Guided 3-Day Rocky Mountain National Park Hiking Adventure - Rut and Fall Colors
Deposit:
$500.00 - $2,100.00
Destination:Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Trip Type:Inn Based
Season:Fall
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NOW
Guided 3-Day Rocky Mountain National Park Hiking Adventure
Estes Park East Side | Elk Rut & Fall Colors | September Dates
September 25-27 & September 28-30
Experience a fully supported three-day hiking adventure on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. This guided, inn-based trip combines scenic alpine trails, golden aspen groves, and one of Colorado’s most unforgettable natural events—the elk rut.
With expert guides, flexible hiking options, and comfortable lodging, this trip offers the perfect balance of adventure, wildlife, and relaxation.
What Makes This RMNP Hiking Trip Special
Peak Fall Colors & Elk Rut
September is one of the most magical times to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Aspen trees glow in shades of gold while bull elk bugle across open meadows during mating season—an unforgettable wilderness experience.
Varied and Scenic Trails
Explore a diverse mix of trails featuring alpine lakes, waterfalls, ridgelines, and sweeping mountain views. Each day highlights a different side of the park’s east-side terrain, from forested valleys to high alpine tundra.
Hike Your Own Pace
Choose your daily experience:
Sightseer Group: Shorter, moderate hikes with plenty of time to take in scenery
Adventurer Group: Longer, more challenging hikes deeper into the backcountry
Switch groups anytime to match your energy and goals.
The Hiking Experience
Iconic Rocky Mountain National Park Trails
Hike some of the park’s most beautiful and diverse routes, including alpine lakes, scenic overlooks, and classic Front Range summits. Expect daily mileage options ranging from 4–14 miles, depending on your chosen group.
Wildlife & Alpine Landscapes
Experience everything from quiet forest trails to expansive tundra views. Keep your eyes (and ears) open for elk, especially during early morning and evening when bugling echoes through the valleys.
Flexible, Supportive Days
Each day is designed to give you a full hiking experience without feeling rushed. Guides tailor routes, pacing, and stops to create an enjoyable and personalized adventure.
Lodging, Meals & Support
Comfortable Estes Park Lodging
Relax each evening in cozy accommodations—either a well-appointed Airbnb or heated tiny cabins—providing a comfortable home base just outside the park.
All-Inclusive Meals
Breakfast: Healthy, energizing starts each morning
Lunch: Build-your-own trail lunches with fresh options
Dinner: Delicious, hearty meals after a full day of hiking
Dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) are easily accommodated.
Fully Supported Experience
From transportation and logistics to expert guiding, everything is handled so you can focus on the experience. Just bring your hiking gear—we take care of the rest.
Who This Trip Is For
This Estes Park hiking adventure is ideal for:
Beginner to intermediate hikers wanting flexibility
Adventurous hikers seeking longer, more challenging routes
Anyone looking to experience fall colors and elk rut season in comfort
With multiple hiking options and full support, this trip is accessible, customizable, and incredibly rewarding.
Welcome to Your Rocky Mountain Adventure
With decades of guiding experience, Colorado Mountain Expeditions delivers a seamless, small-group experience in one of Colorado’s most iconic landscapes.
From golden aspens to bugling elk and alpine views, this is fall in the Rockies at its absolute best.
Trip Details
Location: Estes Park, East Side – Rocky Mountain National Park Trip Length: 3 Days September 25-27 and September 28-30 Group Size: Small group (approx. 8–13 hikers) Cost: $2,100 per person Deposit: $500 to reserve your spot Lodging: Airbnb or heated cabins Style: Inn-based, fully supported hiking adventure
Spots are limited—reserve your place today and experience the magic of Rocky Mountain National Park in the fall.
Choose your challenge style of trip. The Sightseer Group will generally hike shorter distances on easier trails, taking in the beauty and scenery of Rocky Mountian National Park. The Adventurer Group will hike intermediate and difficult routes, venturing further into the backcountry. Hikers can change groups daily or stick with one group the entire time.
Mountain Lakes
Following our pickup at 9:30am, we'll drive to Estes Park and then the Rocky Mountain National Park Visitors Center. We'll stop at the visitors center and allow time to view the displays and information inside. Once done at the visitors center we'll split into our hiking groups and head into the park.
