COLORADO HIKING BLOG

From the Experts in Estes Park, CO

rocky mountains at sunset with snow

Top 5 Must-Do Hikes at Rocky Mountain National Park

Looking for the best hikes at Rocky Mountain National Park to explore during your visit? Here, at Kirks Mountain Adventures, our expert hiking guides in Estes Park have put in the miles and time on the hikes at Rocky Mountain National Park, and we’re happy to share our top list of trails with you. From…

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mountain lake at sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Park

Our Top 10 Overnight Backpacking Trips in Rocky Mountain National Park

Looking for the best short overnight backpacking trips in Colorado? At Kirks Mountain Adventures, we are no stranger to Rocky Mountain National Park backpacking trips. In fact, we have been guiding them for almost 20 years! Whether your group is looking for a guided overnight backpacking trip, or are just looking for some recommendations of…

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A woman and her dog sit on a rock in the forest

11 Dog Friendly Hikes in Estes Park

There’s no doubt about it, Colorado is a pet-friendly paradise and there are plenty of dog-friendly hikes in Estes Park that are worth checking out. Unfortunately for pet owners, Rocky Mountain National Park only allows pets in certain areas of the park, making it difficult to bring your four-legged friend on that epic hiking adventure.…

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Exercise Tips to Prepare for Backpacking

When you are planning a backpacking trip, there are a few steps you must take. First of all, you should call Kirk’s Mountain Adventure to schedule your guided Rocky Mountain hiking trip! After that, you will want to prepare yourself physically for your trip. At Kirk’s Mountain Adventure, we tailor our guided backpacking trips to…

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The Lowdown On Hiking With Llamas

If you are looking for an interesting activity in Estes Park, then our llama hiking trips may be just the ticket! These trips are perfect for the whole family, regardless of age or ability. Enjoy the majestic views of Rocky Mountain National Park while a llama carries your equipment, or perhaps even your child! You…

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Choose The Right Backpacking Gear

Backpacking is not for the faint of heart. Backpacking requires days and nights to be spent in the great outdoors. Cooking is completed over campfires and small stoves. At night, you curl up in a sleeping bag listening to the wind rustle the leaves and the sound of the forest and its animals. There is…

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Guided Backpacking Trips Estes Park

Proper Water Treatment Methods

The crystal clear, cold, flowing waters of Estes Park may not be as clean as you believe. Small microbes, particulates, and bacteria that can lead to illness live in clear water. We know, you never worried about this when you were children, but things are different. Regardless of how wonderfully refreshing it would be to…

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Guided Backpacking Trips Estes Park

What to Pack When Hiking a 14er

One of the secrets to successfully hiking a 14er is proper preparation. This can mean high altitude training, packing the right food, buying the right hiking gear, or dressing appropriately. Since a 14er is an all day adventure, a lot of preparation should be completed before the hike even begins. All of the Rocky Mountain…

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Best Foods For Rocky Mountain Hiking Trips

There are a few essential items that every single hiker will take with them no matter how far a hike; great shoes, water, jackets, and food. Forgetting snacks and food can be one of the biggest mistakes that a hiker can make. Hiking, no matter the location, will use up a lot of energy and…

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How to Avoid Mosquito Bites on Your Guided Hiking Trip in Estes Park

Mosquito bites aren’t just itchy inconveniences, they can actually make you sick. West Nile Virus, which doesn’t get the attention that it should anymore, is a big problem here in Colorado, and it is especially concerning this summer since weather conditions have created the perfect storm for a robust mosquito population. Although the majority of…

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