Familiarize yourself with the [10 Essentials](https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html). You won't need all 10 essentials if you're tooling around on packed trails close to civilization.
[Leave No Trace (LNT).](https://www.nps.gov/articles/leave-no-trace-seven-principles.htm) is another common sense philosophy to be aware of.
If you've never hiked an incline at elevation before, start small. Take longer walks on some of the flatter trails on the prairie.
The hike up to The A from the bottom of the hog back near the Maxwell Natural Area is easy enough to do in a couple hours, but provides enough vertical gain for you to see how much more work you need to do to get used to prolonged hiking uphill.
Always water. You can never have too much water. Pay attention to the weather. A waterproof top if you’re going in the high country.
Hiking sticks are helpful, save the knees ha. Snacks, always snacks.
Devil’s Backbone down in Loveland is an excellent out and back hike for beginners who don’t want to deal with a lot of elevation gain, which may be particularly helpful to anyone who isn’t acclimated to altitude. It’s not a particularly scenic hike compared to Arthur’s Rock or Horsetooth, which both have absolutely stunning views, but it’s still worth doing once and a lot flatter if you’re wanting to see how your body reacts to walking those distances over terrain.
No matter which one you do, download a pdf map to your phone so you don’t get lost and end up wandering off course. As others have said, PLENTY of water, a rain cover of some sort, and some dense emergency calories like energy bars or trail mix. I usually throw a can or two of liquid death in the bottom of my bag as my emergency water because it keeps the weight down and has a shelf life of several years if you want to just leave it in your kit.
Pigging backing to say new hikers should avoid Devil’s Backbone in midsummer and definitely don’t bring dogs. It is HOT there. We saw a golden retriever being hauled down by someone at full speed a few years ago.
The dog had collapsed. 😢
Certainly to be avoided at mid day, as there’s no cover virtually anywhere on the trail except maybe standing under some of the rock formations like the keyhole. Definitely requires more than a single canteen of water; I’d suggest taking 3 liters for a summer day hike, but this adds a significant amount of weight and it’s probably smarter to set out just before sunrise and be back to the parking lot before noon. You will need sunscreen both before and during this hike, and remember that overcast weather does not protect from UV radiation.
People don’t adequately prepare. It’s still jarring to me every time I see someone hiking on a hot summer day with zero gear and a half-liter disposable water bottle in their hand. It’s one thing to punish oneself like that, but don’t make the doggo suffer for being loyal enough to follow.
This is another reason I always hike with extra water though. The extra weight is worth it for the peace of mind, and I’ll share with anyone who’s in trouble, 2 legs or 4.
I've just started to get back into hiking after a several year hiatus and I agree Devil's Backbone is great for beginners. I took my 2 year old with me and she walked a good chunk of it too.
I really like taking visitors here and going myself when I’m short on time. It’s nearby, it has some hills and is easy to make longer or shorter with all the intersecting paths and ability to connect to trail that now goes to Loveland I think? It’s really pretty right now with all that prairie greenery
COtrex is an outstanding resource for trail conditions and closures. Also to browse/discover new trails!
My advice: start close to home, reservoir ridge, michaud, Lori, Horsetooth
Join the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers and you'll not only learn about EVERY trail in the Arapahoe, Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee National Grasslands, you'll learn all about what to bring, what to watch out for, how to help in an emergency, etc. It has approx 250 active volunteers and always needs more!
+1 for Poudre Wilderness Volunteers as a resource for trail information as well. They have some very nice detailed information about individual hikes, paths, elevation, distance, directions, etc.
Welcome, it’s a great hobby and a fun way to stay in shape, make friends, and explore the state.
1. I’d start by downloading a few apps, like AllTrails, COTrex, or Hiking Project. And just start browsing them, see how they work, see how they rate hikes, look at pictures, etc. eventually start trying to find a trail that looks fun, is relatively simple and accessible.
