Ranger Dave Hikes for Nature Education

Pueblo Chieftain Story on Final Miles of the Hike!

2011-09-20T12:24:00.004-06:00

Today's Pueblo Chieftain ran my piece, plus some photos, on the final leg of the hike. Click here to access the article.

It's three weeks ago today...

2011-09-16T07:00:00.005-06:00

...that I completed the trail, and I'm still hungry all the time....I am wondering if my already fast metabolism got kicked up a notch from those days on the trail. Whatever it is, I am so enjoying the good foods I've been eating...homemade tomato soup (that Helene made last weekend), lots of salads, and the fresh fruit has been great, especially all the fresh peaches -- there is nothing quite like a fresh, perfectly ripe organic peach from Colorado's western slope!

We had a cold wet snap come through Colorado the last few days...I heard that the high country, including the stretch I just hiked, would be getting a good hit of snow. I am glad I got out there when I did!

The Pueblo Chieftain had me write another installment for the paper, which I so enjoyed writing. It is scheduled to run on September 20...I'll put a link in this blog next week.

I've finished adding the new photos and songs to my musical slide presentation, which I will be doing this Sunday afternoon, Sept 18, at the home of Susan Stiller's in Pueblo, hosted by Susan and MPEC Board Member Lamar Trant. Call me at home at 485-3191 if you want to attend. I'll be doing more of these the next few months, including at MPEC, after a soup, bread, salad and dessert dinner, on November 5. We just passed the $80/mile mark...thanks to all who are supporting this effort, as MPEC is as busy as ever with our Nature Education programs! I'm still working towards the goal of $100/mile!

Photos of the last 74 miles at Facebook page!

2011-09-01T15:50:00.004-06:00

I have about 25 photos of my last four days on the CT at my facebook page here!

Hiking Myself Back Home!

2011-09-01T11:39:00.006-06:00

I am happy to write that last Friday, Aug 26, I dropped down into the Junction Creek drainage a few miles north of the city of Durango and then hiked the final two and a half miles to the Junction Trailhead...I have now completed the 485.8 miles of the Colorado Trail. And it feels terrific! It was a multi-faceted final 74 miles, which I hiked over 4 days, with plenty of rain, and the most lightning of the entire trail to deal with. The mountain scenery was spectacular and the wildflowers were still in very good form. As I dropped in elevation as I hiked the final Section 28, I began to notice ponderosa pine trees, a lower elevation tree that is a part of my daily life here at home and at MPEC, but a tree I hadn't seen much of along the trail since I've been up so high for the last several hundred miles. Yes, it felt like I hiked 486 miles only to wind up right back at home! Helene and I took a few days after the hike and wound up in Santa Fe for some much appreciated rest and relaxation. And now, home again!

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this fund-raising effort...we are now up to $74 per mile and still working towards the $100/mile goal. I have several musical slide presentations scheduled this fall, and hope to schedule more of them (call 719-485-4444 of you'd like to schedule one of these enjoyable, informative and entertaining presentations).

Happy trails, Ranger Dave

One Last Time!

2011-08-20T21:10:00.003-06:00

It is Saturday evening, and I've enjoyed a restful day at home, getting ready for my final leg of the trail. I've got 74 miles left to complete the Colorado Trail, which I will be doing this week. Jim Redfern, the terrific contractor who I've worked with for the last five years in renovating the Horseshoe Lodge, has kindly offered to drive me to Durango, a five hour drive, on Monday. Friends Mindy and Patrick Meiering generously offered for me to spend the night at their home in Durango, then a ride to Molas Pass on Tuesday morning where I will start the 73.9 miles of Sections 25-28. I'm so pleased to be at this stage of the hike...it's been a lot of planning, driving, and especially, putting one foot in front of the other. And I am so excited to have the completion for this challenge a few days away. Of course, I still have a good hike ahead of me, but I am rested and ready! I expect to get to the the end of the trail, just outside of Durango, on Friday or Saturday. Pledges and donations continue to come in and I am at over $73 a mile so far. The funds being raised are directly supporting MPEC's education programs, with an emphasis on this year's Earth Studies program. Through ES, every 5th grader from Pueblo City Schools, around 1300 kids, gets 6 full days of Nature-based education spread throughout the school year. Serendipitously, this year's first day of Earth Studies is this Tuesday as well. All week, while I'm covering the final miles of the CT, students from Parkview, Baca, Spann and Carlile Elementary Schools, many of whom will be going to the mountains or taking a hike for the first time in their lives, will be in Pueblo Mountain Park kicking off the the 10th year of MPEC's award winning ES program. That is all the motivation I need to complete the hike!

