Hikes
Llamas were originally bred by the pre-Incan culture of the Andes mountains as pack animals. What could be more appropriate than taking a walk with a llama? They make great trail companions and carry all the heavy stuff without a complaint (well, usually!)
CAL-ILA and the Pack Llama Trial Association (PLTA) sponsor hikes that you can participate in. While some of these are day hikes traversing fairly level ground, you need to be physically able to participate in strenuous activity. The overnight hikes typically remain within 3-5 miles of civilization, emergency response may take much longer than we are accustomed to. Therefore you must be in good physical condition and be familiar with back-woods first-aid and medical response practices.
Fun and Interesting Hikes
- New Years Day - January 1st
Vacaville, CA
Margaret and Ralph Drew host this New Year's Morning walk through Lagoon Park in Vacaville. The weather is often "iffy" but the walk is spectacular and just the thing to clear those cobwebs out before heading home for brunch and an early nap! -
High Sierra Overnight Llama
Hike - September 10-11
Dardanells Lake Tahoe National Forest
Ellen Goldsmith will lead this strenuous 3 mile hike to beautiful Dardanells Lake just south of Lake Tahoe. The lake is accessed via part of the Tahoe Rim Trail. This will be a great overnight hike for you and your llamas, just spend some time getting in shape (you and your llamas) taking 3-4 mile day hikes. This prep work can be almost as much fun as the main hike! - Pack Llama Festival - September
22-23-24-25
Silverton, Colorado
More than a hike, this is a gathering of packers, hikers, outfitters, equipment manufacturers and other experts for 4 days of all things pack llama! The PLTA will sponsor several pack trials for all levels of certification throughout the event. Sponsored by Alexa Metrick of Rent-A-Llama. Alexa is Charlie Hackbarth's daughter who moved away from home, got married and wanted to introduce her husband to the fun of packing with llamas. But she couldn't find any packing outfitters in the area where they lived, so she founded Rent-A-Llama. That same determination and drive is being put to use gathering experts from around to country to fire the interest in pack llamas. This is the event to attend! - Sierra Overnight - October 15-16
Sly Park, Pollock Pines, CA
For those of use that resemble a couch potato there is a way to get out into the Sierras for an overnight trip. This hike is in Sly Park's Jenkinson Lake area. Led by Margaret Drew (yes the same Margaret that puts on the masochistic New Year's Morning Hike!) this will be on flatter terrain and a lower altitude than the High Sierra or Colorado hikes. Still enough to challenge your cardio-vascular system, but not nearly as strenuous. It will be a great way to wind down the year!