Hiking amongst the peaks, lakes, meadows and deserts of five famous American national parks

The American Rockies cover a vast area and rank amongst the most challenging and scenically rewarding ranges of the world. Huge peaks tower above glacier-carved valleys, crystal blue lakes and meadows frequented by bison, moose and even grizzly bear. This itinerary explores several extraordinary and varied parks, including Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton and Yellowstone, as well as the amazing desert scenery of Arches and Canyonlands. In addition to several daywalks in these parks, there are a couple of great peaks to bag too.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Start Salt Lake City. 2 There is time to explore the historic centre of Salt Lake City, founded in 1847 by Mormons fleeing religious persecution. The state's capital is a prosperous city and the religious centre of the Mormons, made famous recently by the 2002 Winter Olympics. We have time to visit Temple Square at the base of the huge Mormon Temple. Then we're on to Yellowstone N.P. (600km) - we will spend 3 nights at the hotel here. There are no walks scheduled for today. 3-4 Today we get an early start and take one of our most challenging hikes. We visit a rarely frequented trail in the NW corner of the park - The Black Canyon of the Yellowstone. This 19 km walk offers superb scenery and the chance to view wildlife. The elevation gain is less than 1,000 ft (300m), so with a bit of exertion even those who find this distance daunting should be able to complete the hike. The hike ends near the 2-Bit Saloon in the quaint old western village of Gardiner, Montana. A cold beer is an added reward. We then stop off at Mammoth Hot Springs to see the amazing calcite formations (1/2 hr walk). Time and weather conditions permitting we can visit a natural hot spring for a soothing dip. 5 We will leave Yellowstone early today. Driving over the continental divide we soon reach one of the West's most beautiful national parks, Grand Teton N.P. From a lovely valley at 2000m, studded with large alpine lakes dammed by glacial moraines, rises the massive comb of the Teton Range to over 4000m. Our trail starts at the very base of the Grand Teton, a tooth-shaped mountain towering 2000m above our heads. We take a short boat ride ($6 fee) across Jenny Lake to the Cascade Canyon trailhead. Incredible views of the jagged peaks soaring over 2000m above us are reflected in the blue alpine lakes (c. 9 km, 3-5 hrs). Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point offer classic views and the further you hike up Cascade Canyon the more spectacular the mountains become. In the late afternoon we're on to the busy tourist town of Jackson, where we have a bit of time to look around. The day ends with an evening at the historical Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, where everyone usually ends up Western dancing. 6 Heading south we pass the Oregon Trail Ruts. In the afternoon, we enter the dark red sandstone canyon that the mighty Colorado River has carved into the desert rock. Vast open areas surround is in stark contrast to the days spent in the lush green mountains. Following a cliff-hanging road we are rewarded with impressive views of red rock spires of the Fisher Towers, the mighty La Sal Mountains and rock reflections in the river. As the canyon opens, we reach the desert oasis of Moab on the shores of the Colorado River, widely accepted as the birthplace of mountain biking. The town is nestled in a valley created by a fault, surrounded by a vast wilderness of red rock. Our hotel is located in the centre of the small desert town, near shops and restaurants (3 nights). There is no time to hike today. 7 On the famous Colorado Plateau red sandstones abound and the colours of the soil range from pink to red with evergreen juniper and dwarf pine dotting the slopes. The scenery here is very different from the lush green Rockies. We have two days to explore some of the West's most scenic national Parks. Arches National Park is a favourite among many. It must be one of the most photographed parks anywhere. The park protects the most unusual rock formations - a plethora of fragile yet huge sandstone arches carved into dark red rock by wind and frost erosion. The more adventurous may attempt the superb Primitive Loop Trail (7.2 miles, 11.5km). Others may choose to spend the day hiking through famous formations such as Park Avenue or The Windows-the whole group will, of course, walk to the famous Delicate Arch. Depending on weather conditions, the leader might choose to do an early morning and a late afternoon hike to avoid the afternoon desert heat. The optional 4-wheel drive tours in this area are highly recommended. During the summer, a short float trip on the Colorado River can also be refreshing. 8 Canyonlands NP consists of vast canyons carved into the desert. The Canyons are over 700m deep and in their bottoms we can see the mighty Colorado and Green rivers cutting away at the red sandstone. This park was Edward Abbey's (famous and beloved American naturalist and author of "Desert Solitaire") favourite! Join our leaders for a variety of hikes and see why-you will not be disappointed! In the heat of mid-Summer, the groups may opt to take a cool river float trip or relax in Moab around the pool. 9 We are heading out of the desert towards Colorado's high country - the mighty Rockies. We stop near Aspen for a leisurely hike to the Maroon Bells. Then a short afternoon visit to the famous trendy city of Aspen allows everyone a chance to relax. Then we're on towards Leadville, a gold mining town at 3100m and one of North America highest settlements. Leadville lies in a high altitude valley rimmed by Colorado's tallest mountains. This valley is one of the most mineralised areas in the world, having produced massive amounts of gold and silver. During its boom time in the late 19th century, this was Colorado's second largest city with over 24,000 inhabitants, a large opera house and huge brick mansions. Today only 3,000 inhabitants remain. Mount Elbert looms at the horizon, and Leadville is a perfect base from which to hike Mount Elbert. We stay in the local hostel (please note the hostel will be less comfortable than our hotel stops), frequented by many hikers and athletes that train at these extreme elevations (4 - 5 hours of driving). 