I had a friend once ask me for recommendations on vacation spots since I have traveled many places over my lifetime. I have a hard time in this space thinking of myself as much of a guru on anything. There is always someone out there with more experience, money, or opportunities than me. But the more I think about my life the more I realize that I don't have to have "more" of something than someone else for my recommendation to matter. I simply have to put information in front of the people who appreciate my opinion. That may or may not be you, but I'm going for it anyway!
A love of mountains comes with being born a Woods. "The mountains are calling and I must go." is a quote I have always appreciated as a catchy phrase for a t shirt, but never truly understood until I had the opportunity to visit Glacier National Park. Sure, I loved the mountains. They were beautiful and majestic. But I still found myself planning my summer vacation to a beach town. Now that I have visited Glacier, I can feel the Montana mountains calling me back. Maybe it's the history of my family. Or maybe it was truly just that beautiful. Either way, I've caught the mountain getaway bug. I want everyone to love the things I love. I know that isn't practical. But my heart says that those who don't just need a little more persuading or more information. So I'm stepping out on a limb (as someone with numerous and humorous vacation errors and is obviously qualified) to tell you how to have the best mountain getaway in hopes that you will head to the mountains on your next trip!
Get Coffee at a Local Coffee Shop
My favorite thing to do when I go on a trip is to find a local coffee spot and get a cup of coffee. It is one of the first things I research after I pick a destination (I have an addiction).There is something SO unexplainably cozy about an early morning coffee in the mountains. Maybe it is the heavy pottery style mugs that abound in those parts. Maybe it is the fact that the air is cool in the mornings regardless of the season. Or again, maybe I just have an addiction I don't want to solve? I know money can be tight, so I am not suggesting you do it every morning. But at least once- go into town to a quaint local spot and see the mountain town through the eyes of a local. You can do a simple Google search or download the Trip Advisor app before you even hit the road. Plus you're sure to pass by a few as you make your way to your cabin.
Pick Your Trails In Advance
My husband and I like to hike. We grew up going out into the woods and hiking. I realize not everyone enjoys hiking, but I promise it is one of the ways to get the best views. Scenic drives have lovely areas for pulling over and taking a pic or two, but the hike is where the memories are made. It's where you puke from altitude sickness (true story). It's where you make it one mile from the end of a climb to cascades because you don't know how to read trail guides and started too late, but end up taking a picture of the cascades on a vending machine you pass later in the day (true story). And it is where you truly experience the nature surrounding you. I'm not doing a great job at selling it with my true stories am I? Don't worry. The big difference between you and I is that you are reading this in preparation. I did not. I just show up and show out and deal with what comes at me. It makes for humorous situations and wisdom to pass down later. I'm passing down the wisdom to you so you can skip the other steps. There is an app called AllTrails. It is an app that you have to pay for but it is so worth it if you're planning to make this a somewhat regular style of vacation. Through the app you can see all the trails available in the area you will be staying. They are ranked by difficulty level and previous visitors can upload pictures of the trails. The app will also let you save and download the trail so that you can track your progress as you move along the trail. I'm not receiving any kick backs from AllTrails for recommending this. It is just a service my husband and I use that I have come to appreciate. Post any questions you have about the app in the comments and I'll be happy to try and answer!
Research
I grew up going to State and National Parks. I always knew that day passes were a thing, but I never once realized that entry reservations were also required. I've yet to see them be required for State Parks but for National Parks it is a pretty constant. I also never researched on my recent trips because I thought I knew. I am telling you now- before you drive all that way- figure out if you're going to be hiking in or visiting a National Park and figure out if a reservation is required. A reservation and a day pass are NOT the same things. Both will likely be required. We sat in the traffic line for an hour waiting to get into Rocky Mountain National Park before we made it to the booth and saw the first sign stating that a timed entry reservation was required. If you do some Googling (it isn't always clear or on the first page so you really have to look sometimes), you will be able to purchase a day pass and a an entry reservation beforehand.
Gear Up
I don't think it is really a surprise that you would need to pack differently for a mountain adventure than you would for a walk around your neighborhood. But then, remember me? The one who doesn't really plan ahead and just goes. I've done exactly that before and I think I only made it through because I was in my early twenties and youth was on my side. If you're going to be hiking, then you are going to want hiking shoes. Trust me. Tennis shoes are not equivalent. Invest in a pair of quality and waterproof hiking shoes. You will most likely be passing over streams and puddles as you go across gravelly and rough terrain. You will be glad you have the tread of a hiking shoe and the waterproof material. Hiking in wet socks is not fun.
Additionally, you should consider bringing trekking poles. I don't care for holding extra things while I am out and about but trekking poles come in handy. Especially on the way down. Even "easy" hikes can have a few areas of steep or rough terrain. Trekking poles just help ensure you have a good hold on your way up and help prevent sliding and falling on your way down.
Electrolytes- Altitude sickness is a real problem even when you think you've had time to adjust. Matt has gotten some altitude sickness on each mountain trip we've taken. In Breckenridge, Colorado we were told by locals to drink Pedialyte. In Montana we went into a local pharmacy gift shop and were advised to purchase Endurolytes Fizz (which are just electrolyte tablets you add to water). You might think you are young and healthy but it is worth it to keep some electrolytes in some form on hand.
I saved the best for last. Water. And snacks. You must take and drink water regardless of how hot or cold it is while you are hiking. Camelbak makes a backpack specifically for holding a water bladder. It is small, but has additional pockets to hold snacks or other necessities as well. (The financial side of my brain feels it is my duty to let you know that you can purchase the bladder separately. You could essentially carry it in a backpack you already own and have close to the same experience. You could also just carry water bottles in your regular size backpack).
Leave Room For Spontaneity
I am one who likes to have plans. It helps me know how to pack and get a rough estimate of what we will spend and so on. Matt and I went out to Denver, Colorado for a work trip and tacked a few days on to the end for a personal trip. The day we left Denver we had zero plans. It might have been the best day of any vacation we've been on. We just explored and stopped wherever our hearts desired. We found a Cherry Store and bought a whole bunch of goodies and some local art. We found a park at the base of a mountain and sat for a while. And we found the cutest lodge and dinner venue in Estes Park. Spontaneity doesn't always serve you well (like our experience trying to get into Rocky Mountain National Park), but leaving a day for just exploring can give your adventurous heart a jump and make some special memories with your loved ones.
Dinners out and family activities are all things that are specific to each individual or family and which mountain range you end up visiting so I won't make any recommendations there. (Again, a simple Google or Trip Advisor search can return a wealth of possibilities and information). But not having a basic plan in place or the appropriate gear can drastically change the experience of your trip (back with another personal testimony ha!). I don't know if a morning coffee will drastically change your experience, but I know it is an experience you won't regret.... unless you don't like coffee. Then I guess you can just have your favorite drink in a hefty mountain mug.
If you are reading this from Paducah, Kentucky then all of my gear links will take you to the Hooper's Outdoor Center website. I am not getting any kickbacks from Hooper's for sharing these links. I just know they sell quality gear and can completely suit you up for anything from backpacking to camping to a simple hike in the mountains.
If you're heading out to the mountains sometime soon, then I hope you found something helpful here. If you aren't, then I hope you're ready to start planning your trip now! (I'd tell you to put Glacier at the top of your list but you do you).
XO- Monica
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