March 18, 2020	I am mostly recovered from minor foot surgery and am anxious to go for a walk.  I’d love to have you join me on an easy +\- 3 mile trail next Wednesday, 18 March. https://www.douglas.co.us/dcoutdoors/trails/regional-trails/bluffs-regional-park-trail/ Let’s meet at the trailhead parking lot at 10:00 am.  Bluffs+Regional+Park+Trail,+Lone+Tree,+CO I’m open to suggestions for lunch places. Please let me know by Tuesday evening (17 March) if you are planning to come Sue Janssen 303-936-8339 Susan.g.janssen@gmail.com
January 15, 2020	Happy New Year Hikers! Our first adventure of the new year and new decade will be a snowshoe on Wednesday, January 15.  Rick Hjelm will be organizing this event.  The Trail We will snowshoe the Abyss Lake Trail (US Forest Service Trail #602) located in the western part of the Mt Evans wilderness area.  We will showshoe about 2 miles in to the first stream crossing and then retrace our path back to the trailhead.  The trail follows an old logging road, winding thru Pine and Aspen forests, and is beautiful.  The trail is not steep, but rises steadily for a total elevation gain of about 500 feet.  We did this on January 1 and the trail had great snow coverage, with very few rocks showing.  At that time the trail was well packed down, so one could probably traverse this trail with Trax or microspikes, rather than snowshoes.
December 18, 2019	We selected a walk/hike in town for December. This trip will be on a paved path in Arvada, primarily along Ralston Creek, ending at Tucker Lake.
November 20, 2019

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Hikers must complete the Liability Waiver Form

Participants must wear appropriate footwear (no sandals please) and carry their own pack.
Remember the scouting motto – “Be prepared” – and carry the “10 Essentials.”
1.    Navigation (map and compass or GPS and know how to use them)
2.    Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, lip balm)
3.    Insulation (dress in layers –it can rain or snow any day in Colorado)
4.    Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)
5.    First-aid supplies (take good care of your feet)
6.    Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)
7.    Repair kit and tools (pocket knife, duct tape, extra batteries, etc.)
8.    Nutrition (snacks and food)
9.    Hydration (water - lots of it)
10.    Emergency shelter (such as a space blanket)
You may also wish to add toilet paper, hand sanitizer, garbage bag, camera, whistle, extra socks, medication, pen and paper or sketchbook, insect repellant and a handkerchief.  But don’t make your pack too heavy!

If you don’t own snowshoes you can rent them at lots of places including REI, Sports Authority, and Christy Sports.  Poles are optional, but sometimes helpful.

We will be in the “backcountry” during the winter – be prepared for adverse weather and winter driving conditions.  Before heading out, check road conditions by calling “511” or http://www.cotrip.org/.  Check with CAIC at https://avalanche.state.co.us/index.php.

COSAR CARD (Optional)

Purchase your Colorado Search and Rescue Card at Roxborough State Park Visitor Center (or other locations). The cost is $3.00 for one year and $12.00 for five years.

https://dola.colorado.gov/sar/orderInstructions.jsf

If you wish to join the MARS Hiking Club, please contact Sue Janssen at susan.g.janssen@gmail.com or 303-936-8339.  Provide your email address and phone number.