wildlife in any way, and you should attempt to keep at least 75 feet (23 m) between yourself and any wild animal you encounter. In addition, feeding such creatures alters their behaviors and can make them aggressive. It can lead to injuries, and in some cases, the park may be forced to euthanize the aggressive animal.
A sign marks the start of the Sprague Lake Nature Trail, a 1-mile loop that’s wheelchair-friendly and good for families too (Hike 3).
BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHER VISITORS
A good rule of thumb here is to remember that every person you cross paths with on the trail spent a lot of time, money, and effort to get to the same place. They are all trying to enjoy their trip, and therefore you should extend whatever courtesy is reasonably within your power to ensure that you don’t wreck someone else’s experience. Specifically, this principle asks that you yield to others on the trail to reduce conflict and let the sounds of nature prevail. This includes not playing music out loud through your phone or your Bluetooth speakers. Not everybody wants to hear music on the trail; so out of respect, use headphones.
SAFETY
Hiking is, in general, a safe activity, but of course brings with it more hazards than a walk to your neighborhood coffee shop. Yes, Rocky Mountain National Park is a “park,” but the more important word in its name is mountain, and as a sign on the Flattop Mountain Trail (Hike 13) bluntly states, “mountains don’t care.”
ALTITUDE SICKNESS
Altitude sickness can have many symptoms, including headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, indigestion— and it can be very serious or just slightly annoying. A few things you can do to prevent it: drink enough water (probably more than you think you need), consume enough calories and electrolytes as you’re drinking all that water, show up in good physical condition, and don’t ascend too quickly. If you travel to the park from a lower elevation, it’s good to allow your body a day to acclimatize a bit—for example, if you fly into Denver from sea level, arrive in Estes Park in the early afternoon, and try to charge up to Chasm Lake (elevation 11,800 feet/3597 m) in the same day, you probably won’t feel very well by the end of the day.
THUNDERSTORMS
During the summer in Colorado, afternoon thunderstorms roll in almost like clockwork and pose a real danger at high altitudes. The best way to avoid being struck by lightning in the mountains is to avoid being any place lightning can find you—check weather forecasts before you head out, watch the sky for building clouds, and if clouds are building into a storm, get below tree line (or better yet, into your car). If you’re planning a hike above tree line, get an early-morning start and plan to be heading down by noon. And bring a rain jacket, unless the weather forecast calls for zero percent chance of precipitation. As a fellow climber jokingly told me once during a rain shower, a forecast of a 40 percent chance of rain just means it’s going to rain 40 percent of the day.
Stone steps are a feature of the trail to Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls (Hike 20).
The forest along the Eugenia Mine Trail (Hike 22)
SUN EXPOSURE
Sunburns, to put it bluntly, are for amateurs. Yes, there is snow in the mountains all summer, and mountain winds can make it feel like early winter even when the sun is out, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get sunburned. The thinner atmosphere of Rocky Mountain National Park’s high elevation means you’re exposed to more UV radiation, and spending a day out in the mountains without wearing sunscreen is a good way to get a sunburn.
COLD
Even when it’s 75 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny in Estes Park, it can be winter temperatures at higher altitudes. In general, you can expect a 3-degree drop in temperature for every 1000 feet (305 m) of elevation you ascend, and even more if there’s any wind. Bring more layers than you think you need, even if you’re not planning on being outside for very long. As the saying goes, “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing.”
STEEP DROP-OFFS
Most of the hikes in this book avoid lots of exposure to large, steep drop-offs, but be aware that even a short fall on a switchback, or down a brief steep section of trail, can be very dangerous. If you fall on a hike, you’re very likely going to land on something hard and angular—it’s not like the ball pit at Chuck E. Cheese. Be aware of your environment and watch your step, especially when you’re fatigued and it’s extra easy to catch a toe on a rock or a tree root sticking out of the trail.
NAVIGATION CHALLENGES
The hikes in this book are mostly on well-established trails, and, as a rule, should not present navigational challenges. In cases where a trail crosses a section of rock, talus, or a boulder field, or is otherwise more challenging to follow, look for cairns to guide you, or for deadfall or rocks lining the sides of a trail. Always carry a map and compass—and know how to use them. In addition, a smartphone app that works offline, such as Gaia GPS, can answer the question, “Are we on the right path?” in seconds. Just be sure you have downloaded the proper map before setting out on your hike, since there’s often no cell service in many parts of the park.
WILDFIRES
As in many places across the western United States, wildfires have been increasing in breadth and destruction in Colorado the past several years. Some recent fires have burned portions of Rocky Mountain National Park and may affect some of the trails described in this book. As part of your trip or hike planning, check with the park (see Contacts) for current trail conditions. And while you’re in the park, be careful not to start a new fire and, of course, always follow regulations and restrictions for campfires, whether you’re car camping or traveling into the backcountry.
THE TEN ESSENTIALS
The Ten Essentials, originated by The Mountaineers, are particular items necessary to answer two crucial questions: Can you prevent emergencies and respond positively should one occur? And can you safely spend a night—or
