• Ute Trail / RMNP
    New England Hiking Holidays

  • Roaring River at Lawn Lake Trailhead July 2013
    Rocky Mt. National Park

  • Ouzel Falls / Wild Basin Trail
    Rocky Mt. National Park

  • Sand Beach Lake / Wild Basin Area
    Rocky Mt. National Park

  • Thunder Lake / Wild Basin Area
    Rocky Mt. National Park

  • Along the N. St. Vrain River on the Wild Basin Trail
    Rocky Mt. National Park

Hiking

Getting Started:    If you have just arrived from a much lower elevation, it is important to let your body acclimate.  One of these hikes is a great way to see wonderful sights and “get your breath” at the same time:

DSC03913Copeland Falls:  Starting from the Wild Basin Trailhead, walk along the pleasant, wide path .3 miles.  A short side trail to the left takes you to the lower falls, with a connecting trail to the upper falls.  These are short falls, but a good trail for seasonal wild flowers and a relaxing place to sit by the river.

Lily LakeLily Lake:  A very easy, .7 mile loop around a pristine mountain lake with views of Longs Peak, Twin Sisters and Ypsilon Mountain.  Good picnic area; just south of Estes Park on Hwy 7; parking lot and restrooms next to highway.

Sprague LakeSprague Lake:  Numerous benches and viewing sites along the .5 mile loop.  The lake was constructed as a fishing pond in the early 1900’s.  Located in RMNP proper, follow Bear Lake Road for 5.9 miles.

As you become more comfortable with our altitude, try a longer hike (see pictures below).

INN-TO-INN HIKING: The Walter Tishma Trail In 2007, a local business owner started a hiking company, Footpaths of the World.  From her many years of hiking abroad, she had the idea of establishing a form of inn-to-inn hiking in our area.  By using local trails and inns along the way, she runs three to five day hikes, going from one location to the next, ending with a stay at our lodge and one of our homemade dinners.  It has been a growing business since.

Comments: “This is my second visit to Allenspark Lodge.  What an unexpected delight to visit your home once again!  Hiking the Walter Tishma Trail through the Rocky Mountain National Park  (Cub Lake – Storm Pass – Twin Sisters –Wild Basin) with this stop as our last was like reaching out and grabbing the golden ring!  A great reward for 4 days of hiking.  Thank you.” “Finished a 5-day inn-to-inn hike on the WTW (Walter Tishma Way) trail.  What a wonderful place to stay on our last night.  Such a warm and inviting place – not to mention the delicious food!”      

“Through Footpaths of the World.com we booked a 3 day/4 night hiking tour through Rocky Mountain N.P.  Phebe Novic put together a fantastic program with challenging hiking, beautiful scenery and welcoming lodging.  On our last day of hiking we were welcomed with open arms at Allenspark Lodge.  We went for horseback riding and had a phenomenal dinner at the Fawn Brook Inn.  To say we have enjoyed our stay here would be an understatement, as it has been truly memorable.  Thank you so much!  We will be back.”  Amsterdam, Netherlands.

“Just wanted to thank you again for arranging and shepherding us through our little hiking idyll and especially for taking the time to guide us over Storm Pass.  Our favorite innkeepers hands down were Bill and Juanita, who, among other kindnesses, introduced us to their 3 mustangs yesterday morning.  The scenery, mountain air and sunshine were sublime, but we’ll remember most the lovely people we encountered along the Tishma Way.”
 
Hiking in May 2013 Wild Basin area

Hiking in May 2013
Wild Basin area

Across Hwy 7 from the Lodge Roosevelt National Forest

Across Hwy 7 from the Lodge
Roosevelt National Forest

Looking for beaver dams Middle St. Vrain River Wild Basin

Looking for beaver dams
Middle St. Vrain River
Wild Basin

Contact Us

Allenspark Lodge B & B
184 State Hwy 7 Bus Rt/Main St.
PO Box 247
Allenspark CO 80510
phone: (303)747-2552
email: aplbnb@aol.com

Recent Posts

We are an adult retreat; those 14 years old or over welcome. Exceptions made for whole lodge rentals.

MODERATE/LONGER HIKES IN ALLENSPARK AREA

Thunder Lake

Thunder Lake - one of our longer hikes at 6.8 miles, one way, the trail-head leaves from the Wild Basin area, passes Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades, and Ouzel Falls before it branches off; at 10,600' it sits just under treeline. Read more

Ouzel Falls

Ouzel Falls - add another .9 miles from Calypso Cascades and travel through a section of the 1978 Ouzel Lake fire (and see all the regrowth) to see Ouzel Falls, named for the dipper bird often seen feeding here. It will only add about an hour to your round trip time - but well worth it! Read more

Sandbeach Lake

Sandbeach Lake - 4.2 miles from the trail-head at the Wild Basin Ranger Station of Rocky Mt. National Park; a beautiful mountain lake at just under 8500'. Read more

Calypso Cascades

Calypso Cascades - 1.8 miles from the Wild Basin trail-head, the cascades are named for the rare Fairy Slipper Orchid (Calypso) that can be seen along the trail in early summer. This is a really nice 3 hr. round trip hike along the North St. Vrain River. Read more

Estes Cone

Leaving from the Longs Peak Trailhead, the first 2/3 of the way is very pleasant with a slow rise, passing the site of the Eugenia Mine and through Moore Park. The trail then climbs fairly steeply to Storm Pass, with the last half mile challenging and rocky, but rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views. Read more

Twin Sisters

A 7.2 mile round trip moderate to strenuous hike, this trail leaves from a newer trailhead across from Lily Lake on State Hwy 7, climbs to a shallow saddle, then splits to scramble up the two peaks. Views of all the surrounding peaks visible through the trees as you ascend the trail. Read more

Foot Paths provides Self-Guided Hiking

Experience and hike through the outdoors with our expertly designed, self-guided inn-to-inn hiking trips. This allows you to hike at your own pace, without carrying heavy backpacks and camping gear. Explore Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park Colorado. Everything is done for you, including accommodations, luggage transfer, meals, trip planning and route maps too. You can hike without a care in the world. Read more
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