Hike Name
Distance
Duration
Elevation Gain (ft)
Rating
Sightseer
Emerald Lake
3.3 miles
2.5 hours
660
Intermediate
Lake Haiyaha
adds 2 miles
1.25 hrs
407
Intermediate/difficult
Adventurer
Sky Pond
8.3 miles
5hrs
2,000
Difficult
Summit Views
We'll be heading out of camp early in the morning. Adventurer group will need to leave camp by 6am, sightseer group by 7am. The sightseers group will hike Deer Mountain in the Morning and Cub Lake Loop in the afternoon. Both groups will have the option to hike Cub Lake Loop in the Afternoon.
Hike Name
Distance
Duration
Elevation Gain (ft)
Rating
Sightseer
Deer Mountain
6.3 miles
3.5 hrs
1,325
Intermediate
Cub Lake Loop
6.1 miles
3 hrs
630
Intermediate
Adventurer
Flat Top Mountain
8.4 miles
6 hrs
2,550
Intermediate/Difficult
Hallett Peak
1.2 miles
45 mins
350
Difficult
Old Fall River Road and Trail Ridge Road
The sightseer group will hit the trail early with a 2 mile hike to alberta falls. From there they'll head to the Alluvial Fan, a spectacular waterfall just a short hike from the parking lot. After that they'll begin the drive up Old Fall River Road to see Chasm Falls, located just off the road. Continuing up Old Fall River Road the group will eventually arrive at the Alpine Visitors Center. They'll take a short hike up Alpine Ridge Trail, located at the visitors center. After that they will begin to drive Trail Ridge road back down to camp, stopping at trailheads along the way making sure to stop and hike the Tundra Communities Trail. The Adventurer Group will head up Old Fall River Road to Chapin Pass Trailhead. After hiking Mount Chiquita, they'll continue up Old Fall River Road to the Alpine Visitors Center. From there, the itinerary matches the Sightseer group with stops along trail ridge road as they work their way down and back to camp.
Hike Name
Distance
Duration
Elevation Gain (ft)
Rating
Sightseer
Alberta Falls
2 miles
1 hour
200
Intermediate
Alluvial Fan
.03 miles
20 min
50
Easy
Chasm Falls
0 miles
-
-
Can view from roadway
Alpine Ridge Trail
.8 miles
45 min
145
Easy
Tundra Commmunities
1 mile
45 min
145
Easy
Adveturer
Mount Chiquita
5.2 miles
4 hrs
2,000
Difficult
Estes Valley Views
We'll be heading out of camp all together. Adventurer group will be hiking the Lumpy Ridge loop, the Sightseer group will be hiking Gem lake and Balanced Rock Trails. These routes share much of the same trail. To acess this area we'll need to exit and reenter the park.
Hike Name
Distance
Duration
Elevation Gain (ft)
Rating
Sightseer
Gem Lake and Balanced Rock
6.3 miles
3.5 hrs
1,500
Intermediate
Adventurer
Lumpy Ridge
10.7 miles
6 hrs
2,400
Intermediate/Difficult
Balanced Rock
1 mile
1 hr
200
Intermediate
A Final Viewing of RMNP
Once we get camp packed up, we'll head out of the park and towards Lily Mountain Trailhead and Twin Sisters Trailhead. These trailheads are very close to eachother in the same area of the park. The adventurer Group May need to leave camp earlier depending on weather. After completeing our hikes we'll drive back to Wooly Mammoth Park 'n Ride, ending between 3pm and 4pm.
Hike Name
Distance
Duration
Elevation Gain (ft)
Rating
Sightseer
Lily Mountain
4.2 miles
2.5 hrs
1,025
Intermediate
Lily Lake & Ridge
1.1 miles
30 min
175
Easy/Intermediate
Adventurer
Twin Sisters Mountain
7.5 miles
5hrs
2,400
Intermediate/Difficult
Join us for an unforgettable hiking adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park, where the beauty of nature awaits!
MEETING DIRECTIONS
Please leave a copy of this information with your emergency contact person.
