FunColoradoHikes Blog

We hiked sections of both Rawhide and Longhorn Trails at  White Ranch Open Space Park during mid summer with our 4 kids (the youngest being 4 months old). The great thing about this area is that it is just outside of Golden in the foothills. The rolling grassy meadows were beautiful at this time of year with so many different colors of grasses. And what great views of the valley!

The park is large! It has nice picnic areas with tables and covered pavillions a good distance from the parking lot.

There are plenty of trails to chose from – short or long, this park has it. Despite mountain lion sitings in past years, we hiked and kept the kids in the “hiking sandwich”. That’s our term for staying in a tight group with Dad in front, kids in the middle, and Mom with a big pack bringing up the rear. It’s the safest way we know to keep our kids from being vulnerable on the trail. Living with wildlife is a reality, take precautions and know what to do if you encounter any. [Make yourself as large as possible with your arms, clothing and packs, don't let kids run ahead or lag behind the group, never turn and run, make noise, avoid hiking in early morning or evening (hunting hours)].

Posted by funhikes under Family Hiking Tips,Hikes Near Denver,Hiking Trails,Rocky Mountain National Park Recommended Hikes,Wildlife
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Ever been on top of a mountain at the end of a hike only to realize that you don’t have your camera?

We’ve been there. When we were engaged, we climbed our first mountain together, Mt. Bierstadt. There was not a soul at the top except for us.

Oh! how we wish we had a photo of that day to add to the beginning of our wedding album!

Well, one day, years later, when I was hiking Mt. Sherman, a young couple was in the same situation (no camera). I took a photo of the engaged couple and emailed it to them when I got home. They were so appreciative – I hope it hangs in their home now for their children to see!

Posted by funhikes under Family Hiking Tips,Hiking Trails
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The best time for hiking most of our favorite Colorado trails is late May through early September.

Plan ahead: three or four days in advance of your hike day, tell your family what you are planning. The anticipation of the event is half the fun. Explain where you will go and what you might see. Get the imaginations going!

Don’t skimp on gear! Even though the weather looks clear, cold weather can roll in quickly and unexpectedly. Summer can turn into winter in a matter of an hour. These day hikes will allow you to return to your car within and hour or so, but just be aware of the weather around you and be prepared with extra clothing. Dressing in layers is a safe bet.

Gather all your hiking gear the night before your trip. It will save you some scurrying in the morning. Plan on having the adults carry the backpacks. They become a burden for kids to carry after a while on the trail.

Start out in the early morning for your day in the mountains. Colorado summer storms tend to roll-in in the early afternoon. It is best if you are off the trail by then so you don’t get caught out in the rain or snow (depending on the elevation).

Posted by funhikes under Family Hiking Tips
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It’s a good idea to pack or tie all of these items. Don’t skimp! Even though the weather looks clear, cold weather can roll-in quickly and unexpectedly. Summer can turn into winter in a matter of an hour or so. These day hikes will allow you to return to your car within an hour or so, but just be aware of the weather around you and be prepared to with extra clothing. Dressing in layers is a safe bet.

o 2 water bottles per person
o Food/snacks
o Camera
o Jackets
o Comfortable pants
o Socks
o Hat
o Tissues
o Sunscreen
o Bug spray
o Backpack
o Hiking boots
o Road map

For the Kids
o Water bottle or sippy cup
o Jacket
o Hiking boots or comfortable athletic shoes
o Jeans (kids tend to fall on loose rock or dirt – the tough denim will protect their knees)
o Hat (good for shade and good for warmth if cool weather rolls in)
o Band-Aids

For Infants
o Baby blanket
o Winter hat or hat with brim
o Jacket, pants, socks, mittens (or you can use socks on their hands)
o Sippy cup
o 2 diapers and wipes
o Zipper top baggies to pack-out the dirty diaper

Posted by funhikes under Family Hiking Tips
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After hiking for several years with little ones, we have discovered that being prepared for the trail means having some supplies on hand and some instructions for the kids.

We have discovered some easy-to-pack items that will help in case of minor emergencies on the trail.

Dress your kids in jeans: Prevents bloody knees when kids fall on the trail.

Pack several chewable tablets of Children’s Tylenol: Prevents the discomfort of leg or ankle cramps after a long day of hiking.

Pack several tablets of Children’s Benedryl: Prevents swelling in case of bee stings and/or allergic reactions to dust or pollen.

Slather your kids with Sunscreen: Prevents the pain of sunburn.

Tell your children before hiking not to run ahead of the group or to fall behind the group: Prevents children from getting lost. Prevents wildlife (i.e. mountain lions) from attacking the smallest people in your group. (This is a reality that we hear of more frequently in the news; kids being attacked by mountain lions. In all the cases reported, the children were not close to their group).
Give your child a whistle to wear or carry on the hike: If for some reason your child becomes lost in the wilderness, his whistle-blow can be heard over a much larger distance than a shout. When in need of help or rescue, the whistle could save a child’s life.

These are tips that we are conscientious of when we set out on the trail. Do you have any more safety tips to share? Please share them with us!

Posted by funhikes under Family Hiking Tips
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We often try to find new hikes for our website. Sometimes we score big and love the new trails we discover; other times it turns out to be a bad experience and a day of hiking down the tubes.

Recently, we set out on a hike marked on a map in our DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer. The kids were all geared up and excited to do a new hike after riding “forever” in the car. We started out with the ususal excitement.