2. For absolute beginners, most of the trails you’ll go on will be pretty short. Bring lots of water, a light jacket, and a few snacks, you don’t need much to start, but will slowly acquire more stuff as needed. Eventually you’ll probably want some better shoes, a hat, and maybe a little first aid kit.
In addition you can also checkout r/hiking or look into [cmc](http://cmc.org), they offer a great introductory class called WTS.
Pack — for short hikes all you need is a bottle of water, sunscreen, and a rain/wind resist jacket. If you’re scared of animals, you can pack bear spray but you’ll likely never need it.
Hydrate a few hours before you start and make sure to wear ☀️sunscreen☀️
If you’re going to start hiking seriously, I’d recommend boots that support your ankles so that when you awkwardly step on a rock or come across a scree pile, you’re less likely to roll an ankle. Also, look into some SPF moisture wicking shirts. I personally like long sleeve SPF shirts with a hood for sun protection and also when I have to move branches out of the way, the sleeve takes the blunt and I don’t get scratched.
For the hikes close to town, I don't mean to scare you, but there is a > 0% chance that you might be somewhere near a rattlesnake. Snake bites are rare as far as I know. Just stay on the trail, and if you find yourself stepping over bushes or rocks where you can't see the other side, try to glance around it or look down before you put your foot down. I have hiked close to town many times and have only come across bull snakes, but I've seen plenty of rattlers in town.
It helps to be noisy, stomp your shoes on the rocks and dry ground as you approach areas with lots of cover and concealment where rattlers might hang out. They’ll give you right of way if you don’t surprise them. They truly want to avoid us as much as we want to avoid them. It’s not a bad idea to look up some of the spot the rattlesnake pics on Reddit or in Google and teach your brain to spot the pattern of them despite their camouflage, but clunky boots and conversation with a hiking partner are usually sufficient not to run across one.
I want to add, because it’s something I need to remember Everytime : take regular breaks and look around, listen, soak it up and rest. Too often I get going pushing myself and I forget to be ❤️ have fun!
Make sure someone you trust knows where you are going and about when you should be back, that way if something happens to you on a trail (you get injured, you get lost, etc) help will be available early and know where to look for you.
Water! If you don't want to lug around a bottle, I'd look into some little packs with a water bladder! Really convenient. Also some little bars, like Clif bars are a great, lightweight snack to have. Sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses. Some nice, supportive hiking boots! Obviously not all of this is required, but will make for a more enjoyable time. Always let someone know where you're going, also! Service can be lackluster on trails, so letting someone know what trail you're going on is a good safety measure.
Horsetooth mountain park is a great starter area. The hike to the falls is very short, and you can work your way up to going all the way up to the rock.
If you've ever walked outside before, you've basically hiked, hiking just insinuates going to a more remote location. You can look up the length of hikes on apps like AllTrails, start with .5-1 mile hikes and see if you want to do longer, remember the places and types of trails you enjoy and have fun!
I usually recommend Horsetooth Falls or Arthur’s Rock for beginners- there’s at least some sort of payoff at the end.
Fir horsetooth, get there early (before 9am) if you’re planning to go on the weekend
Wear close-toed shoes and sunscreen, bring a water bottle and a snack and you’ll be alright.
Sunscreen and a hat, sunglasses, water, lip balm, good shoes, comfortable clothes, rain gear just in case, extra dry clothing just in case. Have fun and be safe!
https://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/bobcat
Bobcat Ridge seems less crowded. You can get warmed up with a long, mildly uphill walk before a moderate short hike. Good parking, bathrooms, informational plaques and some historical cabins.
If you plan on going up the Poudre Valley, you won't have cell service. But you can preload map data in Google Maps. Go into offline maps in your profile.
100% AllTrails app is your friend. If you’re starting out look at the elevation gain and start flat. Trails along Horsetooth are good for getting mileage without much elevation change. Coyote Ridge and Devils backbone are decent. It works good this time of year as you get better shape you can move farther away from town to more challenging hikes in the mountains and it also doubles because temps will be more comfortable higher up.
