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Mountain Chicken Chase

Experience Colorado’s diverse landscapes searching for all five of Colorado’s mountain grouse species. This tour will take you from the great plains to intermountain valleys and high alpine tundra looking for White-tailed Ptarmigan, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Greater Sage Grouse, Gunnison Sage Grouse, and Dusky Grouse. Many mornings we will rise before dawn to settle down near breeding leks where we can observe the bizarre, yet magnificent courtship displays of these wonderful birds. Take the path less traveled and embark on this unconventional adventure through Colorado's most beautiful landscapes. You'll be glad you did.

TRIP DETAILS

PRICE

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Starting at $2,000/person double occupancy

$400 single supplement

MEETING AND DEPARTURE POINT

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Denver International Airport

DATES

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April 21 - 26, 2025

GROUP SIZE

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5 - 7 participants

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

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This tour is designed for intermediate to advanced birders and photographers. We consider the difficulty level to be moderate, with most of the birding being close to roadsides and trails with slight uphills and downhills. Expect early morning starts and long drives, but we will make sure the trip is broken up with plenty of out-of-vehicle time. Rest and relaxation time will be built in throughout the tour.  

INCLUDED

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5 nights accommodation at 5 different hotels, transportation, professional guide, meals, snacks, water

NOT INCLUDED

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Flights, drinks and alcoholic drinks, trip insurance, souvenirs, and personal services (laundry, minibar expenses, phone calls, massages, etc.) 

WHAT TO BRING

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A packing list will be provided for all trip participants

ALTITUDE

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Denver is located at 5,280 ft above sea level. Highest elevations will be reached at Loveland Pass (11,991 ft above sea level) on Day 2. Please consult with your doctor if you have medical conditions that may be exacerbated at high elevations. You may experience some minor irritations such as a slight headache and mild dizziness, but symptoms should disappear as we descend to lower elevations. You may consider taking Diamox (Acetazolamide) and/or Acetaminophen before traveling to higher elevations, but please consult your doctor.  Eat a lighter meal before heading to higher altitude, stay well-hydrated, and try to avoid caffeine and alcohol

ABBREVIATED ITINERARY

Day 1

Photographing a Brown-capped Rosy Finch above treeline

Day 2

  • Loveland Pass

    • White-tailed Ptarmigan​

  • Silverthorne​

    • Brown-capped, Gray-crowned, and Black Rosy-Finch​

    • Clark's Nutcracker

  • Buena Vista

    • Pinyon Jay​

    • Lewis's Woodpecker

  • Transfer to the Inn at Tomichi Village in Gunnison

Photographing White-tailed Ptarmigan at Loveland Pass

Day 3

  • Gunnison Sage Grouse Lek viewing

  • Black Canyon of the Gunnison

    • Dusky Grouse​

  • Transfer to Hampton Inn and Suites, Craig

Dusky Grouse

Day 4

  • Sharp-tailed Grouse lek viewing

  • Steamboat Springs

    • Pine Grosbeak

    • Evening Grosbeak

    • American Three-toed Woodpecker 

  • Transfer to Antlers Inn, Walden

  • Night tour

    • Boreal Owl​

    • Northern Saw-whet Owl

Greater Sage Grouse

Day 5

  • Greater Sage Grouse Lek

  • Cameron Pass

    • American Three-toed Woodpecker​

    • Northern Pygmy Owl

    • American Dipper

  • Return to La Quinta Inn and Suites, Denver 

American Dipper (water ouzel)
WA2A8288.JPG

Day 6

  • Breakfast at hotel

  • Transfer to Denver International Airport

  • Departure

Please note that this itinerary cannot be 100% guaranteed, as it is only a rough guide and can be changed due to factors such as availability of accommodation, updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the guides and other factors. 

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