Compare Best of Rocky Mountain Tour by Wildland Trekking vs USA Road Trip- The Best of Cali by G Adventures
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| Trip |
0 | Poor
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 5 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 2,215 | $ 2,252 |
| Price Per Day | $ 443 | $ 250 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Camping |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners |
| Description |
Our 5-Day Best of Rocky Mountain National Park is an inn-based immersion in the ecology, human, and natural history of Rocky Mountain National Park. From our base in comfortable and historic lodging in Estes Park, Colorado, we’ll experience all of the diversity the Park has to offer: from pristine mountain lakes to high peaks and alpine glaciers, to the iconic Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep - our hikes are chosen to highlight the most remarkable features of this National Park. |
California is the land of dreamers and schemers and we schemed up quite the adventure for you. Start in LA and travel north to San Francisco along Highway 1 on this short nine-day trip. Then, head inland to see mighty Yosemite National Park and all of the beautiful hikes and views that landscape has to offer before driving back to southern California for an included surf lesson. Sounds like a win in our book! |
Day 1
Shuttle to trailhead: 2 hours
Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 600 feet
Accommodations: Inn on Fall River
This Rocky Mountain National Park hiking tour begins with a day of high country exploration and acclimatization, as we spend much of our first day above treeline, touring the highest continuous paved road in the United States. We’ll walk the Ute Trail, an important travel and trade route over the Continental Divide for native peoples, we’ll see evidence of volcanoes and glaciers, and if our luck holds we’ll see elk, bighorn sheep, and perhaps even the very rare and elusive wolverine, which is slowly returning to remote areas within Colorado. We’ll then hit the trail, beginning at the headwaters of the Colorado River, and ascending above treeline to a remarkable vista of Mt. Ida, the Medicine Bow, Stormy Peaks, and Never Summer mountain ranges that surround us.
We’ll then retrace our route down Trail Ridge Road, where we’ll stop in at Fall River Pass and from there back into Estes Park for dinner, conversation, and preparation for tomorrow. This return trip holds a strong possibility for sightings of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. At Rock Cut, we’ll view Longs Peak and Glacier Gorge in the distant splendor of late afternoon.
Please Note: We’ll always have good alternatives if weather or other factors require an itinerary change. Also, it’s important to dress in layers and prepare for cold and windy conditions above treeline.
Day 2
Shuttle to trailhead: 1 hour
Hiking Mileage: 10 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1520 feet
Accommodations: Inn on Fall River
Today we’ll find the pleasures and power of mountain water: from rushing rivers and waterfalls, to high mountain lakes. Our hike will take us through the reaches of Wild Basin, a wildlife- and flower-strewn region of the Park. Moose have recently been seen in this river valley as well!
We’ll hike along the North Saint Vrain River, past Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls to Ouzel Lake and the mountain cirque that envelopes it. From there, time and interest permitting, we’ll continue along to the higher reaches of Bluebird Lake and take in another view of the Continental Divide beyond. From there it’s back down trail to our lodging, where evening dinner awaits.
Day 3
Shuttle to trailhead: 20 minutes
Hiking Mileage: 10 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1440 feet
Accommodations: Inn on Fall River
Day 3 will find us headed into the land of glaciers, past and present. We’ll make an "alpine start", with an early breakfast and early departure to Glacier Gorge, the trailhead from which we’ll begin our ascent.
Our route will take us past Alberta Falls, into the sub-alpine forest, and from to a emerald string of mountain lakes, from Mills to Jewel, and at last to Black Lake, which sits in a silent and imposing mountain cirque, testament to the power of glacial ice. We’ll enjoy a hearty lunch, scope out the granite crags above us, including Spearhead and Keyboard of the Winds, before making our way home to Estes for the evening. On our return we’ll get great views of Andrews Glacier, the pyramidal Storm Peak, and the stark vastness of Longs Peak, Pagoda, and Chiefs Head mountains.
Day 4
Shuttle to trailhead: 30 minutes
Hiking Mileage: 9+ miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2380 feet
Accommodations: Inn on Fall River
The time we’ve spent on the trail and at altitude this week have prepared us by Day 4 for this hike above treeline to the vastness of the Chasm Cirque and the 1,800 vertical "Diamond" above it. A world-famous climb, we’ll likely see technical climbers high above us on this granite wall, as we enjoy views of the Mills Glacier, The Ships Prow, Mt. Meeker, and the Longs Peak summit from our vantage on the shores of Chasm Lake. After lunch we’ll make our way down, past Jim’s Grove, Alpine Brook, and on the route taken by Isabella Bird in 1873 after her ascent of the Peak.
