Rocky Mountain Multi-Sport
Colorado
USA
An Epic Inn-to-Inn Hiking, Mountain Biking, Whitewater Rafting, and Rock Climbing Adventure
Rocky Mountain National Park and surrounding wilderness areas are the showstoppers of the West! Emerald lakes, wildflower meadows and old growth forests complement stunning 14,000’ peaks. And the wildlife here is just as amazing! Marmot to moose and elk to bighorn sheep fill our travels as we venture well above tree line through our country’s highest national park and the most spectacular region of the Rocky Mountains.
Suited to a variety of abilities and interests, m ix it up with spectacular alpine hiking, off-the-beaten-path biking, world-class rock climbing and whitewater rafting or kayaking on the mighty Colorado River. In the evenings, relax in the comfort of charming inns, dine in renowned restaurants and share stories with newfound friends.
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Meeting:
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8:00 a.m. at Hotel Boulderado, Boulder
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Airport:
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Denver
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Transfer:
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Super Shuttle from Denver to Boulder (no included)
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
Max
16 riders
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Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2010
Rates include:
Rafting, rock climbing instruction and equipment, biking instruction, T-shirt, water bottle, all meals (lunch Day 1-lunch Day 6), all accommodations (double occupancy), support vehicle, national park fees and professional guides.
| A | 2010 | 6 day trip, AP | 6d / 5n | $2098 |
Transfer Option:
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2010
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Transfer from Boulder
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Public transportation from Denver International Airport is available. The 'Super Shuttle' (303-227-0000) provides this transportation hourly for $19 one-way and $36 round-trip to the Hotel Boulderado and other select Boulder hotels.
Meeting Time & Place: 8:00 a.m. at Hotel Boulderado, Boulder, Colorado. For your comfort, we recommend that you wear comfortable hiking boots with ankle support and wool socks coupled with a thin liner sock.
Trip Conclusion: 5:00 p.m. at Hotel Boulderado, Boulder. Airline departures from Denver should be scheduled no earlier than 8:30 p.m. and airport shuttles should be scheduled no earlier than 5:30 p.m.
Rates do not include:
Airfare, personal insurance, miscellaneous hotel expenses (phone, fax, laundry, etc.), additional optional tours, services not specified in the tour itinerary, and guide gratuities (An appropriate gratuity to each trip leader is $75-$100 per guest).
Day 1. Hike Flagstaff Mountain, Winter Park Mountain Lodge
Our group assembles in the sitting room of the Hotel Boulderado at 8:00 a.m. After a short orientation, we hike one of Boulder's most scenic footpaths, Gregory Canyon en route to Flagstaff Summit.. Our walk takes us into the foothills of the Rockies and along the base of the spectacular, jagged rock formations known as the Flatirons. We then proceed up Flagstaff Mountain and spectacular views of Boulder below. Welcome to the Rocky Mountains!
After a scenic shuttle into the heart of the Rocky Mountains, we arrive in the ski resort town of Winter Park for a warm-up bike ride along the river in this beautiful valley.
Our home-away-from-home for the next two nights is Winter Park Lodge, complete with the best micro brewery in town, an indoor swimming pool, two 10-person hot tubs, sauna and more!
• Gregory Canyon and Flagstaff Mountain Hike [5 miles; 1400 feet of elevation gain and loss]
• Winter Park Mountain Biking [5-10 miles of relatively flat terrain]
Day 2. Mountain Bike Winter Park, Winter Park Mountain Lodge
Indulge in a fat tire fantasy as we ride the nationally acclaimed Winter Park Mountain Bike Trail System. The area offers endless miles of designated trails, eight major loop trips and access to miles of scenic logging roads. The same trails that delight skiers in the winter become a mountain biker's summer playground. These trails are some of our favorites and a few hours spent biking here is an experience not to be forgotten. This evening relax in the pool or hot tub at our lodge or venture into town to sample some high country nightlife.
• Winter Park Mountain Biking [up to 20 miles, distances and elevation changes variable]
Day 3. Whitewater Raft the Colorado River, Black Bear Lodge
Today we switch to paddle power and head to the mighty Colorado River. This section of the Colorado winds through Lower Gore Canyon, a beautiful and remote region accessible only by boat. We grab our paddles and hop in our rafts for an exciting adventure and experience the Rockies from a very different perspective. Highlights along the river include historic cabins and natural hot springs.
