Got mobility issues but still want to get out and see the land? A Colorado state park is making it easier. Cheyenne Mountain State Park’s TerrainHoppers give folks with mobility problems a lift.
TerrainHopper: Power chair on steroids
What’s a TerrainHopper? Think of it as a power chair on steroids. The $30,000 vehicles are designed to carry mobility-challenged people at walking speed across a variety of surfaces from flat trails to dirt, gravel and even on rocky inclines up to 35 degrees.
This commercial video shows off TerrainHoppers’ abilities.
The state park received two of these new rigs as a gift from the Friends of Cheyenne Mountain State Park. The friends group used grants received from Hoppers for Heroes, Partners in the Outdoors, the Mesara Family Foundation, and a donation from the Kern family.
“We are excited to get our guests out on trails that they’ve been unable to hike due to mobility limitations,” said Park Manager Jason Hagan. “We recently took delivery of them and soon we’ll be offering guests the option of using them on guided hikes with one of the park’s outstanding volunteers.” Just how soon is “soon”? Reservations for tours on these “Hoppers” open Memorial Day weekend.
Handlebars or joystick
The TerrainHoppers are similar to tracked vehicles used at other Colorado Parks and Wildlife properties with an exception. These are wheeled vehicles allowing for more clearance on the rocky trails at the park. TerrainHoppers offer traditional handlebars for steering or a joystick that can be used by the rider or by someone hiking alongside the hopper. Acceleration and stopping is controlled by hand or joystick. Each hike is guided by a park volunteer. Everyone using a TerrainHopper is required to be accompanied by a companion.
Another new amenity the park is offering guests is the free use of colorblindness-correcting EnChroma® sunglasses. They’ll allow folks with a variety of colorblindness types to enjoy the park’s beauty. A variety of the glasses are available for check out at the Visitor Center. There are two basic types of colorblindness, and the park will have adult and child sizes available to check out depending on an individual guest’s type of colorblindness.
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Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 It is nice that more can enjoy scenic hikes and gloriful colors. It is even better that the means to do so were donated! 🙂 Thanks again for bringing us recent events and developments! Safe travels! 🙂
Well hmmm…..so how does everyone feel about this? Yes, providing access to the great outdoors for everyone seems human. Can the normally ambulating public be okay sharing trails with motorized vehicles? Isn’t it already an issue with e-bikes? Future reader poll?
Don’t worry the 30×30 plan will eliminate more access to the mobile impaired and senior citizens so we’ll just have to stay home and watch outdoor documentaries while the physical fit can enjoy what we can’t.
I’m more excited about the color blindness correcting sunglasses that can be checked out at the Visitor Center. Always felt a little guilty for passing on my father’s red/green colorblindness to my son.