“Cycling and Hiking ~ What to Expect”

Cycling Timberline Country

     If you're planning your first Timberline cycling adventure, we suspect that you may have questions concerning terrain and level of difficulty. Obviously, "Timberline Country" is not flat. We have our share of hills and we promise that you'll have ample opportunity to do some climbing with us regardless of which tour you select. But, then why else would you even consider a Western cycletour were it not for our irregular topography!

     When you cycle in the Rockies or Cascades in particular, you can expect to be involved in climbs that are longer than those that you may have experienced in other parts of the country. But most importantly, the grades that you will encounter in the mountain ranges of the West, though longer, are far more gradual than those of the hilly regions of New England and the Appalachian areas.

     A word about the altitude factor that is a common concern of those considering their first Western cycletour. Acute Mountain Sickness, a significant reaction caused by rapid ascents and prolonged presence above 8,000 feet is not an issue. Many of our tours rarely exceed 5,000 feet in elevation and, even in Colorado where we'll climb to 10,000 feet and beyond, rapid descents soon return us to lower elevations.

     At worst, cyclists at the highest altitudes may find themselves huffing and puffing in a climb, more than they would ordinarily anticipate given that level of activity. The almost universal experience during the course of a tour will be a marked and noticeable decline in the effect of altitude upon respiration. In other words, much of the anxiety over altitude is unwarranted. Most importantly however, you are contemplating a tour, not a competitive endurance event.

     As you read our various tour descriptions, you'll note the absence of any labels indicating level of difficulty. Ratings are omitted by design because we believe that such labels are inherently subjective and misleading. Tour descriptions and total mileages for each tour provide helpful indicators as to that tour's level of challenge. But the best insight into a particular tour's content and its suitability for you or your group is best obtained by contacting us so that we can discuss your interests and experience personally and directly with you.

     Make no mistake, cycling "Timberline Country" certainly is not an effortless activity. But if you are a reasonably active individual, it certainly is "doable," and by doable we mean enjoyable within the context of a leisurely vacation experience. In return for that effort, you will share in what well may be the most rewarding and memorable cycling experience that you ever will encounter.

 Hiking Timberline Country

 Hiking has been a part of Timberline's program from our earliest beginnings when a day's trek was an eagerly anticipated alternate activity on a layover day in Rocky Mountain National Park. As our program evolved over the years, Biker/Hiker tours were developed in the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier and elsewhere.

    Five years ago, we introduced our first "hiking only" programs in the Grand Canyon and Canadian Rockies. Last season we unveiled six new hikes and two new biking/hiking combinations. Several new tours join our adventure collection in 1998. Without a doubt, hiking has become the fastest growing component of our total program.

     A few words, though, about the nature of our programs may be helpful. Each of the hiking tours is an inn-to-inn program-in other words, all overnights will be in the magnificent lodges that are so distinct to the areas that we have selected for these programs. To the extent that overnights have been planned for certain backcountry lodges, such as the Shadow Lake Lodge in Canada and the Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon that are accessible only by foot, hikers will need to carry a light daypack for personal articles and clothing necessary for that one night's stay.

     All hiking programs will be supported by a van for shuttles to and from trailheads. Groups will be limited to a maximum of 12 participants, accompanied by two Timberline leaders.

     If a "hike" is distinguished from a "walk" by its degree of difficulty as to distance and terrain, our programs for the coming season conservatively should be considered "hikes." Our daily distances will range between 6 to 12 miles, though generally averaging 6-15 miles per day. Nor will we shy away from hills -- our tradition at Timberline is the spectacular alpine experiences that have distinguished our cycling programs over the years, and that have become the hallmark of our hiking adventures.

     Most importantly, though, the same philosophy that has governed our cycling program will also apply to our hikes. The emphasis will be upon hiking at one's own pace-no time schedules, no concern about keeping up with anyone. The mood and tone of the entire experience is leisurely and as low-key and laid back as possible - sort of like a vacation.

Each of our hikes has been chosen with a single objective in mind: to provide a never-to-be-forgotten experience in an area of extraordinary natural beauty. Our hikes planned for the coming season are those types of adventures.