THE GRAND LOOP, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

HOW TO USE: This is a rough guideline for your trip. Be sure to fill in the blanks and send to your loved ones. Remember, the wilderness is wild, plan accordingly. ITINERARY THE GRAND LOOP, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO TBD (_) Trailmaster

On ______, ______is backpacking a major loop circumnavigating Rocky Mountain National Park, near Estes Park, northwest of Boulder, CO. Trailhead is approximately 75 miles from Denver. This trip involves six days and five nights of backpacking in RMNP. The trip totals 43.3 miles and is anticipated to be of difficult as there are significant off trail mileage and high altitudes. This trip is best suited for those with significant backpacking experience.

Water at each campground is expected but not a sure thing. This is Colorado and snowpack/draughts impact the amount of water in the mountains.

Trailhead Directions - From Denver, take Highway 36 north through Boulder, Lyons to Estes Park. In Estes Park, turn south/left on Moraine Avenue which eventually becomes an entrance to RMNP. After paying the entrance fee, head into the park and turn left/south on Bear Lake Road and follow it to its end at the Bear Lake Ranger Station which is the trailhead.

SCHEDULE Tuesday Day 1, (7.82 Miles, up) 8:00 am arrive Bear Lake Trailhead 8:30 am begin hike to Renegade Campground 12:00 pm lunch on the trail 2:00 pm arrive camp. Make Camp and relax. 4:00 High tea 5:00 Dinner cook in camp, check in for the night 10:00 Lights out

Wednesday Day 2, (3.65 Miles, easy day) 8:00 am Wake, breakfast, make ready 9:30 am begin hike to South Meadow Campground 12:00 pm lunch on the trail 12:30 pm Arrive camp. Make Camp and relax. 4:00 High tea 5:00 Dinner cook in camp, check in for the night 10:00 Lights out

Thursday Day 3, (13.31 Miles, long day) 6:00 am Wake, breakfast, make ready 6:30 am begin hike to Lake Verna Campground (through Grand Lake) 12:00 pm lunch on the trail 2:30 pm Arrive camp. Make Camp and relax. 4:00 High tea 5:00 Dinner cook in camp, check in for the night 10:00 Lights out

Friday Day 4, (7.87 Miles, cross country for portion) 8:00 am Wake, breakfast, make ready 9:30 am begin hike to Hunters Creek Backcountry Area 12:00 pm lunch on the trail 3:30 pm Arrive camp. Make Camp and relax. 4:00 High tea 5:00 Dinner cook in camp, check in for the night 10:00 Lights out

Saturday Day 5, (7.11 Miles, challenging day) 8:00 am Wake, breakfast, make ready 9:30 am begin hike to Boulder Brook Campground 12:00 pm lunch on the trail 3:30 pm Arrive camp. Make Camp and relax. 4:00 High tea 5:00 Dinner cook in camp, check in for the night 10:00 Lights out

Sunday Day 6, (3.52 Miles, easy) 8:00 am Wake, breakfast, make ready 9:30 am begin hike to Bear Creek Trailhead 12:00 pm begin head home congratulate ourselves on how cool we are.

WEATHER (expected) Likely to be dry and in the 80 degrees. But, it isn’t sure; be prepared for 20 degrees and rain or snow. This is Colorado and it's never summer in the mountains. These are the Colorado Mountains and nearly any weather system is possible.

WHAT TO TAKE, see website winter gear list.

REMEMBER, backpacking teaches you to take care of yourself in a wilderness setting and to enjoy it. If your mother packed your pack, you have too much stuff. The Boy Scout Outdoor Code, the 4 c’s; CLEAN IN YOUR OUTDOOR MANNERS, CAREFUL WITH FIRE, CONSIDERATE IN THE OUTDOORS, CONSERVATION MINDED.

COSTS Gas Food

WHO's Going Fill this in with names and cell phone.

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS Rocky Mountain National Park 1000 US highway 36, Estes Park, CO 80517 Phone: (970) 586-1206

ATTACHED 81/2 x 11 copy of map