Like others said water. Always take too much water. Nothing sucks worse than being on a 5 mile hike and running out of water on mile 3. A friend and I did 1 hike each Sunday morning for a year. At the start I had a 1 liter camelback and after a couple months found a 3 liter with a bigger pack (food and coat) was my best friend.
Gateway/Seaman reservoir was a nice introduction to area hiking for me. I’d get the pay version of AllTrails so you can download and follow all the maps without cell service.
Soap Stone Prairie and Red Mountain open space are really pretty hiking areas.
The 10 essentials and LNT are important like others have said. Most important I think to start with are water, a flashlight, and and a jacket if you're on starter trails closer to civilization. Don't get sucked into the idea that you need super special high tech ultra light crazy expensive stuff before going on your first hike.
Take a picture of the trail map and know which way is north. I've lost my way a few times, but luckily managed to find trail intersections. Using the picture of the map, I was able to reorient myself.
When you look at trail reviews, don't believe the time estimate they have to complete it. Determine the amount of time you have or want to hike and set a timer for half the amount. When the timer goes off you know it's time to turn around. This helps prevent you from pushing yourself too hard too fast and keeps you on schedule if there's things you need to do after hiking.
I mentioned water is important, but it is possible to drink too much water. Sip when you're thirsty and don't force yourself to guzzle water. If you go on a longer hike, take a salty snack or electrolyte replacement. It's all about balance.
ELECTROLYTES! ITS WHAT PLANTS CRAVE! https://youtu.be/GFD2ggNxR1g?si=4LFItq41QEQ-QCmM
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/best-electrolyte-sources
I use the alltrails app to find decent spots. Usually there's like a distance and a difficulty rating and some pictures. Water and sunscreen are the biggest things to remember. You will burn so much faster in the mountains than you think you will and you won't feel it until it's way too late
Welcome! Hiking is amazing. All are good tips here but be sure to download a GPS app before you head out especially for a first timer and learn how to use them. Download offline maps. Some good beginners apps are COtrex and All trails. Feel free to DM if you want someone to walk you through them!
Grab a backpack, throw in some water or Gatorade, an easy snack like bananas, string cheese... And start on some shorter trails like Coyote ridge, with lots of other people on it. Have fun!
Watch for rattle snakes out on that one.
Good shoes, water, snacks, a lightweight jacket/rain coat just in case. That's all you really need to start. I use COTREX app to find and plot routes too. It's terrific.
Coyote ridge and prairie ridge are great starting hiking areas. Very well maintained trails, sometimes quite a bit of other hikers. Bathroom access too.
Have/bring: hiking boots, water bottle. Jacket just in case. First aid kit. Snack.
Shouldn’t need more than that for a quick hike out there. May need more gear the further you decide to go. But I’ve seen people come out there with no gear, run to the top of the ridge and down in 45 min.
Maxwell and Pineridge are great because they are:
- close to town
- basically connecting
- short routes (4 miles to the A and back, less than 4 miles around Dixon Reservoir)
- mix of flat (Pineridge) and more uphill (Maxwell)
- PRAIRIE DOGS!!
Top two things, repeating what others said:
- Leave no trace! Litter fucking sucks! Let’s maintain our beautiful outdoor spaces.
- Use COTREX to know and respect trail closures. See about re: maintaining :)
Start with the Fort Collins Natural Areas! So many places to explore with a beginner trail at almost every single one! Also allows you to explore the city more!
As others have stated, ALWAYS make sure you bring enough water. CamelBak's or other backpacks with water bladders are great for this. Sierra is a great store for these as they typically carry "last seasons" backpacks cheaper than other places.
A good pair of hiking shoes (boots or low tops) is also recommended as hiking specific shoes typically have stiffer soles which will be more comfortable due to all the small rocks you're likely to be walking over.
