Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park

SUMMARY

Strap on snowshoes and join your expert guide for a small group hiking trip in the Rocky Mountains. On this four-day adventure, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of unspoiled wilderness and traverse wild winter terrain near the Continental Divide. Walk alongside frozen lakes and explore mountain meadows where elk, lynx and even rare wolverines may be seen. At this time of year, there are fewer tourists and local wildlife is more active, making this the perfect holiday for animal lovers. Absorb the magic of the winter stillness by day and enjoy your cosy lodging by night. This is the perfect winter break for trekkers!

TOTAL DURATION : 4 Days

GROUP SIZE : MIN 2 MAX 12

TOUR ITINERARY AND DATES

START : Estes Park

END : Estes Park

COUNTRIES VISITED : United States Of America

Validity : 01 AUG 2022 To 31 DEC 2024

Day :1

Location : Estes Park - Gem Lake Hike

Welcome to Colorado! Your adventure begins bright and early this morning in Estes Park with an 8:30 am welcome meeting. Meet your group and local leader over a welcome breakfast before setting out on your first hike. Today, you'll a snowshoe hike at a relatively low altitude, from Lumpy Ridge to Gem Lake. Today will also give you the chance to acclimatise to the altitude before heading higher into the mountains. Your trail gradually gains elevation until you reach Gem Lake, a frozen alpine lake with a fantastic view. Take in the vast Rocky Mountain National Park around you before returning the way you came. After the hike, check into your hotel. Tonight, you'll enjoy dinner as a group in Estes Park.

Day :2

Location : Rocky Mountain National Park - Emerald Lake via Bear Lake Trail Snowshoeing

Travel into the high country this morning, near the Continental Divide and gear up for the Bear Lake trailhead. Today, your group will hike to Emerald Lake. Traverse through the high subalpine forest, past alpine lakes into meadows carved by glaciers. If it's cold enough, you can hike across the frozen water. When you reach Emerald Lake, marvel at the massive cliff face of Hallett Peak as you refuel with a warm drink and some snacks. Then, head back on a different trail off the beaten path, which will take you through deep snow. Soak up the winter beauty around you as your group heads back to Estes Park. Tonight, enjoy an evening of relaxation and grab some dinner in town.

Day :3

Location : Rocky Mountain National Park - Wild Basin Snowshoeing

After breakfast this morning, you’ll take the shuttle to the quiet, lush environs of Wild Basin, a less-travelled region of the park. Snowshoe along the snowy creek-side access road to the Wild Basin trailhead and follow the creek past Copeland Falls and Calypso Cascades, which will be frozen into crystalline ice flows among the spruce trees. After a rest, the trail steepens as the distant mountains come into view. Take in the frozen Ouzel Falls as you enjoy lunch with views of the Continental Divide to the west. After, make your way back down to the shuttle, which returns to the lodge via the Tahosa Valley where dinner awaits.

Day :4

Location : Rocky Mountain National Park - Mills Lake via Glacier Gorge Trail Snowshoeing

Your final trek is a snowshoe hike to Mills Lake, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. This is one of the more popular alpine lakes, named after one of the National Parks' most influential figures, Enos Mills. This trail boasts some pretty outstanding mountain views. Look to the skyline and see the towering Longs Peak in the distance rising above 14,000 ft. Bask in the beauty of this place, then return to the shuttle back to your lodge, where your Rocky Mountains adventure will come to an end.