Meeting Time: 9:30am
Meeting Place:
Wooly Mammoth Park-N-Ride,
18560 U.S. Hwy 40, Golden, CO 80401
This parking lot is very large, we will plan on picking you up near the bus stop shelter closer to the far end of the lot.
Trip Ending:
On Friday we'll pack up camp following breakfast and head out to hike.
Following our hike we'll drive back to the Park 'n Ride and say our goodbyes. We plan to get hikers back to their cars around 4pm.
We would hate to see you go but if something does come up here is the cancellation policy: For cancellations made more than 90 days before departure, guests may transfer to another trip for a $100 fee or request to have their spot filled by someone on the waitlist or by finding their own replacement; if a replacement is found, a full refund minus a $100 replacement fee will be provided, otherwise no refund is provided. For cancellations within 60 days, transfers are available for a $200 fee and replacement options remain available, same as more than 90 days. Within 30 days of departure, no transfers are available and refunds are only issued if a replacement is found. It is very uncommon to secure a replacement with less than 6 months notice. We strongly encourage purchasing travel insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances.
All of our guided trips are fully supported and all inclusive on the trail or on the scheduled adventure. This means the trip price typically includes:
Professional guiding from experienced staff who handle logistics and keep you safe and informed.
All meals and snacks throughout the trip, including breakfasts and dinners prepared for you and lunch fixings laid out each day.
Transportation during the adventure as outlined on the trip page.
Support for camping or basecamp gear logistics, such as transport of group gear and group camp setup at campsites or designated locations. (sorry, we don't setup your personal tent for you)
Note: Trip prices generally do not include your travel to/from the start location, personal gear (like hiking clothes or personal backpacks), lodging before or after the trip, or gratuities — unless specifically stated on the trip’s registration page.
Yes—very common. Across our hiking, biking, and art trips, a large percentage of our guests sign up solo. These experiences are designed to bring together people who share a passion for the outdoors and adventure, so you’ll be joining
a group of like-minded individuals from day one. Our guides foster a welcoming, inclusive environment that makes it easy to connect—whether you’re on the trail, or relaxing back at camp.
We also regularly have couples and small groups of friends join our trips, which adds to the overall dynamic and makes each group unique. No matter how people arrive, everyone quickly blends into one cohesive group. There’s no pressure—just
a supportive, social atmosphere where you can engage as much or as little as you’d like.
By the end of the week, it’s common for solo travelers to leave with new friendships and future adventure partners. Many guests find that coming alone actually enhances the experience, giving them the opportunity to fully immerse themselves
and meet new people along the way.
We offer a range of accommodations to suit different styles of adventure. Each trip’s registration page clearly states the accommodation style so you know exactly what to expect.
1. Backcountry Treks
Remote camping experience with no running water or electricity, but fully supported by our guides.
CME will truck in water and food to our backcountry sites.
Guests bring their own tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad (rentals available if needed).
Camps include a large community tent for meals and socializing, along with camp chairs, plates, utensils, and mugs.
Breakfast and dinner are prepared by guides, and lunch fixings are provided for the trail.
Comfortable, well-organized camps make it easy to relax and enjoy the scenery after a day of hiking or biking.
2. Basecamp Hiking Trips
Camp is usually at established campgrounds with permanent restroom facilities.
Large communal tents are provided for meals and socializing.
Hot meals, camp chairs, and shared amenities are provided.
Offers a balance of adventure and comfort, with less setup than backcountry treks but still fully immersed in the outdoors.
3. Inn-Based Trips
Lodging in a guesthouse, lodge, or inn with running water, showers, and electricity.
Daily guided excursions with meals and logistical support included.
Ideal for travelers who prefer sleeping in a bed and returning to comfortable accommodations after each day’s activity.
4. Backpacking Trips
Guests carry their own gear and hike from campsite to campsite each day.
Meals, cooking gear, and campsite setup are often supported by guides or pre-arranged at trail shelters.
Provides a true self-sufficient adventure with the freedom to explore remote sections of trails like the Colorado Trail.
A great option for experienced hikers who enjoy a more active, immersive backcountry experience.
No matter which trip style you choose, all accommodations are designed to support your adventure and provide a welcoming, social environment for solo travelers, couples, or small groups of friends.
