Beginner's Guide to Hiking

Join us for our weekly hikes on Mondays and Wednesdays. We leave the South Fork Visitor Center at 9am in the summer and 10am in the winter.

Monday hikes are typically on trail and roughly 4-6 miles (2-3 miles out and back.) These are great for beginners or for exploring the traditional trails in the area.

Wednesday hikes are our "Wildcard Wednesdays." These are typically harder hikes that can have more mileage, more incline, and go off trail for some bushwack exploration.

In the winter season our outdoor activities focus on snowshoeing and skiing. Occasionally, there are specialty hikes or outings that take more drive time or adjustment for weather. Those will typically be on our Wildcard Wednesdays adventures and posted in our Facebook group and /or newsletter.

In the winter season we ski and snowshoe as weather permits.

As with anything, this is a personal subject, but there are essential basics needed with any jaunt in the great outdoors. Wear good hiking shoes or athletic shoes with good traction--no flip flops! Light colored clothing that wicks is always a good idea to help stay cool on hot summer days (jeans and cotton are HOT and can be uncomfortable when wet from sweat or rain). Cotton socks are a no-no, unless you want blisters. We recommend a version of marino wool socks for the happiest of feet. Bring a jacket and sun protection, as the weather and elements are constantly changing in Colorado!

And last of all, wear your smile. That looks best.

Time to pack your pack! To be ready for the unknowns of the great outdoors, be sure to bring a backpack with water, snacks, a hat or sun protection, and some type of jacket or rain gear. Even though hike hosts will have walkie talkies, our club Garmin for navigation, and a first aid kit...every single person is responsible for themselves and should act accordingly. Make sure to sign a club waiver before heading out on your first hike!

PRO TIP: In your pack on every hike should be basic items to survive hours or even an accidental overnight. Add a headlamp or lightweight flashlight to your pack (cell phones tend to lose battery fast and a dead cell battery = no flashlight or phone GPS navigation. Yikes!) Always have in your pack items to get you through 24+ hours in case you get separated from the group. (Not a likely occurence, but weird things happen in the woods!)

If for some reason you get separated from the group or lost at any point--DO NOT LEAVE THE TRAIL. Stay put and do not wander. The group will come back and get you (we like to leave with the same number we went out with), but your fellow hikers can't find you easily if you've created your own solutions and left the trail. Be sure to get a Silverthreader whistle at the visitor center as our gift to you for joining us on a hike.

Dogs used to not be allowed on our hikes. Just like people, not all dogs get along or have the manners or etiquette needed for group hikes. Not every dog is a fit for our group hikes. We are a hiking club first and foremost and the safety and enjoyment of all our people come first. Keep in mind that although we all love our own dogs, not everyone loves dogs. There are lots of trails to enjoy with your dog on your own, sometimes its best to explore the trails with us first and enjoy the them without fido and then take your dog out on the trails at a later time.

However, we know hiking can be fun with furry friends and it's enjoyable when good mannered doggos can join us. It is not uncommon for our regulars to bring their well behaved doggo or two to enjoy our hikes. It is HIGHLY recommended to come to a few of our hikes first without your dog to get a feel for how our hikes are conducted and if it's appropriate to bring your fur friend. After a probationary introduction to see if fido is a fit on our group hikes, the following etiquette is required for all dogs and dog owners:

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Silver Threader Club Policies For Dogs On Our Hikes:

We are a hiking club that loves to socialize and enjoy the company of our dogs in that order. Over the past couple of years our numbers on a hike have grown. It is not unusual to have 16 hikers and 6+ dogs. Since many of our trails are steep, narrow, and rocky, dogs running up and down the trail loose can present a safety issue.  The Silver Threader Club is not liable  for injuries or accidents that occur on our hikes. We have written this dog policy to keep hikers and dogs safe.

1.        No aggressive dogs are allowed on our hikes.  No aggression towards food, toys, people, or other dogs. No exceptions on this rule.

2.        Dogs must be under control by their owner AT ALL TIMES. This expectation may require a leash--leashes are also required when passing others on a trail, especially other groups that have dogs. A dog may be “off leash” if they have recall, even with distractions. (Think 100% recall EVERY time, like a police dog.) They may be trained and have the aid of a e-collar.

