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600 miles of trails stretch throughout Winter Park and the Fraser Valley. Whether you choose to follow a babbling brook, stroll through a wildflower meadow, or climb up the side of a mountain, Winter Park offers hiking for every skill level.

Winter Park Resort has 50 miles of trails that are accessible by chair lift. At the top of the lift you will find the Sunspot, which is a great place to get a bite to eat and enjoy the 360-degree views of surrounding mountains.

Berthoud Pass also offers a high starting point, but you can get there by car instead of a chair lift. Hiking along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, which follows the Divide from Mexico to Canada, gives you a feeling of being on top of the world. You can also access the Divide from Rollins pass. It tends to be a little less crowded, but that is because the road up is a little bumpy, unlike Berthoud Pass.

For those looking for a challenging hike, give Byers Peak a try. Reaching the peak at 12,804 feet may be difficult, but the views from the top are spectacular. Devil’s Thumb, 12,000 feet, is a nice area for hiking, however it is best known for snow shoeing during the winter months.

After taking a nice morning hike you can relax and enjoy some free music concerts that can be found just about everywhere in Winter Park all summer long. Music and food festivals also take place in the area, but generally cost up to $40 for admission. Events like the Jazz Festival and the Food, Wine & Beer Festival may require advance planning for stays in Winter Park.

It would be impossible to cover all of the hiking trails of Winter Park and the Fraser Valley in one short article. However, once you get to here, there are numerous free trail guides that can be found at most establishments.

Stay at the Base of Winter Park Resort:
Slope View Bed and Breakfast in Winter Park, Colorado

Just a five minute walk from Winter Park Resort

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Most of the outdoor survival situations that occur can be prevented with a little preparation and planning. A survival situation is something that can happen to anyone, regardless of his or her experience or expertise in hiking. Survival situations don’t always arise because someone is inexperienced or reckless. If you want to have the best time you can on your hiking vacation, while keeping yourself and your family as safe as possible, there certain steps you can take.

First and most important, be sure to leave a travel plan with someone at home. A travel plan lists the possible locations you expect to cover while on your hiking vacation. It does not have to be a detailed list. You can use a map and just mark the spots on it where you plan to be. If you leave a travel plan, then searchers will have an idea of where to look for you if you become lost.

Second, always carry a few basic items with you in case you have to spend the night on the trail. Take a garbage bag, a lighter, a whistle, a pocketknife, and a water bottle. This is the minimum number of essential items you should bring with you whether you are hiking for a day or for a week or longer. These items address the basic needs from shelter to water and heat. Depending on your outdoor activity, level of skill, and the climate you plan to hike in, you may need to carry more extensive equipment.

Third, be sure to pack something you can turn into a shelter quickly. A garbage bag is an example of such an item. It can be easily made into a shelter. Just cut a slit in the middle of the closed end and pull it over your head. This is a great solution to the problem, and a bag is easy to pack in a pocket. It only costs a few pennies, and it may save your life. Hypothermia can occur even in 50-degree weather, so it is critical that you have a way to make a quick shelter should the need arise.

Always carry a wool cap in your vehicle and your daypack. Eighty percent of your body heat leaves you if your head is exposed. You must always protect your head when you are hiking. If you don’t have a cap, use a sock or a bandanna. You can wear anything on your head as long as it keeps your head warm.

Finally, make a habit of carrying at least three fire-making resources with you. Having a lighter is always a good idea, but having only one source of fire making while hiking is inadequate. Lighters may get wet, and then they won’t light anymore. Also carry a spark rod and windproof matches in your pocket or pack. You are like to make a fire in rainy or otherwise bad weather. While this can be tricky, it can be done. Just collect dead twigs from evergreens like pines, firs, or spruces. These trees have a lot of resin so they will catch fire faster than other types of wood.