• Lower Gore Canyon Rafting [Class II-III rapids]
Day 4. Hike Old Ute Trail and Drive Trail Ridge Road, Baldpate Inn
Today we hike through the fragile alpine tundra with its delicate forget-me-nots and microscopic plants. More than one-fourth of the plants located here are also found in the Arctic. Our hike ascends along the western slopes of Rocky Mountain National Park from Poudre Lake to the alpine visitor center atop Trail Ridge Road, America's highest continuous paved highway at 12,100-feet.
Descending from this "rooftop of the world" we enter Estes Park, the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Spend the late afternoon strolling through Estes Park’s quaint streets and shops.
Our home for the next two nights is nestled along the Peak-To-Peak Highway, one of Colorado's designated Scenic Byways. Located in this high alpine setting is our charming secluded lodge for the next two nights, the Baldpate Inn.
• Old Ute Trail from Poudre Lake [4.2 miles, 1,050 feet of elevation gain, starting at 10,758 feet of altitude]
Day 5. Rock Climb at Mary’s Lake and Hike Gem Lake, Baldpate Inn
The morning begins on the rocky ridge above Mary’s Lake, just south of Estes Park. Here we strap on a climbing harness for an introduction to the exhilarating sport of rock climbing. Under the care of expert guides, begin by learning the basics: an introduction to equipment and terminology, knot tying and belaying. After learning easy maneuvers, progresses to some basic rock climbs and possibly have an opportunity to advance to more challenging climbs.
After a hearty lunch, an afternoon hike takes us to the Lumpy Ridge section of Rocky Mountain National Park. Ascending through some of the most varied and distinctive scenery in the park, our destination is beautiful Gem Lake, set in a natural rock amphitheater. The trail affords grand views of the distant Longs Peak massif and surrounding mountains.
• Rock Climbing [½ day program]
• Gem Lake Trail Hike [4.0 miles round trip, 1,090 feet of elevation gain, then loss]
Day 6. Hike to Lake Isabelle, Boulder
After breakfast, we are off for a hike in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Walking through a lush river valley, we pass a number of cascading streams en route to Lake Isabelle. The view from the lake is incredible, and includes Isabelle Glacier and the craggy Indian Peaks: Apache, Pawnee, Paiute, and Shoshoni. We enjoy a leisurely lunch and the high country's colorful flowers that line the lake's edge: showy daisy, alpine gentian, bistort and elephant head.
Following our hike, we shuttle to Boulder for the conclusion of our trip.
• Lake Isabelle [5 miles round trip; 700' of elevation gain, then loss]
Activities: hike (3 days), bike (1-1/2 days), raft/kayak (1 day), rock climb (1/2 day)
Meeting:
8:00 a.m. at Hotel Boulderado, Boulder
Airport:
Denver
Transfer:
Super Shuttle from Denver to Boulder (no included)
Public transportation from Denver International Airport is available. The 'Super Shuttle' (303-227-0000) provides this transportation hourly for $19 one-way and $36 round-trip to the Hotel Boulderado and other select Boulder hotels.
Meeting Time & Place: 8:00 a.m. at Hotel Boulderado, Boulder, Colorado. For your comfort, we recommend that you wear comfortable hiking boots with ankle support and wool socks coupled with a thin liner sock.
Trip Conclusion: 5:00 p.m. at Hotel Boulderado, Boulder. Airline departures from Denver should be scheduled no earlier than 8:30 p.m. and airport shuttles should be scheduled no earlier than 5:30 p.m.
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Tack:
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Horses:
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Pace:
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Moderate with Challenging options
Activities: hike (3 days), bike (1-1/2 days), raft/kayak (1 day), rock climb (1/2 day)
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Level:
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(2
to
2
out of 5)
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
16 riders
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Passport and Visa Requirements:
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the. more
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..view other reports for different trips
Day 1 and 2: Winter Park Mountain Lodge
Day 3: Black Bear Lodge
Day 4 and 5: Baldpate Inn
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Tack:
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Horses:
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Pace:
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Moderate with Challenging options
Activities: hike (3 days), bike (1-1/2 days), raft/kayak (1 day), rock climb (1/2 day)
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Level:
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(2
to
2
out of 5)
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
16 riders
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Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).
The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.
New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.
For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).
Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
N/A |
| Other EU |
Yes |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No/2 |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
N/A |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
N/A |
| Other EU |
Yes |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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