Any person at any age can get outside and hop on a trail. I spend a lot of time outside training for my ultramarathons. But with running I have to focus on speed and distance, hydration, fueling etc. With hiking I can take the time to appreciate and connect with nature. There is nothing better than to get outside and enjoy the sights and sounds that can be encountered on a trail. You can go alone or with friends. And it’s fun to meet new people that you connect with along the way.
Climbing
I started climbing 14ers ( mountains that exceed an elevation of 14,000 feet above sea level) when I was 59 years old. Hiking and climbing is a fantastic way to stay in shape. If I can start climbing later in life, it is possible for anyone to. And it doesn’t have to be a 14 thousand foot mountain. Start on hills and work your way up. You will be rewarded with a sense of accomplishment in making your way to the top, and the views will be spectacular.
MY FOURTEENERS
1. Humboldt Peak … 14,070 feet…Class 2…Colorado
2. Pikes Peak…………..14,115 feet…Class 1…Colorado
3. Mount Elbert……….14,439 feet…Class 1…Colorado
4. La Plata …………….14,360 feet…Class 2…Colorado
5. Mount Huron………14,012 feet…Class 2…Colorado
6. Grays Peak………….14,278 feet…Class 2…Colorado
SOME OF MY HIKES
Rainbow Trail, Colorado
The Rainbow trail is in my backyard. I can go out anytime and be on the trail within 20 minutes of leaving my house. It is over 100 miles long, and goes along the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. The trail starts near Salida and ends near the Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Here you can find the tallest sand dunes in North America. Hike up the towering Star Dune which is 755 feet high. The area is 30 square miles of dunes and I love to hike and play here. In late spring snow melts off the mountains and flows into Medano Creek. You will be able to play in the water at the base of the dunes. It is a fantastic experience.
Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim, Arizona
I have hiked the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim three times… and I am aiming to do Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim.
If you have not been to the Grand Canyon you should put it on your bucket list! You will be left in awe of the spectacular beauty of one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Heading down into the canyon is an epic adventure. But if you haven’t trained for it, there are beautiful walks and hikes you can do along the rim. My favorite is to walk on the rim trail which is 13 miles long.
You can hike part of it or all of it. There are shuttle buses that pick you up and drop you off so you can choose your distance.
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
I’m biased here. I lived in Alberta for many years, and Banff National Park is one of my favorite places in the world to hike. There are towering peaks to climb and trails that lead you through forests to beautiful turquoise lakes and lush meadows.