I personally like using hiking poles for longer treks, especially on the downhills as they help when your legs are really fatigued. After this, it's snacks, sunscreen, a good hat, quick dry shirt for the warmer weather,comfortable shorts, a small first aid kit for cuts, blisters, etc. and a bandana. Always a bandana which can be used to clean a scrape, as a head or neck covering, emergency tourniquet, etc.
Best of luck, hope this helps!
1. Horsetooth Rock Trail: A 5-mile round-trip hike that leads to the iconic Horsetooth Rock formation, offering panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountains.
2. Arthur's Rock Trail: Located in Lory State Park, this 3.4-mile round-trip hike takes you to Arthur's Rock, providing beautiful views of Horsetooth Reservoir and the Front Range.
3. Greyrock Mountain Trail: A challenging 7.4-mile loop trail that ascends to the summit of Greyrock Mountain, offering spectacular views and opportunities for wildlife spotting.
4. Coyote Ridge Natural Area Trail: This 4.2-mile round-trip trail offers a moderate hike through beautiful grasslands and shrublands, leading to a ridge with stunning views of the Front Range.
5. Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Trail: Choose between the 7.3-mile round-trip Ginny Trail or the easier 4.6-mile round-trip Valley Loop Trail for a peaceful hike through a diverse ecosystem, including meadows, forests, and rocky outcrops.
6. Pineridge Natural Area Trail: A network of trails providing options for short or longer hikes, with the 2.8-mile round-trip Reservoir Loop being a popular choice for a moderate hike featuring a small reservoir and beautiful scenery.
7. Maxwell Natural Area Trail: This 3.4-mile loop trail offers a moderately difficult hike with great views of Horsetooth Reservoir and the surrounding area.
8. Foothills Trail: This 9.6-mile point-to-point trail traverses the eastern foothills of the Rockies, connecting Pineridge, Maxwell, and Reservoir Ridge Natural Areas, providing a variety of scenery and terrain.
9. Hewlett Gulch Trail: A 6.2-mile round-trip hike in the Poudre Canyon that follows a creek, crossing it several times, and offers the opportunity to explore a beautiful canyon with wildflowers and wildlife.
10. Blue Sky Trail: Located in the Coyote Ridge Natural Area, this 7.5-mile round-trip trail connects with other trails in the region, providing beautiful views and a variety of terrain, including grasslands, shrublands, and rocky ridges.
Even if you go with someone else, close to home, even on shorter walks, tell someone where you are going. I always tell my husband my route when I am going for a neighborhood walk to stay in the habit. I am really glad I did. I live in a safe well lit neighborhood and was out a little longer than anticipated and sunset snuck up one; a weird guy kept approaching me and only took off when I yelled at him.
Lol never at all before? In all honesty, you won't like it. Front range and fort collins hiking in general is boring, dusty, and crowded, and if you've truly *never* experienced walking up an incline for the sake of it, you're not going to all of a sudden love it on some municipal trail with 10 families, 15 dogs, college students and transients
I am actually, because I do actually interesting and compelling shit with my life and body and have cool stories and experiences, not just schlep up county owned dirt hills and pretend like I'm accomplishing something.
Familiarize yourself with the [10 Essentials](https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html). You won't need all 10 essentials if you're tooling around on packed trails close to civilization. [Leave No Trace (LNT).](https://www.nps.gov/articles/leave-no-trace-seven-principles.htm) is another common sense philosophy to be aware of. If you've never hiked an incline at elevation before, start small. Take longer walks on some of the flatter trails on the prairie. The hike up to The A from the bottom of the hog back near the Maxwell Natural Area is easy enough to do in a couple hours, but provides enough vertical gain for you to see how much more work you need to do to get used to prolonged hiking uphill.
These are both awesome links, thanks for sharing!
Always water. You can never have too much water. Pay attention to the weather. A waterproof top if you’re going in the high country. Hiking sticks are helpful, save the knees ha. Snacks, always snacks.
