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I realize this is going to be a bit vague but I'm hoping I can get some advice: After deciding to take a spontaneous vacation, I will be driving into Colorado tomorrow from Florida. I will be here for roughly 14 days, and my rough outline is drive into Colorado Springs and explore from there. I plan on making a big counter-clockwise circle and hit Denver, Ft. Collins, then go west to Grand Junction, Telluride and finish at Durango before leaving the state. My question is, can someone recommend any of their favorite beginner-friendly day hikes? Being honest, I'm pretty out of shape but I want to get into hiking as a hobby and as exercise. The only hiking supplies I have for this trip are gym clothes, tennis shoes and water. If needed, I can budget to buy gear on the fly but I'd prefer shorter day-hikes to get started. My schedule is extremely flexible and I'm definitely up for driving all over the state to explore.
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Jul 24, 2015 03:16
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I can only tell you as a Floridian who moved to Colorado this year... be careful of the elevation gain. People from here will tell you its no big deal but I will tell you going from 0 feet sea level to 10,000 feet is a big deal. Also if you don't at least drive through RMNP you are doing yourself a disservice.
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Jul 24, 2015 03:45
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I lived around sea level for a dozen years and 2km up is where I start noticing a serious impact. 3,5km and up is and you'll feel like a retiree.
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Jul 24, 2015 12:31
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My wife and I will be visiting Canyonlands in about two weeks, and I'm still trying to figure out a good 3 day itinerary. We are both pretty experienced hikers and campers with some desert backpacking experience (just did Big Bend last month, in fact) so we are aware of the need to carry in your water, how to dress for the heat, etc. I was thinking we spend our first night car camping near Island, do some day hikes, and then set off for a two night trip in the Needles after that. Any recommendations for a good loop around 15 miles or so?
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Jul 24, 2015 15:40
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I'd love to hear about your Big Bend trip. I was there last Christmas and I had a blast. It was my first time doing some decent backcountry hiking. In fact, I'm loving all of these trip reports  More trip reports, everybody.
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Jul 24, 2015 15:54
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evil_bunnY posted:I lived around sea level for a dozen years and 2km up is where I start noticing a serious impact. 3,5km and up is and you'll feel like a retiree. It's highly variable per person. I live at sea level too and I don't feel anything at 4km.
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Jul 24, 2015 15:58
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Mikey Purp posted:My wife and I will be visiting Canyonlands in about two weeks, and I'm still trying to figure out a good 3 day itinerary. We are both pretty experienced hikers and campers with some desert backpacking experience (just did Big Bend last month, in fact) so we are aware of the need to carry in your water, how to dress for the heat, etc. Isn't that the absolute hottest time of year? Yikes
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Jul 24, 2015 16:01
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Hypnolobster posted:Nothing utterly definitive, but it's generally shown to be potentially unsafe. As mentioned at 40 hours a week for 4 months you probably wouldnt want to be mainlining DEET, but for weekend warriors I agree it's just fine to use. I normally use the woodsmen spray thats %30 DEET I believe. Aside from health concerns I have heard that DEET can harm fish if you are fishing and happen to spray a bunch into a stream or something. My main concern with DEET isnt my health however. I've heard, but havent been able to find anything on the subject, that there are worries that we are slowly evolving ticks and mosquitoes to be DEET tolerant. That is with each generation the bugs that get succeed in multiplying are the ones who are more likely to be resistant to DEET as it is.
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Jul 24, 2015 16:04
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I don't use any bug repellent at all. I just carry a head-net for areas I know are going to be lovely. Of course, I also never wear shorts without leggings.
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Jul 24, 2015 16:15
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Today we tried to hike to the base of longs peak, past chasm lake and up to the scree field, then back to the privy to hookup with the keyhole route to the top. It was a bust as we turned around at the keyhole - my wife was sicker than a dog and not steady on her feet, and I didn't feel like watching her pitch off the side of the mountain. We aren't positive but it looks like altitude sickness. Weak, tired, nausea and a headache. Still a nice hike that consumed 11 hours and covered 15 miles.  PS - f that Boulder field.