We’re happy to help! You can reach our team by phone or email to discuss any questions you have about the trip, including difficulty level, gear, accommodations, or anything else you’re curious about. Our goal is to make sure you feel
fully prepared and confident before your adventure.
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Required Reading
Welcome To The Colorado Trail Trekking Program
The Colorado Trail Trekking Program treks allow you to hike 10-20 miles a day on The Colorado Trail while carrying only a daypack. Your tent and personal gear are transported to the next campsite where crewmembers set up camp including; a kitchen tent, toilet tent and shower tent. All meals are planned and cooked for you.
We will pick you and your gear up on Sunday (prior to the first day of hiking) at one of the central locations as described below. We will transport the entire group (who signed up for that week) to Sunday night’s base camp (trailhead where the hike will begin on Monday).
The driving time in the van from the central meeting location to the first nights base camp (Sunday night) varies from one hour to two and a half hours depending on which section.
You are responsible to arrange your own transportation to and from the central meeting location. Some suggestions are offered below. Please call Dan & Emily at 970.726.0963 if you need some directions or the suggestions explained. We will be happy to answer any questions.
Everyone must meet at the central meeting location on Sunday at the specified time.
The exact time at which you must arrive on Sundays central location will be available on the website the end of April. (For approximate planning purposes, most of the meeting times have been after 1pm with the exceptions of sections 6 and 7 whereupon the meeting times have been around 11 am.)
No lunch is provided at the Sunday meeting location. Please bring your own lunch (or eat prior) for that day.
An evening meal is provided for Sunday (prior to the hike on Monday).
Sunday's Central Meeting Locations for each week section:
Section 1 - Jefferson County: Jefferson Countey Community Center
Your vehicle (owned or rented) will remain at this central location for the duration of the week. Vehicles have been left at these locations in past years without theft or damage. We hope this trend will continue, but we cannot guarantee ultimate security since these parking locations are not in a totally secure environment. To be on the safe side, we recommend not leaving valuable items in the vehicle. You will be brought back to this central location as scheduled after the week’s trekking.
How Do I Get To The Various Meeting Locations?
You can drive your own vehicle, rent a car, or take a shuttle (shuttle available for sections 2, 3, 6 and 7).
Driving Time to the various meeting locations:
From Denver to:
Leadville: 3.5 hours
Poncha Springs: 3.5 hours (Salida Colorado is just ten minutes away)
South Fork: 4.5 hours (Creede is an additional 30 minutes)
Durango: 6.5 hours
From Colorado Springs to:
Leadville: 2.5 hours
Poncha Springs: 2 hours (Salida is just ten minutes away from Poncha Springs)
South Fork: 3.5 hours (Creede is an additional 30 minutes)
Durango: 5.5 hours
From Durango to:
SouthFork (section 5): 2 hours
From Albuquerque N.M. to:
SouthFork (section 5): 3 to 4 hours
What if I Live Outside the State of Colorado?
You need to arrive at least four days early to get acclimated to the higher altitude. If you do not arrive four days early, it will be most likely that you will get altitude sickness, which will prohibit you from hiking.
The following list is intended to help you understand the gear and supplies you will need for safety and comfort on the Colorado Trail.
MOUNTAIN WEATHER IS BE EXTREME! BE PREPARED FOR COLD, WET WEATHER!
When packing, remember that it may be sweltering at your house, but the mountains will certainly be different! Pack warm, fast-drying clothes. Weather is something we cannot predict. Be prepared for all extremes; sunny and hot, or cold, wet, windy and stormy.
SPACE IS LIMITED ON THE TRUCKS
We need to fit a week’s worth of camp gear, food, water and personal belongings for eighteen people onto two trucks. There is not an abundance of room for extra “stuff”. We want you to pack what you will need to be comfortable for the week but PLEASE only bring what you need.
You will be limited to TWO soft duffel bags (up to 35 lbs each) and your day pack. Please don’t bring hard suitcases. This would be a good week to use dry bags if you own them. We will do everything in our power to keep you gear dry, but wet weather can be insidious!