Day 5
Shuttle to trailhead: 10 minutes
Hiking Mileage: 4 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1000 feet
Our final day together we’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast then make our way to the Gem Lake trailhead and from there to Gem Lake, nestled within the ancient granite cliffs and boulders of Lumpy Ridge. As we walk, we’ll take in panoramic views of the Longs Peak, the Continental Divide, Trail Ridge… much of the country we’ve walked through these past days. The route provides excellent opportunities for photography. After lunch at the lake, we’ll return to our hotel and trip’s end.
Day 1 Los Angeles/Santa Margarita
Group will depart Los Angeles in the morning and drive to Santa Monica. Walk the iconic Santa Monica pier this morning or spend some time cruising the shoreline. Not in the mood for the beach? That's cool, maybe consider visiting the Santa Monica farmers market to stock up on all sorts of local goodies. Grab a quick bite to eat for lunch in Santa Monica and travel northwest to San Luis Obispo for a quick detour to see the chewing gum alley and to grab any last minute provisions before heading to our campsite for the night.
Day 2 Santa Margarita/Santa Cruz
Today is all about Highway 1. Devote the entire day to seeing the best of the best along this famous route. Stop to see Elephant Seals, walk through Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and make stops in Carmel and Monterey en route to the next destination. Later in the day set up camp in Santa Cruz.
Day 3 Santa Cruz/San Francisco
Head out from camp in the morning and continue up Highway 1 towards Half Moon Bay. Your CEO will take you on a brief orientation of the city. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Join your CEO for a driving tour through some of San Francisco's most iconic highlights then hit the town on your own or join a sunset sail under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Day 4 San Francisco/Yosemite National Park
Leave San Francisco behind this morning as you drive to Yosemite National Park. Along the way stop for some fresh produce at a farmer’s market in the central valley. Once in the park hike to Tuolumne Grove to see massive Giant Sequoias. Finish the day with a stop to see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall en route to your camp for the night.
Day 5 Yosemite National Park
Enjoy free time to navigate the majestic Yosemite Valley at your own pace. Walk the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail or Swinging Bridge Loop Trail. Relax under the towering granite monoliths of Half Dome or El Capitan. Up for more of a challenge? Test your endurance on a more challenging hike like Upper Yosemite Falls or Four Mile. On the way back to camp, search for climbers on the sheer rock face of El Capitan.
Yosemite Village is a great starting point for launching into your adventure. Your CEO will help you get oriented to visit the Ansel Adams gallery, Ahwahnee Museum and the Yosemite Visitor Center. Here you can start a valley hike or catch a free shuttle around the park.
Day 6 Yosemite National Park
Today is all about getting active and exploring the landscapes of Yosemite. Head out on a hike to Vernal or Nevada Falls or opt to rent bikes and cruise around the valley. This park is a hiker’s paradise filled with different options for every skill level. From miles of trekking to short walks featuring amazing views, you won’t have a hard time finding a trail to set out on and enjoy. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and make sure to take plenty of pictures. In the evening relax around the fire and swap stories with your group.
Day 7 Yosemite National Park/Hermosa Beach
Bid farewell to Yosemite this morning and get ready for some ocean waves and sand between your toes as the group heads south to Hermosa Beach. Travel through the rolling hills and vastness of the Central Valley and arrive at the Pacific coast just in time to walk the beach during golden hour and grab some delicious dinner by the sea.
After the forests of Yosemite the beaches of southern California will be a welcome change for some time to relax and recharge. So suit up, grab a towel, find a volleyball, and live out those California beach fantasies with your friends.
Day 8 Hermosa Beach
Live the California dream as you wake up to the distant sound of waves crashing against the sand. Then, suit up and get ready for your surf lesson where you'll learn a thing or two about what it takes to make riding those waves look so easy. Afterwards, enjoy free time on Hermosa Beach to lounge in the sun, walk out to the pier, or find a beachfront cafe with a table outside for some people watching. Or choose to rent bikes or surf boards and continue the adventure. Your only dilemma today should be deciding which burrito place you want to eat at.
Day 9 Hermosa Beach/Los Angeles
In the morning travel to Los Angeles. The adventure ends upon arrival.
