FAQs
My rule of thumb re gas reimbursement is $1/20 miles/passenger in a full car with 3 passengers. A little more if only 1 or 2 are riding with driver, maybe a little less if you are in Ann Weaver's car and it is full up with 7. Other groups develop more complicated formulas and I may suggest a little more with gas prices so high. If you go one way with someone and then come back with someone else, pay each driver half. And drivers, remember to keep track of your mileage. Maybe an extra $1 if we go to state park to help driver with cost of annual or lifetime pass.
Just come with a $5-10 and some singles and it should work fine, plus some money for coffee as we usually do stop . Please don't bring a purse to leave in the car. That invites break-ins. I usually just wrap cash, driver's license, credit card, etc. with a rubber band and stick in my pocket or pack. We arrange carpools at the meeting place usually, altho sometimes groups form by neighborhoods. You can use your new Lumper lists to see if anyone going is in your area.
Timing of hikes -
In the summer (June, July, Aug.) we usually start at 6AM!!, for some practical reasons:
Winter 8 or 9, again depending on destination, length of hike etc.
Please be on time for the start. Allow enough time for traffic. Call my cell phone, 303-929-8637, if you are running late. We won't wait more than 10 minutes.
If you have to be back in Denver by a certain time, which is earlier than the estimated return time, then please plan to drive yourself or arrange a carpool of others with deadlines. I'll help to the extent of including the fact that someone needs to be back early in my email about who is coming.
Footgear should be what you are most comfortable in. I like boots that give ankle support, others walk in low rise hiking shoes, etc. As we hike longer and/or rockier trails, a thicker sole on a hiking shoe/boot feels good as opposed to your usual pair of walking shoes. Some like a thin liner sock under a heavier sock.
Yak trax that fit over the soles of your shoes are a must in winter when trails, sidewalks etc. can be icy, also can be help if trail is very muddy but we try to stay off of those.
I do recommend walking sticks, to ease burden on knees , for stability and balance crossing streams, etc. Think there are some on sale right now at REI. If you get a pair, be sure to have them show you how to adjust the length.
Bring enough water, usually 2 qts or liters. Lots of people use the "camelback" bladders which fit in backpack and have a hose that comes over your shoulder with mouthpiece so water is always close. Costco sometimes has these on sale for c. $20. I have one but don't often use it...as I look forward to an occasional stop to breathe and have a drink.
Bring some kleenex or tissue and a ziplock sandwich bag to pack it out in if you have to answer nature's call while hiking. We try to practice "Leave No Trace". Remember sunscreen, insect repellant.
Trail etiquette -
walk single file if the trail is narrow and don't go to the sides even if you are in the midst of a great conversation. Doing so widens the trail, causes erosion etc. Same with muddy and or puddles on the trail. Preferred is to walk right thru them, rather than around, further widening the trail. Boots will survive getting wet and muddy.
Dogs are welcome if you are OK with keeping them on a leash. Most areas require that, and even if they don't we have found that a dog running up and down the trail, however joyful an experience it may be for it, makes the rest of us nervous. To repeat an old story, last summer some of us saw a hiker get tangled in her own dog, fall and severely dislocate her shoulder, Not fun.
I usually try to plan hikes that are 4-5 miles, often with an option to go farther. Those who don't want to go the whole length, can stop and turn around whenever they want, altho I do not like to see people hiking alone. Try to have a buddy. Carry your ID with you and I suggest bringing your health insurance info also. We've only had one person have a serious accident and need it in all our years of hiking but it could happen to you.
On a new hike, especially, try not to get so far ahead, or behind, that you lose touch with the group. Sometimes plans have to change suddenly because of weather etc, and we need to be able to find everyone to let them know. We do have a couple of sets of walkie talkies which we try to remember to bring on longer and/or unfamiliar hikes. Cell phone sometimes work but not always. We don't have to have all of us walking in one line, we quickly seem to form and reform into smaller groups as the hike progresses, but just be a little alert to where you are in relation to others. Try to have a hiking buddy for the day, someone from your carpool who will know if you are not back at the parking lot.
Try NOT to hike alone. These hikes are NOT meant to be forced marches. We have a big range of abilities, of speed, endurance, agility etc., but hikers of all speeds can come and have a great time. Some like to slow down to take pictures, identify flowers, look for birds, etc. don't be scared away by the fact that some will be lots faster or want to hike farther.
We LOVE to celebrate birthdays! So if you are coming on a hike near your b'day, bring a cake and we'll all cheer you on.
