Front Range Explorers - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Front Range Explorers Lunch and Learn Series Day Hiking in Colorado – Where to StartLive from the “Gear Room” Rocky Mountain Front Range Explorers Slide2
Let’s cover the following….

Self Evaluation and Your Goals (grab a pen a paper) Safety First – what actually kills people in ColoradoTrail Etiquette Gear you’ll need to get startedOnline tools to plan for hikingBest Day Hikes in the Front RangeSlide3
Self Evaluation and Goals

Why do you hike? (fitness, adventure, solitude…etc.) What is your current experience level (Newbie  Expert)Where do you want to be?What is your current fitness level (Poor  Ultra)?Where do you want to be?

How much time do you want to dedicate to hiking?What’s the minimum and maximum distance you want to hike?

Do you want to hike solo or prefer going in a group?

Will you take your dog?

What other activities (mountain biking, rock climbing…etc.) do you want to try in the future?Slide4
What Actually Kills People in Colorado?

Struck by Lightning - Wake up EARLY and get below tree line by 1 pm Falls – Climb within your ability and know first aid Rock Fall – Wear a helmet and stay above other climbers Getting Lost/Exposure – Study the Route, learn the basics of navigation, and carry the gear you need to stay over night Avalanche/Snow fields – Learn how to cross snow fields and have the right gearRattle Snakes– Will kill small dogs. They are everywhere in the Front Range

Dehydration – Colorado heat is very oppressive – know the signs of heat stress and strokeNote: Elevation sickness

is a concern

(stay

fit, hydrate, eat

well) but has not killed in Colorado. Turn around if you get it.

Note: I have not heard of one instance where a bear or mountain lion has killed someone (leave the bear spray at home). Slide5
Trail Etiquette

Hikers can generally access more trails than any other group in ColoradoWatch for closures – heavy rains, elk migration, nesting birds, and fire Alternating user rights (e.g. Centennial Cone)Confrontations often occur between Mountain Bikers, hikers, and equestriansDownhill hikers Yield to uphill hikersMountain Bikers Yield to Hikers Hikers and Bikers Yield to HorsesRespect Fire Bans!Stay on the trail – don’t cut your own switch backs

Keep your dog on a leash and cleanup after itStay off the trails when they’re muddyCareful with your headphones and loud musicSlide6
What Gear Do you Need for a Day Hike

Denver State Parks Pass - $70 per vehicle n household; $35 extra vehicleBackpack – 20 to 30 liter (Osprey is the best option)Water – 2-3 liters and/or a way to filter (include water for your dog)Food – you will burn several 1000 calories – no goo/gels Warm Weather Clothes – light hat, gloves, fleeceRain Gear – expect to be caught in rain and hailHeadlamp

and Fire Source – Stuck after dark? This will helpMap, Compass, cell phone – Use every tool possible for navigationFirst aid kit

– Don’t be fooled, most kits wont save a life - stabilize

Sunscreen and a Sunhat –

You will get sunburn

Footwear

– trail

runners (micro spikes if needed)

Hiking Poles

– hard to use at first but will save your knees and prevent slipsSlide7
Online Resources to Plan Your Hike

Step 1: Plan Around the Weather - https://www.wunderground.com/Step 2: Select a local trail - http://jeffco.us/open-space/parks/ or http://www.protrails.com/ (and check dog polices)

Step 3: Check Trail closures – https://

bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/closures

Step 4:

Check Trail

Status

(wet/dry)–

Download the “Trail Status” App

Step 5:

Pay for State Parks Pass if needed

http://cpw.state.co.us/buyapply/Pages/AnnualPassInfo.aspx

Step 6:

P

ack gear

http://

bit.ly/Hike_backpack_checklist

Step 7:

Check Traffic and drive times –

http://www.cotrip.org/home.htm

Note –

leave at “off times” if possible. Don’t drive at 9 am or 5 pm.

Step 8:

Find Friends:

Meetup

or

Yazda

Step 9:

If hiking solo, leave itinerary with someoneSlide8
Best Front Range Hikes (Denver)

Easy: South Valley – Deer Creek CanyonEasy: Dinosaur Ridge Trail – Mathew Winters ParkEasy: Castlewood Canyon – Castle Rock AreaModerate: Plymouth Mountain – Deer Creek Canyon ParkModerate: Evergreen Mountain – 3 Sisters ParkModerate:

Carpenter Peak – Roxbourough State Park Difficult:

Windy Peak

– Golden Gate State Park

Difficult:

Bear Peak

– Boulder Flat Irons

Difficult:

Bergen Peak

– Elk Meadows Slide9

Happy Trails!