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Hiking
Information
What
a day on the Colorado Trail Looks Like
Assemble
at the meeting point at 7:00 am.
Drop off at the trail head at approximately 8:00 am (earlier
for some trail sections due to weather and length.
Average
10-18 miles – distances and altitude vary on each section.
Pickup at trail’s end is usually between 3:00 pm –
5:00 pm.
Lunch
can vary from snacking all day to a break at midday with multiple
breath catchers along the trail.
Pace
averages approximately 2 mph – don’t feel rushed if
others are hiking faster, this is not a competition. Hike at
a comfortable pace but don’t plan to take a nap on the
trail, especially on long days.
Groupings
at the trail head:
1st Group of Peppers with the day’s leader are the quiet
ones, usually trekking in silence but of course acknowledging
wild flowers, wildlife, scenery, etc.
2nd Group of Peppers starts about 10 – 15 minutes later,
usually the social hikers who like to chat down the trail and
socialize.
Last
person is the sweeper.
Colorado Outdoor Search & Rescue
Don’t
get caught without your Colorado
Outdoor Search and Rescue (CORSAR) card. At $3.00 for a
1-year card or $12.00 for a 5-year card, it is a bargain when
compared to the cost of needed search and rescue effort. Purchasing
the card helps support Colorado’s Search and Rescue
Fund and provides you with some peace of mind; you can purchase
a CORSAR card from the Colorado
Trail Foundation office or at a number of sporting goods
stores or hardware stores locally. For a complete list visit
this Vendor.pdf
file.
Strong
and Weak Links
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Strong
Link
Drinks no more than 1 alcoholic drink the night before
Eat a nutritional breakfast with protein, fat and a minimum or carbs
Gets adequate sleep the night before
Wears sturdy broken in shoes and appropriate wicking clothing on
the trail. |
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Health
Considerations
You
are responsible for your own health insurance and personal liability.
You are responsible for maintaining your own conditioning and training
and physical well being. Don’t be a weak link and endanger your
sister hikers. Your trip leader may have to make an assessment that
an unfit hiker may jeopardize the whole group and take appropriate action.
Donations
All treks are fully supported by qualified and trained trail guides
who are certified in CPR, First Aid, Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness
First Responder Medical Care (WFR). These leaders are experienced in
hiking hundred of miles on the Colorado Trail; and possess group leadership
skills. Transportation to the trail head and pickup at the end of the
day is provided. Overnight accommodations will be made at various cabins,
motels, and B&B’s along the trail for multiple day hikes. Individuals
can also make their own arrangements and/or camp.
Money left
at the end of the year, after expenses have been taken out, is donated
to the following charities; Colorado Trail Foundation, Susan B Kolman
(Breast Cancer) and Blue Sky Family and Child Advocacy Center (Sexual
Abuse Support).
A basic
daily donation of $40 is expected that will cover transportation and
vehicle costs, logistics, trail guide certifications and any equipment,
food or beverage that is provided during the treks. Note that segments
in the San Juan Mountains between Creede and Durango are extremely isolated
and costs to guide and provide transportation will be higher. The goal
of this supported hiking experience on the Colorado Trail is to make
it available to a variety of women, in a noncompetitive, safe and supportive
environment. So as not to discourage anyone, the expected donation can
be handled on a sliding scale if needed because of a person’s financial
situation. Your trail crews are all volunteers who have extensive experience
in the outdoors and on the Colorado Trail.
Suggestions to all hikers
1. Start conditioning now – you must be in good physical shape;
planning to get in shape on the trail is not a good idea. You want to
enjoy your trek on the Colorado Trail. The trail starts at 9,000 feet
and goes up to averaging 12,000 feet by the last 150 miles.
2. Pace yourself, you should be able to talk at conversation level,
hydrate frequently, and snack all day (importance to bring easily accessible
and nutritious snacks such as nuts, energy bars, and gels dried fruit,
gorp etc.
3. Expect highs and lows with your emotions and feelings. One minute
you will be walking along happily whistling a tune and the next you
are angry or anxious wondering why you are doing this to yourself! Emotions
and feelings can be unrealistic on these hikes because of their intensity
leaving you with crazy ideas.
4. Plan that at the next meeting or at the first hike to do a pack check
to ensure you are carrying your 10 essentials, adequate clothing, equipment,
food and hydration.
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