Growing up in the Great Plains , my only exposure to bivouacking involved an recreational vehicle . When I moved to Colorado in 2014 , I did n’t have a loo full of previous gear like the native , and my menage does n’t do mitt - me - down tents . All I had was a transcript of Cheryl Strayed’sWildand determination not to let my new localization on the Front Range go to thriftlessness .
But where to even begin when you do n’t know anything about camping ? I get down at REI . In the bounce of 2015 , I had a few drinks and marched into Denver ’s flagship storage to try on gear . I was wearing leather trouser and high - heeled boot at the clock time . The first thing I learned is that backpacks derive in various size and the sizes are gendered . The first “ char ’s haversack ” I tried on came with a plastic flower attached to it . Great .
The point is , I looked like a patsy . But that day , I learned Colorado ’s outdoor resource are so rich that just showing up somewhere can learn you something .
Kris Wiktor/Shutterstock
You have to start somewhere
The learnedness bend in Colorado can be as steep as its mountains . Colorado ’s universe has grown by more than 18 % since 2004 harmonize to the Census Bureau , and many of us migrants have never contended with tire chains or 7 % downward-sloping grade , much less bears or sleeping outdoors .
When it come to camping in bear country , the “ entry level ” bar feels like it ’s fix pretty high . Unfortunately , most of my champion are fellow migrants , so step one was make friends with natives – or non - native who have at least camped a mates times before . option for succeeder included link aMeetup mathematical group , Gociety , or another club design around outdoors activities . As a fair sex , I benefit from education - given sports meeting - up groups likeBold Betties(men can benefit , too , if they ’re all right being surrounded by women at most events ) .
And that ’s what ’s so bang-up about hold up in Colorado : bivouacking might seem like a intimidating proposal to a beginner , but it ’s the contrary . Because it ’s such a common action in the Centennial State , there ’s no shortage of gear , cognition , and/or entry - level trails to get you going .
Alicia M. Cohn/Thrillist
You will learn from your mistakes
design for our very first camping head trip , a acquaintance and I spent a substantial amount of time discussing our big reverence for the trip-up . Hers was wildlife . Not only is Colorado experience for rattlesnakes , but neither of us screw what to do if we meet a bear and we had a very healthy fear of this . We ’d read conflicting guidance for run across different types of bear and did n’t consider we ’d be able to identify any of them in this terrifying divinatory scenario – although , for the record , I ’ve since learned the only specie of bear in Colorado is dim bear . My biggest awe was getting cold . I hate being inhuman .
Cold is a legitimate fearfulness for any motor home , but specially in Colorado , where the nights dip into the 50s even in the summer – and lower in the stack , where higher altitude ( and less cover ) means huge temperature swings . As a non - aboriginal , I am still adjust to how the mountains influence the weather here and what a dispute 20 miles , or a 5,000 foot elevation gain , can make . On my first mountain digression , I did n’t take gloves or sunscreen … and I ’ve never made that mistake again . I ’ve also learned to take a sleeping traveling bag rated well below the temperatures you look ( you will get cold ) , always take extra clothes ( you will get stale ) , and endow in a lot of ways to carry water ( you ’ll perpetually be thirsty ) .
You have to be thrifty with the outdoors
live in Denver , we often forget that there are direction other than west . but assume a dissimilar highway toward the mountains besides I-70 will hold open you clock time and natural gas money , and there ’s some corking camping in the directions of Buena Vista or Estes Park . Both are off the I-70 corridor and head either steering will get you out of the urban surface area and into tenting choice about 45 minutes from Denver ( as opposed to three hours spent waiting to get through the pass).The Continental Divide or Rocky Mountain National Park are bucket list - desirable . Both are huge landmarks in Colorado with a wide stove of scenic options ( sight overlook , waterfalls , etc . ) and incredibly accessible from the city .
In Colorado , camping sites go promptly . However , we ’re lucky enough to be able to drive in almost any direction and find somewhere to legally park and position up . If you do n’t desire to leave it up to prospect ( and what begin camper does),Colorado Parks & Wildlife * ( CPW ) maintains a staff of “ reservation specialist ” who can actually help you settle the camping site of your dreams at any one of Colorado ’s 42 state parks . This is an incredibly commodious option for those looking for some risky venture but do n’t need to end up lost in the wood call back episodes ofMan vs. Wildand wondering if those berry are , in fact , edible .
When it comes to the equipment you ’ll postulate , buy all of your own gear will definitely get expensive . This is where making friends who already own stuff ( or going with a grouping ) comes in ready to hand . And , lucky for you , there are a lot of those multitude in Colorado . you may also rent gear at almost any sports equipment chain or independent store in the Denver metro field . Try both options to estimate out what you wish and to stay your time for anREI Garage Sale , or expect for the item to pop up atWilderness Exchange .
Susan McKenzie/Shutterstock
You have to own your style
I ’ve learned that camping does n’t have to be a full-grown production in Colorado . It ’s more a matter of getting in the automobile and going every weekend . I like to take a book and a beer on my hikes and take as many breaks as I want . Others bring a bunch and political party . S’more lovers prioritize firing - safe bivouacking region . And then there are those mass who camp out specifically to get up at 5 am and rise a 14er before breakfast .
The great affair about encampment here is that every time I go , I see something . The more motor home I encounter , the more “ secret spots ” I hear about , effective shortcuts I learn , and the more confidence I gain . From people I met on the Colorado River , I learned Green Mountain Reservoir is quieter than Grand Lake for camping ( pro - tip ! ) . From a trip to Grand Junction , I learned to set up my tent after the good afternoon rain lave across the plateaus .
Eventually , my goal is to be the Coloradan with the loo full of encampment gear to share . I ’m proud of having a trunk full of supernumerary water , jackets , headlamps , and camp sandals . In Colorado , this is normal . And although I may never be a truthful Colorado native , I ’ll always be a truthful camper .
Flickr/Bureau of Land Management
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