The trail we picked was marked at the trailhead for hikers, motor bikes, mountain bikes, and horses. What a joke! Try walking on a trail where motorcycles and 4-wheelers come racing around the bend leaving you only seconds to jump out of the way and to pull your little ones to safety! No way – these two just can’t share the same trails!

I can’t help but wonder why the Forest Service can post these signs and expect that everyone will enjoy a safe day outdoors! Let me leave you with a piece of advice: when you see these signs, just know that the hikers will lose out in everyway! Keep your family safe and stear clear of these kinds of trails.

Ironically, whether it was a hiker or biker that did this work on the sign, they had the right idea!

P.S. This particular trail is past the Devil’s Head Rec. Trail on Rampart Range Rd. labeled TR 649.

Posted by funhikes under Family Hiking Tips,Hiking Trails
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After seeing the Fun Colorado Family Hikes website, a friend called and asked me if I knew of a good camp site where she could take her family. She and her husband have several small children and wanted a sure and safe, yet convenient place to camp.

The first place I recommend without hesitation is Golden Gate Canyon State Park. It offers a large number of camp sites with the conveniences of bathrooms, picnic tables, ranger visits, etc. And you are in the mountains!!

We have spent some time camping there with little kids and, though it is not total wilderness like we sometimes imagine camping should be, it was just right for our family. With little kids, bathrooms are essential. And it is nice to have the car close by for storage, naps, rainy nights, etc.

The park is BIG. There are many good hikes with great views throughout and there is a visitor center. It’s a kid friendly park.

We plan to do some camping here this summer to practice for some backcountry camping later in the season.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a Colorado State Park so expect to pay entrance and site fees – and it is a good idea to call ahead for camp site reservations, it is a popular park. Enjoy your outdoor experience!!

Posted by funhikes under Family Hiking Tips
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If you and your family are planning a vacation to Colorado this summer, don’t forget to plan at least one day mosying in the mountains. There is so much to do. Hiking is as easy as hopping in the car with a small amount of gear and spending a day out in the beautiful forests and mountains.

If you are coming from out of state, plan a hike. The only extra gear you will need to spend some time on the trails may be water bottles, jeans, jackets, hats, and a good map! It’s not a lot of extra packing.

Spend part of your day hiking and the other part exploring some of Colorado’s most charming mountain towns. Some of our favorites are Georgetown, Idaho Springs, Breckenridge, Evergreen and Vail!

Georgetown has its very own railroad open to the public for 1 hour rides, a main street nestled at the base of several mountains, Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep viewing stations, and awesome Guanella Pass next door.

Idaho Springs has a quaint main street with shops and eateries – and Mt Evans Hwy next door.

Breckenridge has old silver mining town charm, concerts, hiking, lots of biking options and Lake Dillon next door.

Evergreen has a small main street with shops, ice cream and Evergreen Lake that offers fishing, paddle boats, and canoes for rent.

Vail is renowned for it’s Swiss Alps-like charm and for its beautiful and abundant surroundings!

Take your pick! There’s a lot more to do than that! And everywhere you go, you can find a great trail for you and your family!

Posted by funhikes under Around Colorado,Family Hiking Tips,Hikes
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As summer creeps up on us, we all start thinking about getting in shape and being a lot more active. Having high energy is something we all want so we can do all things we have been dreaming about through the winter.

We have discovered a great resource for learning about nutrition and boosting our energy (weight loss follows). The resource; Pam Smith, RD.

Pam Smith is a registered dietician who has written several books, cookbooks and has her own health and fitness show. She has also been the personal nutritional consultant to athletes including Shaquille O’Neal. Can you imagine trying to figure out a nutritious diet for him?

Her books outline what foods to eat together to maximize the full potential of their nutritional value. For example, eating a protein with a complex carbohydrate is a great source of energy and a building block for your body.

Of course, she also states what foods to eat, how often to eat, how much to exercise and how to maintain, gain, or lose weight. I like her material because she states everything in plain English; easy to understand.

Why not try a new approach to getting in shape? Some of the books I like best are: Eat Well, Live Well; The Energy Edge; and Healthy Expectations.

Posted by funhikes under Family Hiking Tips,Product Reviews
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As the spring and summer approach, more and more people are out walking, hiking and riding. This past weekend, despite high winds, there were many families out on the trail already!

Colorado is a great place to live! You don’t have to go far to get in a great vacation. Travel north, east, south or west and you will find something to do in any area of Colorado.

So, why not prepare yourself with a Colorado State Parks or National Park/National Rec. Area Season pass?! You can even purchase them online! It’s perfect for traveling all summer and you have so many choices of parks, trails, scenic drives, and camping areas.

For Colorado State Parks:
Purchase your 2006 annual pass. Your pass allows you entrance to all 41 beautiful state parks for the entire year – just $55. It pays for itself in about 10-11 visits to parks.

For Rocky Mountain National Park and other National Parks:
We purchased a park pass to Rocky Mountain National Park last year; it was a great investment! You can get a pass for Rocky Mountain National or other types of National Parks passes. Click here for more information about National Parks Season Passes. It is a great investment and provides you with a hundred choices of places to visit!

Prepare yourself and your family for traveling Colorado this spring and summer! Parks are abundant and diverse – check them out and visit soon; we plan to see many of them this summer! Happy Hiking!

Posted by funhikes under Around Colorado,Family Hiking Tips
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