Photo: John Geneczko Family Ramble in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 09245A Adult Price: $1395 Child Price: $995 Adult Deposit: $200 Child Deposit: $100 Min. Age: 7 Capacity: 20 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Andrew Nilssen We'll stay in very comfortable accommodations located adjacent to the park. The lodge will provide meals, evening nature programs, children’s programs, horseback riding (not included in trip price), fishing, Internet service and exceptional recreational facilities such as swimming, volleyball and miniature golf. From our lodge, we will take day trips into Rocky Mountain National Park. Some hikes will be suitable for all members of the family, others will be more strenuous. On the tougher days, a family member may choose to stay behind to rest, go horseback riding or take advantage of the lodge’s existing children’s programs. Regardless, every day will end with plenty of time to enjoy a nice buffet dinner at the lodge. The evenings are then free for each family to spend time together or with the group while enjoying the lodge's many recreational facilities. The leader, a former Rocky Mountain National Park ranger, has hiked nearly every corner of the park, and promises to take you to some of the most awe-inspiring areas in one of America's most spectacular national parks.
 Photo: Dave Ferguson The trip starts with lunch at our lodge, which is within a stone's-throw of Rocky Mountain National Park. Following lunch and a brief orientation, you'll have the chance to explore the resort grounds or just relax. Before dinner we will gather to review logistics and cover any last-minute questions you may have. Hikes are planned so that a tough day out on the trail is followed by an easier day. Participants should understand that mountain weather is often unpredictable, which makes each day's route somewhat weather-dependent. When the weather is stormy we will hike in the lower elevations and enjoy the lakes, streams, and waterfalls. When the forecast calls for blue skies, we will try to head for the high-country peaks and glaciers! Possible destinations include: Andrews Glacier/Flattop Mountain: From Bear Lake, we will head up Flattop Mountain to the Continental Divide, following it south to Andrews Glacier. We will then descend the glacier and work our way down Glacier Gorge to Alberta Falls and back to Bear Lake. Ouzel Falls: From Wild Basin we will enjoy a leisurely hike past several smaller waterfalls to Ouzel Falls, a spectacular cascade where one can also find water ouzels. Lake Haiyaha: From Bear Lake we will hike to Nymph Lake, and then on to Dream Lake. We will then travel to Lake Haiyaha for lunch. We will descend to Mills Lake before we make our way back to the trailhead. Longs Peak/Diamond or Chasm Lake: Weather and stamina permitting, the group will have the opportunity to climb Long's Peak. At 14,256 feet in elevation, Long's is the highest peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, and the 15th highest in Colorado.  Photo: Janet Horton While not technically difficult, there are areas of exposure, and the 16-mile roundtrip makes for a long and tiring -- albeit highly rewarding -- day. An alternative would be to hike to the peak's base for a magnificent view of "the Diamond," the 1,000-foot vertical east face of Longs Peak, or to Chasm Lake, which affords phenomenal views of the Longs Peak Diamond. Lake of Glass/Sky Pond: From Bear Lake, we will hike past beautiful Alberta Falls and the Loch on our way to Lake of Glass and Sky Pond. Sky Pond sits below the vertical east face of Taylor Peak and just above a waterfall, which we will climb in order to reach the lake. Lake of Glass is a spectacular tarn surrounded by granite peaks that form a dramatic semicircular wall around the lake. Lulu City: We'll drive over Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous highway in the world, to the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park while stopping at a number of spectacular overlooks. From here we will hike along the headwaters of the Colorado River to an old abandoned mining camp. All participants are invited to gather after dinner on the last night of the trip to celebrate with a trip into the town of Estes Park for ice cream and souvenir shopping. The next morning, we will head back to the Denver International Airport at 8 a.m. Getting There The closest major airport to Estes Park, Colorado, is Denver International Airport, approximately 75 miles from our lodge. From the airport, you can rent a car, take a shuttle, or meet the trip leader at the Hertz Rent-a-Car near the airport at 10 a.m. on day one, for transportation to the lodge by van. The trip to Estes Park is spectacular, so you will want to make the trip during the daylight hours if at all possible.
 Photo: John Geneczko The trip price includes private room lodge accommodations. Each room has a private bath, private balcony, two double beds, a futon and telephone. The lodge in Estes Park will provide all towels and bedding. Wireless internet service is available in the lobby. The lodge also offers a variety of recreational activities to enjoy on your free time including a crafts shop, horseback riding, hiking trails, fishing, archery, basketball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, miniature golf, disc golf, a skate park, and a library. All food is served cafeteria style. The group will eat all breakfasts and dinners in the cafeteria and all lunches will be prepared for us by the lodge staff and eaten on the trail. Vegetarian options are available.
The difficulty of the day hikes ranges from moderate to strenuous. We will hike both on- and off-trail, although the vast majority of the trip will cover very well established and maintained trails. We will be hiking between 7,000 and 14,256 feet. Although most of our hikes will be below the tree line of 11,000 feet, we will spend a portion of our hiking time above tree line on the tundra. Each of our hikes (except Longs Peak) should last no longer than eight hours; there will be plenty of time to rest each night at the lodge. Trip participants should have experience hiking with a backpack over long distances. Even though we will only have to carry daypacks, adults should be prepared to assist their small children in any way -- including placing them in a child carrier if necessary. High altitude experience is not necessary, but you must be comfortable hiking at a high altitude on steep trails. In order to fully enjoy the trip, participants will need to participate in a regular aerobic exercise program prior to the trip.
Trip members are expected to furnish their own backpack (day pack) and personal gear, including rain gear, lightweight insulating layers, and adequate hiking boots or shoes. Please make sure all gear has been field tested, especially hiking boots! The leader will send a more detailed equipment list to registered participants.
Maps
Books
Conservation Our discussions will center on wilderness themes including the importance of clean air and water, global warming, and the question of whether RMNP glaciers melting away. We’ll also talk about the future of national park, the park budgets, and knowing how to play it safe around wildlife.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Leader:
Assistant Leader: Mary Redfern-White is a longtime member of the Sierra Club and is a Colorado native. Mary spent her summers growing up near Rocky Mountain National Park and hiking the many trails the area has to offer. Mary has been a grade school teacher for a number of years and loves being around children of all ages. General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Rob White has been a member of the Sierra Club since high school and has been interested in preserving and protecting the outdoors for as long as he can remember. After obtaining a master's degree in park and recreation administration, he accepted a position at Rocky Mountain National Park as a ranger/naturalist. He now works with the Colorado State Park system as a park manager. Rob continues to hike a great deal in Rocky Mountain National Park.