Your Ultimate Colorado Trail Adventure: A 300-Pound Llama

Backpacking in Colorado is a dream: With 58 peaks over 14,000 feet, hundreds of miles of trails, and breathtaking views of snow-covered mountains, it’s a hiker's paradise.

The biggest challenge on long treks is carrying all your gear. But what if llamas could lighten the load? Suddenly, the experience feels more like glamping than a grueling hike.

While llamas have been used as pack animals for centuries in South America, llama trekking in Colorado is a relatively recent trend, dating back to the 1980s and still a surprise to many.

For adventure companies like Paragon Guides in Vail, incorporating llamas into their tours in the 1990s was a natural and popular choice.

The Elliott family, owners of Paragon Guides, quickly discovered that bringing llamas along made it much easier to hike deep into the wilderness with kids. Before long, they added llamas to their staff, and they've been a hit ever since.

“Along the way, guests form strong bonds with their llamas, and many of them wish they could take them home at the end of the trip,” says Will Elliott, owner of Paragon Guides.

Plus, these furry companions are gentle, reliable, and sure-footed. They wade through streams with ease and leap over fallen logs—who knew llamas could jump over three feet high?

Llamas are natural grazers, so you won’t need to carry extra food for them. Plus, they can carry up to a third of their body weight.

This means you can pack items you might normally leave behind, like bottles of wine, two-person tents, tables, chairs, and cooking gear.

An extra perk: Llamas are natural bear deterrents, thanks to their sharp eyesight and loud, startling vocalizations.

When threatened, llamas emit piercing sounds to drive off dangerous animals. Occasionally, they also hum in a way that sounds like a cross between Chewbacca and a purring cat.

Hitting the trail

Elliott offers several chances to bond with these lovable, four-legged companions. One of the highlights is a 4- to 5-night trek from Vail to Aspen through the stunning White River National Forest. Hikers cover 5 to 9 miles a day, all while enjoying breathtaking views of the Maroon Bells and Sawatch Range.

When it’s time to rest, cozy 10th Mountain Division Huts along the trail offer rustic yet comfortable accommodations. Halfway through the journey, guests stay at a dude ranch with access to a hot tub and showers.

The 45-mile trek offers a mix of elevation changes, allowing hikers to experience everything from aspen groves to spruce forests and Douglas firs.

“The higher you ascend, the less vegetation there is, but the views become even more spectacular,” says Elliott. “At lower elevations, you’ll find more wildflowers, trees, rivers, and streams, along with a greater abundance of wildlife.”

Animals with personality

For those not ready for a lengthy trek, the 'Take a llama to lunch' option is a great alternative. Lasting four hours, it still offers plenty of time to bond with these friendly creatures.

Llamas are lovable creatures in many ways: their long lashes, quirky underbites, and pointy ears make them incredibly charming. When you add their easy-going nature and whimsical names like Sneffels and Lemon, they make for the perfect trail companions.

Though llamas do have a reputation for spitting, Elliott explains it’s usually not directed at humans.

“It’s really more of a display of dominance and social ranking among the llamas, a way for them to establish who’s in charge and who’s stronger,” Elliott explains.

Well-trained llamas, however, are generally friendly and hardworking. On a typical day, these sturdy animals can hike up to 15 miles. Thanks to the soft pads on their feet, they have minimal impact on the environment.

“I used to love backpacking in my 20s,” says Bobbie Goldstein, 66. “After raising my children, I wanted to return to the high country for overnight trips, but I could no longer carry a heavy pack.”

That’s when she began her llama trekking adventures.

“It’s a joy to care for them, to learn how to pack and load their gear when moving campsites or shifting between huts,” says Goldstein. “They bring a sense of calm and peace. It's magical to see their silhouettes as they sleep sitting up, especially under a full moon.”

For Elliott, llama trekking offers a perfect escape from the constant buzz of technology in our daily lives.

“We can sit on the ground, savor each other’s company, take in the views, and reconnect with a simpler way of life, the kind we used to know,” Elliott reflects.