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I consider myself very lucky. I live in a city that is surrounded on all sides by hills and moor land and some of the best rambling to be had in the country. And so, regardless of weather, most weekends will find me packing up the family and the dog and heading out into the Peak District to exercise the legs, lose a few calories and free the mind from the stresses and strains of the rest of the week.

No matter how old or physically fit you are, whether you’re a walker, a rambler or a fully fledged hiker, the must have piece of equipment these days is a good hiking stick. Whenever you are out walking you’ll see all manner of people carrying all manner of sticks. This is because the hiking stick is very useful in all manner of situations. The stick can be a godsend when hiking hills or climbing as it provides that extra point of contact with the ground and offers a further degree of leverage as you work your way upwards. And once at the summit or the end of a good walk your stick provides a welcome rest and support for tired limbs and sore backs.

So you can see that the advantages to owning a hiking stick are clear, but just what stick to by? It seems the popular trend at the moment is towards the cheap, mass manufactured skiing poles, simple aluminium pipes with plastic handles. As a cheap and easy option this is certainly the way to go, and there is no doubt that they do an adequate job, but if I may state a personal opinion, in this arena (as in many others) I think traditional is best.

A simple carved or patterned wooden hiking stick can be not only functional but extremely attractive. Praise unlikely to be heaped upon your skiing pole. Opportunities abound to personalise your stick in all manner of ways while at the same maintaining a closer relationship to the land and environment your stick is aiding you to enjoy. Wooden sticks can provide just as much support as their man made counterparts and with the addition of an alpine spike to the end can be just as useful to the hill climber and adventurer. A wooden hiking stick, handmade by a craftsman, is a unique item that with a little care and attention will last a lifetime, and what’s more will provide a talking point for your friends and fellow walkers.

I’ve had my wooden hiking stick with me for a lot of years and as the seasons and terrains have changed my stick has changed with me. It may be looking a little weathered and beaten now, but then so am I.

You could probably just buy a commercial survival hiking pack but if you want to bring a pack that caters to your own specific needs, consider putting together one yourself.  Here’s how:

Have enough water to keep you hydrated
Human beings can survive for some time without food but going without water for extended periods of time can be lethal.  Probably the most important component of your survival hiking pack is your supply of water.  Ideally, you should keep a gallon for every day you are out.  Carry as much as you can.  Before you run out, be sure to find an alternative source in the area where you are.  That way, you will never have to suffer from the effects of dehydration.

Bring sufficient supply of food
Bring enough food that will allow you to survive for at least three days.  While that may seem too much, the extra food will serve you well in case you get stranded or lost.  Some of the best choices you might want to include in your survival hiking pack are:

-    Instant coffee or chocolate
-    Juice or pre-mixed drinks, especially those that contain vitamins and sugar
-    Energy bars
-    Dried foods
-    Packed meals
-    Small canned goods

When putting together a survival hiking pack, consider function over taste.  The food must be easy to store, won’t spoil easily, convenient to eat and provide enough nutrition to help you survive. 

Make sure your first aid kit is complete
A basic first aid kit is another important component of your survival hiking pack.  It should contain medications and supplies to treat, disinfect and protect wounds, abrasions, cuts and insect bites.  It should also contain medications such as antiseptics, anti-histamines, antibiotics and repellants against insects.

Bring only the basic gear and equipment
There are dozens of gears you can bring but there only a few basic ones can ensure your survival.  These include:

A survival knife
A knife is important for cutting, slicing and piercing.  Pack a knife with you, preferably one that has multiple uses. 

Mirror
Always bring a small compact mirror if you’re going for long travels.  Mirrors can be used to signal for help and attract the attention of rescuers.

Whistle
A whistle will help bring attention to you and can be especially helpful if you’re stranded or injured.

Water container
A small tin or metal coffee cup has multiple uses, not just for making coffee.  You can also use it to collect and boil water and to cook and store food.  For a multi-purpose material, you can bring aluminum foil instead.  It’s light, can be heated or frozen and folds easily to pack.

