Full Potential Wilderness

TOGETHER WE ARE

I started Full Potential Wilderness during 2020. Covid-19 hit and boy did it hit our little mountain town hard. Everything closed, even the national park. In a time I needed hiking the most, so many trails were closed. This had me exploring all of the forest, wilderness, and state land that was still open to hikers. Which ended up being awesome because I discovered even more trails than I could have ever imagined. I hiked my way through 2020, keeping my mental health in check, through rain, sleet, and snow quite literally, with one goal in mind, to survive that year. And I did, but I did so much more than that. I THRIVED. I lead free small socially distanced hikes for others, created some fun content in the process with my photography and videography, and by the start of 2021 we were ready to fully launch Full Potential Wilderness. I am proud to be formed in a Pandemic, forged through 2 of Colorado's largest wildfires, and Women Owned! So let me show you why I love Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park so much and let me help you reach your FULL POTENTIAL! Find us on Facebook as Full Potential Wilderness, our Facebook group Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park Adventures, IG @Fullpotentialwilderness, TikTok @fullpotentialwilderness, email [email protected].

Hey Y'all!

I'm Brooke!

I am a southern girl who fell hard for Estes Park and RMNP! I basically live in the mountains for fun, for work, for mental health therapy. I found Estes at my very lowest in life and through hiking I've been able to self treat my anxiety and depression without the need for pharmaceuticals, which for me wasn't an option. These mountains gave me life again quite literally and I'll never stop thanking them for that! If I could share with one person who is suffering with depression or anxiety the magic that these mountains have worked on me, then I would be a very happy camper! Find me on Facebook as Brooke Michiels or IG as @.happycamperphotography or my websitwebsite bhappycamperphotography.com

Ranger Rod

Adventure Geologist & RMNP Guide

Growing up in the Midwest, I was raised on a steady diet of camping, boating, and outdoor exploration. In 1975, I set out on a cross-country bicycle trip to Colorado—and never looked back. I studied Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Biology, and Earth Sciences at Colorado State University, where I fell in love with geology—a passion that has shaped my life ever since.For over 40 years, I’ve been exploring, adventuring, and training for bigger mountain challenges in Rocky Mountain National Park. From technical rock climbing and mountaineering to skiing, backpacking, and river guiding, my outdoor experience runs deep. My career took me around the world, including time living in Europe, but my heart has always belonged to the Rockies.I’ve spent countless hours educating friends, family, and visitors, volunteering as a ranger and naturalist, and sharing the fascinating geology, history, and hidden wonders of RMNP. My friends call me "Ranger Rod"—because "I’ve never met a rock I didn’t like!"Now retired, my mission is simple: to share my knowledge, inspire curiosity, and lead unforgettable adventures in one of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. Whether you’re looking for a scenic hike, a deep dive into the park’s geological wonders, or an off-the-beaten-path adventure, I’ll show you the best spots and the stories behind them.Let’s hit the trail, explore the past, and make some new discoveries together!

Hi, I'm Cindy!

I may be a Jersey girl, but I fell in love with nature and outdoor adventure early on, and the love affair has taken me to some wild places in my lifetime: from coast to coast, down to Central and South America, and up to the summits of Colorado’s tallest mountains. In pursuit of eclectic studies and work experiences, I earned certifications in wilderness leadership and ethics while I taught as a high school ELA teacher who hiked and camped the length of the AT (Appalachian Trail) in my free time. At this point, I have traveled to 42 out of 50 states in the USA, and in 2019 decided to call Colorado home. In 2020, I founded my first LLC: Peak Rhythm Yoga (peakrhythmyoga.com / @peak_rhythm_yoga). I thrive on offering outdoor adventure and nature themed yoga practices to those who need nature, meditation, nidra, and vinyasa in their lives like I do. My husband and I eloped in the Colorado mountains in 2021 and will raise our family here, starting with our dog, Teddy Bear. My passions for education, adventure, and photography have led me to work with some amazing schools and companies along my journey as a language, yoga, hiking, and ski instructor, and I am grateful to include the privilege of guiding with Full Potential Wilderness in RMNP to that list. Here’s to many more seasons of sharing this beautiful planet with all of you– See you out there!

Stacy

I grew up in Iowa before moving to Colorado, where the towering mountains quickly became my second home, with Longs Peak always in view no matter where I lived. With a deep love for nature, I spend most of my time exploring the great outdoors, no matter the weather. An avid backpacker, hiker, and equestrian, I am most at peace when surrounded by the beauty of the mountains and the animals they contain, whether on foot or horseback. I haven’t yet met an alpine lake I don’t love, always drawn to the solitude, serenity, and breathtaking landscapes that each new adventure offers. The quiet of the wilderness brings calm to my otherwise busy life, where I truly feel at home. I also have a particular interest in the animals, wildflowers and history of Rocky Mountain National Park. One of my favorite activities is hiking in the rain, which offers unforgettable photo opportunities!

Hey there!

I'm Calla

Mountains, trails, and the great outdoors – that's where you'll find me happiest. Ever since I traded the rolling hills of the Appalachian mountains for the majestic peaks of the Rockies, I've been on a non-stop adventure. With my two fur babies in tow, I'm always up for a hike or a camping trip, soaking in the beauty of nature and capturing every moment with my camera. But it's not just about the sights for me; I love sharing fascinating facts about the outdoors, igniting a passion for exploration in others wherever I go. So if you're ever in need of a hiking buddy, a camping aficionado, or just someone to geek out over nature with, I'm your girl!

Hey there!

I'm Amy.

