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The Durango area has hundreds of miles of trails open to hiking, leading you everywhere from quiet in-town riverside trails to 13,000-foot peaks–all of which can be done as a day hike.
The scenery may be memorable, but make sure you are prepared before you lock your car door and hit the trail. Packing a few essentials will ensure you are safe, warm (or cool), and happy. Here’s a list of items to consider when packing to hike in Durango.
Backpack: A comfortable backpack with a capacity of around 20-30 liters should be good for a day hike. Backpacks range from cheap big box store packs to expert-made packs loaded with features and goodies. After determining what size you need, make sure it fits you properly and isn’t uncomfortable, too tight, or too loose.
Water: Bring at least 2 liters of water per person to stay hydrated, especially at higher elevations where dehydration is a risk. Summer can be hot in Colorado, even in the mountains, and becoming dehydrated is among the most dangerous things that can happen. Venturing to a spot with water? If so, it makes sense to pack a small water filter. The new generation of water filters is surprisingly affordable, light, and easy to use–stop byDurango Outdoor Exchange to learn more.
Food: Pack high-energy snacks like trail mix, granola bars, nuts, and fruits to keep your energy levels up.
Navigation: Carry GPS device to help you stay on the trail, especially if you're hiking in unfamiliar territory. The Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) app shows all local trails and has an option so maps can be downloaded for easy off-line use. Remember to charge that battery and bring along a power bank.
Sun protection: Colorado's high altitude means intense sun exposure. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your skin and eyes. Also consider lightweight long-sleeve shirts with hoods and built-in SPF protection.
Clothing: Dress in layers to accommodate changing weather conditions. Include moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and a waterproof outer layer. Don't forget extra socks and a hat and gloves if it's cold and wet. Headed into the high country in June, July, or August? Keep in mind that severe thunderstorms can develop in less than an hour, and that snow can fall all summer long.
Footwear: Wear sturdy, comfortable hiking boots or shoes with good traction to navigate varied terrain. Not a frequent hiker? There’s no need to spend a lot of money on shoes you rarely use–buying used can be a great bargain.
Durango has oodles of trails both in town and just outside, with nearly endless options. Did you know you can hike from the city limits all the way to Denver on a single uninterrupted trail?
Some hiking locations include:
Looking for something else? Stop byDurango Outdoor Exchange and let our expert staff suggest something for you!
When it comes to outdoor sports, a quality jacket can make all the difference between comfort and misery. Whether you’re hiking, skiing, climbing, running, climbing, or simply out and about nature, a jacket serves as your first line of defense against the elements.
That said, there are a LOT of jackets out there, in different styles, materials, weights, and weather proofness. How do you know which is best for you? We put together this guide to help you sort out what jacket you need and when you should whip it out.
Keep in mind that these jackets can be ridiculously expensive, and buying a ski jacket, rain jacket, puffy, light puffy, and a wind jacket new can easily mean you run up a tab of $2,000 or more. What’s the solution? Qualityused gear in Durango from Durango Outdoor Exchange.
It’s snowy and cold, but you want to get out. Downhill skiing is too expensive and backcountry skiing is too difficult. What’s a happy medium? Snowshoeing.
Think of snowshoeing as hiking in the snow, but you can traipse across deep snow and go where there are no trails. You only need basic equipment to get started and it you have ever skied then you probably have most of it already. Here’s a primer on where to go and what to bring. Oh, and when it comes to gear, save money buy buying used gear in Durango from Durango Outdoor Exchange.
Maybe you’ve seen other telemarkers carving beautiful turns on the mountain, maybe you are looking for a new challenge, or maybe you want to really work those quads–either way, getting into telemarking is fun and challenging.
Telemark skiing is a blend of Nordic and alpine skiing that combines the grace of cross-country with the thrill of downhill turns. Central to this style is the telemark binding, which allows the heel to lift, enabling a skier to lunge gracefully through turns.
Ready to pick up some telemark gear? Here’s some great news: Unlike downhill bindings, telemark bindings don’t get put on indemnified lists, meaning there is no set age at which they cannot be mounted. This meansbuying used telemark gear can be a great deal.