PERSONAL FOOD
We supply and prepare large, healthy breakfasts and dinners. Lunches are packed buffet style, with many options from sandwiches to fruit to candy! If there is a specialty food item that you really need or enjoy, feel free to bring it and we can store it for you. Please notify us (via Health Form) if you have dietary restrictions.
BEVERAGES
We provide an assortment of beverages; coffee, tea, soft drinks, Gatorade, juices, milk and of course potable water. We encourage you to increase your water consumption a few days prior to the trip and during the entire trip.
Alcohol is not provided. However, you may bring your own alcohol and keep it in our coolers. Cans and box wines are preferred rather than bottles.
By John Vonhof
Author of “Fixing your Feet: Prevention and Treatment for Athletes”
Being Proactive or Reactive
Every hiker, from the first-timer to the experienced, must make the choice to be either reactive or proactive in managing blisters. Being reactive means taping hot spots and fixing blisters when they develop. It means making fixes under less than ideal conditions, with less than adequate materials and in a manner that does not work for your particular foot problem. Being proactive, on the other hand, means discovering before a trip, what works for your feet and knowing how to treat any potential problems before they develop. This means knowing what resources are available to use and trying out blister fixes before the hike. It can also include pre-hike taping of your feet where hot spots and blisters typically develop. Being proactive means doing your homework.
It is essential to have shoes that fit properly, are broken in, and are appropriate for the terrain and weather you will encounter. Find the best socks for your feet, preferably ones that wick moisture away from the skin. Some racers like single-layer socks, others like double-layer, and still others use a two-sock combination.
Preventing hot spots and blisters requires knowledge of what is best for your feet. Some feet respond well to lubricants while others are best when powders keep them dry. Others require taping to protect hot spots and blister prone areas. There are several types of tape to use on the feet and there are several combinations of products that make the feet more resistant to blisters. All of these must be tried before a hike.
The First Line of Blister Defense
There are several blister-reducing options that should be our first line of defense. The first goes without saying - good proper fitting shoes or boots. This is more important than anything else. Secondly, do not go on a long hike with new boots that are not broken in!
Proper socks are next. Moisture-wicking socks are available from almost every sock manufacturer, and given a choice, should always be picked before an all-cotton sock. We recommend two pair of socks or double-layer socks offer an inner layer that moves against the outer layer, reducing friction to the skin. Try several different types of socks of various weights and fabrics.
Lubricants are next on the list. Most hikers grew up using a lubricant, usually the age-old standby, Vaseline. Another favorite is Bag Balm, a salve with healing properties. Newer, state-of-the-art lubricants may contain silicone, pain-relieving benzocaine, or antifriction polymers. The trick with lubricants is to reapply them frequently, being sure to clean off the old layer before another application. Remember that lubricants and grit don’t mix. The grit will quickly become an irritant, then a hot spot, and finally a blister. If your skin becomes too tender from the softening effects of the lubricant, then powders may be better for your feet.
Powders can help reduce friction by absorbing moisture. This reduces friction between the feet and the socks. Dry skin is more resistant to blister formation than skin that has been softened by moisture. Beware of powders that cake up and cause blisters. A good powder, like Zeasorb, will absorb many times its weight in moisture. Simple and readily available cornstarch also works.
Thank you for your interest in the treks on The Colorado Trail. We would like to remind you that all of our trekking sections are relatively arduous. You need to be serious about getting in condition to hike! This letter offers some guidelines to achieve that objective.
We want you to enjoy your trek on The Colorado Trail, but in order to do that you MUST be in good physical shape. The better shape you are in, the happier your body will be and the more fun you will have. You will not be able to “get in shape on the trail”. That doesn’t work well and it’s hard on your body, spirit and hiking companions. We have had hikers arriving at camp after dark, exhausted, in pain and unhappy. This creates a dangerous situation for you, the other trekkers, and the staff.
Please plan ahead and get in good hiking condition NOW! Every section on The Colorado Trail has at least one advanced day, so you need to be prepared. Remember that most of The Colorado Trail starts at 9,000 ft. and goes UP!!! If you are coming from a lower altitude, try to come to Colorado two to three days early to become acclimated. At high altitude, your heart and lungs must work harder to get enough oxygen into your body. You tire more quickly, your body slows down, and your muscles can stiffen. This can easily ruin what was to be a good experience.