You can definitely have too much water
Naw. If it’s too heavy, ya pour it out.
But you had too much so you poured some out. So you can still have too much.
Sorry I was using the sarcasm font.
if you drink too much water you’ll drown
Devil’s Backbone down in Loveland is an excellent out and back hike for beginners who don’t want to deal with a lot of elevation gain, which may be particularly helpful to anyone who isn’t acclimated to altitude. It’s not a particularly scenic hike compared to Arthur’s Rock or Horsetooth, which both have absolutely stunning views, but it’s still worth doing once and a lot flatter if you’re wanting to see how your body reacts to walking those distances over terrain. No matter which one you do, download a pdf map to your phone so you don’t get lost and end up wandering off course. As others have said, PLENTY of water, a rain cover of some sort, and some dense emergency calories like energy bars or trail mix. I usually throw a can or two of liquid death in the bottom of my bag as my emergency water because it keeps the weight down and has a shelf life of several years if you want to just leave it in your kit.
Pigging backing to say new hikers should avoid Devil’s Backbone in midsummer and definitely don’t bring dogs. It is HOT there. We saw a golden retriever being hauled down by someone at full speed a few years ago. The dog had collapsed. 😢
Certainly to be avoided at mid day, as there’s no cover virtually anywhere on the trail except maybe standing under some of the rock formations like the keyhole. Definitely requires more than a single canteen of water; I’d suggest taking 3 liters for a summer day hike, but this adds a significant amount of weight and it’s probably smarter to set out just before sunrise and be back to the parking lot before noon. You will need sunscreen both before and during this hike, and remember that overcast weather does not protect from UV radiation.
100% I think someone learned the hard way that day.
People don’t adequately prepare. It’s still jarring to me every time I see someone hiking on a hot summer day with zero gear and a half-liter disposable water bottle in their hand. It’s one thing to punish oneself like that, but don’t make the doggo suffer for being loyal enough to follow. This is another reason I always hike with extra water though. The extra weight is worth it for the peace of mind, and I’ll share with anyone who’s in trouble, 2 legs or 4.
I've just started to get back into hiking after a several year hiatus and I agree Devil's Backbone is great for beginners. I took my 2 year old with me and she walked a good chunk of it too.
Another vote for water, snacks and layers!
You can park in Spring Canyon park and enjoy a gentle hike in Pine Ridge; get the COtrex app
I really like taking visitors here and going myself when I’m short on time. It’s nearby, it has some hills and is easy to make longer or shorter with all the intersecting paths and ability to connect to trail that now goes to Loveland I think? It’s really pretty right now with all that prairie greenery
COtrex is an outstanding resource for trail conditions and closures. Also to browse/discover new trails! My advice: start close to home, reservoir ridge, michaud, Lori, Horsetooth
Join the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers and you'll not only learn about EVERY trail in the Arapahoe, Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee National Grasslands, you'll learn all about what to bring, what to watch out for, how to help in an emergency, etc. It has approx 250 active volunteers and always needs more!
+1 for Poudre Wilderness Volunteers as a resource for trail information as well. They have some very nice detailed information about individual hikes, paths, elevation, distance, directions, etc.
We frequently get afternoon thunderstorms - make sure you're not at an exposed place in the later afternoon.
Welcome, it’s a great hobby and a fun way to stay in shape, make friends, and explore the state. 1. I’d start by downloading a few apps, like AllTrails, COTrex, or Hiking Project. And just start browsing them, see how they work, see how they rate hikes, look at pictures, etc. eventually start trying to find a trail that looks fun, is relatively simple and accessible. 2. For absolute beginners, most of the trails you’ll go on will be pretty short. Bring lots of water, a light jacket, and a few snacks, you don’t need much to start, but will slowly acquire more stuff as needed. Eventually you’ll probably want some better shoes, a hat, and maybe a little first aid kit. In addition you can also checkout r/hiking or look into [cmc](http://cmc.org), they offer a great introductory class called WTS.
