Rocky Mountain National Park Trip

Rocky Mountain National Park remains home to some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. From wooded forests, to alpine tundra these majestic mountains provide habitat to more than 60 species of mammals, including elk, bighorn sheep, black bears, moose, mountain lions, bobcat and mule deer.

Rocky Mountain National Park is also a hiker's paradise for adventurous types seeking wilderness and solitude. The park offers more than 350 miles of trails that lead to some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. Roughly one-third of the park is above tree-line, and more than 60 peaks top out above 12,000 feet; with 14,255-foot Longs Peak being the highest. Rocky Mountain also has 147 lakes, roughly 450 miles of streams, and several small glaciers and permanent snowfields that can be found in the high mountain cirques.

My plan is to allow us to see some of the highlights that the park has to offer over a 5 day trip.

Accommodations:  We will be staying at the Estes Park Campground at East Portal.  The facility has drinking water, flush toilets, and hot showers.  Electricity will be available for charging devices near the bathroom.  Cell service will be limited at the campground.  I have reserved sites A41 (double site), A46, and A47.

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/evrpd/estes-park-campground-east-portal

 Day 1 (5/29/2019): Take an AM flight from Atlanta to Denver.  I recommend United Flight 533 that leaves Atlanta at 7am EST and arrives in Denver at 8:19AM MST.   We will meet in the Denver airport between 10am and noon.  Next, we will stop in Boulder, Colorado on the way to Estes Park to pick up food/supplies at REI and Walmart and stop for lunch.  After that, we will continue to Estes Park Campground at East Portal to set up camp.  Dinner will be at the campsite.

Day 2 (5/30/2019): Sky Pond Trail (9 miles).  This is rated one of the top trails in the park for it's diverse scenery including Alberta Falls, The Loch, Timberline Falls, Lake of Glass, and Sky Pond.  We will return the way we came with a total elevation gain of 1,650 feet. Dinner at campsite.

Day 3 (5/31/2019): Morning- Hike on the Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lakes Trail (3.6 miles). This hike is known for its pristine beauty in every direction including three alpine lakes, wildflowers, streams, huge boulders the size of cars, and views of nerby mountains.  Total elevation gain will be 605 feet.   Afternoon- Drive Trail Ridge Road to the Alpine Visiter Center.  Trail Ridge Road is an iconic road that has the distinction of being the highest paved road in the United States.  We will stop at the Alpine Visiter Center and a few stops along the way for photo opps.  Dinner will be at a restaurant in Estes Park. 

Day 4 (6/1/2019): Fern Lake to Bear Lake Trail (9 miles).  This one-way trail with a shuttle highlights many amazing water and geologic features in the park including Arch Rocks, The Pool, Fern Falls, Fern Lake, Odessa Lake, and Bear Lake.  Total elevation gain for the hike will be 2,540 feet.  We will take the Moraine Park Shuttle back to the cars.   Dinner at campsite.

Below is a link with a detailed description with photos of the hikes.  We will be doing number 5,7, and 8.

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com/rocky-mountain-top-10-hikes.htm

Itinerary could change based on weather/trail conditions.

Day 5 6/2/2019): Pack up early and drive to Denver Airport.  Plan on booking a mid afternoon flight after 2pm from Denver to Atlanta.

Please be sure to have recent AOC D4 experience before signing up for this trip.  I will initially have you moved to the waitlist to check your ability level to help to ensure group safety on the event.  You will then be moved to the roster.  

You must also be comfortable with camping in temperatures that may possibly go down near freezing (32 degrees) at night.

We will be meeting in the Denver Airport.  Location in airport to be determined..

Cost Includes: Campsite and rental car.

Cost does not include: Everything else including airfare, food, gas contribution, supplies needed.

You will have 3 days to pay for the event once you are added to the attendance list.  If you must cancel before May 15th a full refund minus the cost of a $10 AOC fee will be returned to you as long as a replacement is found.