Happy Trails...an essay in the Pueblo Chieftain!

2011-08-10T11:35:00.004-06:00

This year, I've taken more time out on the trail to write and journal...this was somewhat by design, as last year I missed some things in my push for miles. And, waiting out afternoon stormy skies created space for writing as well. I am pleased that the Pueblo Chieftain published an essay I wrote during this summer's first stretch on the trail. You can read it by clicking here!

It was a great hike!

2011-08-05T12:50:00.009-06:00

I believe that I now have a favorite section of the Colorado Trail, at least so far, after 412 miles, with 74 remaining: Section 24, specifically the Elk Creek drainage in the Weminuche Wilderness surrounded by the spectacular Grenadiers. The Grenadiers are a group of mountains composed of quartzite, a hard and weather resistant rock that is rather rare in the Southern Rockies.

I started this 4-day trek at Spring Creek Pass, which is north of Creede and south of Lake City, at about 8:30 on Saturday morning, July 30. Helene hiked a mile or so with me and got a taste of the hike. After she headed back, I climbed onto Jarosa Mesa, then up and down to mile 9.2 at treeline with dark clouds brewing by mid-day. I opted to spend the night there to avoid being up in the exposed alpine landscape with lighting bolts shooting all around (an event that actually never happened anywhere near me anytime during this trek). I was up at five the next two mornings...hiked over the Colorado Trail's high point at 13,271', and made it to an un-named lake at mile 5.7 of Section 23 before the clouds kept me back once again. After a rainy night (the un-named lake is now called "Rained All Night Lake"), I was on the trail again before 6am, hiked through some cold rain just beyond Stony Pass into Section 24, and had clear enough skies to scoot across some high exposed alpine and down into Elk Creek. The final half mile before dropping off the high ridge greeted me with wind, cold rain and thick fog (but no electricity). As I descended into the drainage, the fog and rain slowly cleared and the spectacular landscape began to reveal itself. Wow, it was gorgeous...incredible rocky mountains, vibrant wildflowers and multi-textured skies combined to make a most memorable and striking section of the hike. I had to hike a few more miles down the trail to find a suitable place to hike, making for a 20-mile day, but an easier 12 miles for the last day's hike. My final day included seeing and hearing the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad that travels along the Animas River and a long but rewarding climb out of the Animas River valley to Molas Pass and the end of another 53 miles of the CT. More photos can be found at my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.1884093183433.2093698.1274464053&type=1.

CT's Highest Point Here I Come!

2011-07-28T10:58:00.005-06:00

With summer rolling by, I've only a limited window to complete the Colorado Trail, so here I go once again. I am heading out of Beulah this Friday afternoon to spend the night in Creede with Helene (it's her birthday), then I will take off from Spring Creek Pass Saturday morning. I am giving myself until Wednesday to complete Sections 22-24...afternoon thunderstorms may slow me down. Needless to say, I'll be packing up early each day to get my miles in before noon. Section 22 will bring me to the trail's highest point of around 13,300', right near a peak called Coney's Summit. Molas Pass, a few miles south of Silverton, is my destination. I am looking forward to some phenomenal scenery, as most of these miles are above timberline. Look for my post-hike report.

Now THAT was a hike!

2011-07-20T10:26:00.010-06:00

All last year, across the first 267 miles of the CT, hardly a drop of rain fell on me. Not once did I pull out my rain gear. Well, that does not seem to be how 2011's miles are shaking out. Not so far, anyway. Hail, a late morning thunderstorm, off-and-on afternoon rain, early morning fog...wet is now a word to add to my CT experience.