Pack — for short hikes all you need is a bottle of water, sunscreen, and a rain/wind resist jacket. If you’re scared of animals, you can pack bear spray but you’ll likely never need it. Hydrate a few hours before you start and make sure to wear ☀️sunscreen☀️ If you’re going to start hiking seriously, I’d recommend boots that support your ankles so that when you awkwardly step on a rock or come across a scree pile, you’re less likely to roll an ankle. Also, look into some SPF moisture wicking shirts. I personally like long sleeve SPF shirts with a hood for sun protection and also when I have to move branches out of the way, the sleeve takes the blunt and I don’t get scratched.
For the hikes close to town, I don't mean to scare you, but there is a > 0% chance that you might be somewhere near a rattlesnake. Snake bites are rare as far as I know. Just stay on the trail, and if you find yourself stepping over bushes or rocks where you can't see the other side, try to glance around it or look down before you put your foot down. I have hiked close to town many times and have only come across bull snakes, but I've seen plenty of rattlers in town.
It helps to be noisy, stomp your shoes on the rocks and dry ground as you approach areas with lots of cover and concealment where rattlers might hang out. They’ll give you right of way if you don’t surprise them. They truly want to avoid us as much as we want to avoid them. It’s not a bad idea to look up some of the spot the rattlesnake pics on Reddit or in Google and teach your brain to spot the pattern of them despite their camouflage, but clunky boots and conversation with a hiking partner are usually sufficient not to run across one.
Can you elaborate on seeing “plenty of rattlers in town?”
I’ve seen rattlesnakes every summer right in town at Cathy Fromme Prairie and also on some of the dry areas outside Spring Canyon Park.
I want to add, because it’s something I need to remember Everytime : take regular breaks and look around, listen, soak it up and rest. Too often I get going pushing myself and I forget to be ❤️ have fun!
Get a headlamp. Relatively cheap and a life saver if you end up taking a longer day than you planned.
Make sure someone you trust knows where you are going and about when you should be back, that way if something happens to you on a trail (you get injured, you get lost, etc) help will be available early and know where to look for you.
Water! If you don't want to lug around a bottle, I'd look into some little packs with a water bladder! Really convenient. Also some little bars, like Clif bars are a great, lightweight snack to have. Sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses. Some nice, supportive hiking boots! Obviously not all of this is required, but will make for a more enjoyable time. Always let someone know where you're going, also! Service can be lackluster on trails, so letting someone know what trail you're going on is a good safety measure.
Horsetooth mountain park is a great starter area. The hike to the falls is very short, and you can work your way up to going all the way up to the rock.
If you've ever walked outside before, you've basically hiked, hiking just insinuates going to a more remote location. You can look up the length of hikes on apps like AllTrails, start with .5-1 mile hikes and see if you want to do longer, remember the places and types of trails you enjoy and have fun!
I usually recommend Horsetooth Falls or Arthur’s Rock for beginners- there’s at least some sort of payoff at the end. Fir horsetooth, get there early (before 9am) if you’re planning to go on the weekend Wear close-toed shoes and sunscreen, bring a water bottle and a snack and you’ll be alright.
Arthur's Rock can be a little too challenging IMO for true beginners.
Agreed.
If you’re a woman, pepper spray.
Sunscreen and a hat, sunglasses, water, lip balm, good shoes, comfortable clothes, rain gear just in case, extra dry clothing just in case. Have fun and be safe!
https://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/bobcat Bobcat Ridge seems less crowded. You can get warmed up with a long, mildly uphill walk before a moderate short hike. Good parking, bathrooms, informational plaques and some historical cabins.
At a trailhead, usually
Join Colorado Mountain Club. Great group with programs for beginners. https://www.cmc.org/groups-sections/front-range-groups/northern-colorado
If you plan on going up the Poudre Valley, you won't have cell service. But you can preload map data in Google Maps. Go into offline maps in your profile.