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Jul 24, 2015 21:19
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Altitude sickness is a bitch. You can be fine one trip but then the next trip, you might come down with a case and need to cut the trip short. One nice thing about it is that you feel better immediately when you get back to lower altitude. In other news, my EE quilt arrived!  edit: Starting to have buyer's regret for Copper Spur UL1. It's just so heavy compared to the other way lighter options out there that cost the same or are cheaper. Heck, I could even get something in cuben fiber if I buy used. Tomato Soup fucked around with this message at 23:07 on Jul 24, 2015 |
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Jul 24, 2015 22:16
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Tomato Soup posted:Heck, I could even get something in cuben fiber if I buy used.
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Jul 24, 2015 23:11
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Am I harming myself if I carry more weight than average? I just started hitting trails, and all the gear I have is GI surplus and hand-me-downs (I'm using an ALICE medium pack and carrying a relatively heavy rainjacket, for example), but the weight hasn't really been bothering me. Of course, I'm only doing easy and medium trails for now, but if I'm fine with the weight I'm carrying and I'm not worried about going faster or anything, do I need to slim it down?
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Jul 24, 2015 23:19
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It's just going to tire you out, as long as you can still carry it comfortably. If it's really horrendous and you can't carry it well, it could cause back problems, and it's going to exacerbate joint pain. Tomato Soup posted:Altitude sickness is a bitch. You can be fine one trip but then the next trip, you might come down with a case and need to cut the trip short. One nice thing about it is that you feel better immediately when you get back to lower altitude. I posted this a page ago or so, but I can't recommend this enough http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents/LunarSolo.html
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Jul 24, 2015 23:39
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SEX HAVER 40000 posted:Am I harming myself if I carry more weight than average? I just started hitting trails, and all the gear I have is GI surplus and hand-me-downs (I'm using an ALICE medium pack and carrying a relatively heavy rainjacket, for example), but the weight hasn't really been bothering me. Of course, I'm only doing easy and medium trails for now, but if I'm fine with the weight I'm carrying and I'm not worried about going faster or anything, do I need to slim it down? I am a gear whore so I waste cash on super fly gear for most of my hobbies. But today I saw every imaginable piece of gear on the trail. Including some Israeli kids headed up to the keyhole with expedition sized packs, yep they were sucking air but they were hiking. Hike with what you have, what you can borrow or what you can barter for, but for gods sake hike. Pro-tip: never tell your wife who says she isn't feeling well the summit is "only" 900 more feet.
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Jul 25, 2015 00:12
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Tomato Soup posted:edit: Starting to have buyer's regret for Copper Spur UL1. It's just so heavy compared to the other way lighter options out there that cost the same or are cheaper. Heck, I could even get something in cuben fiber if I buy used. My Seed House SL1 arrived today. The only strike against it is the front entrance and that's not a dealbreaker. It's plenty roomy inside and packs down very small and light. I'm hoping to get the Copper Spur UL1 this weekend so I can set them up side by side and do a rundown. By the way, if you're looking to swap out, Sierra Trading Post has the Seed House (with footprint) for $155, which is less than half price. I jumped on that earlier this week.
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Jul 25, 2015 00:13
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SEX HAVER 40000 posted:Am I harming myself if I carry more weight than average? I just started hitting trails, and all the gear I have is GI surplus and hand-me-downs (I'm using an ALICE medium pack and carrying a relatively heavy rainjacket, for example), but the weight hasn't really been bothering me. Of course, I'm only doing easy and medium trails for now, but if I'm fine with the weight I'm carrying and I'm not worried about going faster or anything, do I need to slim it down? No, you just won't be as fast which you can solve by being in better shape. Light gear is great but I think starting with heavy and slowly upgrading is great. That being said my pack is down from 70 to 50, I have no idea how these guys do what they do
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Jul 25, 2015 00:56
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I just found an used ZPacks Hexamid Solo with the bathtub floor for $355 which is the same price I paid for CS UL1 with the footprint  Highly tempted to go return the old tent to REI ASAP so I can grab that. edit: I think I'm going to wait to see if I can get a better deal somewhere as 355 is kind of on the high end for used hexamids. Tomato Soup fucked around with this message at 01:34 on Jul 25, 2015 |
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Jul 25, 2015 01:08
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Hughmoris posted:
This is from a tourist's perspective, but do yourself a favor and check out Animus Forks ghost town, which is now a state park and you can wander in the old buildings. While you're in that area, check out Silver Springs and hitch a train ride through the mountains. Hit up a mine tour afterwards. Garden of the Gods is another place that's a must visit, with some incredible hikes out that way. Mesa Verde is another must see, it's the remnants of the Pueblo cliff dweller villages caved into the canyon. Pikes peak is also worth a drive, and really so is everything else out that way. That's barely even scratching the surface, Colorado is probably one of my favorite places on Earth.
