Backpacking Details - Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides

Reservations:

720-242-9828

Clothing and Gear What to Expect Price Includes Price Doesn't Include Payment Weather Group Size Extras Reservations Cancellation

Clothing and Gear

Personal and group gear should weigh less than 35 lbs. You will be hiking and backpacking in the Colorado Mountains and Parks and need to prepare for weather extremes and to dress in layers. We recommend all personal gear weight under 13 lbs for women and under 20 lbs for men (this includes your backpack, sleeping pad and bag, and clothing) As for food weight, plan on 2-3 lbs per person per day. So, 2 days of food will be 4-6 lbs. Tent and fuel should weigh around 4 lbs per person. We will divide tent, food, and fuel out evenly. You guides will carry a tarp, group medical kit, water purification, and communication devise. Everyone is required to carry a bear canister nowadays. Water weighs 2 lbs per liter. Plan on carrying 2 liters throughout the day.

Sherpa Support: We offer special Colorado backpacking 'Sherpa' services for our backpacking trips. In these cases we will carry your gear into the designated campsite and portage it between sites. Fee is $100 per day (50 lbs of gear); For every 50 lbs plan on an additional $100. This allows you to hike with only a light daypack and experience backcountry places not possible without backpacking.

What to Expect

You can expect being tired at the end of the day. This is normal, especially if you're not acclimated to the altitude and exertion at altitude. You can expect living in close proximity to other trip members and guides during the trip. All trips are different because each trip is made up of different personalities, weather conditions, etc. Your guides will gear each trip to suite the abilities and desires of the participants. You can expect a trip into the wilderness of Rocky Mountain National Park that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Price Includes

Guides; Colorado national park permit; backcountry Colorado camping permits; all food during the trip; transportation between Boulder and the wilderness trailheads; a re-supply drop, if necessary; group gear (water purification, fuel and fuel bottles, stoves; group cooking gear, bear canister, tent and group medical kit); Group CB and contingency and emergency support.

Price Doesn't Include

Meals while in the front country (breakfast 1st day and dinner last day); laundry; alcoholic beverages; hotel night before trip and at end of the trip, personal equipment (sleeping bag, pad, backpack) – all can be rented; gratuities for guide(s) – recommended 10-20%. Optional: trip cancellation insurance. We have rentals for sleeping bags, pads, and backpacks.

Payment

Payment for all fares and charges shall be in U.S. dollars in the form of credit card, debit, or cash. Payment is due at time of service unless prepayment was previously received. Receipts will be given upon request.

Weather

We will be in the Rocky Mountains in July, August, and/or September. Our days tend to be long. The bugs (mosquitoes) will be present in July and early August, particularly around water sources and on the western portion of the hike. August brings fewer bugs and cooler evenings. September generally has the fewest bugs, although, we did have some this past year, and cooler nights. The weather is warm during the day, 60’s. The evenings will be in the 30’s – 50’s depending upon the altitude and month. Afternoon thunderstorms are almost a daily occurrence. Storms are generally strong and brief lasting less than 60 minutes. Lightning often accompanies storms, so we make sure we are below tree line after 2 pm. Windy conditions can be common above tree line. As in any big mountain chain, snow can come at any time or month during the year, even summer. There may be some snow patches around the continental divide in July, but not enough to warrant an ice axe or crampons.

Meals

We take pride in providing excellent meals in remote settings. Remember, we are far from the road and trailheads, so out foods are not right out the refrigerator. We make accommodation for any dietary restrictions and preferences.

Mornings will consist of cereals, bagels, burritos, etc. Lunches will include meat and non-meat sandwiches, hummus, veggies etc. Dinners will include protein and carbohydrates to recover and refuel for the next day.

Group Size

2-10 participants. Maximum guide to participant ratio (1:5). Maximum group size is 12 including 2 guides.

Extras

Transportation to and from Boulder at the beginning and end of the trip. If you arrive from Denver International Airport, we will arrange transportation for you for an additional charge. If you are staying in Estes Park, we can pick and drop you off from a central location. If you are staying in Denver, we will help arrange transportation to and from Boulder from a central location. If you arrive by car, we can arrange for your car to be left, while we are out on the trip.

Reservations

Call Colorado Wilderness Rides And Guides at (Boulder Office) 720-242-9828; (Estes Park Office) 970-480-7780; or Mobile 303-818-1785. A credit card number is needed to confirm the reservation. We require a 50% non-refundable deposit for any non scheduled and custom tours / services. There is a 48-hour cancellation policy for the remaining balance. Our only scheduled services are the Boulder - Estes Park Shuttle and Lyons Bike Shuttle. For these services, we have a 48-hour cancellation policy for a full refund. We generally send a credit card authorization to be completed for each reservation. The form explains our reservation, refund, and cancellation policies. We can also take credit card information over the phone.

Cancellation

We require a 50% non-refundable deposit due at the time of reservation. We have a 48-hour cancellation policy for the remaining balance. We reserve the right to cancel for any reason. If we must cancel, we will provide a full refund or alternative dates.