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Distance: | 42 miles from Estes Park |
Difficulty:
| Moderate to more difficult |
Way-marking:
| Most of trail is in RMNP. Does require a park map and good route following skills. |
Trails:
| Excellent walking underfoot. Does require two miles of road walking on the CDOT path on Hwy 7
| Lodging Styles:
| Lodging along the Tahosa Valley ranges from intimate B&Bs, rustic cabins, to dude ranche, and historic lodges.
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Best Season:
| June for wildflowers, September, and October for color. Summer is busy. |
Highlights:
| World-class scenery, fun and diverse lodging and a great sense of accomplishment.
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From Estes Park to Allenspark
Aspen Glen to East Portal
Difficulty: Moderate
The trail begins in Rocky Mountain National Park at the Aspen Glen Campground. This is an excellent starting place, especially for walkers arriving from the flatlands. The day is easy to follow and moderate in length with not too much elevation gain.
Once around Deer Mountain, the trail crosses over into Beaver Meadows and on into Moraine Park. These beautiful meadows are home to much of the Park's wildlife, so have the camera ready. The WTW exits the Park via the old Park Entrance Station onto Hwy 66. This is a good day of hiking to savor and enjoy.
East Portal to Lily Lake
Distance: 10.1 miles from RMNP entrance
Overall Elevation Gain: 2615 ft.
Low Point: 8,035 ft.
High Point: 9,852 ft.
Difficulty: Moderate to More Difficult
Today the WTW leaves the Estes Valley and makes its way south over  Storm Pass to the higher elevations of the Tahosa Valley. This is our gateway south. Elevation gain for the day is just over 2600 feet in 10 miles so taking it slow and steady is important. If you've got plenty of steam, there's an opportunity to climb Estes Cone from the Pass. The trail then descends to Lily Lake and The Baldpate Inn.
It’s too bad the Baldpate couldn’t insist all its visitors arrive by horse and carriage. The moment you walk up its creaky steps and stand beneath the low ceilings of the old wooden porch with its unparalleled view toward the Estes Valley, you feel like you've stepped back in time. Neither fast nor modern, it’s rustic ambiance is fun, not withstanding the cornbread and rhubarb pie.
Lily Lake to St. Malo
Distance: 9 miles
Overall Elevation Gain: 1.370 ft.
Low Point: 8,615 ft.
High Point: 9,823 ft.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
LIke the long-distance trails of Europe,  today's route uses what is available to make our way through the landscape and head south. There are a lot of twists and turns, historical interest, and change underfoot. Although the day is filled with gentle meadows and forests as well as the ever present east face of Longs Peak, it is not a day of wilderness, but rather a day that never strays far from the people who live here. You'll learn a lot today. Take time to stop at the Longs Peak Ranger Station for a chat, step into Charlie Eagle Plume's and Bishop's Arts and Antiques for a bit of "trail shopping", and visit the world of St. Malo. Long-distance hiking is not just about walking in the woods. Today you'll see why.
St. Malo to Allenspark
Distance: 12 miles
Overall Elevation Gain: 1800 ft.
Low Point: 8,245 ft.
High Point: 9,472 ft.
Difficulty: Moderate to More Difficult
It's always fitting to save the best for last. This is a splendid day with a great system of trails and over-the-top rewards awaiting your arrival in Allenspark. The trail skirts along the edge of the Park until it reaches Wild Basin Ranger Station. After the up and down beginning of the day, there's now a chance to relax on the easy trail between Copeland Lake and the Wild Basin Trailhead. Now the busy trail follows a rushing torrent to beautiful Calypso Cascade. Then it's one more uphill climb out of the basin and over the ridge before dropping into Allenspark. As you make this final assault, don't forget to turn around and soak in some of the best views in the world. Then head for the finish line and your celebration dinner at The Fawn Brook Inn.
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