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Jul 25, 2015 03:00
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Internet Explorer posted:I can only tell you as a Floridian who moved to Colorado this year... be careful of the elevation gain. People from here will tell you its no big deal but I will tell you going from 0 feet sea level to 10,000 feet is a big deal. OSU_Matthew posted:This is from a tourist's perspective, but do yourself a favor and check out Animus Forks ghost town, which is now a state park and you can wander in the old buildings. While you're in that area, check out Silver Springs and hitch a train ride through the mountains. Hit up a mine tour afterwards. Thanks for these. I arrived in Colorado springs today and am headed to Pikes Peak tomorrow morning. I'll see where I can cross paths with RMNP and Animus.
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Jul 25, 2015 03:49
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mastershakeman posted:That being said my pack is down from 70 to 50, I have no idea how these guys do what they do Liters? Or pounds?
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Jul 25, 2015 03:58
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Hungryjack posted:Liters? Or pounds? Pounds. My pack is 130L iirc. It's at least 100 and expands. External frame supremacy
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Jul 25, 2015 04:08
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mastershakeman posted:Pounds. My pack is 130L iirc. It's at least 100 and expands. External frame supremacy That's a large pack, my friend.
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Jul 25, 2015 04:33
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Hungryjack posted:That's a large pack, my friend. The problem is I keep telling myself it's better to lose weight than downsize gear, and end up doing neither.
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Jul 25, 2015 04:51
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Look Sir Droids posted:Looking outside REI, this seems like a pretty good deal: A few pages back, but I got this tent about a month ago. I've used it for a few over-nighters so far in the Tetons. I am really liking it so far. It is super easy to set up. I haven't had to use it yet in the rain, but the condensation has never been too bad of a problem for me.
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Jul 25, 2015 06:27
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Hughmoris posted:Thanks for these. I arrived in Colorado springs today and am headed to Pikes Peak tomorrow morning. I'll see where I can cross paths with RMNP and Animus. RMNP - hike to ouzel falls from the wild basin trailhead. It's short and one of the most beautiful places on earth. You can always check out bear lake if you happen to love people and beautiful places - there are a million people there seriously. While you are in RMNP you should take time to drive Trail Ridge Road. Wiki claims it is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. Either way it's a nice drive with some incredible views. Ropes4u fucked around with this message at 13:08 on Jul 25, 2015 |
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Jul 25, 2015 13:06
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Did a 12 mile overnight trip just to test out gear for a big trip coming up. Really struggled getting any sleep on my thin inflatable pad. I'm a side sleeper mainly so it was impossible to get comfortable. Anyone have any advice? Tempted to call the whole thing off Heres a pic from the trip 
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Jul 25, 2015 21:46
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Either buy a really spectacular pad or suffer, essentially. You could get into hammocking too, but that takes a good bit of research/gear/a bit of practice. I cannot recommend the thermarest EvoLite Plus enough.
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Jul 25, 2015 22:30
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This pad looks absurdly thick to me.
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Jul 25, 2015 22:40
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Hungryjack posted:This pad looks absurdly thick to me. I've slept on one before and it is absurdly comfortable. My friend has one in his cabin. I would never in a million years take it hiking with me, but for car camping it is really nice.
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Jul 25, 2015 22:42
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Hypnolobster posted:Either buy a really spectacular pad or suffer, essentially. You could get into hammocking too, but that takes a good bit of research/gear/a bit of practice. Yeah I'm down to buy the biggest most luxe one I can realistically hike for 3 weeks with. So probably need it around 2 pounds. Maybe I'll try some at the store.
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Jul 25, 2015 22:43
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Look at the big agnes insulated q core. I'm the same way, side sleeper with difficulty sleeping on thin pads. This pad changed the game for me. I was nervous about the durability of inflatables but it's been fine.