Shelter and bedding
Bring a small tent, a light emergency blanket and a foldable canvas, nylon or plastic sheet you can use as bedding.  The plastic sheet will also be helpful for keeping the contents of your survival hiking pack clean and dry.

A good thing to remember when putting together your own survival hiking pack is customization.  Put together a pack that contains things you will find useful and leave behind those that you don’t need or don’t know how to use.  Remember that what you’re bringing with you is for your own survival, so keep that in mind.

Many individuals when encouraged to go hiking express a fear of snakes and this fear keeps them from experiencing the beauty of our natural world. The fear of snakes is an exaggerated concern and by following some simple rules most persons will never have any threatening experiences with snakes.

When hiking, you should not go barefooted or in sandals but wear hiking boots or heavy walking shoes, along with long pants of a heavy material such as denim. These provide foot protection against bites from snakes and also protect against insect bites, scorpion stings and cuts from sharp stones. Coral snakes for example have small fangs that are usually unable to penetrate the fabric of a boot.

When walking through heavy brush or tall grass look down, look where you are walking. Very often poisonous snakes are lying on the forest floor among the leaf litter and so by looking down you will be able to see them and avoid accidentally stepping on or next to them. The beauty of our natural world often captivates us and so there is a tendency to look at the scenery as we walk. When hiking it is better to stop and look around to admire the beauty of nature, rather than walk and gaze around. One should always look at the trail while walking.

Fallen trees or logs across the trail are a common occurrence when hiking in the forest. Most persons simply step across the fallen tree, however depending upon the size of the log it may not be possible to immediately see on the other side of the log when you are approaching the log. It should be remembered that snakes often lie below fallen logs. The more appropriate method is to step on the log, look to see if there is a snake lying on the other side and then step down.

Depending upon how strenuous the hike is, there will be intervals when you stop to rest. The natural inclination for most persons on a rest break is to sit and fallen trees are an inviting location for resting weary bodies. Do not sit down without first checking the area and especially do not lean on fallen trees or rocks without first checking them well.

Snakes and scorpions often lie in hollow logs or in rock crevices therefore you should avoid thrusting your hands into dark places such as hollow logs, under logs or rock crevices without first thoroughly investigating the place. Similarly before you place your hand to pick up an object from a place that may be a resting place for a snake, such as under bushes, among leaves, rocks or logs, you should check the area first. It is a good idea to hike with a long stick that can be used to probe among rocks and under logs.

If your hiking trip involves overnight camping you should not leave your boots outside of your tent at night because snakes may crawl into them to escape from the cold. Alternatively you can place two poles in the ground and hang the boots upside down on the poles. Before putting on your boots you should turn the boots upside down and shake them to ensure that no snakes or scorpions have crawled into the boots.

Never attempt to pick up a snake unless you are an expert. Even freshly killed snakes can still bite as their nervous system may be still active and so their head may do a reflex bite.

If in the unfortunate circumstance an individual is bitten by a snake you should always treat the situation as if the bite is from a poisonous snake because the individual who was bitten may not have seen the snake or be able to identify the type of snake. Usually with bites from a viper there is pain and swelling around the area of the bite, however in the case of the coral snake often there is very little reaction around the bite area and symptoms may not appear for 8 to 24 hours.

The individual who was bitten should be made to lie down and kept still. The objective is to lower the pulse rate and so slow the spread of the venom. Ice should be placed on the bitten area if possible. The individual should then be transported to the nearest source of medical attention. You should never attempt to suck the poison out of the area as you may poison yourself.

By following these simple rules most individuals will never have to worry about being bitten by a poisonous snake.

The intrepid early explorers Lewis and Clark were perhaps the first non-aboriginal explorers to discover Crater Lake and report their findings back to President Jefferson, but they were certainly not the last and today some half a million visitors enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Crater Lake National Park every year.

