Colorado Backcountry Multi Activity

A Chalet-based Hiking, Biking and Whitewater Rafting Adventure

The classic allure of the Colorado Rockies in the summertime is manifested in wildflower-laden meadows, gentle aspen groves and snowcapped peaks. Imagine a multi-sport getaway where you are literally immersed in the pristine wilds of Colorado's backcountry. On our lofty adventure, we bicycle historic pathways, raft exhilarating whitewater and hike among jagged peaks and glaciated lakes by day. At day's end we settle into the luxurious comforts of another backcountry chalet. Though the "huts" are set high in the mountains, this tour is geared for the beginner biker and hiker

The huts are remote and idyllic hideaways perched high on mountain ridges with magnificent views. These charming chalets offer you the unique opportunity to stay in the high country among endless trails, wildflowers, elk and deer. Featuring amenities such as vaulted ceilings, bay windows, wood stoves and photovoltaic lighting, you will enjoy evenings of backcountry comfort. After a day on the trail snuggle up to a good book or relax on the sun deck and soak in the view.

Trip Rating: Moderate with Challenging Options
Activities: hike (3 days), bike (2 days), raft (1 day)

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1. Hike from Tennessee Pass to Uncle Bud's Hut via the Colorado Trail, Uncle Bud's Hut
Our group assembles at the Evergreen Lodge in Vail at 9:00 a.m. After a short orientation and a shuttle, we lace up our boots for a day of hiking along a portion of the 490-mile Colorado Trail, which stretches from Denver to Durango in the southwest corner of the state. Today's trailhead straddles the Continental Divide at Tennessee Pass and the views are spectacular. Midday we enjoy a picnic set beneath the craggy Galena Peaks. The grades along the trail are moderate as we begin our hike at a high elevation.
Trail's end is Uncle Bud's Hut, our home-away-from-home for the next two nights. Situated above 11,000 feet, the hut is picturesquely set near tree line in an open expanse. Enjoy a stroll, relax on the sun deck and marvel at the magnificent view, or cap off the day with a game of frisbee in the meadow that fronts the hut.
Dinner this evening is truly a well-deserved feast. Under clear mountain skies, we relax on the deck and enjoy the peace of the Rocky Mountain backcountry.

• Colorado Trail hike [8 miles; approximately 1,300 feet of elevation gain, 300 feet of elevation loss]

Day 2. Rafting the Arkansas River or Hiking Galena Mountain, Uncle Bud's Hut
Today we experience a thrilling rapid-filled day rafting Brown's Canyon of the Arkansas River, Colorado's most popular stretch of whitewater. Zoom Flume, Pin Ball, Staircase, and Devils Punch Bowl are just a few of the exciting rapids we'll encounter. For those who do not want to raft, walk a portion of the 490-mile Colorado Trail that ventures into the alpine reaches of the Holy Cross Wilderness. The trail leads to a series of remote lakes before climbing above treeline along the edge of Galena Mountain. This treeless expanse is a wonderland for exploration as you can ascend Galena ridge for "top-of-the-world" views. If you choose not to raft, please be sure to notify our office staff before the trip begins.

• Brown's Canyon rafting [Class III+ Rapids]. Please let us know upon registration if you do not want to raft.
• Option: Galena Mountain hike [up to 6 miles; 1300' elevation gain/loss]

Day 3. Hike from Uncle Bud's Hut to Timberline Lake, Skinner Hut
Continuing on the Colorado Trail we hike past a series of emerald-tinted alpine lakes and through a verdant valley peppered with colorful wildflowers to an open meadow where we begin our ascent to Timberline Lake. We soon find ourselves on the shores of the sunsplashed lake set at the base of the Continental Divide. Permanent snowfields cling to the high, unnamed peaks surrounding this beautiful lake. From the lake we enjoy the return descent along the cascading Lake Fork. After a shuttle up the rugged Hagerman Pass, we find ourselves at our next tranquil hideaway -- Skinner Hut. Blending well with the high, alpine landscape, this handsome stone building appears to have been carved from the underlying crags. In the evening sunset, the sea of peaks that radiate in all directions is truly dramatic.

• Bear Lake Trailhead to Timberline Lake Trailhead hike [3-¾ miles; approximately 500 feet elevation gain and 1,280 feet loss]
• Timberline Lake hike [5 miles; approximately 815 feet of elevation gain, then loss]
• Shuttle up Hagerman Pass to Skinner Hut [1 hour over rough four wheel dirt road]

Day 4. Free Day to Bike, Hike or Relax, Skinner Hut
Today is all yours as we layover for a day at Skinner Hut. The options are limitless. If you are pumped for some cycling, we have the adventure for you!

