilly or mountainous terrain with a 25-pound backpack at altitudes of 7000’ – 10,000’.

What to Bring: Sent with trip confirmation

Included: The services of a professional hiking guide, Rocky Mountain National Park and State Park permits / entrance fees, Colorado camping permits, transportation between Boulder and the wilderness trail heads, all food during the camping trip, gear for water purification and cooking, bear canister, tent, medical kit, CB radio and contingency and emergency support.

 Not included in our rates: Meals while in the front country (breakfast on Day 1 and dinner on the last day), laundry, alcoholic beverages, hotel overnight before your trip and at trip’s conclusion; personal equipment (sleeping bag, pad, backpack – these items are available to rent), and gratuities for your guide(s) – while this is at your discretion, the recommended amount is 20%.  If you want to add fly fishing, cost is $100 extra per person (rod, reel, and flies for the trip and backpacking – angling guide).