3.        Trail manners are a must. You should manage your dog on the trail and be respectful of other hikers. Hike proactively and be prepared to recall your dog to a heel or to step aside when others pass by, especially on narrow trails and with other groups going the opposite direction. Do not allow your dog to chase wildlife and be ready to leash up if deer, moose, elk, sheep are spotted. Its Colorado Law and dogs are not to chase or harass these animals.

4.        Always ask permission before approaching another hiker’s dog. Don’t pet or allow your dog to interact with another dog without asking permission first.

5.        Pick up your dog's waste. Carry it in a poop vault or bury it away from the trail. Leaving poop bags on the trail is unacceptable.

6.        If you are on a crowded trail with multiple dogs, walk single file or spread out on the trail. Space is our friend.

7.        Do not use a retractable leash. They are dangerous and can cause serious injuries to dogs and humans.

8.        The hike leader will have the discretion to limit the number of dogs on a certain hike due to trail danger or number of dogs. This would be for safety reasons. Dogs on Silverthread hikes are a privilege and not a right and can be uninvited at any time, please conduct yourself accordingly.

9. By taking a dog on trail the owner assumes all responsibility and liability while out on trail.

PS. Our potlucks and other outings and events are people-only and pup-free. Thank you!

The wilderness is wild! Entering into the great outdoors can be daunting and there's always an element of the unknown. There's uneven terrain, ever changing weather, forest critters, other hikers and dogs on trail, and so many other lovely unknowns. That's why it's fun to go in groups--safety in numbers, right? We're on the more the merrier program and in the busier summer season we typically have a "rabbit group" and a more mellower adventure group too.

Ultimately, every hiker is responsible for themselves and is required to sign a waiver before going on a club hike. The hikes will typically have a hike host that has picked a trail and the expectation is to hike in groups or with a buddy at all times and go have some fun. We are not guides or a guided service, we are a local hiking club. We do like it when the number of heads that start out are the same number that come back. * wink * Feel free to ask questions on our hikes and get recommendations from the "regulars."

PRO TIP: In your pack on every hike you should bring basic items to survive hours or even an accidental overnight. Add a headlamp or lightweight flashlight to your pack (cell phones tend to lose battery fast and a dead cell battery = no flashlight or phone GPS navigation. Yikes!) In your pack should be essentials like bandaids and basic first aid supplies, any medications needed, a whistle, and plenty of water. Whenever you enter the woods or go on trail, always have in your pack items to get you through 24+ hours in case you get separated from the group. (Not a likely occurence, but weird things happen in the woods!)

If for some reason you get separated from the group or lost at any point--DO NOT LEAVE THE TRAIL. Stay put and do not wander. The group will come back and get you (we like to leave the trailhead with the same number we went out with), but your fellow hikers can't find you quickly or easily if you've created your own solutions and left the trail. Be sure to get a blue Silverthreader whistle keychain at the visitor center as our gift to you for joining us on a hike.

No. We know that visitors come and go throughout the year and sometimes just want to explore the area with those that know it. We're here for that. You do have to sign a waiver before going out with us, and you also assume all liability and the Silverthreaders are not responsible for what happens on trail. The wilderness is wild...and it's fun to explore it together, but you do so of your own accord.

Feel free to meet up at the South Fork Visitor Center and go out with us on one of our group hikes. If you feel like coming back and joining in on more action, become a member and support the club and receive a monthly newsletter in your inbox. Membership is a whopping $20/yr for the whole family and supports the activities and community service events the club puts on every year. Thanks for supporting what we do!

The Silverthreader monthly potlucks are held at the South Fork Community building on the third Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm. (Unless there's a special event.)

Want to check us out? Please do! Just come to one of our monthly potlucks and bring a treat to share. The first half hour is munchie time, and after everyone has eaten we have a brief meeting and discuss any club business needed, like upcoming events, any budget items, and new member introductions. Sometimes we have a guest speaker, like the folks from the donkey rescue, the fire department, or a different partner organization. Potlucks are short and casual. Come and enjoy!