I am happy to say that, beyond the added tasks associated with all the moisture (e.g. drying out the tent, being sure key gear stayed dry), it didn't really cramp my style all that much. The biggest challenge came from the fatigue associated with 4 consecutive 20-mile days. Combined with lots of elevation gains, these miles really wiped me out. I'll admit it, when the last day's 12 and a half miles were nearly complete as I approached Spring Creek Pass where Helene was meeting me, I was ready to be off the trail.

Not that the 90.6 miles were all wet and tired...I saw so much beauty (mountain vistas, gorgeous sunsets, lovely wildflowers), I successfully met the challenge of all those miles, my body kept on keeping on, and I raised more revenue for MPEC's education programs, so young folks can continue experiencing the natural world through our programs. Not a bad way so spend five days in July.

I am now 358 miles into the 485-mile adventure. This leaves 127 miles of some of the most beautiful mountain scenery Colorado has to offer left to hike. Of course, the on-going challenge is how to fit the rest of these miles into all the other things I need and want to do this summer. But, a plan to finish the CT in two more separate treks is taking shape...more as that firms up. Here are a few photos from along the trail. Also, you can check out a recent Pueblo Chieftain article on my Colorado Trail Hike by clicking here.

Ranger Dave Starts 91 mile leg of Colorado Trail Today

2011-07-11T08:00:00.003-06:00

Helene here:

I just left Dave at the Marshall Pass trailhead at 6am as daybreak fell around us and a pack of coyotes howled nearby. What a beautiful morning for Dave to begin this weeklong trek It's a 13 mile journey down a old railroad dirt road to the trail head and we spent the night there in our tent. It rained most the night and was in the 40's this morning. We could see snowfields nearby but wildflowers were blooming brilliant this morning and it's a beautiful day.

Helene ( the woman who wishes she was hiking with him but no way...today alone is a 22 mile day and that's too quick a pace for me)

OK, here I go again!

2011-07-06T14:05:00.006-06:00

Reports have it that the high-country snows are rapidly melting, so Plan B has been formulated. Helene and I will be heading out of Beulah this Saturday to spend our 35th anniversary (which is July 10...wow, it's been three and a half decades since our bi-centennial wedding in Queens) in Salida. We will spend Sunday evening camping at Marshall Pass. I will set out on Section 16 Monday morning, and Helene will head home. I plan on hiking Sections 16 through 21, a 91 mile trek, over five days and will meet Helene on Friday afternoon at Spring Creek Pass on CO Hwy 149. That is the plan...let's see how this goes.

But it's not melting enough just yet!

2011-06-23T09:48:00.005-06:00

Recent digging into what conditions are like out there reveal that snow depths above around 11,500' is still quite significant. Since a good amount of the miles of the next few sections are 12,000+, I've decided to postpone my getting back on the trail until mid-July...when my schedule, and hopefully the Colorado Trail, opens up. So, I'm not back out there yet!

The snow is melting, so I'll be hiking!

2011-06-19T09:53:00.008-06:00

I've spent the last week casually getting things together for heading back out there on the Colorado Trail, as the info I've found at various websites indicate that the high country snows are melting enough to resume the 485 mile trek. Last year's miles taught me that keeping my pack light is a key to enjoying the experience. So, since I'll be out for six days on this stretch, I am planning my food needs carefully to keep the weight down. Here is my pack, rested and ready as I begin to get my gear loaded up. I'll be driving out of Beulah this Thursday afternoon, the 23rd, for an evening start at Marshall Pass...please follow my progress at the map on this blog. I anticipate getting off the trail later on Wednesday the 29th.

A couple more weeks and I'll be back on the trail!

2011-06-08T11:38:00.012-06:00

It's been October since I hiked down into Marshall Pass and completed 2010's Colorado Trail miles. My feet are itching to get back out there, and it looks like the itch will soon be relieved. My plan is to get dropped off at Marshall Pass (which is southwest of Salida) after a dinner in Salida on Thursday, June 23 and get in a few miles. Then, over the next six days, hike to Spring Creek Pass, 91 miles from my dropoff. A couple of issues I anticipate are few reliable water sources over the first 50 miles or so, and then potentially deep snow towards the latter part. As for water, this will require being very careful about where and how far the next creek or spring is. I am hoping the above average winter of snow will help with this issue. Speaking of snowfall...the Colorado high country overall has received 249% of average snowfall this past winter. I've been trying to find out snowpack conditions along this section of trail, as I do not want to deal with long stretches of six feet deep, wet snow. I still have two+ weeks before I am out there, and it is warming up as summer weather takes hold. So I believe I will be ok, but I will continue to find out what I can as my plan is to average around 15 miles each day...deep sloppy wet snow will make that very difficult, and maybe not possible. More on all of this soon...