Just come with a $5-10 and some singles and it should work fine, plus some money for coffee as we usually do stop . Please don't bring a purse to leave in the car. That invites break-ins. I usually just wrap cash, driver's license, credit card, etc. with a rubber band and stick in my pocket or pack. We arrange carpools at the meeting place usually, altho sometimes groups form by neighborhoods. You can use your new Lumper lists to see if anyone going is in your area.
Timing of hikes -
In the summer (June, July, Aug.) we usually start at 6AM!!, for some practical reasons:
- We are on the road before commuter traffic which is good because we are driving farther and we get back before rush hour.
- We get to the trailheads while there are still parking places, saving ourselves extra walking along a road.
- We are down from the high places before the storms with lightning start.
- The sunrises are beautiful!
- Summer is our time to explore so plan on these being full day outings. We may drive 2+ hours each way, but I'll usually try to have us back by 4PM. People who don't like such an early start can arrange their own group to start later.
Winter 8 or 9, again depending on destination, length of hike etc.
Please be on time for the start. Allow enough time for traffic. Call my cell phone, 303-929-8637, if you are running late. We won't wait more than 10 minutes.
If you have to be back in Denver by a certain time, which is earlier than the estimated return time, then please plan to drive yourself or arrange a carpool of others with deadlines. I'll help to the extent of including the fact that someone needs to be back early in my email about who is coming.
Footgear should be what you are most comfortable in. I like boots that give ankle support, others walk in low rise hiking shoes, etc. As we hike longer and/or rockier trails, a thicker sole on a hiking shoe/boot feels good as opposed to your usual pair of walking shoes. Some like a thin liner sock under a heavier sock.
Yak trax that fit over the soles of your shoes are a must in winter when trails, sidewalks etc. can be icy, also can be help if trail is very muddy but we try to stay off of those.
I do recommend walking sticks, to ease burden on knees , for stability and balance crossing streams, etc. Think there are some on sale right now at REI. If you get a pair, be sure to have them show you how to adjust the length.
Bring enough water, usually 2 qts or liters. Lots of people use the "camelback" bladders which fit in backpack and have a hose that comes over your shoulder with mouthpiece so water is always close. Costco sometimes has these on sale for c. $20. I have one but don't often use it...as I look forward to an occasional stop to breathe and have a drink.
Bring some kleenex or tissue and a ziplock sandwich bag to pack it out in if you have to answer nature's call while hiking. We try to practice "Leave No Trace". Remember sunscreen, insect repellant.
Trail etiquette -
walk single file if the trail is narrow and don't go to the sides even if you are in the midst of a great conversation. Doing so widens the trail, causes erosion etc. Same with muddy and or puddles on the trail. Preferred is to walk right thru them, rather than around, further widening the trail. Boots will survive getting wet and muddy.
Dogs are welcome if you are OK with keeping them on a leash. Most areas require that, and even if they don't we have found that a dog running up and down the trail, however joyful an experience it may be for it, makes the rest of us nervous. To repeat an old story, last summer some of us saw a hiker get tangled in her own dog, fall and severely dislocate her shoulder, Not fun.
I usually try to plan hikes that are 4-5 miles, often with an option to go farther. Those who don't want to go the whole length, can stop and turn around whenever they want, altho I do not like to see people hiking alone. Try to have a buddy. Carry your ID with you and I suggest bringing your health insurance info also. We've only had one person have a serious accident and need it in all our years of hiking but it could happen to you.
On a new hike, especially, try not to get so far ahead, or behind, that you lose touch with the group. Sometimes plans have to change suddenly because of weather etc, and we need to be able to find everyone to let them know. We do have a couple of sets of walkie talkies which we try to remember to bring on longer and/or unfamiliar hikes. Cell phone sometimes work but not always. We don't have to have all of us walking in one line, we quickly seem to form and reform into smaller groups as the hike progresses, but just be a little alert to where you are in relation to others. Try to have a hiking buddy for the day, someone from your carpool who will know if you are not back at the parking lot.
Try NOT to hike alone. These hikes are NOT meant to be forced marches. We have a big range of abilities, of speed, endurance, agility etc., but hikers of all speeds can come and have a great time. Some like to slow down to take pictures, identify flowers, look for birds, etc. don't be scared away by the fact that some will be lots faster or want to hike farther.
We LOVE to celebrate birthdays! So if you are coming on a hike near your b'day, bring a cake and we'll all cheer you on.