We all have busy schedules, and sometimes it is hard to fit in a workout, but it can be accomplished. Walk as much as you can on a daily basis. Find a co-worker who would like to walk with you on your lunch hour. Take an aerobics or spin class. Ride a bike. Jog. Swim. Be as active as you can! Every little bit helps. Work out at least 4 days a week for 6 weeks prior to your trek departure. Devote your weekends or days off to longer workouts. Make sure you can comfortably hike as many miles as the longest day on your CT week. Put your day hiking gear and 3 liters of water into your day pack and climb hills, exposing yourself to as much altitude as possible. Your Colorado Trail trek will be a fun, yet physically demanding adventure. Please do your part to help make your trek as safe as possible for everyone involved.
Your Action Plan For A Well-Prepared Week:
WATER: Drink plenty of water during all of these activities. Being hydrated will help you think clearly and alleviate sore muscles. Do not wait until you are thirsty before drinking. Take a drink of water at regular intervals. By the time you are thirsty, you could already be in trouble.
FOOTWARE: One of the first things to do is to break in your boots/trail shoes. If you have a pair you are planning to use, check them carefully. If you need to replace them, do it now. Hiking in a pair of fairly new boots can be painful and blister producing. You can wear them around the house, on your lunch hour walk, or at any other time. Gradually wear them for longer and longer periods. Get your boots soaking wet and then walk in them. This will help them to form to your feet. You MAY choose to bring 2 pairs of boots, to use on alternating days.
SPEED: Your goal is to be able to hike at a 2 to 3 miles per hour rate, carrying weight and going up and down hills. Start slowly so you do not get sore or pull muscles. Be pleasantly tired, but not exhausted. Push your limits every day and you will be surprised how quickly you expand your hiking ability.
DURATION: Start out hiking one hour a day and build up to 3-4 hours a day, with more hours on weekends. Most treks are 6 to 8 hours each day, so you must be prepared for longer hikes. Note: you should be working out four days a week for 6 weeks prior to your trek departure.
WEIGHT: Put about 10 pounds in your backpack when beginning your conditioning schedule. Gradually build the weight up to 20 lbs.
CONSISTENCY: Walk EVERY day. Hike EVERY weekend. Consistency and frequently builds stamina gradually so you do not injure yourself.
HIKE HILLS! Train on hills, stairs, or whatever is available. For Section 6 or 7, increase your pack weight to 25 lbs. Plan more extended climbs with steeper inclines.
If you would like to take a rest day during your trek week, just let us know. You are welcome to ride with the crew. It is best to not hike a day if you feel overtired, have foot problems or need a break. You do not want to become a danger to yourself or others.
Finally, enjoy your hike. Don’t feel rushed if others hike faster than you. This is not a competition. Hike at a comfortable pace, but don’t plan to take a nap on the trail, especially on a long day. We get an early start in order to avoid afternoon thunder and lightening storms. It is nice to get to camp early enough to relax, have a shower, socialize, and set up your tent before dinner.
Mornings:
The mornings can be the most hectic part of the day. We will usually do a wake-up call around 5:30 am. The time of the wake-up call depends on the
length and difficulty of the hiking day.
At this time, you have four major challenges: eat breakfast, pack your daypack, take down your tent, and pack personal gear for us to load onto the truck. Lunch will be prepared the evening before and stored in a cooler. Please remember to grab your lunch… or you’ll have to beg for scraps from your new friends on the trail! You can avoid some of the morning chaos by doing some ‘evening prep’. Fill your water bottles, pack your daypack, have your next day’s clothes ready, and pack all unneeded items in your duffle.
A hot breakfast is served between 6:00 and 6:30. French toast, hot cereal, pancakes, scrambled eggs or omelet will be some of the offerings during the week. Also available every morning are cold cereals, fresh fruit, yogurt, bagels, cream cheese, instant oatmeal, milk, juice, coffee, teas and hot chocolate.
After breakfast, the crew will be loading up the community camp. If you haven’t already taken your tent down and packed, do it NOW! If your neighbor is running late, consider lending a helping hand. We give extra brownie points to those who help the crew tear down camp and load the trucks.
