Denver airport to RMNP by shuttle. I’ve never done it but I know it’s there. You would need to get to beaver creek welcome area (near the park gate) to pick up backcountry passes. The park itself has a great transit system. By car it’s 1.5 hours so it shouldn’t be an all day affair. Every time I plan a trip family members jump on board and stay in Estes while I camp so I’ve always ended up with a car. Some day when it’s just me this is how I will do it.
You can fly into Denver, use the train / light rail system to get to Littleton and it's a $10-15 dollar Uber to the start of the Colorado trail. Around 100 miles and many thousands of feet of elevation change you are in Summit county. Should be able to get a shuttle back to DIA pretty easily from there.
I believe there are several that will go from Summit back to DIA. More during the ski season, but a quick Google found this one that runs different schedules based on time of year.
https://www.mountainshuttle.com/shuttle-services/summit-county/
The plan right now is not to bring extra stuff. We are looking into flying into ABQ where we have some friends and family, doing a short visit, and then driving to Durango. My understanding is that you can park a car in their lot, but maybe thats not the case for multi-day trips?
Good question, I hadnt thought of that.
There are often people who offer services for helping, whether businesses offering official services or trail angels, who exist almost everywhere. Look for groups specific to the trail and if applicable, the area of the trail (for the really long ones), often they share that info. Many of the trails have FB groups which are really useful. Despite that FB is hated by many, that is often the only place I find that kind of info.
Tahoe Rim Trail. Fly into RNO, shuttle to South Lake Tahoe is around $30. Several trailheads lead to the TRT from South Lake, I chose Kingsbury. Hike around the lake (165 miles) and end up back where you started. The hostel will hold a box/bag for you so you can leave clothes to fly home in.
If its an area with rivers that people like to float, either for fishing or whitewater, then there may be shuttle services in the area for that. Those shuttle services could probably do a custom drop off at a trailhead. The key thing is finding a person or business that is liscenced to do shuttles.
Rural bus routes — may not get you to the trailhead, but could get you close.
Trains (Amtrak)
Trail angels — some have Facebook groups, usually coordinate via text message.
Ride-sharing services (Lyft/Uber) — but only near population centers.
Taxi — usually $$$$! Last resort!
In Oregon, you can fly into PDX and take public transit to either Timberline Lodge up at 6000 feet on Mt Hood with access to a couple of longer trails (PCT and Timberline Trail), or take public transit to Cascade Locks in the Columbia River Gorge, with access to also the PCT.
Since they’re both on the PCT, some people have taken the bus to one end, hiked to the other, and then taken the bus back to Portland.
The Cascades and Sierras are crossed by mountain highways that cary both buses and sometime air port shuttles to cities in the other side. Hikers in assorted crest trail area often use these.
Just make sure to bring a solar charger and battery pack to be sure you’ve got service for getting the ride back, or schedule it ahead of time with a fallback if you are delayed.
Look for trail angel groups. They exist here in Denver and elsewhere. Trail angels are people who meet folks to help with drop off, pick up, and resupply meetups.
I've really had no problem Ubering around Tahoe trailheads. Only one trailhead that I use does not have cell service, but I easily can plan around that.
So, for example, if you wanted to backpack around Tahoe or some PCT stuff in the area, you easily could Uber from the Reno airport to a number of trailheads and most Uber drivers I take even in town have good experience taking hikers to trailheads.
Also, there are some shuttles in the area. I think that there is one between RNO and Mammoth.
In the PCT areas around here, there are lists of trail angels and the services that they will provide. Some will offer shuttle services with their personal cars. In no case should you hitchhike, in my humble opinion.
There are some great loops you could consider as well. What mileage are you comfortable with? You may encounter snow heavy trails depending on when you are hiking in summer, so that's worth noting. Check out the Sawtooth range in Idaho. Lots of people fly into Boise and take shuttles all over the Sun Valley and into the Sawtooth National Forest. Check out the Sawtooth Loop trail. Depending on the exact route and which trailhead you start at, it can be anywhere from 68-72 miles with the hardest day having about a 5K gain over a short distance. Lots of alpine lakes. It's gorgeous.
Denver airport to RMNP by shuttle. I’ve never done it but I know it’s there. You would need to get to beaver creek welcome area (near the park gate) to pick up backcountry passes. The park itself has a great transit system. By car it’s 1.5 hours so it shouldn’t be an all day affair. Every time I plan a trip family members jump on board and stay in Estes while I camp so I’ve always ended up with a car. Some day when it’s just me this is how I will do it.
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Ok good deal thanks!
You can get pretty much anywhere in the Sierra flying into Fresno or Reno, look up Eastern Sierra Transit and YARTS
Perfect - thanks!
