Entrepreneur Spencer Schar enjoys hiking Boulder’s Flatiron and Mount Sanitas trails in his spare time with his goldendoodle. This article will provide tips for beginner hikers, providing an overview of some of Colorado’s most popular national parks.
Situated in the heart of the American West, Colorado is a diverse mix of different landscapes. Rising from vast plains, Colorado’s alpine forest further ascends to the majestic Rocky Mountains. The attached PDF takes a closer look at Rocky Mountain National Park and its most popular attractions.
Colorado’s mountain trails are a paradise for adventurers of all experience levels. For those hiking in Colorado for the first time, altitude is an important consideration, with many newcomers caught unawares by the high elevation. Colorado’s high altitude can make conditions surprisingly challenging, particularly for those arriving from lower elevations. Take for example Denver, which is affectionally known as the “Mile High City,” situated 5,280 feet above sea level.
The crisp, dry Colorado air can trigger dehydration, particularly at high altitudes, so it is crucial to drink enough water. Visitors arriving from lower elevations should ensure they spend several days acclimating prior to hiking. They should also familiarize themselves with common altitude sickness symptoms, which are outlined in the attached infographic.
Colorado’s breadth of hiking trails is nothing short of astounding, ranging from challenging mountain peak ascents to serene walks along riverbanks. New arrivals should ease themselves in gently with shorter hikes along lower-altitude trails, gradually incorporating more challenging trails as their fitness level improves. Resources such as the Colorado Trail Explorer and AllTrails help hikers to assess the difficulty and topography of local trails as well as providing user reviews.
The COTREX website is another comprehensive resource for hikers planning to visit Colorado. Run by the State of Colorado, it is free to access, presenting a comprehensive list of local trails and providing information on trail closures and what is allowed on each trail. It even allows users to download maps, enabling them to navigate while offline.
As in other high-altitude regions, Colorado’s weather can be unpredictable, changing rapidly. Visitors need to be prepared for extreme weather conditions, particularly hikers. During the wintertime conditions can be particularly severe, with heavy snowfall and strong winds. The embedded video delves deeper into Colorado’s climate.
Popular Coloradan national parks include Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Gunnison National Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park, where elk leap across streams, moose graze in valleys, and trails weave up jagged granite peaks, presenting spectacular views.