Rolling out our bikes, we enjoy a downhill ride from Skinner Hut. Our route follows the old railway grade of the Midland Railroad of the 1890s as we descend towards Turquoise Lake. En route, we'll hike to the long since abandoned Haggerman Tunnel and explore the ghost town of Douglas City, once a wild settlement with eight saloons and dance halls.

In addition to the exciting downhill cruise from Skinner, an optional highlight of today is an exhilarating single-track trail that winds along the shores of Turquoise Lake offering unequaled reflections across the crystalline waters. At trail's end you can retrace your tracks or continue around the lake on a rolling paved road. Mirrored in the crystal waters are Colorado's highest peaks, Mount Massive and Mount Elbert.

For those looking to hike, consider venturing up to Haggerman Pass and the Continental Divide. Those that opt for this hike will be rewarded with 360° views that stretch from the open summit back to Leadville and the Arkansas Valley to Ivanhoe Lake and the Upper Fryingpan Valley. In the afternoon limelight, the sea of peaks that radiate in all directions is absolutely breathtaking.
Whatever you choose for the day, be sure to leave yourself some time to simply relax at the hut.

• Bike ride from Skinner Hut to Turquoise Lake [9 miles, 1,800 feet of elevation loss]
• Hike to Douglas City and Hagerman Tunnel, in the middle of the bike ride [4 miles round trip; 750 feet of elevation gain/loss]
• Additional option in the afternoon: mountain bike along Turquoise Lake [7-15 miles; elevation gain negligible]
• Alternative option in the morning: hike the Continental Divide [mileage and elevation change variable]

Day 5. Bike Hagerman Pass, Hike Henderson Park, Peter Estin Hut (Harry Gates Hut for Aug 5 tour)
As you wake up and breathe deeply the fresh mountain air, get ready for another day of the unique backcountry beauty that only Colorado can provide. For the active enthusiast, gear up for an early morning bike ride over Hagerman Pass on the Continental Divide, followed by an intense downhill as far as you would like to go! Alternatively, join the shuttle for a scenic ride from Skinner Hut. After catching up with our bikers, we all shuttle to the Holy Cross Wilderness and explore expansive Henderson Park by foot. One can not help but wonder how the first pioneers must have felt when they first saw these beautiful mountains and lakes.
We end the afternoon at Peter Estin Hut, a guide favorite -- and for good reason. Perched on a lofty knoll at 11,200 feet, the hut is the perfect place to relax and marvel at the magnificent views. Enjoy this idyllic setting with a late afternoon hike to a nearby vista, or relax on the expansive sun deck and marvel at the jagged Elk Range peaks.

• Bike over Hagerman Pass [mileage variable as the ride is van supported; approximately 400 feet of elevation gain, 2,500 feet of elevation loss]
• Henderson Park trailhead to Last Chance trailhead [6.5 miles; approximately 1,400 feet of elevation gain, 1,200 feet of elevation loss]
• Shuttle to Skinner Hut [1+ hour over rough dirt road]

Day 6. Hiking to Charles Peak, Biking to Yeoman Park
Hiking directly from Peter Estin Hut, our backcountry adventure continues when we climb a high elevation ridgeline to the summit of Charles Peak at over 12,000 feet. Witness staggering views of the pristine Central Colorado Rockies.
Upon returning to Peter Estin we'll mount our bikes and pedal alongside Hat Creek through the heart of the White River National Forest. Our downhill cruise winds through forests of aspen and meadows of wildflowers as we approach Yeoman Park. After our descent from Peter Estin Hut, we shuttle to Vail Valley for our trip's conclusion at approximately 5:30 p.m.

• Hike Peter Estin Hut to Charles Peak and back [3 miles; 800 feet of elevation gain/ loss]
• Bike Peter Estin Hut to Yeoman Park [9 miles; 2,000 feet of elevation loss]

Activities: hike (3 days), bike (2 days), raft (1 day)

July 26- 31 Departures Itinerary:

Days 1-2: See the standard itinerary above

Day 3: Hike from Uncle Bud's Hut to Bear Lake and Bike Hagerman Pass, Harry Gates Hut
Continuing on the Colorado Trail we hike past a series of emerald-tinted alpine lakes and through a verdant valley peppered with colorful wildflowers to an open meadow where we begin our ascent to Timberline Lake. We soon find ourselves on the shores of the sunsplashed lake set at the base of the Continental Divide. Permanent snowfields cling to the high, unnamed peaks surrounding this beautiful lake. From the lake we enjoy the return descent along the cascading Lake Fork.
Following lunch and a shuttle to Hagerman Pass, get ready for some backcountry beauty that only Colorado can provide. For the active enthusiast, gear up for a bike ride over Hagerman Pass on the Continental Divide, followed by an intense downhill as far as you would like to go!

