FAQs | Fresh Tracks Hiking

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - COLORADO HIKES

DO ALL THE HIKES INCLUDE PHOTOGRAPHY?

Absolutely! And, in fact, you'll own all the photos at the end. Your guide will carry professional camera equipment to document your day and deliver them to you via Google Drive. You focus on the hike, and we focus on getting you memories that will last a lifetime. Expect to receive between 300-500 professional photos of your day out.

WHAT KIND OF PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?

We have two professional-grade cameras. One is a Canon 5d Mark IV with a 70-200 IS f2.8. The other is a Canon 6D Mark II with a 24-70 f2.8. These are arguably two of Canon’s best cameras and lenses on the market. We also carry an external flash and tripod.

WHAT TIME DO TOURS BEGIN?

All of the tours offered by Fresh Tracks Hiking begin with a pickup at your accommodation between one to two hours before sunrise, depending on how far we have to drive. If you are scheduled to hike a 13,000- or 14,000-foot mountain, the pickup time is about midnight to 2 a.m., depending on which mountain you decide to climb.

WHY DO THE TOURS START SO EARLY?

We believe the best time to start a hike in Colorado is at sunrise. The trails are less busy, the light is soft which makes for great photography, wildlife is most active, the air is cool and crisp, and we end the hike when everyone is just starting! On top of this, Colorado is notorious for afternoon thunderstorms, so by starting early we don’t risk getting caught in the rain.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING? COLD WEATHER

Hiking Boots
Heavy socks
Long pants
T-shirt
Long sleeve midlayer
Cold weather jacket
Hat that covers your ears
Gloves
Sunglassess
Water Backpack/Daypack Snack/Lunch
Sunscreen
Prescription Medication

WHAT SHOULD I BRING? WARM WEATHER

Hiking boots
Lightweight socks
Long pants
Breathable shirt
Hat
Sunglassess
Water Backpack/Daypack Snack/Lunch
Camera
Sunscreen
Prescription Medication

HOW LONG ARE THE HIKES?

Most of the half-day hikes are about 3-6 miles, with about a maximum of one hour of driving each way. You can expect to be back at your accommodation by noon. Most of the full-day hikes range from 3-10 miles, with about two hours of driving time maximum.

HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR THE HIKE?

Many guests come from a near-sea level elevation to Colorado and don’t have much time to acclimate. To help acclimation, we recommend that you drink at least a gallon of water each day for two days before coming to Colorado, and once in Colorado, drink at least a half-gallon of water every day before your hike. Eat carbohydrates and avoid alcohol once in Colorado will also help acclimate you to Colorado’s high elevation. If you’re booked to hike a 13,000- or 14,000-foot mountain, start doing as much cardio activity as possible, as well as climbing stairs or steep hills at the gym or at home.

HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN GO ON A HIKE?

We specialize in small-group tours, so we don’t like to have more than 4 participants. However, we can accommodate larger groups, but they will need their own transportation to and from the trail.

WHAT IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?

If we feel the weather is unsafe for driving and hiking, we will notify you the night before or the morning of to cancel the tour. However, this rarely happens. Most of the time, the weather is nice early in the morning. In the winter, we have many hikes that occur when it’s snowing. Colorado weather can be very unpredictable and we cannot guarantee visiting all sights if we think it is not safe to drive.

WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY?

For a full refund, there is a 24-hour cancellation policy. For a custom tour, there is a 72-hour cancellation policy.

WHAT SAFETY AND HIKING EQUIPMENT DO YOU CARRY WITH YOU?

Safety is our number one priority! The only way to have a good time outdoors is to make sure that safety comes first. For safety equipment, our guides carry two medical kits (one with wound management like bandages, one with everything else, like medication), extra water, rehydration salts, a first-aid book, duct tape, and hiking poles. Why the duct tape and hiking poles? Since we are hiking and accidents or falls can happen, it is easy to make a splint or secure an injury using the two! In terms of hiking equipment, it depends on the hike. Our guides ALWAYS carry extra water and snacks for everyone. They also carry an extra jacket, hats, gloves, and extra socks. Even in the summer, we carry these extra items. Colorado has unpredictable weather. It could be sunny and 70 degrees one minute and snowing an hour later. On every hike during the wintertime, we carry micro-spikes and hiking poles for everyone.

WHAT DO YOU DO IF SOMEBODY GETS SICK OR HURT ON THE TRAIL?

As stated before, safety is the number one priority on any hike. The most important thing to do is to assess and treat each individual situation separately. We will not continue the hike until the correct assessment is made and the situation is under control.

ARE YOU OPPOSED TO CANNABIS CONSUMPTION ON THE TRAIL?

Many of Fresh Tracks Hiking guests come to Colorado to enjoy the outdoors and enjoy cannabis while hiking. While it is legal in Colorado, it is still illegal federally and illegal to enjoy when not on private property. Fresh Tracks Hiking does not promote consumption on trails. We advise that all participants familiarize themselves with the local laws on cannabis consumption. While we do not condone the use of cannabis, participants who choose to do so, consume cannabis at their own risk. Furthermore, Fresh Tracks Hiking will not permit any open flame on the trails.

Regarding mushrooms: Denver has decriminalized magic mushrooms; however, they're still illegal. Like cannabis, Fresh Tracks Hiking does not promote consumption on trails. We advise that all participants familiarize themselves with the local laws on magic mushroom consumption. While we do not condone the use of magic mushrooms, participants who choose to do so consume magic mushrooms at their own risk.