Can you bring a handgun along with you for protection during a hiking getaway in the mountain states.?

Answer 1

The mountain states covers a lot of territory! My guess is that you'll need a permit to carry a handgun. If you have a permit from your home state, it will often BUT NOT ALWAYS be honored in other states. Check the laws in the particular states you'll be hiking in/through. The site below has a pretty extensive listing of laws in various states, including reciprocity laws:
http://handgunlaw.us/