Seniors Outdoors!

 

Outing Rules and Logistics

 

 

Non-member Participation

 

Participation in Seniors Outdoors! activities by non-members is limited to two outings per year. Visitors who wish to actively participate are expected to join Seniors Outdoors!

 

Meeting place:  Check the Outings Description!!  We will meet and depart from the following locations:

 

            Animas City Park for outings to the north or out Florida Rd.  The park (a narrow grassy area) is located on E. 2nd Ave. immediately north of 32nd  (just north and east of North City Market).  Note that it is on the WEST side of the river, so coming from Main Ave., you do NOT cross the bridge!  Meeting area is on 2nd Ave just after turning north off 32nd St.

            Santa Rita Park (Durango Visitor Center) for outings to the south or either way on Hwy. 160.  The park is located at the intersection of Hwy 160-550 & Santa Rita Drive, or l mile South of Doubletree Hotel.  We gather behind the Santa Rita Park Sign.

            DMR – Durango Mountain Resort  - at entrance

            Durango Community Recreation Center for overnight trips and some other outings.  The Rec. Center is located at 2700 Main Ave. Please park in the lot closest to Main.

            Tamarron  - parking lot at Tamarron Resort.

            Trimble Crossing – west side of parking lot at Trimble Crossing in front of the hardware store

            At the trailhead or other location for some outings.

 

Departure time:  The stated time for an outing is the departure time; please show up early to sign the attendance list, get information on the outing, and help plan the car-pooling.

 

Choose outings that match your ability:  As a courtesy to other participants, choose outings that are matched to your physical endurance, pace and ability.  We encourage new members to start with shorter/slower hikes and work up in difficulty.

 

Early Turn-backs:  Unless specified as an Early Turn-Back Optioned Hike, contact the trip leader and discuss it with him/her.  Do not assume it’s OK; it may not work out, or the trip leader may not want it.  Plan to drive your own car.

 

Outings with limits:  All outings with limits have member preference.  This means that any non-members go on a wait list and will be able to attend only if members do not fill the outing.

 

RSVP:  All outings require an RSVP.  Please either show up, or cancel.  No-shows cause delays.

 

Dogs:  If you want to take your dog on an outing, first look under the Outing Description to see if it says Dogs OK, or No dogs.  If the schedule says Dogs OK, we ask that you call the trip leader & RSVP for your dog.

 

Protocols & guidelines:  Review the guidelines for trip leaders and trip participants in your Member Information Folder.  Radios, first aid kit(s), & cellular phones should be taken on all outings, even if it doesn’t seem that they will be needed.  Communications are extremely important, especially if the unexpected happens.

 

Other outings:  In addition to these outings, there may be E-Outings added via e-mail notification for last minute outings; these have the same rules and guidelines as regularly scheduled outings. Other outings may be planned by the club’s informal sub-groups.   

 

Hike Difficulty Ratings:

 

All hikes organized by Seniors Outdoors! have a difficulty rating. Sometimes trips are designed with optional hikes to accommodate a range of hiking abilities. However, not all hikes will accommodate all hiking abilities. For example, a hike rated moderate (with no options) is for moderate hikers only who intend to do the whole trip. It is your responsibility to choose trips that are within your ability. Following is a description of the trip ratings used by Seniors Outdoors!

 

Very Easy: Short hikes, often close to town, planned for those wanting a short (less than 2 miles round trip), relatively flat trip on a smooth, well-defined trail. Elevation gain is up to 250'.

 

Easy: Hikes may vary in length, but are usually less than 4 miles round trip. Easy hikes are on well-defined trails that are relatively smooth and gentle, although short stretches may be steep and rough. Elevation gain is up to 500'.

 

Moderate: Hikes are up to 8 miles round trip. Moderate hikes are generally on established trails that can be rocky and steep in places. Elevation gain is up to 2000'.

 

Hard: This category covers hikes that are longer than 8 miles and/or greater than 2000' of elevation gain. Hikes may be on poorly defined trails or include off-trail sections, be unusually rough or dangerous, or encounter unexpected obstacles. This category is for experienced hikers in good physical condition. Because of poorly defined trails or off-trail situations, it is important that hikers on hard hikes stay together for safety reasons, so those attending must be capable of keeping up with the group and going the whole distance.

 

Most Challenging: Hike may be especially long, have a large elevation gain, or is over difficult and/or exposed terrain.

 

The Primary rating for all hikes will assume the participant completes the entire hike.  Some hikes may have an easier option than the main rating.  If this is the case, then this option will be mentioned in the hike description.  One example might be a hike on a good trail that is 10 miles and thus rated hard, but with an option to turn back early, so there would be an easy option.  An example of this might be the Upper Hermosa Creek Trail.  Another example is the Grizzly Peak Hike.  The peak climb is rated Most Challenging, but if a participant just hikes to the meadow below the peak, then the rating is moderate.  Thus, the rating for this hike would be “Most Challenging with a Moderate option”.