HIking Classes Offered in Aurora

Do you live in the Denver metro area?

Do you enjoy the outdoors?

If you do but you're are not sure what you need in terms of gear, clothes, and other essentials, before going to the trail head, read on.  Everything you need to know about hiking can be obtained with a phone call.

Co-instructors, Ed Blum and Gary Alleman prepare for class.

The Aurora Center for Active Adults (ACAA) is offering in-depth hiking classes that will answer questions related to this great outdoor activity.  It doesn't matter if you are a beginner (never hiked before) who would like to take up hiking or a seasoned hiker just looking to brush up on a few things, these classes will have something for everyone.  Classes will be taught by two experienced guys who have decades of experience.

The following overview will give you an idea of the detail these classes offer.

• Session #1:  Introduction to Hiking: Tues., Feb. 12th.,  9 to 11 a.m. Topics include back country ethics, behavior, and etiquette, plus pre-hike conditioning including recommended workout plans.

A hiker enjoys the view from the rim of Castlewood Canyon.

• Session #2:  Pre-Planning/First Aid:  Tues., Feb. 19th, 9 to 11 a.m.  Topics include what to do and what to know before you go on trail, learn how to hike based on trail conditions, learn how trails are rated, basics of back country safety, and first aid including how to make your low cost personal FA kit.

Waterfall on Cow Creek Trail, RMNP.

• Session #3:  All about Footwear: Tues., Feb. 26th., 9 to 11 a.m.  Topics include things to know before you buy socks, boots, gaiters, plus lots of helpful tips.  Also information on Colorado gear manufacturers, and where to get your boots repaired.  This session will include a comprehensive display of the latest footwear (provided by REI) for hiking in Colorado.

Diamond Lake

• Session #4:  All about Clothing:  Tues., Mar. 5th., 9 to 10:30 a.m.:  Topics include things to know before you buy, how to layer clothing, plus lots of helpful tips.  This session will include a comprehensive display of the latest clothing items (provided by REI) for hiking in Colorado.

The trail in Herman Gulch.

• Session #5:  All about Gear:  Tues., Mar. 12th., 9 to 10:30 a.m.:  Topics include how to choose the right day pack, how to load a day pack, organizing your gear, plus lots of helpful tips.  This session will include a comprehensive display of day packs.

Hikers enjoy the back country after visiting Lost Lake.

• Session #6:  All about Poles:  Tues.,  Mar. 19th., 9 to 10;00 a.m.:  Topics include things you should know before you buy, why we use poles, a demonstration of the proper use of poles, and plenty of tips on various uses for poles.

Hiking in Sanistas Valley, outside of Boulder.

• Session #7:  Essentials of a good hiker:  Tues, Mar. 26th., 9 to 11:00 a.m.:  Topics include making an equipment checklist, introduction to map reading, introduction to navigation, basic survival skills, and keeping a trail journal, plus lots of tips on gear manufacturers, where to get gear repaired, and more.

Hikers on trail to Crater Lake.

If you are a resident of Aurora, Colorado, classes are $8.00 each ($10.00 for non-residents).  The value for your money is unmatched.  Nobody offers a full series of in-depth classes like this for $8.00 anywhere.

Plus you will get the benefit of information on things to do or not do before, during and after a hike plus tips learned from personal experience from two guys who have been hiking and backpacking for decades.

After the last session, students will be offered the opportunity to hike with the instructors.  If you are looking for an opportunity to get involved in a low stress, low cost, high reward outdoor activity, take advantage of these classes.

You will not be disappointed when you get to that first trail head, because you will have a wealth of information to begin your journey to a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Call a friend to join you for a class.

Tell a neighbor about the classes.      

Seats for classes are filling up each week so call ACAA today and register for one or all classes offered.  Register at: (303) 739-7950

The Aurora Center for Active Adults is home to the High Country Hikers, a group of over age 50 men and women who enjoy the friendship of others who have similar interests.  The group hikes every week beginning in early April.  Transportation is provided from the ACAA parking lot at 6th. Avenue and Del Mar.

If you have registered for classes mentioned above, don't miss this opportunity to get outside and enjoy the Colorado back country.  Every week is a different landscape.  Every week is an adventure.  Every week is another awesome story you can tell your grandchildren about.

The images in this piece were captured on day hikes the group experienced in 2012.  Don't miss an opportunity to experience places like these yourself in 2013.  Call ACAA and register for a hike with the group.  There are limited seats on the bus so don't wait to call.

If you are new to this activity, join the classes before you go on trail.  You'll be glad you did both. 

It's all about the journey!

Ways to Live a Healthy Lifestyle - # 7

Manage Depression:

This is the final installment of this series on ten ways to live a healthy lifestyle.  Managing depression is actually #7 on our list.  Over the course of the last eighteen months, we have randomly selected one of the ten elements to address to our readers.

I visit my neurologist every three months.  After the initial question, How are you doing? comes, Are you depressed?  To the first, I could say, well doctor, I have discomfort in my joints in the morning, and continue with a list of things that are just not perfect

Top 10 Snowshoe Hikes - # 10

Dual Loops: 1 - Lakes Loop Trail
                    2 - Twisted Trail

1 - An easy short O&B trek that is scenic to two frozen lakes.
2 - Shoe through forests on this short moderate loop.

Getting there:  Same for both hikes.
In Boulder, take Canyon Blvd./Highway # 119 to Nederland.  Go south on highway # 72 about 1 mi. then turn right on CR 130 and follow 2 mi. and turn left on CR 140, uphill to Eldora Resort.  Turn left to the Nordic Center.

Difficulty:  1- Easy to Moderate
                2 - Moderate

Skill level: Both novice

Elevation gain:  1 - 286' Lakes Loop/139' Peterson Lake 
                        2 - 200'

Map:  Eldora Mtn. Resort and Nordic Center

Contact:  Eldora Mtn  Resort (303) 440-8700 X267

Top 10 Snowshoe HIkes - # 9

Echo Lake

Enjoy this easy flat route to a frozen lake surrounded by vast views of the peaks of the front range.

Getting there:  Take I 70 west to exit # 40 (Mt. Evans).  Take highway # 103 south about 19 mi. to Echo Lake Picnic Area or go 1 mi. more to Echo Lake Campground.  A loop can be done from either TH.

Trail:  Starting at the picnic area, go counter clockwise.  In .25 mi. is a sign for Chicago Lakes Trail, go straight.  Echo Lake Trail goes left.  Both trails have good photo ops.

Difficulty:  Easy

Skill level:  Novice

Elevation Gain:  50'

Contact:  Clear Creek Ranger District (303) 567-2901

Snowshoe Devils Thumb Ranch

If I had to pick one place to snowshoe that offered spectacular views of the continental divide, awesome landscapes of the Frazer Valley, top shelf accommodations, a comfy spacious lodge, and good food, Devils Thumb Ranch Resort and Spa is it.

When I arrived just after 7 a.m., the bus was parked, idling in the middle of the parking lot as always.  I stashed my gear on one of the seats then went inside the Mally Rec. Center to sign-in and see other members of the group.

By half past the hour, everybody had boarded the bus and we were on our way.  Or so we thought.  As he pulled out of the lot, Mike, our driver, realized there was a problem with the throttle.  After stopping along the curb, he informed us of his inability to get the engine to properly respond and that we would be going to the Englewood Fleet Maintenance Center.