Photo: Stu DeLaCastro Golden Leaves and Mountain Mornings: Hiking the Rockies, Colorado Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 08276A Price: $1,275 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 10 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Inga Brennan "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." The Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado are among the most dramatic peaks in the United States and early fall is a special time to visit them. Autumn offers us the opportunity to enjoy comfortable temperatures while exploring the varied landscape of this majestic area. Join us as we spend our days hiking through the breathtaking scenery. Our trails will lead us from mixed stands of golden aspen and pine to the wind sculpted trees of the ancient spruce-fir forests. Further up the mountains and beyond tree line, our paths will take us to the austere beauty of the alpine tundra and into the late season shadows cast by snow-dusted peaks. When we are ready to turn in each night, we'll retreat to a charming mountain inn. Inside, well fed and warmed by down blankets, we'll reflect on our day's journey and dream of tomorrow's adventure. John Muir once wrote, “the mountains are calling and I must go.” Hike with us and share the allure that drew Muir into the wilderness.
 Photo: Inga Brennan Note: Our hiking route may have to be modified, pending final approval by the Forest Service and weather conditions. Day 1: We'll pick you up no later than noon in Denver. We'll drive northwest for a couple of hours to Colorado 's 9,000 foot Fraser Valley. On our way, the Rockies will envelop us as we drive toward our destination. Once there, we'll check into our lodge, get to know each other, and enjoy a hearty group dinner. Days 2-6 : We will spend these days exploring diverse trails in north central Colorado's national forests and wilderness areas. Our hikes will include tree-lined trails, alpine tundra paths, and views above tree line. The rare beauty of these lands has inspired some to call the area “Little Switzerland." Don't forget your camera as we'll have plenty of time to take advantage of the numerous opportunities for landscape photography.  Photo: Inga Brennan We will leave one afternoon and evening open for you to explore the unique mountain towns of Winter Park and Fraser. Both of these destinations allow you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains and to experience the hospitality of the Colorado people. Transportation on this afternoon/evening will be provided by the leaders as scheduling permits. In order to provide some flexibility in your plans, dinner on this evening is not provided by the Sierra Club. Day 7: We'll spend one last morning together in our inn as we enjoy a leisurely breakfast and say goodbye to our new friends. We will then drive to Denver to arrive by early afternoon. Getting There The starting and ending point for this trip is the town of Fraser, Colorado. Denver International Airport is located about 95 miles from our lodging and starting point. Denver is also a busy rail hub with service provided by Amtrak. The trip leaders will provide van service between Denver's airport/train station and the starting point. The leader will furnish roster information so participants may contact each other. Detailed departure bulletins, including directions to our inn, will also be sent prior to meeting in Colorado. Ultimately, it is the sole responsibility of each participant to arrive at the starting point at the specified time.
Our quaint mountain inn provides clean, European-style dormitory rooms. Sheets, towels and bedding are provided. Individual bathrooms with showers are just down the hall. A fully equipped kitchen will allow us to prepare wonderful meals with fresh ingredients. Our first meal together will be dinner at the inn. Our last will be breakfast on the final day. A variety of delicious meals crafted from select cereals, pasta, meat, fruit, and vegetables will make up the majority of our diet. Most dinners will include savory hot soup and a dessert. Hot coffee and tea will be served daily to celebrate the mountain mornings. We'll be able to modify our menu to accommodate vegetarians. Everyone will get a chance to help with kitchen chores and to practice high altitude cooking skills. We will also enjoy some excellent local cuisine at a nearby restaurant one evening. Our entire group will dine together and this meal is included in the trip price.
This trip is rated Light/Moderate (L/M). The individual hikes will vary between 4 to 10 miles in distance and total elevation gain on each hike will not exceed 2,000 feet. On some days we may be traveling above an altitude of 11,000 feet. While hiking, we will be carrying small day packs containing rain gear, emergency supplies, our lunch and water. Time will be reserved for relaxation and discovery. Hiking is by definition a strenuous activity, but it is something that many people can do. To enjoy the high altitude and fully participate in this adventure, you will need to maintain a regular aerobic training program for several months prior to our trip. The weather in Colorado varies by elevation, as well as season. Be prepared for sudden changes in temperatures, cool nights and snow showers at higher elevations.
Participants must furnish their own personal equipment. A detailed equipment list will be provided to registered participants. As this is a lodge-based trip, you will not need to bring a large backpack, sleeping bag or tent. Bring only the absolute essentials and keep your day pack as light as possible. A pair of sturdy, midweight, lug-soled, waterproof boots providing adequate ankle support is necessary. A rain suit (not a poncho) is essential. The Sierra Club provides food, tablets for water treatment, and common gear like cooking equipment. Although we'll carry a large first-aid kit, its use is reserved for emergencies. You must supply all materials you may routinely need, including bandages, moleskin, pain relievers, and any prescription medications.
National Forest Service web site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/ Guest Guide Publications: http://www.winterparkguide.com/ Conservation "Wilderness…an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain." ~ 1964 Wilderness Act Portions of this trip are in areas designated as wilderness and are protected by the Wilderness Act. We will discuss what wilderness protection means. We'll also discuss the importance of your involvement and how to share your concerns about the protection of our wild lands. Colorado's lodgepole pines are under attack by mountain pine beetles. These beetles have destroyed a large number of the trees in the area that we will be hiking. We will discuss the history and theory behind the environmental causes of this infestation and learn what the Forest Service is doing to manage the problem. We will also get an opportunity to see first hand the impact that these insects have had on the local forests.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Leader:
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
|
Stu DeLaCastro has been leading Rocky Mountain trips for several years and currently serves as the equipment officer for the Rocky Mountain Subcommittee of the Sierra Club. A lifelong backpacker, Stu has hiked in the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Utah; as well as the Dolomites of northern Italy. Stu enjoys introducing people to adventure and looks forward to sharing his infectious love of the wilds. He is a member of the Alpine Club of Canada and is certified in wilderness first aid. Stu lives in the Omaha area with his wife and two daughters.
John Carpenter moved to Western Colorado from Florida in 1993 and traded in his surfboard and windsurfer for hiking boots and a backpack. Ever since then you'll typically find John spending his weekends hiking one of Colorado's numerous wilderness areas or exploring one of the surrounding western states. He does solo backpacks but gains the most enjoyment from sharing the trails with friends and fellow members of the Sierra Club and Colorado Mountain Club. John presently works as a web programmer and also teaches computer courses at a local college. Other avid interests include trail running, cycling, snowshoeing, and the study of eastern philosophies.