The Hiking and Camping Guide to Colorado's Flat Tops Wilderness. Al Marlowe
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arrival. Even then, you’ll likely feel more tired than usual from normal activities. Smoking will decrease your performance at altitude and should be avoided.
Those who suffer from respiratory ailments such as asthma should be aware that the conditions could be aggravated by high altitude if not treated. Other ailments such as pulmonary hypertension may also be made worse. Anyone who uses medications for these conditions must also use them at altitude. One caution, though. The use of sedating antihistamines (the kind that make you drowsy) can decrease respiration while sleeping, worsening some symptoms of altitude illness.
Dehydration contributes to altitude sickness. Under ordinary conditions, the body needs about two to four quarts of water per day to stay hydrated. At altitudes above 8,000 feet, fluid requirements increase. Three or four quarts per day should be considered a minimum. Thirst is a poor indicator of need. Get lots of fluids and drink frequently. Avoid, or at least minimize, the use of beverages containing caffeine or alcohol as these contribute to dehydration.
Electrolyte replacement drinks are assimilated quickly. Those in powder form can be carried easily and mixed with water, ready for use as needed. Just make certain you get adequate fluids, whichever type you use. As long as your urine is colorless or very light yellow, you are sufficiently hydrated.
Some people are more susceptible to altitude illness than others. Medical help is available for this situation. Paul S. Auerbach, MD, MS, FACEP, FAWM, is the Redlich Family Professor of Surgery in the Division of Emergency Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. He is the world’s leading medical expert on wilderness medicine and a prolific author. He is the editor of Wilderness Medicine, and author of Medicine for the Outdoors and Field Guide to Wilderness Medicine. The doctor’s books are recommended for anyone who ventures into the backcountry.
Dr. Auerbach recommends the use of Diamox (acetazolomide) to aid acclimatization. A dose of 125 to 250 mg, taken twice daily, is advised beginning six to twelve hours before ascent and continued for twenty-four to forty-eight hours after reaching the maximum altitude. A prescription is required.
The drug does have some side effects. It will cause increased urination so get more fluids to stay hydrated. It can also cause tingling in your fingers and toes shortly after taking each dose. Taking the smaller dosage will reduce the frequency of urination. The tingling sensation shouldn’t last very long. The symptoms, while annoying, are less so than altitude illness. One word of caution, though: Don’t take this medication if you are allergic to sulfa drugs.
Minor headaches associated with AMS can be relieved with ordinary over-the-counter pain medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. If you’re having headaches, however, you may not be getting enough water. To prevent further difficulty, do not ascend to higher altitude until you are free of headache for twelve hours.
The best way a person can prepare for a high altitude adventure is to spend a lot of time at altitude. For the majority of us, this isn’t practical. The next best thing is to prepare physically and mentally. Understanding acclimatization and getting yourself in top physical condition will improve your ability to meet the challenge of the Flat Tops and other high elevation travels.
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MAPS FOR THE FLAT TOPS
Although the US Geological Survey publishes topographic maps (quads) that cover the Flat Tops Wilderness they are not the preferred quads to use. USGS quads covering the wilderness are more than thirty years old. The topography doesn’t change significantly in that time but other features do. Roads, trails, and campgrounds that are built or abandoned may not appear on their quads.
The latest USFS map of the White River National Forest was completed in 1991 and is out of print. It shows surface ownership or control using color. This allows the wilderness traveler to know which land is public or private to avoid unintentional trespass.
The National Geographic Society (NGS) acquired Trails Illustrated (TI) of Evergreen, Colorado. They publish maps of the more popular recreational areas of the state. The USGS quads are used as a base. Data from many sources are incorporated to make a map showing the topography, drivable roads, current trails, and surface ownership. The maps are field checked and updated every few years, keeping them current. Each Trails Illustrated map incorporates eight to twelve USGS quads and is printed on durable plastic at a cost about one-fourth that of the survey quads covering the same area. The scale is 1:40,000, making a conveniently sized, weather-resistant map that fits in your pocket.
Each trail description in this guide lists the NGS TI map for that section.
Computer users who own map software can print maps to use on trails. NGS also publishes digital maps on CD-ROMs. These maps are available on a state basis for a reasonable price.
Maps included in this guide are intended to inform the reader of the wilderness area and its trails. The scale is not suitable for wilderness navigation.
Hiking the Flat Tops Wilderness Area
Because the Flat Tops Wilderness is large, it’s a great place to get away from it all, by foot or horseback. Whether you plan a day hike or an extended backpack trip, you’ll be able to find a trail that gives the experience you seek.
First of all, keep in mind that whichever trail you take, expect an ascent. With few exceptions, count on climbing at least a thousand feet to reach the plateau. One trail, 1825, ascends nearly 4,000 feet.
Once you’re on top, though, the hike or horse ride is easy. The plateau is nearly flat and in some areas, you can hike several miles with no significant change in elevation. That doesn’t mean it’s absolutely level, though. Be aware of the contour interval. It’s 40 feet, and as one hiker said, it can hide a lot of 39-foot anomalies.
If you’ve never used one, try taking a hiking staff. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the stability it gives when carrying a loaded backpack on rough, uneven terrain. Flat Tops trails are usually pretty good but in some places, cobbles and occasional boulders litter the trails. You will also appreciate a staff on steep trails. Using one can help you avoid a fall should you stumble on a rough section of the trail.
What should a hiker wear on the Flat Tops? That all depends on the season, but for summer, shorts and T-shirts work fine while walking. Nights on the plateau can get cool, though. If you live in the lowlands, it probably will seem cold. Carry long pants and a jacket for evenings in camp and a water-repellent parka and pants for rain. A baseball cap or boonie hat will protect your head from the sun and sunburn. Use sunscreen on exposed skin. The sun burns faster at high altitude.
Good sturdy boots are essential to enjoying your Flat Tops hike. You don’t need heavy-duty climbing boots but you will need good support for carrying a heavy pack. Some of the new lightweight models should work fine here as long as they fit snuggly and provide good traction on wet clay soils. Gore-Tex® or similar liners will help keep your feet dry while crossing shallow streams and in the showers that occur frequently on the Flat Tops. Good water-resistant boots also allow you to practice low-impact hiking. Wilderness rangers recommend that you go ahead and slop through the mud on the trail. Walking on the trailside vegetation to keep dry contributes to erosion of the path.
Flat Tops Wilderness Trails
TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS
The trails are grouped by road access. Descriptions begin east of Meeker, in the northwest part of the Flat Tops.
For each trail, the description gives a brief synopsis of each trail. The destination tells what you’ll find along the way and at the end of the trail. Distances given for trails are one way and are approximate. Time required for hiking a trail is not included as there are too many variables for an estimate to have meaning.
Elevations are given for the trailhead and trail end. In some cases, neither point is the high or low elevation for the trail so this is also included when it occurs somewhere else on the trail. GPS coordinates are given for each trail using both UTM and Latitude/Longitude (Lat/ Lon). The bold type 13 for the UTM coordinates refers to the part of the UTM grid used in the Flat