The Colorado Trail is Calling My Name

2011-03-03T04:06:00.004-07:00

As spring begins to hint of its arrival, I am beginning to feel a growing itch to get back out there on the trail. Of course, right now the CT is covered in many feet of snow. But spring brings warmer temps, and when that snow finally melts, my feet will be trekking the final 218 miles of the trail, from Marshall Pass to Durango. As I've been preparing for this Friday's evening presentation of my CT program in slides and song at MPEC, I am remembering some of last year's details and glad to know I have some good backpacking waiting for me this summer. Also, I am presenting this program in Golden, Colorado on April 16 ... if you are in the Denver area, please come by ... email me at mpec@hikeandlearn.org for details. ~ Happy Trails!

2010-11-08T10:41:00.005-07:00

The Colorado Trail backpacking is done for the year, but the effort is still generating plenty of interest and energy. This past Saturday evening, around 100 people came to MPEC for a delicious dinner and a musical presentation on Ranger Dave's progress along the trail so far. several delicious soups, a salad with MPEC's own savory dressing, and several homemade breads and deserts started out an upbeat evening. Then Dave told the story in pictures and love music of his 267 miles on the trail this summer. Here are some photos of from Saturday's program (staff & volunteers in the kitchen; cooks extraordinaire Mary Porter & Bernie Abrahams; warming up the crowd before the program; happy MPEC members Barbara Blake and Michael Wenzl).

Done for the year!

2010-10-13T10:34:00.008-06:00

I excitedly started this fund-raising hike on Sections 1, 2 and 3 last May, with snowy signs of winter lingering along the trail. Many summer and autumn miles have since been hiked until this past Monday, October 11, when I hiked Section 15 to Marshall Pass. This was the last section of the Colorado Trail that I will hike in 2010. And winter is already quickly arriving to the CT with snow along the higher parts of the section's 14.3 miles. I am most pleased to have hiked 267.6 miles for Nature education this year, well past the CT's halfway point and my goal for 2010. This leaves 218.2 miles for next year - piece of cake!

Here are a few photos from Section 15 (1. first snow along the trail; 2. on the Continental Divide; 3. looking back; 4. the distant San Juan Mountains, where the trail is heading) - the scenery was gorgeous on a cool but gentle day. It's wonderful what can be accomplished, simply by putting one foot in front of the other. I am already looking forward to next year's miles along the Colorado Trail. Thank you so very much to all who have supported this hike for Nature education!

One more time before wintry conditions prevail!

2010-10-09T19:52:00.004-06:00

The 14.3 miles of Section 15, from Hwy 50 to Marshall Pass, is on my agenda for this Monday, Oct 11. Helene and I plan on heading over to Salida tomorrow afternoon so I can get an early start the next morning on the last section of the Colorado Trail that I will do this year. It will be a good workout - a 3600' climb spread over the first several miles will take me up along the Continental Divide, which the trail hugs over the next 150 miles. So, the views should be terrific, the temps probably pretty cool, and I believe there may already be a bit of snow up there. Helene is kind enough to to have arranged her schedule so she can drop me off, and then drive around and pick me up at Marshall Pass, early afternoon if my legs are up for a perky pace. I heard a TV meteorologist say that a strong front will be arriving in Colorado on Tuesday, so one last hurrah before I say good-bye to the CT for 2010.

Halfway point of the Colorado Trail!

2010-09-19T10:30:00.005-06:00

Yesterday's 20.9 mile day-trek along Section 14 of the CT brought me to and a bit beyond the halfway point of my Hike for Nature Education. This feels great, knowing I've reached my goal of hiking half the miles this year, with the balance left for next summer. Alex Martinez (the Honorable Ranger Alex) and my co-worker John Oribello joined me for this gorgeous hike that ended up along Hwy 50 a few miles east of Monarch Pass. The aspens were in lovely color, which only added to the gorgeous views of Mount Princeton, Mount Shavano, and the distant Sangre de Cristos.

