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Have fun—stay safe!

Now that we’re past Maybe Spring, Actual Spring, and Is It Summer Yet?, we’re in what other tourist destinations call High Season.

It’s the time when thousands of cars with strange license plates show up. They carry thousands of people who do not...

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Have fun—stay safe!

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PEAK TO PEAK - Now that we’re past Maybe Spring, Actual Spring, and Is It Summer Yet?, we’re in what other tourist destinations call High Season.

It’s the time when thousands of cars with strange license plates show up. They carry thousands of people who do not know anything about our area, fill our campgrounds, eat at our restaurants, and wander our trails.

Are you among them? While you love the beauty of the mountains and the clear crispness of the pine-scented air, many of you don’t understand the dangers that lie just beneath the welcoming arms of our alpine scenery.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office has issued a call for responsible recreation that is just as true for the rest of our Peak to Peak area. So if you want to recreate safely, have a wonderful time instead of needing rescuing, you need to remember these things as you go about enjoying this little paradise we call home.

First: Plan ahead. Learn about the area you plan to spend time in. Check the difficulty level of your hike. Learn if you need special gear.

Check the weather. It changes quickly, and especially at the higher elevations, it can go from balmy to snowing in minutes. Check with a visitor center (Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Central City, and Nederland all have great ones) about weather conditions where you plan to be.

 Be ready with clothing for all likely temps—the temperature will drop 3 – 5 degrees for every 1000 feet of elevation. Wear layers. Be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms.

If it starts storming, descend quickly and avoid isolated trees. If you are caught in an open area, crouch low with feet together and stay at least 15 feet apart from others.

And don’t forget the sunscreen.

Tell someone your plan. Let someone know where you are going and how much time you expect to spend. Share information like your vehicle’s make and your license number.

Have a backup plan. If your trailhead is too busy (a full parking lot may be a clue) or the weather looks a little iffy, try something else. A turn at the casino games, maybe?

Know your limits. Don’t try a backwoods trail with lots of altitude changes if you aren’t in really good shape. Don’t climb too high if you just arrived from the flatlands.

Carry food and water. Bring more than you think you will need, especially water. Staying hydrated is the key to keeping off altitude sickness. And just in case you get lost…

Know where you are. Cell phones mostly don’t work in the mountains (but carry a portable charger anyway—sometimes you can get a text through). So carry a paper map of the area of your hike. If you are a serious hiker, maybe you might want a handheld GPS with an SOS feature.

Emergency gear. If you are in the back country, you might want to have a first aid kit, flashlight, whistle, and lightweight emergency blanket.

Personal locator beacon. If you are in a really remote area, consider taking one.

Stay put. If you get lost, try to retrace your steps or stay put. If it’s dark, you're injured, or exhausted, stop and wait for help.

And…Never hike alone!

Recognize heat illness. Heat exhaustion symptoms:  pale face, nausea, cramps, moist skin, headache. Treatment:  hydrate with electrolytes, rest in the shade, and cool your body with water.

Heat stroke symptoms: flushed face, confusion, dry skin, seizures, unconsciousness. Treatment:  cool immediately with water and fans, call 911, and seek emergency care.

 Recognize altitude sickness. UCHealth.org tells us that “Milder symptoms include headache, insomnia and nausea, but victims can also suffer more serious consequences." If you start experiencing any of these, head downhill. A lot of local shops sell aerosol containers of oxygen. It might be a good idea to have one with you.

Water safety. If your recreation includes getting on the water—pond, lake, or stream—please:

 Always wear a life jacket. Yes, you are a great swimmer. But these mountain lakes are VERRRY cold and the streams are very fast. If you know you are going to be IN the water, think about a wetsuit. If you’re navigating a stream, wear a helmet.

Label your gear. Just in case you get separated from it.

Pet safety. If bringing your dog, pack extra water and snacks for them. Be mindful of trail and ground temperatures to protect their paws.

That’s pretty much it. Mostly, it’s just being sensible, and understanding that you will be in unfamiliar territory that you need to be prepared for. And don’t hesitate to ask one of our friendly locals for advice as to a favorite hike, route, or eating place. We love sharing our home with visitors from afar (even if it’s just from the Colorado lowlands.)

Welcome to the Peak to Peak in summer! (And pick up a copy of our Visitors Guide while you’re here!)