Enjoy A Scenic Lunch With Llamas At This Mountain State's Latest National Monument
Vail has some of the best skiing in Colorado, a state that's renowned for its skiing, and it is even one of America's stunning cities that will make you feel like you're in Europe. But while you might think that Vail is just a winter destination, think again. In summer, you can go fishing, mountain biking, and even go on a lunchtime hike with llamas. Paragon Guides offers a couple of different half-day and full-day hike and lunch options where you can explore the Rocky Mountains around Vail accompanied by a llama, including a backcountry hike in Camp Hale National Monument — the first national monument that President Joe Biden designated in October 2022.
With the "Take a Llama to Lunch" backcountry hike at Camp Hale, you and your loved ones (it's a private tour!) can enjoy the stunning scenery and learn more about the area's history while enjoying the company of the Paragon Guide llamas, each with his own personality. The llamas are there to carry your lunch (they don't carry people) and even some of your stuff, leaving you with a lightened load, which can be a big help if you're not used to hiking at altitude — Vail itself is 8,150 feet, and the backcountry hikes will take you up even higher. Just take it slow, though, and you should be fine.
Llamas will carry your lunch so you can enjoy the scenery
Before you start, you'll get a llama lesson from Paragon Guides. One thing to note is that while they look super fluffy and you may be tempted to give them a big hug and just snuggle into them, that's not actually advisable. Llamas aren't really fans of being touched, though you'll likely be able to give one some scratches on the chest as you go.
Even though you can't snuggle on them, you'll probably find you can't stop smiling at these lovable creatures as you walk with them, holding their leads if you want, and seeing their personalities shine through — just like us, some are a little feistier, some are more chill. The llamas walk at a relaxed pace, stopping to munch on grass along the trail at times, so it's easy to keep up with them. You might even get to hear them hum — who knew llamas could hum?
The views will depend on the season and the trail, but they're pretty much guaranteed to be spectacular. On our backcountry llama hike at Camp Hale with Paragon Guides, we got to walk through stands of quivering aspen trees and stopped for lunch in the shade of evergreens next to a mountain stream. Out of the packs that the llamas had dutifully carried up the mountain was a gourmet spread with sandwiches, meats, cheeses, and fruits. You could also go for a wine and cheese option if you want.
Camp Hale has a rich history
While hiking with llamas is an experience in and of itself, hiking through Camp Hale National Monument gives you a unique connection to history. Camp Hale was home to the famed 10th Mountain Division during World War II. Soldiers trained there to fight in challenging alpine conditions, and when they deployed in Italy in early 1945, they used that training to defeat the Germans stationed at Riva Ridge by climbing up the cliff face.
The German army had presumed it was an impossible route for any enemy to use to mount an attack. Upon returning to the U.S. after the war, a number of the 10th Mountain Division soldiers went on to have a hand in creating dozens of ski resorts in the U.S., including at Vail. The layers of history at Camp Hale go far beyond its use as an army training ground. The land was long used by the Ute people, and it's still an important place for them.
If your idea of a good vacation always involves packing your hiking gear, you can go on a multi-day llama hike with Paragon Guides. There are a series of small mountain huts throughout the areas used by the 10th Mountain Division, and you can hike from one to the next while the llamas do the heavy lifting for you. Prices for the full-day backcountry llama hikes start at $725. That includes food and transportation from your hotel.