Novice Advice regarding less travelled 13/12ers

[jdorje]

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+read+a+topo+map" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[12ersRule]

Here's a good one for you. Don't think this will be too crowded:

http://www.summitcountyexplorer.com/HIK ... 0Trail.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[zijin_cheng]

Thanks for the replies, seems like I was reaching too high because I didn't know enough about the skills that were needed.

I'll settle for the easier ones. But then again, Gray's and/or Torrey's seems well travelled, but its class 2, quite steep.

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+read+a+topo+map

After reading the quickstart guide, technically I know how to use a topo map, I just don't have any terrain to practice on.

[Scott P]

But then again, Gray's and/or Torrey's seems well travelled, but its class 2, quite steep.

Class 1 via the standard route, though I assume there is still a fair amount of snow (someone else who has been there recently could answer that). The access road for the standard route is fairly rough as well.

If you can make it up the access road (or walk part of it), it may be a good choice.

Take trekking poles and a good pair of boots though.

There are also several well marked and beautiful trails to the lakes and waterfalls around Brekenridge, Vail, and Silverthorn, if that's fairly close to your cabin.

[Scott P]

PS, here would be some good mountains to try in the general region that you are looking at:

http://www.summitpost.org/colorado-mines-peak/152466" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.summitpost.org/mount-flora/514661" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.summitpost.org/stanley-mountain/154075" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.summitpost.org/sheep-snow-mountain/302013" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.summitpost.org/mount-royal/477543" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.summitpost.org/mount-lincoln/150205" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.summitpost.org/mount-democrat/150204" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

These ones really don't have any route finding problems to speak of.

There are many more as well, these are just a few suggestions.

[TallGrass]

My family and my dog are going to vacation in Colorado from June 21-27. ... Another thing is that we have never hiked up peaks before, and I'm a little intimidated by the fact that I might not know where to hike and get lost. I know a topo map and compass is essential, but I'm not sure if I can read it

Everyone in the group should have a map, compass, and know how to read topo. Don't let just one person lead the group and everyone just follows like a trail donkey, rather rotate the lead or navigator so everyone gets familiar with the map as well as where they are. Folks can get lost going off trail into the woods just to answer nature!

Make learning a family event (fun) and see if there's a local Orienteering Club or event. It's an easy, organized, and fun way to learn with a lot of helpful support in person.

[zijin_cheng]

PS, here would be some good mountains to try in the general region that you are looking at:

http://www.summitpost.org/colorado-mines-peak/152466" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.summitpost.org/mount-flora/514661" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.summitpost.org/stanley-mountain/154075" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.summitpost.org/sheep-snow-mountain/302013" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.summitpost.org/mount-royal/477543" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.summitpost.org/mount-lincoln/150205" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.summitpost.org/mount-democrat/150204" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

These ones really don't have any route finding problems to speak of.

There are many more as well, these are just a few suggestions.

Thanks, you've been very helpful. I'm searching high and low for the thanks button but can't seem to find any!

Someone brought to my attention to give more info that might help.
My dad is a very fit 50, I'm 23, my sisters are 18 and 20. My dog is an Aussie Shepherd who hates shoes, so I'm not sure how he's going to do! My sisters gave me a limit of 7-8 miles roundtrip for the hikes, nothing more than that. They can do longer distances, but have shortened it because of the altitude (an estimate though).

Regarding the topo, that's a good idea. I never thought about how to answer nature when we are on a flat plain....

[CORed]

Regarding map, compass and navigation. I am not going to argue with the people who advised you to carry a map and compass and know how to use them: It is good advice and map and compass are useful tools. However, I would say that the most important factor is simply paying attention to your surroundings and keeping a mental map of where you started, where you are and how you got their. Mountains, especially above timberline, are among the easier types of terrain to navigate, as the features are usually distinctive and the pattern of ridges and drainages quite easy to keep track of in most areas. Flat or gently rolling forested terrain is much harder to navigate, as one place looks pretty much like another and it's very easy to lose track of your route. Key rules are to pay attention to where you are, and to turn around frequently, especially at places like a fork in a drainage, a fork in a ridge, or a point where you transitioned from a hillside to a ridge or drainage, so you will know what it looks like on the way back.

Maintaining an awareness of where you are, where you're going and where you started is a good idea even when following a trail. It's not hard to lose a trail, and finding the trail again, or finding your way back even if you have lost the trail completely can be done much more easily with proper awareness. It's also good practice for when your decide you are ready to "graduate" to off-trail navigation.

Retracing a route is easier than making a loop. Also, even if you know where you are, taking a different route than the way you came entails the risk that there may be some obstacle, such as a cliff, uncrossable stream, or just nasty brush or rough terrain that prevents you from going that way. Off-trail loops can be fun, but they are definitely not for the novice.

In summary, start with following trails , or simple off-trail routes, such as following a ridge to the top of a peak, and pay attention to your surroundings. If you have a topo map (and you should), try to match the contours to the terrain you are seeing. It can be tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, you can look at the map and get a pretty good mental picture of the terrain, and easily match up the map with the terrain. The map is also a valuable aid to developing your innate "map sense". Also, maps, compasses and GPS units can get lost. You always have your brain with you, and, properly trained, it is your most valuable navigation tool.

I believe you mentioned that you have a dog. If you are trying to retrace a route, and the dog wants to go in a different direction than you do, the dog is probably right. Most dogs are pretty good navigators, and when backtracking, they have the added advantage of being able to scent the backtrail.

[peter303]

I have to differ with the previous advice about "paying close visual attention to surroundings".
A lot of things can interfere with this including:
- Different lighting directions during the day change drastically how things appear. Afternoon views can be quite different from morning views.
- Even with same light, the decending view may be quite different from ascending. As someone mentioned earlier there are often more options descending than ascending. Look back a important waypoints like crossing the treeline.
- Fog, rain, snow, or darkness can severely limit how far you can see. So using far off peaks as guideposts may not work.
- Wind or percipitation can erase recent tracks.
- Intentional marks like ground branches or ribbons can be removed by the elements or other people.
- Fatigue in the latter part of your hike can interfere with your memory.

So I recommend having several kinds of navigation, especially if going off a marked trail: Visual heuristics as mentioned in the earlier post. Map and compass. Electronic aids.

[polar]

I believe you mentioned that you have a dog. If you are trying to retrace a route, and the dog wants to go in a different direction than you do, the dog is probably right. Most dogs are pretty good navigators, and when backtracking, they have the added advantage of being able to scent the backtrail.

I’d test this theory with any dog a few times before you rely on it. Not all dogs are the same. My last dog was a natural. I’d take her bushwacking in the thickest forest possible, give her a “track back” command, and she pretty much lead me back to the car the same way we came. My current dog has no desire to learn this trick whatsoever. I’ve tried to teach her when she was young, but gave up after a while. She’s more interested in smelling new scents and checking out new sites on a hike. If I trusted her lead instead of my navigational instincts, I’d still be up there in the mountains chasing squirrel with her right now.