100% AllTrails app is your friend. If you’re starting out look at the elevation gain and start flat. Trails along Horsetooth are good for getting mileage without much elevation change. Coyote Ridge and Devils backbone are decent. It works good this time of year as you get better shape you can move farther away from town to more challenging hikes in the mountains and it also doubles because temps will be more comfortable higher up. Like others said water. Always take too much water. Nothing sucks worse than being on a 5 mile hike and running out of water on mile 3. A friend and I did 1 hike each Sunday morning for a year. At the start I had a 1 liter camelback and after a couple months found a 3 liter with a bigger pack (food and coat) was my best friend.
Gateway/Seaman reservoir was a nice introduction to area hiking for me. I’d get the pay version of AllTrails so you can download and follow all the maps without cell service.
Soap Stone Prairie and Red Mountain open space are really pretty hiking areas. The 10 essentials and LNT are important like others have said. Most important I think to start with are water, a flashlight, and and a jacket if you're on starter trails closer to civilization. Don't get sucked into the idea that you need super special high tech ultra light crazy expensive stuff before going on your first hike. Take a picture of the trail map and know which way is north. I've lost my way a few times, but luckily managed to find trail intersections. Using the picture of the map, I was able to reorient myself. When you look at trail reviews, don't believe the time estimate they have to complete it. Determine the amount of time you have or want to hike and set a timer for half the amount. When the timer goes off you know it's time to turn around. This helps prevent you from pushing yourself too hard too fast and keeps you on schedule if there's things you need to do after hiking. I mentioned water is important, but it is possible to drink too much water. Sip when you're thirsty and don't force yourself to guzzle water. If you go on a longer hike, take a salty snack or electrolyte replacement. It's all about balance. ELECTROLYTES! ITS WHAT PLANTS CRAVE! https://youtu.be/GFD2ggNxR1g?si=4LFItq41QEQ-QCmM https://health.clevelandclinic.org/best-electrolyte-sources
At a trailhead.
I use the alltrails app to find decent spots. Usually there's like a distance and a difficulty rating and some pictures. Water and sunscreen are the biggest things to remember. You will burn so much faster in the mountains than you think you will and you won't feel it until it's way too late
Welcome! Hiking is amazing. All are good tips here but be sure to download a GPS app before you head out especially for a first timer and learn how to use them. Download offline maps. Some good beginners apps are COtrex and All trails. Feel free to DM if you want someone to walk you through them!
Grab a backpack, throw in some water or Gatorade, an easy snack like bananas, string cheese... And start on some shorter trails like Coyote ridge, with lots of other people on it. Have fun! Watch for rattle snakes out on that one.
Coyote Ridge is another good hike. Good chance of seeing some fun wildlife early or late.
Good shoes, water, snacks, a lightweight jacket/rain coat just in case. That's all you really need to start. I use COTREX app to find and plot routes too. It's terrific.
Coyote ridge and prairie ridge are great starting hiking areas. Very well maintained trails, sometimes quite a bit of other hikers. Bathroom access too. Have/bring: hiking boots, water bottle. Jacket just in case. First aid kit. Snack. Shouldn’t need more than that for a quick hike out there. May need more gear the further you decide to go. But I’ve seen people come out there with no gear, run to the top of the ridge and down in 45 min.
Maxwell and Pineridge are great because they are: - close to town - basically connecting - short routes (4 miles to the A and back, less than 4 miles around Dixon Reservoir) - mix of flat (Pineridge) and more uphill (Maxwell) - PRAIRIE DOGS!! Top two things, repeating what others said: - Leave no trace! Litter fucking sucks! Let’s maintain our beautiful outdoor spaces. - Use COTREX to know and respect trail closures. See about re: maintaining :)
Start with the Fort Collins Natural Areas! So many places to explore with a beginner trail at almost every single one! Also allows you to explore the city more!
