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Gilpin Trail

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 6:46 am
by Linda P
Hi All
Could someone give me an idea of how much to pay the guides at the start of the Gilpin Trail? We were considering visiting there this year. I know that you can get a better view of the rainforest with official booked sightseeing tours, but to be honest we prefer to just get up in the morning and decide what we feel like doing there and then.
Thanks
Linda

Re: Gilpin Trail

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:16 am
by Linda P
I can't beleive no-one has any experience of the guides at the Gilpin Trail!!! has anyone ever used them? are they any good? how much do they charge?

Thanks
Linda
24 days to go 8)

Re: Gilpin Trail

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:31 am
by Steve Wooler
Hi Linda

Like you, I'm surprised that nobody has answered your question.

Although I've been along the Gilpin Trail a number of times over the years, I've always been with established well-known guides and never had to use the casual guides that hang around the entrance. So. I have no idea what they charge. I guess the answer is that there will be good and there will be bad guides and its largely luck of the draw which you get.

I must confess that my impression of these guys is not good. They used to run out into the road and stand in front of approaching visitor-driven vehicles, trying to stop and persuade them to go on tours. It was very intimidating, even though the intention was innocent enough. It was the same at Argyle Waterfall. It got so bad that I raised the issue with the Secretary of Tourism three years back. For the last two years, I'm delighted to see that the practise appears to have been stopped. Or, maybe I've just been lucky when driving past either spot?

Re: Gilpin Trail

Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 6:04 am
by Linda P
Thanks Steve

With regards to Argyle Falls, I have noticed a difference, the guides are now all official ones, when you pay at the entrance this includes price of guide (can't remember how much though! - not much), this means that guides cannot size you up your wallet by appearances and charge accordingly!

Linda

Re: Gilpin Trail

Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 6:19 pm
by Martin S
Hi Linda
We did the Gilpin trail June last year and we used King Davids in Castara. Our guide was very helpfull and full of very interesting info, very highly recomended :D :D :D