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Hiking in the Rocky Mountains, while beautiful, is no joke. From thin mountain air to weather that can turn at any moment, to crowded trails, and wildlife – it’s better to be safe than sorry. That’s why we’ve put together these easy tips so you can hit the mountains with confidence.
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Tip 1: Fuel Up
The night before a big hike, make sure to have a healthy and filling dinner; something packed with protein and carbs is a great idea. You’ll also want to fuel up in the morning – you’ll burn more calories hiking than you may think!
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Bring snacks to the trail with you! With blood pumping and mountain sun shining you’ll want to fuel up along the way.
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Hiking trail snack recommendations: Jerky, apples, oranges, granola or protein bars, and for longer hikes – bring a sandwich! There’s nothing like a picnic in the forest. Remember to pack-out all your trash!
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Tip 2: Getting Dressed & Packing your Bag
Colorado weather can change in a minute. The higher you climb, the cooler the air. We highly advise wearing a shirt and comfortable shorts/pants and packing a light jacket or pullover in your day pack. We’d recommend throwing a rain jacket in the car as well.
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Let’s talk about shoes. It’s important to protect your feet and ankles, they can take a beating while hiking. Broken-in hiking boots or trail shoes are best with tennis shoes as a close second.
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Pro tip: wear your hiking shoes around the house/town for about two weeks leading up to your hike to break them in and avoid blisters/discomfort.
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Don’t forget your hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen! The high altitude creates some intense sun, so protect yourself accordingly.
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Backpack! Backpack! (sing-song voice) We highly recommend investing in a comfortable Day Pack you love. Something to hold all of your water, snacks, and light layers.
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Tip 3: H2o!
Drink water like your life depends on it! On average, each person should carry about 32oz for short hikes, 64oz for medium hikes, and 96oz for longer harder hikes. It’s always better to have too much water, than not enough... and snacks!
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Pro tip: Bring a full water bottle to leave in the car for your ride home.
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Pro tip: Invest in a camel pack! It’s an easy way to carry lots of water and hiking essentials.
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Tip 4: Check the Weather
Colorado is famous for summer afternoon thunderstorms, even if the forecast isn’t showing rain. If you’re doing rigorous hikes, it’s a good idea to start hiking early in the morning to be off the mountain with plenty of time before the storm hits. A good rule of thumb is to be below the tree line by Noon (12pm). Reminder Colorado’s tree-line is between 11,00 and 12,00 feet, and it’s okay if you don’t finish your hike! It’s better to be safe than sorry.
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Tip 5: Flexible Planning
Don’t try to wing it, especially if you’re a new hiker. Have a plan, but be willing to be flexible. Using an app like All Trails is a great idea. All Trials has tons of trail information to help you prepare like: length, elevation gain, photos, road closures, parking information, and more.
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Pro Tip: Read the reviews, while the information is usually 99% accurate the reviews can help you gauge timing, pet and kid friendly-ness, and the accuracy of the easy/moderate/hard rating.
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Tip 6: Acclimate and Altitude Sickness
If you live in a lower elevation area and are visiting Colorado, give yourself a day or two to acclimate, and start with an easier hike to see how you are feeling.
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Everybody will react differently with high altitude, keep an eye out for these altitude sickness warning signs: headache, feeling and being sick, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite, and shortness of breath.
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Rest as much as you need, and don’t be afraid to ask for help! You can also carry canned oxygen, this can help bring peace of mind, especially for those coming from sea level.
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Tip 7: Beware of Wildlife!
You most likely won’t encounter any wildlife, but you are in the home of black bears, moose, and mountain lions – so be alert, be aware, AND DON’T APPROACH WILDLIFE.
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They have lots of bear deterrent sprays for purchase and while you shouldn’t really need it, if you do plan on bringing some it’s important to know how to use them.
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Remember to pause, look up, and take a quiet moment. Colorado is full of scenic views and you don’t want to miss them. Hiking is a fun way to see the beautiful outdoors while getting your steps in. Remember these above-mentioned tips, make smart decisions, know your limits, and ENJOY!!
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If you found value in our tips, we’d love it if you shared them with your friends and family! Thank you for taking the time to read and we hope you enjoy the great outdoors!
