Daily Summary:
DAY 1: Arrive in Colorado, Frontcountry Camping
Day 2: Hike to Campsite ~4.3 miles
DAY 3: Day Hike ~11.5 miles
Day 4: Hike out ~4.3 miles, Stay at the historic stanley hotel
Day 5: Farewell!
Features:
+Everything you need for backpacking as a beginner
+ Opportunity to explore Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park
+ 1 night front country camping, 2 nights backcountry camping, 1 night at the historic Stanley Hotel
+ Glacier lake picnics, hikes, wildlife sightings
+ Daily movement and mindfulness activities
+ Team of support for personal guidance
Plus:
+ 2 Root Tour Leader & 2 Local Guides
+ Individual pre-trip prep assistance as needed
+ 2 pre-trip Zoom calls
+ 6 week post-trip integration guide
+ 2 post-trip Zoom calls
+ Talk to a real human when booking and planning your trip!
Meet Your Tour Leaders
Shannon Briese
Shannon Briese has spent the last 23 years of her career delving into the practice of connecting with the body, heart, and mind. She has spent most of her career offering embodiment therapies like pilates & massage therapy.. Shannon has also cultivated her personal, healing mindfulness practice and shares all off her offerings around the Denver area. Mind/body connection with Nature and adventure are our teachers and greatest healers!
Breanne Kiefner
Breanne, founder of Root Adventure, grew up food insecure in an unstable home with undiagnosed dyslexia. She believes that this laid the foundation for her approach to travel, collaboration, and all things learning. Through travel, curiosity, and vulnerability Breanne found healing from communities around the world and her hope is for Root Adventures to make this healing power of travel accessible to others.
What Makes This trip Special:
This trip is an amazing opportunity to introduce yourself to the incredible world of backpacking - all while getting to do it in one of the most beautiful National Parks! The experience of being in the Colorado Rockies is second to none with crisp Rocky Mountain air, soaring views, wildlife sightings, and tranquil mountain glacier lakes.
With 2 local guides with decades of experience you will be well taken care of throughout the experience. From the beginning they will help make sure gear is properly packed and fitted, tend to aches and pains on the trail, and prepare delicious and nutritious meals.
Our Root Adventures Tour Leaders will infuse the experience with mindfulness practices that will help you reconnect with nature and yourself. Ending with a fun stay at the historic Stanley Hotel, you'll have the opportunity rest and reconnect with your fellow travelers before heading home.
Why backpack In The rockies?
Hear directly from our travelers:
Amma, ROcky Mountains
“12/10 experience!!!
This trip could not have gone better. I met 8 amazing humans and together we conquered the backcountry of Colorado. We saw so many beautiful views and everyone was so supportive. I would recommend this trip and this company to anyone!”
Christina, Rocky Mountains
“Trips with Heart
You go for the adventure, but get much more! I was blown away by the thought put into my backpacking trip with Root. It was such a memorable experience. The type of community Root attracts for these adventures and makes space to connect with during the trip ensures you leave with friends for life. Thanks for that 😘”
FAQ’s
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We provide a full service experience. Included in your trip cost is:
-Transportation: All transportation is included from arrival at the Denver International Airport and return.
-Food: All food from lunch on day one to dinner on day 5 are included as outlined in the itinerary.
-Accommodation: Accommodation during the backpacking portion of the trip will be in shared, modern, lightweight 2-person weather-proof tents. Also included is a one night stay at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park on the last night of your trip.
-Equipment: Trip participants will be responsible for providing their own hiking clothing, rain gear, and sturdy hiking footwear. We will provide group camping gear along with sleeping bags and sleeping pads. Option for us to rent backpack and hiking poles for you. The guides will provide the group safety gear such as tarps, emergency communication devices and bear spray as well as group cooking gear and food.
-Safety: As with all our trips, safety is our number one priority. We expect the unexpected and will have plans for anything that could happen while on our adventures. We will have radios and other types of emergency communication devices, evacuation plans, and all of our guides have current Advanced Wilderness First Aid Certificates.
-2 Root Expert Tour Leaders who will facilitate mindfulness/wellness practices
-2 Local Guides
-Daily mindfulness activities
-Individual pre-trip assistance as needed
-2 pre-trip calls
-2 post trip calls
-Access to our Director of Traveler Experience who can help answer all your questions!
-All tips/gratuities
-6 Week Post-Trip Meditation Series to help integrate your experience
-Lifetime access to the Root Community
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Souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, and anything not detailed in the itinerary.
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At this time of the year expect warm, sunny days followed by chilly nights. As we approach the end of the summer season expect for the weather to be a bit more chillier, so pack with plenty of layers!
The average temperature is 73 degrees Fahrenheit during the day with lows in the upper 30’s at night. There is a high potential for afternoon storms and winds, but they rarely stick around for long!
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You’ll need to arrive in Denver, CO (DIA Airport) by 11am on August 30th. Please depart from DIA any time after 11am on September 3rd.
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We classify this trip a difficulty level of 5 out of 5. Which means prior hiking experience is highly recommended. This is a beginner friendly backpacking trip, so no prior backpacking experience is necessary.
However expect to carry a 35+ lb pack for multiple days on trail for sustained daily time. Expect elevation gain, variable terrain and weather conditions. Below are approximate daily mileages. You can check out the full detailed itinerary here.
Day 1: 0km
Day 2: Hike to campsite- Approximately 4.3 miles with elevation gain (this is where we will set up camp and spend the next three days)
Day 3: Day Hike - Approximately 11.5 miles (will not be carrying full heavy packs)
Day 4: Hike Out - Approximately 4.3 miles
Day 5: 0km
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Sleeping accommodations are a combination of hotel stays and camping as detailed in the itinerary.
Your first 3 nights will be camping accommodations with the first night in a front country campsite and the next 2 at your backcountry camping set up.
Your last night will be at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park where you can take a hot shower and get a good night's sleep before your travels home!
Accommodation during the backcountry portion of the trip will be in shared, modern, lightweight 2 person weather-proof tents.
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You will be carrying a heavy backpacking pack (35+ lbs) with everything you need for camping for 4 days. You will be carrying individual gear as well as a portion of the distributed shared group gear provided by the local guides.
The key in backpacking is to pack as light as possible! We will talk about this much more and make sure you are prepared!
You can find a detailed packing list here. We will also go over gear in much more detail on our two pre-trip calls.
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Incredible meals are provided by the local guides and will help be prepared by all participants.
All dietary restrictions are taken into consideration as well! You can indicate any dietary restrictions in the registration form upon sign up.
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On the days you’ll be camping there is no access to electricity and minimal to zero access to cell phone service.
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On the backpacking portion of the trip there will be no access to showers or toilets. Your guides will show you how to practice “leave no trace” practices for elimination on trails and outdoors.
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Here is a packing list. We will also go through gear questions in more detail in our two pre-trip calls.
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It is absolutely recommended that you do practice hikes, walks, or strength and cardio conditioning to prepare for this trip. When you sign up you’ll receive a training plan outline.
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Please email info@rootadventures.com or schedule a call. We would love to hear from you!