Colorado’s many trails and natural areas tend to attract people from all walks of life. From the ‘arguing couple’ to the person blasting music, here are a few stereotypical people you might encounter on the trail:

1. The photographer: Armed with a camera (or phone in hand) and stopping every few steps to take another photo of another flower, the photographer tends to appreciate the often overlooked aspects of the trail. The photographer won’t be focused on speed, rather walking home with a stunning scene captured through their lens. Whether they’re snapping selfies or using a tripod, they can’t wait to share the beauty of the scene with others – or to fill their photo library with 100 similar shots of a flower that they’re never look at again.

2. The dog owner: Spotted enjoying the trail with their best friend, dog owners seem to flock to Colorado. The responsible dog owner is great, but the irresponsible dog owner isn’t. Don’t be an irresponsible dog owner. Respect the rules of the trail or likely risk even more restrictions being put in place. Use a leash where required and always pick up after your pick and pack it out. You don’t want to be the person responsible for leaving a literal bag of poop on the side of the trail… who does that?

3. The person blasting music: It’s hard to think of something that’s more annoying on the trail than a peaceful natural scene getting interrupted by the latest hit single blaring through a tiny speaker. If you’re hiking a trail and insist on having music use your headphones instead of something that disrupts the experience of others. Also, if you’re going to be using headphones, use only one so that you’re still able to hear what’s going on around you. Still want music on both sides of your head? Consider open-ear bone conduction headphones.

4. The biker on the hiking trail (or vice versa): Knowing how to share the trail is important in Colorado. Perhaps the most important rule of thumb is that downhill travelers should always yield to uphill traffic. It’s also important to follow the directions on signage that may indicate a trail is only for a specific type of user. Following these guidelines are important for everyone’s safety – for example, if a trail is too tight and has low visibility, it may be deemed ‘hikers only’ as faster travel on a bike might make avoiding collisions other slower users difficult.

5. The charging trail runner: The sudden sound of rapid footsteps alerts you of their presence moments before they blast past you, disappearing into the distance. Trail runners are a special breed of trail user, able to make a taxing climb seem like a walk in the park. If you spot someone on the trail that’s trying to go faster than you, allow them to pass in a safe and responsible way if possible. Trail runners – navigate the trail in a way that’s safe for all and try to give people a heads up you’re approaching to avoid causing a jump scare.

6. The “are we there yet?” hiker: Often found on the uphill portion of a route, the “are we there yet?” hiker has misjudged the distance of the trail. They could have sworn they would have reached the top of the mountain long before that second false summit, but you know they’re actually still miles away. They’ll ask you how much farther it is as you pass – the same question they’ve asked many others already. If you’re certain in terms of mileage, tell them, but also check to make sure they’re doing alright physically and have adequate supplies.

7. The arguing couple: One of them is miserable, the other is annoyed. You’ll probably hear this couple before you spot them, sure to be greeted with near-silence as you pass as the couple attempts to portray an ‘everything’s fine’ vibe while eagerly waiting for you to turn the next bend. A friendly ‘all good?’ is the right move here just in case there’s something you can do to help solve whatever is leading to a case of trail bickering.

8. The light-packer: This is the hiker you spot walking up a mountain with no special gear. Whether it’s due to overconfidence or inexperience, they’re not prepared for issues they may encounter. Per norm, it’s never a bad idea to make conversation and ask if things are going well. Don’t expect them to offer much gear or advice though – but if they ask, remind them about the ‘10 essentials.’

9. The overpacker: While some light-packers hit the trail in such a manner due to being confident in their level of experience, nearly all overpackers are trail-going novices – that, or they’re just the type of person that wants to be extremely prepared and is willing to pay the price. Overpacking on the trail is something most people learn to avoid quickly, as the consequences of doing so tend to be quite obvious in the form of exhaustion, blisters, and soreness from the backpack. To avoid becoming this hiker, try to pack your bag with attention and care, focusing on the 10 essentials and then carefully adding items after that.

10. The two types of out-of-stater: The first type of this hiker is typically found on a trail that’s already quite popular, slowly meandering along the route amid the lower oxygen levels and their constant awe of those Colorado views. Sometimes, this hiker can be spotted without proper gear and with a plastic water bottle in hand. Show them what Colorado friendliness is all about and check in on how their hike is going. They might have a question or two and a few kind words will further kick their Centennial State experience up a notch.

The second type of this hiker has spent all year preparing for their trip to Colorado. They’ve trained on local hikes and spent hours researching gear. They’re more prepared than most in-state hikers when they leave the trailhead behind and have their entire trip tightly planned to make the most of their Centennial State adventuring.

When encountering an ‘out-of-state’ hiker, it’s important for Coloradans to keep in mind that ‘out-of-state’ doesn’t always mean ‘lacking experience.’ Don’t make this assumption and instead of immediately offering unsolicited advice, start an encounter with a friendly ‘hello.’

11. The “Colorado proud” hiker: Typically quite chipper and featuring the Colorado state logo proudly on their clothing or a piece of gear, this trailgoer is simply happy to be enjoying the beauty of the Centennial State firsthand. They’ll probably greet you like they would greet a friend and they might have a recommendation or a story to tell. Let their cheer brighten your day.

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