The crystal blue lake, which is ringed by 2,000 foot mountains, is the thing that picture postcards are made of and the area offers a wealth of hiking, biking, boating and horseback riding. Indeed, Crater Lake is truly one of the Unites States’ most outstanding national parks.

One thing which makes the area certainly feel special is the fact that at 1,940 feet Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and was formed more than 7,700 years ago by the eruption of the nearby Mount Mazama.

There are many spots along the 33 mile route around the lake from which you can see unparalleled views such as that of Phantom Rock seen from Kerr Notch, or Wizard Island seen from Sun Notch. And there are also numerous hikes that simply cannot be matched anywhere else.

On the east side of the lake hiking trails lead up to Mount Scott, while on the south side Crater Peak can be quite easily reached from Rim Drive. One of the nicest hikes of all, especially for novice hikers, is along the north side where the Cleetwood Cove trail leads down to the lake and you generally find deer feeding as you walk along this particular trail. You can also visit the volcano on Wizard Island from Cleetwood Cove and peek inside the 90 foot wide opening to the cinder cone after climbing the 800 foot trail.

Now, if like me you enjoy fishing, then there is a very nice trail which leads to Fumarole Bay where you will find a plentiful supply of both rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. And, best of all, you do not need a permit and there is no limit on the number of fish you can catch!

However, for those who are really looking for a hiking challenge then there is nothing quite like the long, steep and winding hike up the 9,000 foot Mount Scott. As with most arduous hikes the rewards are of course well worth the effort and, as well as a magnificent view of the lake, you will also be able to see Mount Shasta and Mount Jefferson clear over in California.

If you would like to visit the area during the winter then you will certainly not be disappointed although you will need to take your snow shoes with you. And, if you are really fit then there is always the 33 mile cross country ski route around the lake.

The Crater Lake National Park is certainly not one of the largest national parks but it is one of the most beautiful and is wonderful place to plan a hiking trip.

It is best know to plan out your track even before contemplating how long and how far your hike will take you. It should be notably understood that many of the Maine hiking tracks are separated by different geological barriers such as rivers, streams, mountain tops, and rough terrain. Some of the more advanced hikers can dissent between which trail to choose, however this guide will help you pick the perfect trail. In comparison to many of the Colorado ski slopes, many of the Maine hike trails have the correlation that when you start at point A you will end up at point B. Sometimes, these differences in starting and ending points are sometimes miles away and planning ahead for each of these hiking trips is a necessity on all levels.

There are various different terms for different trails such as northeast Maine ground adventures and southern Maine river hikes. If you plan to see yourself as a scenic hiker or are with a companion, it’s strongly suggested by veterans that you choose the river and stream routes. Some of these routes border some of the most pleasant streams throughout Maine’s beautiful landscape and have an incline that typically is about 500 feet above sea level at the top peak. Unfortunately, since Maine is one of the most scenic states in the union, you will most surely have to climb various pikes in order to accomplish your ultimate views that are the treat of your hiking journey. For better information on smaller and more beginner trails that do offer scenic views of the Maine countryside, ask your travel agent or a park ranger.

Others can choose to go for the maximum. With these extreme inclines, you can expect to see everything from rugged rocky terrain to crossing streams on an upwards incline. Maine’s terrain allows for many county park hiking trails to have upwards inclines on across both rivers and streams. These are considered very tough to accomplish even for the most experienced hiker. Many of these tough trails allow the hiker to encounter thick brush even in cleared pathways. Thick clothing is strongly recommended not just because of the bugs, but because of the close encounter with various types of plants that may seem foreign to many of the visiting tourists. Also, some various plants have an allergic reaction for some people and a few types of antibiotics and water are recommended if a rash occurs.

Just as a simple reminder, be sure to hydrate yourself often as the cool climate of Maine as it steadily decreases as your altitude gains will sometimes let you forget that the sun is out and your actually using a lot of fluid and hydration is key. The higher the altitude, the more likely you are to become nauseated.