What We Do
We are dedicated to sharing our passion for the natural history of the mountain wilderness in central Colorado.
Opportunities
We are a not for profit enterprise dedicated to leading small groups on planned nature hikes through one of several Colorado National Forests found near the I-70 mountain corridor. While often physically challenging, our hikes are not speed or endurance challenges; they are endeavors to enrich the mind, tickle the curiosity and sooth, if not inspire, the soul. We slow the pace down so that we can see and experience what is around us - and there is so much! All our hikes are led by an interpretive nature guide(s) and begin in the morning and return to the trailhead by mid or late afternoon. While nature hikes are designed to meet the physical abilities and experience level of participants as much as possible, most guided hikes will be a total of 3 to 11 miles. Almost always there will be elevation change, usually about 500 - 2000 feet. All participants will need to carry their own gear (see list of things to bring). Children are often the most curious about nature and are welcomed on our hikes. Because of the physical requirements, we suggest that children be 14 years of age or older. While we love dogs, and they bring joy to our lives, they do diminish the nature experience (wildlife aversion, etc), so please no dogs.
With a few exceptions, most guided hikes begin at the trailhead, so participants will need to plan transportation to and from the trailhead. Alternatively, we can meet locally and caravan to the trailhead. See also our FAQs. (There are ample apps that provide detailed navigation to trailheads, e.g., AllTrails, CoTrex, etc.)
Each of our guides:
are motivated to share their passion for nature with you
have 30 or more years experience hiking in the Rocky Mountains
have been trained in wilderness first aid
are studied in the many disciplines of the ecology of the Rocky Mountains
Our Guides
Interpretive nature hikes are guided by the husband wife team of Mark and Ginger, both outdoors-persons from way back, whose 40 year travel history has continually focused on nature and the rewarding challenges of experiencing the couple’s many and varied interests. They would like nothing better than to share this passion with you.
Mark and Ginger have been hiking the Rockies since the 1990’s, and have developed a keen love of the natural history of the region. Herpetology was Mark’s passion from his youth, which then grew into another love, bird-watching, which in turn led to ever expanding interests: geology and climate, mammalogy, entomology and botany. Retired from a 40 year career in emergency veterinary medicine, Mark values spending more time on the trails. His hiking and nature experiences come from throughout the western US, Canada, Texas and Italy. He is trained in wilderness first aid. Other interests include French and American Impressionism and philosophy. Ginger, being schooled in fitness and human performance, finds joy on the trail and in experiencing the many and splendid wonders of nature, in addition to the diverse human interest stories, especially those of the Native Americans of thie region. She is also wilderness first aid trained, a personal trainer, a yoga instructor and much more. Together, this team promises to bring you unforgettable memories of the very nature of Colorado.
The kind of nature we explore:
Geology, climate and vegetation zones
Trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, lichens, mushrooms and bryophytes (mosses and their kin)
Invertebrates, including meadow, forest and aquatic insects
Fish, amphibians and reptiles
Birds
Mammals
The past and present human relationship with this enchanting mountain land, especially focusing on ethnobotany
