Colorado Rockies Backpacking
August 16-22, 2025
Explore the hidden gems of Rocky Mountain NP!
This adventure is rated 3 out of 5 difficulty level. This means that adventurers should be comfortable hiking 8+ miles with elevation gain/loss of 2k+ feet. This trip requires that you are able to carry your own 55L+ backpack with all your personal gear (tent, sleeping bag, shared food, clothing etc.). Highest elevation on the trail does not exceed 9k feet. All trekking trips required training and should be taken seriously.
Join us for an unforgettable adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park, where the beauty of alpine meadows, rugged peaks, and pristine wilderness will take your breath away. Spanning over 415 square miles, the park boasts stunning landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes, and dense pine forests teeming with wildlife like elk, marmots, and eagles. The trip begins in Denver and then heading north to Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Our guided trips provide pre-trip support, gear advice, and camaraderie with like-minded women who share your passion for adventure. Challenge yourself, form lasting friendships, and create lifelong memories in one of America’s most celebrated national parks!
Day 1: 8/16
Hello denver!
Today we arrive in Denver and meetup with our group of adventurous women! You will be flying into Denver International Airport and staying the night in Downtown Denver so you can do a little exploring. If there’s any last minute gear needed, today is the day to grab it!
Later this evening, we will walk together to a nearby restaurant to get to know each other and go over any last minute details for the trip.
Meals included: D
Day 2: 8/17
estes park, here we come!
Today is the day our adventure officially begins! After breakfast at our hotel, our guides will pick us up and we’ll head to Estes Park.
Estes Park is about a 1 hour 40 minute drive from Denver and we’ll stop along the way for lunch. Once we arrive at the campsite right outside of RMNP, we’ll setup camp and organize our packs together to make sure we’re all prepared for tomorrows adventure!
We’ll make dinner together at the campsite and get to know each other better over a campfire.
Meals included: B?,L,D
Day 3: 8/18
Thunder lake
Get an early start in Rocky Mountain National Park to begin the backpacking portion of our trip. Our journey to Finch Lake starts with a steep incline, but it’s a good warm-up for the day! This trail is mostly forested with a few view points along the way. The lake itself is serene an less visited than others in the park.
Upon arrival, we’ll set up our basecamp for the next several days. Dinner will be cooked together while sitting around the campfire and sharing ghost stories!
Meals included: B,L,D
Day 4: 8/19
Backcountry exploring
After a relaxing morning, we’ll slackpack to Lion Lake or Lake of the Winds. Slackpacking means we' get to leave our tents and heavy gear behind and explore the area with small daypacks. This might be our favorite style of backpacking!
With less weight, we’ll get to cover more trail and have plenty of time to enjoy our day splashing around in an incredible alpine lake! Make sure to bring your suit and a microfiber towel!
Meals included: B,L,D
Day 5: 8/20
finch lake
Today, we’ll strap on our light daypacks and head to another backcountry lake. When you’re visiting RNMP, seeing as many backcountry lakes as possible is the goal of the trip!
Along the way, you’ll learn about the park’s ecological history from your naturalist guide. RMNP is a stunning example of diverse ecosystems shaped over millions ofo years. It was carved by ancient glaciers, leaving behind dramatic peaks, alpine valleys and glacial lakes. The ecological zones range from montane forests to subalpine meadows and even the alpine tundra above the treeline! This park support a wide variety of wildlife that we hope to be able to catch a glimpse of!
Once we arrive at the lake, we recommend taking a refreshing dip! Once cleaned up, we’ll head back to camp for our final night in the backcountry.
Meals included: B,L,D
Day 6: 8/21
back to estes park
On this morning, we’ll pack up camp and hike out of the backcountry and head to our hotel in Estes Park. We’ll have a chance to freshen up with a hot shower before enjoying a farewell dinner with your new friends and backpacking guides!
Meals included: B,L,D
Day 7: 8/22
Good-bye colorado!
This morning, we’ll enjoy breakfast at a local cafe in Estes Park before departing for the airport! We recommend booking flights out of Denver mid-afternoon or later to make sure you have enough time since it’s a busy airport!
We’re always sad to see everyone go, but rest assured you’ll be leaving with new adventurous friends!
Meals included: B
Ready to Book?
Ready to Book?
Questions? Please reach out to US at INFO@womenwhoexplore.com
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$3,395 USD double or triple occupancy for hotels, double occupancy for tents.
A deposit is due at booking to hold your spot with regular monthly payments. Additional payments may be applied to the trip balance prior to payment due dates.
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• 1 night hotel in Downtown Denver
• 1 night hotel in Estes Park
• 1 night front country campsite
• 3 nights backcountry camping
• Transportation from Downtown Denver hotel to Estes Park
• Transportation from Estes Park to Denver International Airport• Meals as noted in itinerary, in total this includes 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 6 dinners
• All group camping Equipment
• Female-identifying naturalist guides
• All park entry fees• Trip checklists, detailed packing list, training guide, and pre-travel support provided in a private Facebook and/or WhatsApp group
• Pre-trip Q&A Zoom call to meet your fellow travelers, trip hosts and ask any questions
• WWE Swag to make your heart happy!
• Small group; maximum of 9 women + your 1 WWE trip hosts + 2 backpacking guides
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• Flights to/from Denver International Airport (DEN).
• Tips and gratuity for guides (at the discretion of the client)
• Airport transfer from DEN to Downtown Denver hotel
• Backpacking gear outside of tent and group gear. This includes backpack, daypack, water bladder, water bottle, sleeping pad, all personal clothing/toiletries.
• Alcohol, additional beverages, snacks and meals as noted above.
• Any additional excursions or activities not included in the above itinerary
• Visa and entry requirements as applicable and any pre-travel medical expenses such as immunizations or required Covid-19 testing
• Travelers insurance to cover medical expenses while traveling abroad (proof of insurance required)
• Personal expenses not included in the itinerary such as additional accommodations, transportation, meals, souvenirs, etc.
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All meals will be provided as noted in the itinerary. Please reach out to the trip host after booking if you have any food allergies/sensitivities. We always do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions but cannot make any guarantees.
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This trip requires permits to be secured 4 months in advance of the trip start date before it is confirmed.
This trip also requires a minimum number of ladies to register in order for it to be confirmed.
Once the trip is confirmed, you will receive a trip confirmation email and a link to be added a private Facebook group just for trip guests. In this group further trip details will be provided along with pre-travel support. Please let us know if you do not have or use Facebook (see contact information below). -
Please see our Terms of Service.
*Please note: some of our trips have a non-refundable fee that will be stated in the trip description.
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Women Who Explore guests will be required to follow the local Covid-19 guidelines and requirements as set forth by the local governing body of the destination being visited.
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Travel (and medical) insurance is required for anyone traveling on a Women Who Explore adventure. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
For recommended travel insurance providers click here.
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Please note that the itinerary provided for your adventure is subject to change. While we strive to adhere to the proposed plan, unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions, safety concerns, or other factors beyond our control may necessitate adjustments to the itinerary. We prioritize your safety and enjoyment throughout the adventure, and any modifications made will be done with careful consideration. We will make every effort to inform you in advance of any changes and provide suitable alternatives to ensure a fulfilling experience.