Did you know Rocky Mountain NP has llamas? Here’s how you can work with them

DENVER (KDVR) — Rocky Mountain National Park is brimming with wildlife, from the biggest moose to the smallest pikas; but did you know another four-legged alpine animal lives in the park, and you can even work with them?

The National Park Service has used llamas, a South American mammal usually an unfamiliar sight in North America, for years at RMNP to help pack waste from backcountry toilets out of the park.

Pack llamas at Rocky Mountain National Park (NPS Photo)
U.S. Park Service Pack Llama in Rocky Mountain National Park
U.S. Park Service Pack Llama in Rocky Mountain National Park
Solar backcountry toilet at Rocky Mountain National Park (Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain National Park)

Llamas aren’t exclusive to just NPS service animals’ several tour operators like Wildland Trekking and Kirk’s Flyshop have commercial opportunities for llama hiking and backpacking trips, though they don’t come cheap. This summer, though, Rocky Mountain National Park is looking for outdoorsy and animal-loving volunteers to work with the fluffy animals for free, though without pay either.

Here’s what the volunteers will do:

Volunteer to work with llamas and clean backcountry toilets

From June 1 to Oct. 17, the volunteer will join the park’s staff and llamas on hikes to backcountry toilets using the Longs Peak Trail to maintain the facilities, feed the llamas and assist with other projects.

The volunteers will hike about 14 miles over two days, camping on Longs Peak as they go.

The park says volunteers should be physically fit and comfortable with the significant elevation changes of more than 3,000 feet on hikes. They should also be comfortable working long days in a variety of weather conditions.

The park is looking for someone who has experience working with llamas or other stock animals preferably, but they would provide additional training for people unfamiliar with this kind of work.

The volunteers may also assist in other maintenance projects like cleaning government housing facilities.