Becca, Backcountry Ambassador
We loaded up 5 pairs of snowshoes into the back of the car and navigated our way through the windy Colorado mountain roads. I was excited to introduce my family to snowshoeing, and had rented a fire lookout for a night, perched high at 12,000 ft. with a stellar view of the Rockies. Taking first time snowshoers out is a great way to show them the beauty of the backcountry, but there are some key elements to keep in mind to make it a fun and enjoyable experience for all:
- Get an early start. Temperatures drop when the sun goes down, so make sure you pack a headlamp just in case.
- Pick a manageable trail. My family wasn’t used to hiking with large packs on snowshoes, so we picked a trail that was a mileage that we all felt comfortable with.
- Encourage the use of trekking poles. They make all the difference and can take a lot of weight off of your hips and knees.
- Don’t have an agenda. People hike at all different speeds and odds are, everyone will feel better if they aren’t rushed to get somewhere by a certain time.
- Bring a hot beverage in a thermos. I love surprising my hiking partners with a mug of cider, hot chocolate or coffee in a scenic spot. It helps warm your core temperature and also provides a great opportunity to take a break, enjoy the scenery and talk about how the hike is going.
Despite the cold temperatures on our family adventure, we made it safely to the lookout and enjoyed hot coffee with mountain views the next morning.