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Jul 26, 2015 04:43
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I think I want to stick with a hammock for now, but want to upgrade to a better one. After getting to play with a Hennessy hammock, I am pretty sold on that brand, but I am still debating which model to buy. The most expensive ($280) is the " Explorer Ultralite Asym Zip", which comes in at 2 lbs 4 oz. The vastly cheaper ($180) option is the "Expedition Asym Zip" at 2 lbs 12 oz. I can't decide if half a pound is worth $100. Even the heavy option is going to be lighter than what I am using now, and can be made even lighter by swapping out some of the factory rigging with whoopie slings, which the rigging nerd in me would do just because I think they are cool as poo poo. A .5lb isn't a ton of weight, poo poo, thats like a quarter liter of water. I am usually a fan of just saving to buy the best option out there but I am not sure where the point of diminishing returns is for something like this.
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Jul 26, 2015 05:06
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Verman posted:Look at the big agnes insulated q core. I'm the same way, side sleeper with difficulty sleeping on thin pads. Looks good, what do you do for a pillow then?
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Jul 26, 2015 06:54
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Verman posted:Look at the big agnes insulated q core. I'm the same way, side sleeper with difficulty sleeping on thin pads. I'll add to the recommendation - just spent the last five weeks sleeping on one in various crappy lodgings and it's been a literal lifesaver. I'll be taking it with me on the trail day after tomorrow for nine days of backpacking, definitely worth the added weight IMO.
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Jul 26, 2015 12:47
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^^WRT hennessy, get the best you can afford, you'll appreciate the extra tarp coverage and I think the more expensive option comes with an underquilt. It'd suck to buy almost what you need and then pine for the nicer one six months later. My buddy used to have the neo air dream before switching to a hammock, and I can confirm that it is indeed really quite comfortable. You can *almost* side sleep with it, and though the weight sucks, it isn't the end of the world. Another one of my hiking buddies picked up a neo air xlite and I really thought it was just about as comfortable, especially for pad sleeping. Of course, for nearly the same price, you could get a Hennessey setup which is lighter and much more comfortable, or just keep what you've got and htfu. Sleeping in an unfamiliar environment for the first time is something most people don't do well. It gets better when you realize that the coyotes are not going to eat you and that bears are usually more interested in your food... unless they're hungry.
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Jul 26, 2015 13:48
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African AIDS cum posted:Looks good, what do you do for a pillow then?
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Jul 26, 2015 14:47
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Hammock talk: Hennessey is a decent brand but I would recommend springing for a Warbonnet Blackbird instead. Price is comparable, but they're considerably more roomy/comfortable. Also the shelf just seems ok on paper but in practice it's ridiculously convenient. Keep your book, headlamp, water bottle etc all within arms reach. The disadvantage is that they're all handmade by one guy and there's usually a wait before you get one.
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Jul 26, 2015 15:26
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Pinnacle and Pulpit Rock in PA starting at the Hamburg Reservoir There are some really pretty unmarked side trails on the mountain that are fun to explore down by the Blue Rocks section if you don't mind walking back on the roads to get back to your car at the reservoir.  
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Jul 26, 2015 16:11
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OSU_Matthew posted:^^WRT hennessy, get the best you can afford, you'll appreciate the extra tarp coverage and I think the more expensive option comes with an underquilt. It'd suck to buy almost what you need and then pine for the nicer one six months later. I was going for less weight, the model with the large tarp and underpad weighs around 4ish pounds. I already have a large ENO trap if I find that I want more coverage. The winters around here, the last two years excepted, are not that bad and I don't see myself being out when it is much below 20-30f. talktapes posted:Hammock talk: Hennessey is a decent brand but I would recommend springing for a Warbonnet Blackbird instead. Price is comparable, but they're considerably more roomy/comfortable. Also the shelf just seems ok on paper but in practice it's ridiculously convenient. Keep your book, headlamp, water bottle etc all within arms reach. The disadvantage is that they're all handmade by one guy and there's usually a wait before you get one. I was looking at them as well, but the extra size doesn't appeal to me. I sleep just fine in a single ENO and having gotten to lay in a Hennessy for a few minuets, it seemed insanely roomy compared to the ENO. I like the idea of the shelf, but I never really want water during the night and I sleep with my clothing in a bag as a pillow, so a headlamp rests nicely above that. I also have an insane amount of free time atm so being able to have a new hammock in hand by midweek is super appealing. In any case, I am leaning towards getting the cheaper and heavier Hennessy. I'm sure I can cut the weight from the random junk I feel the need to carry.
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Jul 26, 2015 16:23
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