10 Today you have the chance to hike the Rockies' highest peak - Mount Elbert, at 4,400m. We start very early in the day after a hearty breakfast to allow for plenty of time to reach the summit. The semi-maintained trail passes through dense forests of aspen and pine before it ascends the steep East Ridge to the top. This is the 'classic route' on the mountain, and yet it is the easiest and most scenic route. It's approximately a 16km round trip and about 1,300m up and down. At 4,000m on the ridge above tree line, we are already rewarded with impressive views and those wanting to return from here will not be disappointed. Those reaching the top can not only enjoy unforgettable views across the Rocky Mountains, but can also claim to have reached the Rockies highest peak, a true accomplishment for the serious trekker. Alternatively, a beautiful less strenuous hike can be done passing the many beaver ponds through thick forests of Aspen following the famous Colorado Trail. You can also choose to skip the hiking and have a local cowboy take you on a half-day horseback ride (enquire about prices upon arrival), or walk to town for souvenir shopping and museums. 11 A day to rest the bones will definitely be appreciated after all the exertion of yesterday. Some may choose to visit the National Mining Museum in Leadville with its fascinating displays of mining history ($4 charged). We have a short scenic drive and a chance to stop in Georgetown, one of Colorado's best old mining towns. In the afternoon we reach Winter Park in the remote Fraser River Valley. We settle into our comfortable hotel at the base of the ski resort, complete with its own brewery. (In the unlikely chance that weather did not permit us to attempt Mt Elbert yesterday we can use today to make another attempt). This is a "rest" day and no hikes are offered. 12 James Peak is a much-overlooked 4000m peak on the Continental Divide, yet a favourite among the locals. We follow a dirt road built during the gold mining bonanza to an arching historic wooden train trestle used by steam engines at 3385m. From here we start our hike and soon reach tree line, crossing flower filled meadows as we hike towards the peak. The views around us are stunning as we ascend a boulder field below the summit. James Peak is a very rewarding 4000m peak (11 km round trip, approx. 700m elevation gain and loss). In case the entire group summated Mount Elbert and chooses to skip James Peak, the leader can suggest a wonderful ridge hike above treeline with incredible views. Time permitting we might visit the thermal waters of Hot Sulphur Springs in the afternoon (c. $15 pp). Those not wanting to walk today can stroll to the ski resort of Winter Park, where chair lifts operate up into the mountain. You can also rent bikes and cycle along paved trails to the town of Winter Park or use mountain bikes to access all levels of single-track trails on the ski mountain. 13 We head out towards nearby Rocky Mountain N.P. Entering the park from the west we see few crowds as we hike into lush mountain canyons to thundering waterfalls near Grand Lake. We will have plenty of time to hike in Rocky Mountain NP today. Various moderate hikes of around 10km will be available depending on the weather and group's desires/capabilities. To reach our hotel we have to cross Trail Ridge Road, this fantastic road is one of the highest paved roads of the US at 3,713m! As we ascend the pass, keep an eye out for majestic elk and bighorn sheep. Views above the tree line are stunning as we look across to the snow-covered Never Summer Mountains. The arctic tundra plants at this altitude are again fascinating. We spend the night in the resort town of Estes Park. 14 Rocky Mountain National Park is another favourite among many mountain hikers. The scenery is stunning with more than one third of the park located above the tree line! Countless lakes dot high alpine valleys, whilst waterfall and stream fed meadows burst into an exuberant bloom in the short summer season. There are two choices of hikes today. The group will hike up to Bear Lake ascending via a string of alpine lakes below towering cliffs, to Dream Lake. A cliff-hanging trail with stunning views takes us into Glacier Gorge and Loch Vale where our destination is Sky Pond below the impressive 'Sharks tooth' spire (c. 15-17 km, 500 m elevation gain/loss). Those wanting to bag another peak can attempt Flattop Mountain, at 3,756m (14 km round trip, elevation gain 850m). The views are spectacular as you ascend the mountain through forests of Engleman spruce and sub-alpine fir looking at the massive headwalls of Long's Peak. In late afternoon we're on to Denver, a short 1.5-hour drive, where we check into our comfortable hotel. Time permitting, we head for the downtown area to celebrate good-bye and stroll the historic streets of this bustling city. 15 End Denver.

Mode of travel: 8 daywalks and 2-4 half-day walks. Altitude maximum 4400m, average 2000m.
Group size: min. 7, max. 12, plus leader/drivers.
Accommodation: 12 nights hotels, 2 nights hostel.
Food: 12 lunches included.
Optional Single Supplement: from $990.00
Trip Reference: TAR
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an 'R' in the dates and prices table below.