If mornings seem a bit rushed, it’s because they are! The faster the trucks are loaded and ready to move to the next camp, the faster we can start our hike. Early starts means less likelihood of being caught in late afternoon thunderstorms or arriving in camp after dark! Before the hike can begin, all hikers and crew need to sweep the camp for trash and forgotten items. We want the hike to begin between 7:00 and 7:30 am. The hiking leader for the day will assemble you and give you some final instructions and maybe words of wisdom. The hike cannot begin until everything is loaded and the trucks have their engines running. The reason for this is on one trek the hikers left camp before the trucks were ready to roll and it was discovered that a crewmember had truck keys in his pocket. Another crew member had to RUN up the trail to retrieve the keys!
Hiking:
On your hike, there will be 2 crew members on the trail with you; a ‘leader’ and a ‘sweep’. Each will carry radios to keep in contact with each other and with camp. You are encouraged to hike at the pace that is comfortable for you, but you cannot dawdle. Since we are all of different hiking abilities, we may become quite spread out during the course of the hiking day. We encourage hikers to find at least one ‘buddy’ with whom their hiking style is compatible. In general, the trail is well marked and easy to follow, but the leader will mark any uncertainties on the trail with brightly colored flagging or arrows in the dirt. If at any time you and your buddy become confused or are uncertain that you are on the correct trail, stop and wait for more of the group to catch up to you. Be responsible and aware of your route. If you need to leave the trail for any reason (call of nature, etc.), leave your pack on the trail so you are not overlooked and passed by the sweep guide.
Drink plenty of water! Drink often! Down a quart before you even leave camp in the morning! The importance of hydrating cannot be overstated!!! Do not drink from a stream without a filter or iodine tablets. Eat several snacks in between actual meals. You are burning plenty of calories. Do not wait until you are uncomfortably hungry or thirsty before eating or drinking. Take care of your body before it asks for it and you will feel a lot better.
Hopefully, your hiking shoes are well broken in. Put a blister care product on any known pressure points and stop immediately on the trail to add more if you feel any new ‘hot spots’. It’s easier to prevent blisters than it is to deal with them once they have arrived. Ask for help early before blisters become a serious problem. **See the other printouts for more information on boot and blister care.
Be liberal with sunscreen, and always carry rain gear. In other words, be prepared for any kind of weather--this is Colorado! Your daypack should contain: extra warm clothing (wool or polypropylene are better than cotton), hat, gloves, extra socks, rain pants and jacket, sunscreen, lip balm, camera, lunch, snacks, water, and blister care kit. Don’t bother to bring a cell phone as experience has shown that they do not work well in our mountains. A cap or visor and UV protective sunglasses should help shield your face. Some hikers find a walking stick or hiking poles extremely useful. Finally, enjoy your hike! Don’t feel rushed if others hike faster than you. If you would like to take a rest day, just let your leader know and you can ride with the crew.
When you get into camp, the community tent will be up, the crew will be preparing the evening meal, and there will be snacks or hot soup to refresh you. The shower tent will be up and you will be provided with 2 ½ gallons of warm water to clean up with. We provide a mechanism that pumps warm water through a hose and out of a small plastic showerhead. While you are awaiting your turn to shower, this is the time to set up your tent, relax, eat, and get to know your fellow trekkers.
Dinner/Evening Activities:
Dinner will be served about 6:00 pm. Please try to be on time so no one misses out. If there is more food left after everyone has served himself or herself, then please have seconds. We do not like to have leftovers. We want everyone to be well fed, so please let us know if you have any special needs. Most of the menus have the meat separate to accommodate those who are vegetarians or have special dietary needs.
After breakfast and dinner, the crew sets out a row of dishpans for you to wash your dishes. These dishpans contain: #1: soap, #2: soap, and #3: bleach water rinse. There will be drying racks at the end of row. When you are finished with your dishes, the crew will do their personal dishes and then clean the cooking pots and pans..
