Summit County Seniors

Summit Seniors appreciate and take advantage of the many outdoor sports opportunities available in beautiful Summit County and the surrounding areas. The Summit Seniors sponsor and coordinate weekly hikes at three levels of difficulty, weekly Kayaking and Canoeing, and occasional golf outings. Many seniors also enjoy biking on the county’s extensive bike paths, so information about a local seniors biking group is included below.

Have fun exploring summertime in Colorado’s High Country with other active seniors!

Hiking

Wednesdays are hiking days for Summit Seniors. Hikes at three different levels of difficulty are offered each Wednesday: for the Mountain Goats, the SOBs (Summit Older Bushwacker) and the Walkie Talkies. Schedules of the hikes, the hike leaders and meeting places are published in the monthly Newsletter. Depending on your interests, level of difficulty and time available, it’s easy to find the right hike for you any Wednesday.

Safety is a primary concern on any hike, therefore, along with a general description of each hiking group, you will find appropriate safety reminders.

Mountain Goat Hiking Group
Over the course of the summer, the Mountain Goats offer about 40 guided hikes of moderate to demanding levels of difficulty. Distances can range from 3.5 miles to 15 miles and elevation gains may range from 1,200’ to 4,300’. The hikes begin at different times and from different locations. The level of difficulty, distance and elevation gain, and departure time and location for each is all listed monthly in the Newsletter. Likewise, the leader(s) for each hike are listed and should be called to inform you plan to join a particular hike.

Reminders for anyone planning to join a Mountain goat hike include:

These hikes are strenuous.
When the hike leader indicates to turn around due to weather or time, you will turn around.
Trip coordinator will designate times for destination, lunch return, etc.
Those who invite guests are asked to hike with their guests on their initial outing.
No one is to hike alone.
A day pack, water, lunch and snacks are required.
Extra clothes for weather change and rain protection is a must.
A personal map of the destination, a compass and the ability to use it is recommended.
Personal radios are encouraged to aid in communication. (Motorola's are recommended which have compatible sub frequencies).
Water filter to replenish water en route is encouraged.

SOB Hiking Group
The SOB (Summit Older Bushwacker) hikes range from easy to difficult, depending upon your ability. All hikes start promptly at 9:00am from one of three general meeting places, so plan to arrive early to sign-in. Typically (but not always) hikes conclude at the original meeting place by 2-2:30pm. Each hike is listed in the monthly Newsletter. If you are not sure of your fitness level for a particular hike, please call the hike leader.

Reminders for anyone planning to join an SOB hike include:

Always bring lunch, water and rain gear.
Extra clothes are recommended as weather can change unexpectedly fast in the mountains.
Always sign out at the end of a hike or you will cause unnecessary worry and work on the part of the volunteer leaders.
If you invite guests, please hike with them.
A $1-$2 contribution to the driver of your carpool is suggested.
The primary leaders are always on the lookout for new hikes and leaders.If you would like to lead or suggest a hike, please contact Jim Miller 970-468-2631 or Charlotte Clarke 970-668-8672.

Walkie Talkie Hiking Group
The Walkie Talkies hike on easy to moderate trails for 1 1/2 to 3 hours and cover approximately 2-4 miles round trip. These hikes are good for beginners, anyone recovering from an injury, enthusiasts needing to adjust to the altitude and conversationalists. Most trails are in and out trails and you can turn back with a partner at anytime. Hikes and the respective leaders are listed in the monthly Newsletter. All hikes start at 9:30am sharp from one of three meeting places.

Reminders for anyone planning to join a Walkie Talkie hike include:

Always bring water, a lunch/snack, poles (optional) and a walkie talkie (if you have one), identification and money (they sometimes go out to lunch).
Remember to use sunscreen and insect repellent with DEET.
Trip leaders may change destinations at the last moment due to inclement weather conditions. However, the meeting time and place will not change.

Kayak and Canoe Group

Several years ago some avid senior kayakers started the Summit Kayak and Canoe Group. The group meets weekday mornings at the Osprey Marina in Frisco between 8:30 and 9:00am and paddle for two or three hours around Lake Dillon. A few in the group are venturing out to rivers, but only on flat water. Osprey Adventures gives members a discount on canoe and kayak rentals. Once people try paddling they seem to easily get hooked. Additionally, Osprey has been giving Summit Kayak and Canoe members great deals on new and used boats.

The group is very casual and unorganized—members welcome newcomers and happily will help anyone get started. Call Gale Garrett for more information at
970-262-6599. In August there is an overnight, guided river canoe trip that is great fun. Details are published in the Newsletter.

Senior Garden

In 2003 Summit Seniors designed a xeriscape garden for the front of the Summit County Community and Senior Center. Throughout that summer Senior volunteers had fun participating in a number of work “parties” to turn over the soil, plant plantings, install benches, lay flagstone and top the garden off with wood chips.

Each year there will be a need for volunteers to work to help maintain and further improve the garden. If you wish to be notified of the work parties, contact Marie Roberts at 970-668-8961 or MarieRoberts1@compuserve.com.

The project was made possible with special funding, material contributions as well as professional and County support.

Click here to view a the Senior Garden plant list.

Click here to view The Senior Garden Plan.

Golfing

Senior Golfers, if you love golf and enjoy playing in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, consider joining the Senior Golf Group. The fun-filled golf outings welcome men and women of all levels of play. For details, contact Dennis Nemura at 970-262-3811.

Biking

Although Summit Seniors does not sponsor regular biking activities, senior who enjoy biking will be interested in the Summit Biking group that is especially for seniors. Summit Biking meets each Monday morning during the summer months (June-September) for rides. The group, formed in 1998, weekly hosts 35-70 riders. Each rider selects his/her own distance. The rides, usually on bike paths or roads, are approximately two hours long and end with a potluck picnic. Riders of all abilities are welcome. The routes vary each week and are announced by email during the preceding week.

You can get on the email list by sending an email to:
summitbiking-subscribe@topica.com or call Al Kahn 970-547-9881 or Bob Guthrie
970-468-0405. There are 190 members on the email list. We understand they have a really cool jersey and that you can order one in the spring. There are no dues.