Alternatively, join the shuttle for this scenic ride.
• Bear Lake Trailhead to Timberline Lake Trailhead hike [3-¾ miles; approximately 500 feet elevation gain and 1,280 feet loss]
• Bike over Hagerman Pass [mileage variable as the ride is van supported; approximately 400 feet of elevation gain (optional), 2,500 feet of elevation loss]

Day 4. Hike Henderson Park, Harry Gates Hut
As you wake up and breathe deeply the fresh mountain air, get ready for another day of the unique mountain beauty only Colorado can provide. Today we venture deep into the Holy Cross Wilderness and explore secluded meadows and flower-filled aspen woodlands on our way to magnificent Henderson Park, a gorgeous example of a pristine Rocky Mountain alpine meadow filled with flowers and a magnet for wildlife. One can not help but wonder how the first pioneers must have felt when they first saw these beautiful mountains and lakes.

• Last Chance Trail to Tellurium Lake trailhead [7.5 miles, 1200' elevation gain/1400' loss]

Day 5. Hike from Peter Estin Hut via the Charles Peak Trail, Peter Estin Hut
We drive to Peter Estin Hut, from which our backcountry adventure continues when we climb a high elevation ridgeline at 12,000 feet just below Charles Peak. Our picnic lunch spot is unforgettable as we gaze from alpine tundra out onto a sea of snowy peaks and a tranquil mountain lake. We then meander down tree-covered ridges to pristine Lake Charles. After lunch we can venture on to Mystic Island Lake or explore Lake Charles, then we head down to Fulford Campground for our shuttle back to Peter Estin hut and another relaxing panoramafilled sunset.

• Peter Estin Hut to Lake Charles to Fulford Campground [9 miles; approximately 700 feet of elevation gain, 2000 feet of elevation loss]
• Option: Lake Charles to Mystic Island Lake [4 miles; 265 feet elevation gain, then loss]

Day 6. Biking to Yeoman Park (or even continuing on as far as Eagle, Colorado)
From Peter Estin Hut we'll mount our bikes and pedal alongside Hat Creek through the heart of the White River National Forest. Our downhill cruise winds through forests of aspen and meadows of wildflowers as we approach Yeoman Park. After our descent from Peter Estin Hut, we shuttle to Vail Valley for our trip's conclusion.
• Bike Peter Estin Hut to Yeoman Park [9 miles; 2,000 feet of elevation loss] or on to Eagle, Colorado [a total ride of approximately 20 miles]

Other Details

Accommodation Details

On our inn-to-inn trips, breakfast and dinner are enjoyed at our inn or at a nearby restaurant and feature hearty and healthy cuisine.
Lunches are healthy and tasty homemade trailside picnics. On our camping trips, all meals are prepared by our guides, and are fresh and wholesome.

We always carry a hearty supply of snacks available in our vans, which often include assorted granola/cereal bars, trail mix and/or fruit. So each day you´ll be able to grab a handful before hitting the trail. We try to maintain the healthiest and most energizing snacks, though keep in mind that in more remote areas we are often limited to what´s available in local grocery stores.
If you have any special dietary needs or allergies please contact us at least 30 days before your trip so that we may accommodate you. If you have a special beverage or snack that you would like to have, bring it along, there is usually room in our coolers. Please note that we do not provide alcoholic beverages. If you wish to bring along additional beverages, there is space in our coolers for them.

How nice are the huts? Although the huts are luxurious backcountry accommodations, they are still relatively rustic. They are equipped with pumped water in the kitchen, an attached outhouse, photovoltaic lighting, a social area centered around a wood stove, an expansive sun deck, and your guides will make solar showers available for bathing. Please note that you will need to bring [or rent from us] a sleeping bag and a pillow case [comfortable mattresses make up the huts' ‘single´ level beds]. There are several sleeping rooms - the size of the group determines how many people will share each room. For more specific information about the huts. What are your age limitations for children? Children of 10 years of age or older are welcome on our family departure as well as many of our regularly scheduled departures. All minors must be accompanied by at least one adult. The rafting and mountain biking on this trip are appropriate for young people ages 10 and up. Please call us to discuss the suitability of this particular tour.

Lodging & Itinerary Changes
Changes are possible to tour accommodations or itinerary due to availability, group size, weather, safety considerations, etc. We will be happy to provide an accommodation list when lodging for your tour is finalized, typically 60 days prior to departure.