Fall in Vail, Colorado, is a vivid spectacle. Golden aspen leaves shimmer in the crisp mountain air, creating a scene that draws visitors each autumn. One of the best ways to experience this seasonal beauty is on a hike, and Paragon Guides offers a memorable option: the Hike With A Llama expedition. This slow-paced, guided backcountry experience lets you relax and fully take in the landscape, with llamas adding both charm and practical support.
© Debra Bokur
On our half-day trek, guide Rachel Solomon led my husband and me alongside two friendly llamas, Ringo and Stubby. The route traversed classic mountain terrain and included a picnic lunch served on a flat, rocky perch with sweeping views. Solomon has been with Paragon since 2017. A trained naturalist who previously worked at Walking Mountains and the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, she combines field expertise, a warm sense of humor, and an intuitive way with pack animals. She taught us how to handle the llamas, explained the soft humming the animals make, and demonstrated how to follow their surefooted lead along narrow trails. Meanwhile, Ringo and Stubby carried our gear and paused patiently whenever someone lagged behind, making the hike both easier and more enjoyable.
Paragon Guides traces its roots to 1978, when it began as Crooked Creek Ski Touring. The family-owned company has become a Vail Valley mainstay, offering guided backcountry hikes, biking trips, camping outings, and winter treks, along with logistics and trip planning services. Founder Buck Elliot started the company to help visitors discover the region’s vast wilderness, and the outfit grew alongside the 10th Mountain Division Hut System, introduced in 1982, which opened expanded opportunities for multi-day backcountry travel.
© Discover Vail
Today, experienced guides — including Solomon and co-owner Will Elliot, Buck’s son — lead guests along a variety of routes that connect with a network of backcountry huts across Colorado’s high country. Many Paragon trips incorporate llamas as pack animals, enhancing the experience while reducing the load on hikers. For those seeking a deeper immersion, Paragon offers a five-day Vail to Aspen Llama Trek from June through September. That multi-day route links trails between Vail and Aspen, with day hikes and overnight stays at three of the 10th Mountain Division Huts and at Diamond J Guest Ranch, giving travelers ample time to enjoy high-country scenery, learn about local ecology, and experience genuine backcountry hospitality.
Whether you choose a half-day llama hike or a longer hut-to-hut trek, guided trips with Paragon provide knowledgeable leadership, thoughtful logistics, and a chance to appreciate the region’s autumn colors at a comfortable pace. The combination of expert guides, well-trained llamas, and access to less-trafficked trails makes these outings an appealing way to discover Vail’s mountain landscapes in the fall.