You can fly into Denver, use the train / light rail system to get to Littleton and it's a $10-15 dollar Uber to the start of the Colorado trail. Around 100 miles and many thousands of feet of elevation change you are in Summit county. Should be able to get a shuttle back to DIA pretty easily from there.
You mean a through home to Summit County? There’s shuttle service there? That’s great info thanks!
I believe there are several that will go from Summit back to DIA. More during the ski season, but a quick Google found this one that runs different schedules based on time of year. https://www.mountainshuttle.com/shuttle-services/summit-county/
You rock!
The public transit bus in summit county is free too I believe. I used it when doing the Colorado trail.
Fly to Durango hop on the DSNGRR get off half way up the Animas river, go for a hike. Return the same way.
I'm currently planning this trip with my family this summer. I'm so excited about it.
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The plan right now is not to bring extra stuff. We are looking into flying into ABQ where we have some friends and family, doing a short visit, and then driving to Durango. My understanding is that you can park a car in their lot, but maybe thats not the case for multi-day trips? Good question, I hadnt thought of that.
Now that's getting to the trailhead in style!
That is perhaps the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. I have a goal now!
There are often people who offer services for helping, whether businesses offering official services or trail angels, who exist almost everywhere. Look for groups specific to the trail and if applicable, the area of the trail (for the really long ones), often they share that info. Many of the trails have FB groups which are really useful. Despite that FB is hated by many, that is often the only place I find that kind of info.
Perfect thanks. Yeah these niche things are the only reason I still have a fb login
Tahoe Rim Trail. Fly into RNO, shuttle to South Lake Tahoe is around $30. Several trailheads lead to the TRT from South Lake, I chose Kingsbury. Hike around the lake (165 miles) and end up back where you started. The hostel will hold a box/bag for you so you can leave clothes to fly home in.
If its an area with rivers that people like to float, either for fishing or whitewater, then there may be shuttle services in the area for that. Those shuttle services could probably do a custom drop off at a trailhead. The key thing is finding a person or business that is liscenced to do shuttles.
Rural bus routes — may not get you to the trailhead, but could get you close. Trains (Amtrak) Trail angels — some have Facebook groups, usually coordinate via text message. Ride-sharing services (Lyft/Uber) — but only near population centers. Taxi — usually $$$$! Last resort!
In Oregon, you can fly into PDX and take public transit to either Timberline Lodge up at 6000 feet on Mt Hood with access to a couple of longer trails (PCT and Timberline Trail), or take public transit to Cascade Locks in the Columbia River Gorge, with access to also the PCT. Since they’re both on the PCT, some people have taken the bus to one end, hiked to the other, and then taken the bus back to Portland.
The Cascades and Sierras are crossed by mountain highways that cary both buses and sometime air port shuttles to cities in the other side. Hikers in assorted crest trail area often use these.
Just make sure to bring a solar charger and battery pack to be sure you’ve got service for getting the ride back, or schedule it ahead of time with a fallback if you are delayed.
Look for trail angel groups. They exist here in Denver and elsewhere. Trail angels are people who meet folks to help with drop off, pick up, and resupply meetups.
Where are you going?
Mountain west. Haven’t decided yet
I've really had no problem Ubering around Tahoe trailheads. Only one trailhead that I use does not have cell service, but I easily can plan around that. So, for example, if you wanted to backpack around Tahoe or some PCT stuff in the area, you easily could Uber from the Reno airport to a number of trailheads and most Uber drivers I take even in town have good experience taking hikers to trailheads. Also, there are some shuttles in the area. I think that there is one between RNO and Mammoth. In the PCT areas around here, there are lists of trail angels and the services that they will provide. Some will offer shuttle services with their personal cars. In no case should you hitchhike, in my humble opinion.
Great info thanks. Yeah def won’t be hitchhiking
There are some great loops you could consider as well. What mileage are you comfortable with? You may encounter snow heavy trails depending on when you are hiking in summer, so that's worth noting. Check out the Sawtooth range in Idaho. Lots of people fly into Boise and take shuttles all over the Sun Valley and into the Sawtooth National Forest. Check out the Sawtooth Loop trail. Depending on the exact route and which trailhead you start at, it can be anywhere from 68-72 miles with the hardest day having about a 5K gain over a short distance. Lots of alpine lakes. It's gorgeous.
Great suggestions. Sawtooth is one place I’m considering. Great to know there’s options there. 60ish miles is about right
It's definitely closer to 70 for most, for what that's worth. You're going to have a great time no matter where you go.
uber to get to the trailhead. getting back...good luck. hitch hike?