Frequently Asked Questions
Are your hikes affected by the Government Shutdown?
Most of our hikes take place in the Rocky Mountains but NOT in Rocky Mountain National Park. Only hikes occurring within the National Park are affected by the Government Shutdown.
Where is the meeting spot for your hikes? Do I need a car?
The meeting location depends on the number of peopled signed up and the weather. It is usually at a cafe at the Morrison exit of i-70 (20 mins drive west of downtown) but we'll confirm the day before the hike. We do not have a commercial vehicle, so we are limited to driving up to 4 people. We encourage those with cars to drive to the trailhead, however, there is space for four people in our car.
When is the best time of the year to go hiking in the Rockies?
Hiking is great in Colorado all year round! In the summer, the weather is warm but the dry air keeps us comfortable when working hard to summit a mountain. In the springtime, we’ll see wildflowers galore. In the fall, Aspen trees change and the mountains are colorful mixes of green and yellow with the bluebird sky background. In the winter, the snow can make the hiking a bit more difficult, but we provide “Yak Trax” to improve your traction, and hiking in the snow can be fun and memorable as long as you dress appropriately!
The body has an amazing ability to acclimatize to altitude, but it needs time. Ascending slowly is the best way to avoid altitude sickness. AVOID alcohol and sleeping pills as they are respiratory depressants, and effectively slow down the acclimatization process. Alcohol also tends to cause dehydration so we recommend avoiding alcohol consumption in the first 24–48 hours at a higher altitude.
Increased water intake may also help in acclimatization to replace the fluids lost through heavier breathing in the thin, dry air found at altitude. We recommend hydrating with water and sports drinks for 24 hours before, during and after hiking.