Fatpacking

Fly into Denver International Airport (DEN) or drive into Denver. The best time to arrive is between Noon-3PM. However, if you can save a substantial amount on your flight by arriving an hour or two later or earlier, then do so.

Take airport shuttle to Hampton Inn & Suites: Denver/Airport-Gateway Park, 4310 Airport Way, Denver, CO, 80239, 303-375-8118

Equipment shakedown

Trail mix distribution

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Go to Denver Flagship REI Store, 1416 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202, (303) 756-3100 for forgotten and last minute equipment purchase

Go out for dinner at a local restaurant (TBD)

Second set of "before" measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage.

Breakfast at Hampton Inn

Take the free Airport Shuttle to the airport (no it doesn't make sense, but we have to do it this way)

Pick up the Summit Express Shuttle to Cow Creek Trailhead, Rocky Mountain National Park, approximately a 2 hour trip. (Stop at Beaver Meadows Ranger Station along the way to pick up permit)

Begin hiking at Cow Creek, elevation 7850'

Hike 2.0 miles to Peregrine campsite and set up camp (8,480ft)

Day hike 3.0 round trip miles to Bridal Veil Falls (elevation 9000') and back to camp

Camp at Peregrine Campsite, elevation 8480'.

Miles today: 5.0. Total miles: 5.0

Possible bailout: Cow Creek Trailhead

Hike 6.5 miles on Dark Mountain Trail and Black Canyon trail to Lawn Lake.

Set up camp at Lawn Lake Camp, elevation 10990'.

Option 4.0 mile day hike to Crystal Lake

Camp at Lawn Lake Camp, elevation 10990'.

Miles today: 6.5. Total miles: 11.5

Possible bailout: Cow Creek Trailhead, Old Fall River Road

Hike 8 miles (mostly downhill) to Aspenglen front country campsite (8,200ft).

Camp at Aspenglen, running water, firewood and bathhouses available (no showers though)

Miles today: 8.0. Total miles: 19.5

Possible bailout: Route 34

Hike 9.3 miles via Fern Lake Trail to Old Forest Inn campsite (8,400ft)

Camp at Old Forest Inn campsite (8,400ft)

Miles today: 9.3. Total miles: 28.8

Possible bailout: Route 34

Hike 1.8 miles to Marguerite Falls

Day-Hike 2.8 miles roundtrip to Spruce Lake

Hike 2.5 miles to Sourdough, elevation 10600'

Camp at Sourdough Campsite, elevation 10600'

Miles today: 7.1. Total miles: 35.9

Possible bailout: Fern Lake Trailhead

Hike 2.5 miles to Flattop Mountain Trail

Hike 3.5 miles to the summit of Flattop Mountain, elevation 12324', the highest point on our trip

Hike 4.1 miles on the Continental Divide Trail / Tonahutu Creek Trail to Haynach Campsite

Camp at Haynach Campsite, elevation 10500'

Miles today: 10.1. Total miles: 46.0

Possible bailout: Bear Lake Road

Day-hike 2.0 miles to Haynach Lakes

Hike 4.5 miles on Tonahutu Creek Trail

Hike 0.7 miles on the Continental Divide Trail

Hike 1.0 miles to Paintbrush Campsite

Camp at Paintbrush Campsite, elevation 9400'

Miles today: 8.2. Total miles: 54.2

Possible bailout: Rt 34

Hike 3.3 miles to Tonahutu Trailhead

Hike into the town of Grand Lake

Check into Bighorn Lodge, 613 Grand Ave Grand Lake, CO 80447-1760, 970-627-8101, GrandLake407@abvi.com

Unstructured time

Resupply, restaurant meal (not included), showers, laundry, cell signals

Miles today: 3.3. Total miles: 57.5

Check out of Bighorn Lodge

Hike back to Tonahutu Trailhead

Hike 9.5 miles (7.5 flat) on the Continetal Divide Trail to July Campsite

Camp at July Campsite, elevation 10650'

Miles today: 9.5. Total miles: 67.0

Possible bailout: Grand Lake

Hike 2.6 miles up the backside of Flattop Mountain, elevation 12324'

Hike 5.8 miles to Mill Creek Basin Campsite

Camp at Mill Creek Basin Campsite, elevation 9050'

Miles today: 6.9. Total miles: 73.9

Possible bailout: Bear Lake

Hike 3.9 miles via Cub Lake to Cub Lake Trailhead (8100’)

End of hiking

Miles today: 3.9. Total miles: 77.8

Take free park shuttle to Glacier Basin

Take free park shuttle to Beaver Meadows

Take Summit Express shuttle back to Comfort Suites: 6210 Tower Road Denver, CO, US, 80249, (303) 371-9300

After measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.

"After" measurements taken

Free Hotel Breakfast

Leave Hotel

Take free shuttle to Airport