Rocky Mountain National Park was my backyard while growing up in Estes Park. After living in Nebraska and Indiana, my husband and I returned to Colorado 27 years ago and raised our three children in Fort Collins. I’m a former medical professional, and I might be a little bit addicted to my Peloton bike. The mountains are my happy place, and I’m an avid hiker and downhill skier. I absolutely love wildflowers and outdoor photography, and I look for every opportunity to explore new trails. I’ve hiked in most of the national parks in the western US. In 2024 I trekked Kilimanjaro, and I’ve also hiked in Iceland, Switzerland, France, and Italy. I enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband and young adult children. I love RMNP and look forward to sharing the history, wildlife, and wildflowers of the park with you on your tour.

Hey, I'm Jess.

Originally from New England, the outdoors have always been my happy place. Whether skiing, hiking, or camping, I feel most at home adventuring in nature! I moved to Colorado in 2021 and immediately fell in love with RMNP. Having been to 45 states and 28 national parks (and counting), I feel qualified to say I am incredibly lucky to live in Colorado and have Rocky in my backyard. I’ve owned my own photography business since 2011 (@jessieclicks), and have two kids who keep me very busy with their hockey schedules. My dog is my favorite person, a fact my family has come to accept. Ice cream is the way to my heart, and alpine lakes are my happy place! I can’t wait to share my love for this special park with you!

Hello there, I'm Melissa!

The outdoors has always been something calling my name throughout my life; it has just gotten louder as I’ve gotten older. Growing up in the Inland Empire of Southern California, I would go on family road trips to camp near Lassen National Forest to bike, hike, hangout around the campfire, do wakeboarding on the lake, and hangout for fun on the boat. We would also travel to the Eastern Sierras to ski during spring breaks and then started kayaking and hiking in the summers as I got older. As time went on, we began going to national parks, I started hiking more, bought more gear and fell into the trend of hiking every weekend and then getting into backpacking. However, the better mountains in California were a bit further away than I would have liked. I visited Colorado for the first time in 2018 and told myself I would be moving here within 2 years after meeting the amazing people and seeing how accessible the outdoors are. Fast forward to November of 2019 and that dream became a reality. Since living in Colorado my time is split between helping keep the roads safe as my day job and hiking/exploring as much of Colorado as I possibly can. My usual weekends consist of hiking and photographing beautiful areas with friends; I especially love alpine lakes. Then my current adventure planning consists of checking more national parks off my list and completing more thru hikes throughout the US. I am definitely a gear and trail nerd, so if you’re ever in need of some recommendations or help, I can definitely be your go to girl."

Hey, I'm Therese.

Whether you’re looking for a beautiful hike, a peaceful escape, or an adventure that pushes your limits, I’d love to be your guide! My friends and family say I can motivate anyone to get outside and discover their potential. After competing in triathlons for nearly a decade, including two Ironman triathlons, I turned to the trails and fell in love with RMNP - it’s hard to beat hiking to subalpine lakes with stunning mountain views or running on scenic trails like Lumpy Ridge! Hiking and trail running are my go-to activities for stress relief, adventure, and serenity. Being outdoors is my happy place! My passion for nature has taken me to 35 incredible countries, from hiking breathtaking landscapes in Patagonia and Peru to spotting diverse wildlife in Africa and the Amazon. You can see some of my travel photos on my website, Choose Your Adventure, and through my adventure and travel gear brand, Deep Ascent. With over 20 years of experience in water stewardship, sustainability, and environmental consulting, I’ve worked to holistically address nature-related impacts, including climate, freshwater, biodiversity, land, and ocean conservation/restoration. I’m committed to protecting natural resources and ecosystems for future generations. My goal as a guide is to create unforgettable experiences that inspire a deeper connection to nature, promote conservation through exploration, foster education and cultural exchange, and spark a sense of wonder. No matter the distance or difficulty, I’d be honored to share the magic of RMNP and Estes Park with you!

Hi, I'm Leo!

I’m from Louisville Kentucky. I grew up hiking and backpacking in the woods around Mammoth Cave, Red River Gorge, and Daniel Boone National Forest. My parents gave me a darkroom kit and my grandmother’s point and shoot Brownie for Christmas when I was 10 years old. The rest, as they say, is history. As an adult, I’ve spent my weekends and vacations exploring and photographing the wild places wherever I’ve lived or visited; from Acadia National Park in Maine to The Big Island of Hawaii and countless places in between. A few years ago, I was able to switch my focus to hiking and backpacking full-time and helping others discover our amazing natural world. I’d consider it a great privilege to help you get deep into the wilderness, explore these beautiful places, and renew your outlook on life! So, where shall we go?

THey Everyone,

I'm Avery!

I was born and raised in Estes Park for most of my life. I did spend about 8 years in Texas before my family moved us back to the mountains when I was 12. I've spent the vast majority of my time since then exploring Rocky Mountain National Park and the surrounding wilderness. I love anything and everything outside! Fishing, climbing, kayaking, camping, and of course, hiking! My father has always been a huge inspiration to me and he instilled a great love of the outdoors from an early age. From chasing turtles in Texas, to climbing Longs Peak after work when I was 14, he always encouraged my sense of adventure and wanderlust. I took up wildlife photography shortly after taking up an interest in birding, around age 12. Our mountains have a beautiful array of local and migrating birds, it's an easy hobby to get obsessed with! Since then photography has become my favorite expressive art form and reason to get outside! I'll also take any excuse to break out my fishing rod for a few casts. I've explored over 25 national parks including those in Mexico, Costa Rica, and The Virgin Islands, and countless other wildland areas, but Rocky will always be my favorite! I can't wait to share this beautiful park with you!