Close Encounters of the Llama Kind--Llama Hiking in Colorado

I suppose we're a little weird, but we've always wanted to go on a llama hike since we first heard about them on our honeymoon 11 years ago in Ashville, North Carolina.  We were rained out on that occassion and the opportunity did not come again until this summer.

We heard about a llama hike that we could take our children on.  The company thoughtfully provided a back carrier for our youngest child and the hike was only for 2 hours, so we booked our time, put on our hiking shoes and hats and headed to the llama farm.

 We drove for about 20 minutes off of the highway where we met Dan, the llama man.  He had his llamas loaded in a horse trailer so we could start further along the trail than he normally starts.  He felt it would be best with the children to consider. 

 We were fascinated when he unloaded the llamas.  He brought 4 llamas since we have 4 children.  He's a man who understands siblings.  He put packs on the backs of two of the llamas.  The llamas carry the water and snacks so that the hikers have no need of packs.   We were also free to add whatever we thought we might need (in our case jackets) which Dan balanced with the rest of the load.

We were briefed on the ettiquette of llama hiking.    1)Keep the llamas a few feet away from one another to avoid being caught in spit crossfire.  2)  Llamas like horses, will take the opportunity to eat whenever possible.  Pull on the rope and they start walking again.  3)  Don't look the llama in the eye.  It's a threatening pose.  4)  Llamas like to be patted on the neck rather than the back. 

Armed with that information, each of my older children took a rope and started to lead their respective llamas behind Dan.  My husband with Little Miss on his back, took the last llama's rope since I wanted my hands free to take pictures.

Dan was as full of information as my children were full of questions.  Mr. Science conducted what was essentially a cross examination about all things llama, which Dan answered good naturedly.  Dan was careful to take rests for the kids and the llamas helped out by needing well spaced llama pit stops.  When a llama takes a pit stop, get comfortable--you'll be waiting for about 5 minutes.

When we took our first real rest, Dan showed he understands kids.  Along with the granola/energy bars, were a number of mini candy bars.  Go Dan!  They encouraged the kids to keep hiking as nothing else would have.  However, I have to say the kids were troupers and so excited about leading their llamas, they hardly noticed that the going was steep at times.

After we'd been hiking for a while, Little Miss decided the carrier was for babies and that SHE wanted to lead a llama.  Daddy dutifully turned over the rope and she set off determinedly down the trail, dragging her chosen llama.  Even though the llama towered over her and outweighed her by 200 pounds, there was no doubt about who was in charge.  It was so cute.

All in all, we had a great time.  The hike was beautiful, the llamas were just cool and there was chocolate.  What more could you want?  I highly recommend a llama trek for those of you with a yen for some outdoor family fun and a taste for the unusual.