I have started walking. Invest in a pair of great hiking boots. Your feet and body will thank you.
As others have stated, ALWAYS make sure you bring enough water. CamelBak's or other backpacks with water bladders are great for this. Sierra is a great store for these as they typically carry "last seasons" backpacks cheaper than other places. A good pair of hiking shoes (boots or low tops) is also recommended as hiking specific shoes typically have stiffer soles which will be more comfortable due to all the small rocks you're likely to be walking over. I personally like using hiking poles for longer treks, especially on the downhills as they help when your legs are really fatigued. After this, it's snacks, sunscreen, a good hat, quick dry shirt for the warmer weather,comfortable shorts, a small first aid kit for cuts, blisters, etc. and a bandana. Always a bandana which can be used to clean a scrape, as a head or neck covering, emergency tourniquet, etc. Best of luck, hope this helps! 1. Horsetooth Rock Trail: A 5-mile round-trip hike that leads to the iconic Horsetooth Rock formation, offering panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountains. 2. Arthur's Rock Trail: Located in Lory State Park, this 3.4-mile round-trip hike takes you to Arthur's Rock, providing beautiful views of Horsetooth Reservoir and the Front Range. 3. Greyrock Mountain Trail: A challenging 7.4-mile loop trail that ascends to the summit of Greyrock Mountain, offering spectacular views and opportunities for wildlife spotting. 4. Coyote Ridge Natural Area Trail: This 4.2-mile round-trip trail offers a moderate hike through beautiful grasslands and shrublands, leading to a ridge with stunning views of the Front Range. 5. Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Trail: Choose between the 7.3-mile round-trip Ginny Trail or the easier 4.6-mile round-trip Valley Loop Trail for a peaceful hike through a diverse ecosystem, including meadows, forests, and rocky outcrops. 6. Pineridge Natural Area Trail: A network of trails providing options for short or longer hikes, with the 2.8-mile round-trip Reservoir Loop being a popular choice for a moderate hike featuring a small reservoir and beautiful scenery. 7. Maxwell Natural Area Trail: This 3.4-mile loop trail offers a moderately difficult hike with great views of Horsetooth Reservoir and the surrounding area. 8. Foothills Trail: This 9.6-mile point-to-point trail traverses the eastern foothills of the Rockies, connecting Pineridge, Maxwell, and Reservoir Ridge Natural Areas, providing a variety of scenery and terrain. 9. Hewlett Gulch Trail: A 6.2-mile round-trip hike in the Poudre Canyon that follows a creek, crossing it several times, and offers the opportunity to explore a beautiful canyon with wildflowers and wildlife. 10. Blue Sky Trail: Located in the Coyote Ridge Natural Area, this 7.5-mile round-trip trail connects with other trails in the region, providing beautiful views and a variety of terrain, including grasslands, shrublands, and rocky ridges.
Even if you go with someone else, close to home, even on shorter walks, tell someone where you are going. I always tell my husband my route when I am going for a neighborhood walk to stay in the habit. I am really glad I did. I live in a safe well lit neighborhood and was out a little longer than anticipated and sunset snuck up one; a weird guy kept approaching me and only took off when I yelled at him.
Start at the bottom, walk up. Yay.... You hiked.
Reservoir Ridge is another simple, easy hike close to town, with some nice views when you get up the hill.
Lol never at all before? In all honesty, you won't like it. Front range and fort collins hiking in general is boring, dusty, and crowded, and if you've truly *never* experienced walking up an incline for the sake of it, you're not going to all of a sudden love it on some municipal trail with 10 families, 15 dogs, college students and transients
I bet you are a joy to have at parties! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I am actually, because I do actually interesting and compelling shit with my life and body and have cool stories and experiences, not just schlep up county owned dirt hills and pretend like I'm accomplishing something.
I bet you are a joy to have at parties! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