Water

How water impacts your Timp hike

  • The hike is 14+ miles, gains over 4,000' in elevation and is very exposed to the sun
  • We recommend a minimum of 3 liters per hiker - more in hotter weather
  • Any water on the mountain must be filtered to avoid illness
  • On the Timpooneke Trail, there is no consistent water source beyond 2 miles from the trail head
  • On the Aspen Grove Trail, water may be filtered at First & Second Falls in the first 1.5 miles of the trail, and again at Emerald Lake at 5.5 miles up the trail
  • Dehydration is a big risk and can lead to life-threatening conditions

You need to think about:

Time
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It takes people an average of 9 hours to complete this hike.

Difficulty
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This is a strenuous and very challenging hike.

Distance
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You'll be hiking more than a 1/2 marathon, half of it all uphill.

How to help prevent dehydration

  • A general guideline is to drink and plan for a half liter to one liter of water for every hour you'll be hiking

Bring at least 3 liters of water per person

To stay hydrated, drink small amounts every 20 minutes as you hike.

Bring electrolytes

We recommend either electrolyte capsules or drink mixes. Plan on 1,000-2,000 mg of sodium for your hike.

Bring a water filter

You can filter water, but Emerald Lake is the only reliable water source above 2 miles from either trail head.

Know the danger signs

  • Fatigue
  • Dry mouth or thirst
  • Headache
  • Muscle cramps
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea

Early signs of dehydration:

Low energy
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Dry mouth or thirst
Red emoji has a sweat drop, looks concerned and fatigued, and has tongue hanging out.

Severe signs of dehydration:

Headache
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Muscle cramps
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Dizziness
Animated stars are shown in a circle.
Nausea
A green faced emoji looks like it is ready to vomit
Severe fatigue or exhaustion
emoji looks extremely tired
If you get too dehydrated, it can get really serious. It can be life threatening if it progresses to heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
An emoji has blue near the top of its head and has a stressed out look on its face.Exclamation point inside of a red triangle.
Learn more about heat stroke & heat exhaustion

What to do if someone is experiencing dehydration symptoms:

Drink water - ideally with electrolytes
Animated reusable water bottle with green lid.
Rest - in shade if possible
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Cool body down with wet cloths
Blue thermometer and blue arrow pointing down indicate cool down
If symptoms get worse, last for more than an hour, or person is vomiting, get emergency medical help
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Sources

Learn more at the links below: 

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