This time 2 years ago I took a hiking trip to Rocky Mountain National Park with my dad and his girlfriend. We were together for a week straight. The longest time that we had all been together in such close proximity. Together that week, we hiked 52 miles, climbed a total of 13,000 feet in elevation and completed 3 summits. We ate lots of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and even babied a few injuries. I have always believed that the mountains have a way of bringing out the best in people. Even when hail pelted us or our feet ached, we stayed grateful to be surrounded by such immense beauty.
Every great trip out West comes with at least one learning experience. Some are obvious, like making sure to get to the trailhead early to ensure a parking spot. Others are more subtle, like finding a great song to listen to when we need a ‘pick me up’. For us, this was The Mountains Song (give it a listen, it’s actually a real banger). So on this two-year mark, I reflect on the memories I made and the lessons I learned, both big and small.
Hiking Lesson #1 – Don’t Underestimate the Mountains.
Our first hike was Twin Sisters Peak. A 7.5 mile dual peak with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain. We chose this as our first hike so we could start out slow and acclimate to higher elevation. The hike was a steady elevation increase with some scrambling at the very end. The hike itself was not that intimidating. Mother Nature on the other hand had a different idea. It was very cold and windy, a stark contrast to the sunny skies and warm temps we felt the day before when we were getting off of the plane.
The terrain was pretty much what we expected. But once we neared the summit and stood completely exposed to the elements, the hike felt significantly harder. Harder to find hand and foot placement with numb fingers and toes. Harder to balance with blistering winds. Working with Mother Nature is just part of experiencing the mountains. I am thankful I brought extra layers, glove and a warm headband. This was a lesson that even though I thought I knew what the hike would entail, the mountains always have a mind of their own.
Hiking Lesson #2 – Know Your Limitations
Midweek all three of us decided to sit down and re-evaluate the remainder of the trip. We had hiked for three days straight, clocking lots of miles and elevation. The initial plan was to keep hiking. We wanted to see and explore so much! But we all felt tired and sore. It is easy to over do yourself in an environment like Rocky Mountain National Park.
We were battling the “while I’m here I have to do it all” mentality with knowing our bodies needed rest. We decided to take the following day to rest, to be able to fully enjoy the remaining days to follow. The day ended up being beneficial in more ways than one. We were able to let our bodies recover and we were still able to get amazing views. We took a drive on the scenic Old Fall River Road which I highly recommend. Plus we were able to get organized and do some research on our hikes to come.
Hiking Lesson #3 – Push Past Your Limits
On day three we hike Flattop mountain. At 12,800 feet, it was the highest elevation of the trip so far. The hike itself was beautiful, with views of Bear Lake within the first few miles. Once we made it to the top we were all feeling the effects of the elevation and of three straight days of hiking. While we were enjoying our obligatory snacks at top, we noticed Hallets Peak wasn’t too much further. With girl power prevailing, the females of the group decided to give it a go. Rocky Mountain only maintains the trail up until the Flattop summit. So summiting Hallets Peak was a fend for yourself scramble.
Our goal that day was to make it to the top of Flattop mountain, which we did. We not only accomplished our goal for the day, but we also pushed further even when we felt tired and uncomfortable. Pushing past our initial known limits. If we would have just accepted that we accomplished our initial goal and turned around, I wouldn’t have the unforgettable memories of that second summit.
Hiking Lesson #4 – Do Your Research
Longs Peak was our “big hooray”. This is what we were working up to and acclimating for over the past 5 days. We knew the length and we knew the altitude. What we didn’t know was the difficulty of the climb in the final few miles. On our rest day, we visited the rangers station right at the Longs Peak trailhead. We mostly went to check out the parking situation, but we stumbled upon a little visitors section. There was really interesting information about how the trail was made. More importantly there was a very knowledgeable ranger who was happy to answer all the questions we had.
Longs Peak is ranked class 3 difficulty. This means that it does not involve climbing per say, but it does require scrambling with proper hand and foot placement. Protective gear (such as a helmet) are ropes are recommended for safety. This is gear we did not have and didn’t necessarily feel comfortable using if it came down to it. We had experience as hikers, but not as climbers. Based on the information the ranger gave us, we decided to not Summit Longs Peak.
Be open to change based on what you find out
The good news is there is a hike that allows you to still be able to enjoy the majority of the Longs Peak hike, but with the Key Hole being your turnaround point. The Key Hole is a rock formation that you pass through to finish the remaining few miles until you reach the top. It gives you the option to continue to the Summit if you are feeling comfortable, otherwise just making it the 5 miles to the Key Hole is an accomplishment in itself. This was what we ultimately ended up doing.
Even though it wasn’t the Summit, it didn’t feel like a failure. The hike itself was still very challenging and the views from the Key Hole were mesmerizing. The peanut butter and jelly sandwich still hit the spot. Most importantly, we all returned to our lodging that night safe and healthy.
Hiking Lesson #5 – Embrace the Silence
Let’s be real…it’s hard to find enough conversation to last a 6-8 hour hike. Especially if you are doing these hikes on a daily basis. There were multiple stretches when no one said a word. We followed one ahead of the other. The only sound being that of the wind and the gravel beneath our boots. Sometimes we would progress miles without talking. With each of us taking in our surroundings in our own way.
Finally, someone would think of something worth sharing and it would spark a cascade of conversation. Some might find this silence uncomfortable or awkward. I didn’t. Though we may have been silent at times during the hike, we were all experiencing it together. This allowed for very meaningful reflection together each night. Hiking with others isn’t always about visiting and telling stories. It’s about going through something difficult together, and thus being able to celebrate your accomplishments together as well.
Just like the mountains themself, a trip out West comes with a lot of ups and downs. With my next trip drawing near, I am anticipating those experiences. I know I will come back from that trip with more wisdom to bring onto the next.