Kaiyote Tours is recommended by Backpacker Magazine and Fodoris Travel Guides as an excellent winter birding guide company. With over 300 species of birds in Rocky Mountain National Park having a knowledgeable guide take you directly to the most prolific sighting areas is imperative. Kaiyote Tours has three tours that are especially nice.

Cub Lake: a moderate level hike. This is one of their top hikes for birds and wildlife. Trailhead is at 8080 feet: the hike is 4.6 miles round trip and there is a 540 foot elevation gain. Cub Lake is a large lily covered pond where Ring-necked ducks nest and bears like to swim. The trail starts along Moraine Park and follows along marshy ponds before it heads up to Cub Lake.

Hollowell Park and Mill Creek Basin Loop: this is an easy level hike. Trailhead is at 8400 feet elevation; it is 3.4 miles round trip and has a 620 foot elevation gain. This is a great hike for birds and wildflowers. The trail starts out in a small meadow where beavers have damned up Mill Creek and willow trees have filled in the area. The trial then follows the creek, which has many beautiful little cascades and rises through an aspen grove and then through pines where it drops down into Mill Creek Basin.

Upper Beaver Meadows Ute Trail: this is the most difficult hike they offer, but still quite manageable. Trailhead is 8,440 feet; its 4.3 round trip and 870 foot elevation gain to 9,310. This hike is great for birds, elk, coyotes and little critters. The trail starts out at the Upper Beaver Meadows picnic area and follows the Ute Trail to the top of the moraine with great views of Longs Peak and Moraine Park.

Call Kaiyote Tours at (970) 556-6103 or visit their website at http://www.kaiyotetours.com/colorado-birding-tours/birding-rocky-mountain-national-park.htm

Here’s where llamas come into the picture.

Llamas are a natural for carrying gear; they are environmentally friendly to the terrain, comfortable at high altitudes, and have an easy temperament. A llama can carry up to 80 lbs. of equipment, including tired children.

Kirk’s Mountain Adventures (KMA) has terrific back country day trips including fly fishing, horseback riding, and snowshoeing, but their overnight pack trip with the llamas is truly a unique experience.

Family owned and operated, Kirk’s can provide all the equipment you need including tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, food, and guidance. They will set up camp, prepare all the meals, and take you anywhere you would like to go- they even have exclusive access to some of the most beautiful private lands for fishing and hiking. Be sure to bring your camera!

Kirk’s llamas are also available for day trips and drop pack services. For more information call or visit and tell them the SILVER MOON INN sent you!

Kirk’s Flyshop, (877) 669-1859, located at 230 E. Elkhorn Avenue (Main Street), across from City Hall, near Dairy Queen. You can easily walk there from the SILVER MOON INN. http://www.kirksflyshop.com

Are you a photographer looking for wildlife in their habitat? Or maybe you would rather bird watch in the forest? Perhaps you want to climb somewhere off the beaten trail? How about experiencing the thrill of white water rafting? Maybe you just want to drop a line in the river, fishing for a trout dinner. Or, maybe you want it all.

By hiring a local guide you have the benefits of insider knowledge and experience while avoiding the sometimes dangerous pitfalls and often time-wasting mistakes inexperienced visitors make.

Top Ten Reasons to Hire a Nature and Wildlife Guide

1. A good guide can take you quickly and directly to the places you wish to see. No wandering on your own getting lost.
2. If you’re looking for wildlife, local guides are nearly indispensable, as they know at any given time of day, or season, where the species you are interested in will probably be and what they will be doing. Not much fun to view the elk when they are napping.
3. The guide can shed light on the history, geology, folklore, and plants and animals of the area. Most of the really interesting and fascinating local color can only be gleaned by talking with a friendly guide.
4. Guides let you know what you’ll need to bring in your day pack– Warm clothes or cool? How much food and water to bring? Any specialty items? Like having the right bait for fishing, the right gear for photography, or even the right shoes. Do you have to have hiking boots or are running shoes okay? Your guide will know.
5. A guide can take you to places that are “off the map”, known only to locals. Usually these places are the most rewarding and memorable.
6. Most guides are patient teachers. If you are trying something new, your guide will happily teach you and point you in the right direction. Even if you are experienced you’ll probably learn something that you didn’t know before from your guide.
7. Guides help to keep you safe. The Rocky Mountains are not Disneyland. The area needs to be respected, and a good guide knows the dangers and how to play it safe. The guide will have a back up plan in case of emergency. Most guides are certified in CPR and first aid; and they usually carry GPS tracking systems.
8. As a guide, this person eats, sleeps, and breathes the high mountain experience. They love it, it’s their home. Guides take pride in sharing their knowledge and experience with visitors. It is in their own best interest to make absolutely sure your experience is terrific and extraordinary, as you’ll be more inclined to come again and recommend him or her to your friends.
9. A guide can help you avoid “tourist traps” in favor of more valuable and meaningful experiences. You may only get a few weekends a year to get away or maybe just one week long vacation. By hiring a guide on the first day you can glean important information to help you decide what you will be doing with the rest of your visit.
10. Make a new friend. Quite often guides become long time, trusted friends that you return to year after year. Even if you are not able to come back again, most guides are really fun to be around and have a very positive attitude.  It’s like having an instant friend in an unfamiliar place.