ITINERARY DAY 1: ASPEN  Arrive in Aspen and overnight in an upscale hotel in the center of this bustling former mining town. DAY 2:  ASPEN, CATHEDRAL LAKE, WOODY CREEK, AND INDEPENDENCE PASS  Today your guides will choose an appropriate itinerary to meet the group needs and interests. Aspen has an endless array of options from gentle to very challenging hikes. Distance variable. Elevation gain / loss variable. DAY 3: ASPEN TO CRESTED BUTTE  Transfer to the trailhead and hike above tree line into a pristine, high alpine environment. On your way to Gothic, a small town outside of Crested Butte, historians will enjoy a myriad examples of 19th and 20th century mining architecture. Distance 10.2 miles. Elevation gain 3265 ft. DAY 4: RED LADY SUMMIT   Hike through forest of Spruce and Fir before getting to the summit of Red Lady, or Mt. Emmons, where views back towards Crested Butte, the town and peak, are simply breathtaking. Distance 10 miles. Elevation gain / loss 2914 ft. DAY 5: CRESTED BUTTE TO OURAY (VIA LOU PASS)  After transferring to the trail head above Blue Mesa/Curecanti Reservoirs, approach a seldom hiked weakness in the Cimarron Range, Lou Pass and the summit of Lou Creek. Descend to a van near Ridgway and shuttle to Ouray. Distance up to 9 miles. Elevation gain 2300 ft. / loss 3300 ft. DAY 6: OURAY TO TELLURIDE  Hike on the Mendota trail beneath the imposing, snow-capped faces of Mt. Sneffels and Mendota before reaching Telluride, one of the most beautiful towns in the Rocky Mountains. Overnight in another outstanding hotel located in the heart of Telluride’s historic district. Distance variable. Elevation gain 2900 ft. / loss 3300 ft. DAY 7: TELLURIDE  The last day of the trek will be spent on a loop-hike in the Telluride area. Best in the region may be Blackface, which offers endless above timberline hiking next to the famous Lizard Head and beneath the most iconic peaks of the area, Mount Wilson, Wilson Peak and El Diente. Distance 10 miles. Elevation gain 3200 ft. / loss 3000 ft. DAY 8: DEPART 41 "We took so many pictures, created lasting friendships and memories we will always cherish. Our daughter said it was the best trip we've ever had. We can't wait to schedule our next Ryder-Walker adventure." – Erika B. *All ground transportation between Aspen and Telluride included during the tour. Luggage transfer daily. NOTE: Daily itineraries on all our guided treks are subject to change. Your guide(s) will make the route decisions based on weather and terrain conditions as well as hiker's abilities. TRIP RATINGS Challenging hiking up to 10 miles with ascents up to 3,265 feet. (Trip rating descriptions found on page 8.) EFFORT 3/ 4 COMFORT 4/ 4 3/ 4 TERRAIN Ridgway Aspen Capitol Peak Mt Emmons Gunnison National Forest Curecanti National Recreation Area Uncompahgre Peak Mt Sneffels Lizard Head Telluride Ouray Crested Butte MODERATE TO CHALLENGING HIKING