The Beck Family Guide to Keystone

During the winter, the state will enforce "traction laws" requiring 4WD/AWD or chains when the roads get snowy. You can get away with 2WD during the summer, but many of the roads that access popular hiking trails require 4WD.

The weather and temperature can swing dramatically throughout the day in all seasons. Don't be surprised to have snow in the morning and be wearing shorts/t-shirts in the afternoon. There is a saying, "If you don't like the weather, just wait an hour". During non-winter months, always have a rain jacket with you since summer rain storms can come and go in the blink of an eye.

Your traditional weather apps won’t give you an accurate prediction for the day. The weather can change significantly by the hour and between different elevations. Download OpenSnow for more accurate winter weather and snow predictions and OpenSummit for summer weather and lightning risk predictions. Please be cautious when hiking in the summer months above tree-line. High altitude lightning storms come through most afternoons and can be deadly to hikers above tree-line.

COTrex is the best local app for finding hiking/biking trails. It allows you to sort by difficulty and other trail uses (ATVs, dirt bikes, OHV, horseback, biking, and hiking). The app can also be used as a GPS during your hike and can provide driving directions to trail heads.

If you are coming from sea level, expect to feel the impacts of altitude. Most people will likely experience shortness in breath and dehydration. It is not uncommon to experience more severe symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Consider staying one night in Denver before staying in the mountains, and drink extra water and electrolytes. We encourage you to research this further before your trip so you can understand how recognize altitude sickness symptoms and seek appropriate medical attention if necessary.