Just Along For The Walk Llamas Take The Weight Out Of Pack Trips

Are you Llooking for something special before the Llast days of summer? Try doing Llunch with a Llama. The meals are Lluscious, in Llovely Llocations, with everything Llugged in on a Llama.

Llamas are strong, calm, gentle, sure-footed and agile. They can carry loads of up to 100 pounds and are the perfect hiking companion.

They aren’t big enough to carry adults, and most companies won’t let them carry children (for liability reasons). But llamas are big enough to carry lots of food and gear, leaving you to enjoy the scenery instead of gasping under a heavy pack.

Compared to horses, they are much easier to handle, and also create much less impact on trails (llamas have padded feet, not hooves). They’ll also eat grass and foliage along the way, which means you generally don’t have to worry about feed.

Most llama companies operate guided trips. But it’s also possible to take a quick lesson and rent the llamas by themselves - perfect for an overnight back pack or Llovely day trip.

Generally, the prices for companies listed here include all meals, camping equipment and tents for multiple-day treks. The outfitters and guides set up camp and prepare meals. Trekkers need to bring their own sleeping bag and personal items.

Here are some Llama Llocations:

Llama Tree Ranch Olympia

One of Llama Tree Ranch’s most popular trips is the day trek into Mount Rainier National Park. The trip starts at the Wild Berry Restaurant, located just outside the park. The Do Llunch with the Llama trips are offered April through October. The price is $35 (plus sales tax) for each person. Three- or fiveday trips into the Goat Rock Wilderness Area and other remote regions are available for $125/day/ person. (360) 491-LAMA.

For general tourism information: Greater Eatonville Chamber of Commerce, (360) 832-4000.

Olympak Llamas Port Angeles

For those wanting to make their Olympic Peninsula trip a memorable experience, try a llama trek into the beautiful Elwha Valley or other pristine places in Olympic National Park. Trips are offered May through August. A three-day, two-night full service trek costs $330 a person. (360) 452-4475.

For general tourism information: North Olympic Peninsula Visitor & Convention Bureau, (800) 942-4042 or (360) 452-8552.

Woolley Packer Llama Company Forks, Wash.

Llama pack trips into Olympic National Park from one to seven days are offered for a base rate of $150/day/person. Treks are available June through October. One-day treks with a lunch are available upon request. (360) 374-9288.

Wallowa Llamas Halfway, Ore.

Wilderness llama treks are available April through October. In the spring and fall months the llama treks lead into Hells Canyon. During the hot summer months, the trips go into the Wallowa Mountains. Rates are $110/day/person. (503) 742-2961 or 742-4930.

For general tourism information: Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce, (503) 426-4622.

North Idaho Llama Outfitters Spokane

This Spokane-based company has a permit for guided trips into the Lake Darling area in the Cabinet Mountains in northern Idaho. The base rate is $75 a night for three to five day treks. Group size is limited to 3-5 persons. Day trips may be available, depending on seasonal commitments. (509) 276-8413 or 244-3257.

For general tourism information: Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, (800) 800-2106 or (208) 263-2161.

Kootenay Llama Treking Castlegar, British Columbia

Kootenay Llama Treking operates on weekends in spring and fall. Daily trips are available July and August. The outfitter provides half-day mini treks for $55 a person and multiple-day pack trips starting at $120 a person a day (prices are approximate U.S. dollars). (604) 359-7361.

For general tourism information: Kootenay Country Tourist Association, (604) 352-6033.

Palo’mine Farms

Heffley Creek, British Columbia

The company offers a three-hour llama trip with a fully catered trailside buffet lunch, from May through September. The price is about $42 (approximate U.S. dollars) for each person, with a minimum of two people required. Other llama trips are available upon request. (604) 578-7752.

For general tourism information: High Country Tourism Association, (604) 372-7770.

Painted Sky Llama Ranch

Columbia Falls, Mont.

The ranch offers llama rentals. The even-tempered animals can put up with just about anyone, so here’s your chance to do your own llama trek. The base rental rate is $35 a day for each llama, which includes all equipment and feed for the animal. A hands-on, four-hour clinic is provided free of charge if the llamas are rented for four or more days; otherwise, a one-time fee of $30/person is charged. (406) 892-1575.

For general tourism information: Flathead Convention & Visitors Association, (800) 543-3105 or (406) 756-9091.