Lunch fixings will be spread out on a separate table. These will include: assorted breads, peanut butter, jelly, cookies, fruit, cheese, carrot sticks, chicken or tuna salad, summer sausage and snacks. Fix a yourself a generous lunch with plenty of snacks. Take a few candies to help with your energy level and to moisten your mouth. Remember, you are burning extra calories. If there are any additional foods you would like, let us know and we will try to accommodate you. (We do draw the line at live lobster though.) By the time the dishes are finished and lunch has been fixed, people are starting to head to their tents for a well deserved rest. If you stay up later than most, please respect others’ need for sleep.
Other Camp Details:
There is a hand washing station available at all times. We strongly encourage its use!
We have plenty of potable water available for drinking.
Colorado Mountain Expeditions: Payment and Refund Policy
Colorado Mountain Expeditions recommends that you purchase travel insurance to protect yourself against unforeseen incidents such as injury or family emergencies.
Here are a few travel insurances that we recommend:
90 days prior to trip start date *failure to pay final payment at 90 days will result in removal from trip
Bailout Policy
Colorado Mountain Expeditions offers trips in the rugged backcountry of Colorado. Unfortunately, not all guests who take a trip with CME come prepared. Poor equipment choices, an inability to hike the advertised distances and elevations, trouble at home or work, and many other reasons have led guests to ask for a ride out of the backcountry to either their cars or the closest town. A ride out of the backcountry is not always possible, but when it is, the ride is often very long over very rough roads. Such a ride can be incredibly costly from wear and tear on vehicles to taking a guide away from the trip. A ride from camp will incur a $250 bailout fee.
If during your trip you decide that you cannot continue hiking, you are always welcome to take a rest day(s) and ride along with the swing crew. There’s no fee for continuing on the trip in this manner.
Any guest experiencing a medical emergency is not subject to the bailout fee.
Refund Policy for all Colorado Mountain Expeditions trips
Cancellations-more than 90 days before trip start
Transfer Options:
Guest can transfer to another trip in the current year- $100 Transfer Fee. CME will transfer their deposit to the new trip when the $100 transfer fee is paid (payment must be made within 4 business days).
Guests may only move registration to another trip once
No refunds will be provided for the moved-to trip, even if a replacement is found.
Replacement Options:
Guests find their own replacement– no additional fee.
Guest is replaced from waitlist -$100 replacement fee, remaining payment is refunded.
Guest forfeits any payments if no replacement is found.
It is very uncommon to be able to replace a hiker from the waitlist with less than 6 months notice.
Cancellations within 60 days
Transfer Options:
Guests can transfer to another trip in the current year- $200 Transfer Fee CME will transfer their deposit (or full payment) to the new trip when $200 is paid (within 4 business days).
Replacement Options:
Guests find their own replacement– no additional fee.
Guest is replaced from waitlist -$200 replacement fee, remaining payment is refunded.
Guest forfeits any payments if no replacement is found
It is very uncommon to be able to replace a hiker from the waitlist with less than 6 months notice.
Cancellations within 30 days
Transfer Options:
No transfers options are available within 30 days
Replacement Options:
Guests find their own replacement- no additional fee.
Guest is replaced from CME Waitlist- $400 fee, remaining payment is refunde
It is very uncommon to be able to replace a hiker from the waitlist with less than 6 months notice.
Arrow Adventures LLC (dba CME) reserves the right to cancel any trip because of inadequate enrollment, making it economically infeasible to operate. In this situation, we will offer a full refund, including the ordinarily non-refundable deposit. CME reserves the right to cancel any trip because of good-faith concerns towards the participants' safety, health, or welfare or for any Force Majeure. "Force Majeure" means any circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including, but not limited to, acts of nature, flood, forest fires, extreme weather, sickness, quarantine, pandemic, diseases, and unforeseen circumstances. Arrow Adventures LLC will not be deemed in breach of these terms or otherwise liable to you because of delay in performance or nonperformance of any of its obligations under this agreement to the extent that any such delay or nonperformance is due to any Force Majeure. In these instances, a full trip credit will be issued minus any reasonable expenses incurred by CME related to your booking. Refunds are not offered in these situations. CME is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by preparing for the trip (for example, non-refundable airline tickets, rental cars, clothing & equipment, visa fees, medical expenses, etc.). *We highly recommend Travel Protection Insurance if you are uncomfortable with any aspect of these policies.
