Rocky Mountain Vacations-Distance, Cost, Itinerary

The dazzling alpine lakes etched into the slopes of rocky mountain peaks are a highlight of Rocky Mountain National Park. On a magnificent circular hike today, we visit five of these hidden jewels. Bear Lake, located in the Tyndall Gorge, is one of the park's most photographed lakes. We hike to Nymph Lake, which is surrounded by pond lilies and offers spectacular views of Hallet Peak, Longs Peak, and Glacier Gorge, in addition to Bear Lake. As we approach Lake Haiyaha in lower Chaos Canyon, one spectacular view leads to the next. Finally, we ascend a series of switchbacks to The Loch, a stunningly blue lake where we stop for a picnic lunch. Our luxurious camp gives just the right amount of pampering after a long day on the route, as we enjoy a great camp dinner and the company of our hiking buddies. All meals are included in the price.

Note: late-season snow may prevent us from completing the entire circle hike described above in June. In this situation, we'll switch to out-and-back hikes that will still give us a good view of the lakes. Early season departures have the advantage of improved alpine beauty, with snow remaining on the peaks and a greater chance of seeing newborn animals.

We left Bear Valley behind and ventured into the Mummy Range, a subrange of the Front Range that contains some of the most accessible 13,000-foot peaks in the Rockies, after breakfast to explore the park from a different perspective. Near the start of our hike, we get a glimpse of the infamous Old Fall River Road, the original auto-route to Rocky Mountain National Park's high country, which was considered treacherously narrow and steep, requiring early cars to traverse the road in reverse because none of the other gears could handle the 16 percent grade. Fortunately, today's hike is a gentler ascent. We'll ascend through a densely forested basin, soaking up the shade, before crossing the Roaring River on a footbridge. As we climb, we'll take plenty of breaks to take in the scenery and learn about alluvial fans. At picturesque Ypsilon Lake, we reach an elevation of 8,540 feet. We'll have time this afternoon to explore one of the park's visitor centers before relaxing and taking in the beauty of camp. All meals are included in the price.

This morning, we take a picturesque drive to the Wild Basin Trailhead along the eastern side of Longs Peak in the Tahosa Valley. Before venturing out to see three stunning waterfalls, we fill our daypacks with food, snacks, and cameras. Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades, and Ouzel Falls are all visually stunning and provide a wide range of photo options. The songbird known as the water ouzel (or American dipper) entertains us as it soars along the water in an endless search for aquatic insects in the rushing streams. Those who wish to get back on the route this afternoon can join our guides for a stroll along the Lateral Moraine Trail, which features several spectacular viewpoints. Tonight, our guides prepare a special farewell supper for us, giving us the chance to reminisce about our explorations in this spectacular national park. All meals are included in the price.

Driving across Trail Ridge Road, widely regarded as one of America's most beautiful drives, is a must-do activity in Rocky Mountain National Park. As we climb 4,500 feet in height, the foliage and topography change, and we look for marmots, elk, and other creatures that call this area home. We take a break up in the alpine tundra to climb the Rock Cut Trail. Starting at almost 11,000 feet, this hike differs from our prior hikes in that we are above the tree line, providing us with spectacular vistas. After that, we continue on Trail Ridge Road through the backbone of the continent to the park's west side and the Colorado River's headwaters. Before continuing our drive back to Denver, we stop at Holzwarth Historic Site for a short walk. We expect to arrive in Denver between 6 and 7 p.m. tonight. Breakfast and lunch are also provided.