Another 23 miles brings me close to the CT's halfway point!

2010-08-29T20:44:00.010-06:00

Section 13, 22.8 miles from North Cottonwood Creek to the Mt. Princeton Hot Spring area, was pleasantly hiked yesterday. I had some company on this section...friend and MPEC supporter Jacqui Brooks came all the way from her home in Spain (Jacqui is from Wales in the U.K.) to hike the first 9 miles, the section's biggest climb right out of the initial trailhead (where Helene dropped us off). Jacqui is doing lots of other things while here on holiday, but this may have been one of the highlights of her trip. My lovely wife Helene, friend and MPEC supporter Barbara Jackson and her friend Jerry (plus his two little dogs) hiked a few miles from the Avalanche TH to the Cottonwood Lake Road, where I enjoyed a light and tasty lunch before taking on the remaining 14 miles solo (I sang Carol King's Home Again, JT's There Something in the Way She Moves, and the Everly Bros.' All I have to Do is Dream along these quick miles). Barbara and Jerry whipped up a delicious and most welcome post-hike dinner in their camper at Cottonwood Hot Springs (thank you!), where Helene and I (and Jacqui) tented Friday and Saturday evening...the hot water before and after the hike was divine. This brings me to 232 miles, just a few miles short of the CT's halfway point (my goal for 2010)...which I hope to hike soon. What a great weekend in Colorado's high country!

Songs that brought me beyond the 200 mile mark of the CT!

2010-08-16T11:50:00.005-06:00

Folks often ask me what I think about while walking so many miles, by myself, in these relatively wild places. I've found that I have mainly been very much in the moment while hiking, thinking about where I am along the trail (frequently checking the map), how much water do I have and where is the next water source, and the trees, flowers, tracks and what else I am seeing. I am pleased to say that I have for the most part not brought work or other issues with me to clutter my mind. I also find myself singing a lot while I walk, both to myself, and often out loud. These are some of the songs that accompanied me along this last stretch, Sections 10, 11 and 12: These Days (Jackson Browne); Kathy's Song (Paul Simon); I Will (Paul
McCartney): Take Me Home Country Roads (John Denver); Homeward Bound (Paul Simon).

Colorado Trail Sections 10, 11 and 12 starting tomorrow!

2010-08-11T12:32:00.003-06:00

After nearly 3 weeks since I've been on the trail, I've been itching to get back out there. So, tomorrow afternoon, my good friend, and one of MPEC's founding Board Members, Elaine Lopez Pacheco, has generously offered to drive me to the trailhead west of Leadville. I hope to get a few miles in before the night, then 3 good days of hiking, with the goal of making it a few miles into Section 13 west of Buena Vista (Cottonwood Pass area) by Sunday afternoon. This should put me past the 200 mile mark. I am so pleased to say that we are at nearly $48 per mile in pledges, which is just about halfway to my $100 per mile goal. So, every mile brings that much more support towards getting kids out into Nature. Thank you so much to all who have pledged! I'm rested, I'm ready, here I go...

A great weekend of hiking!

2010-07-23T09:59:00.009-06:00

Another 39 miles and sections 8 & 9 are complete, bringing my total miles of "hiking for Nature Education" to 156. Alex Martinez hiked all 39 miles with me this past Saturday and Sunday, and those miles were a treat to our senses, even if we moved through them at a pretty good clip. The scenery was gorgeous, the wildflowers were in great form, and the weather was very cooperative.

Section 8 included hiking over Searle and Kokomo Passes and ended at Tennessee Pass. The trail climbing was generally moderate in this section, and several miles were above treeline, so the scenery was spectacular. Section 9 spent much time in the trees, but once the trail broke out into the open, the distant views were just as spectacular. Much of Section 9 was in the Holy Cross Wilderness. The area around mile 8 of this section, with a few small lakes, open grassy meadows, and plenty of wildflowers, was exceptionally lovely...I could see myself backpacking into this area and spending a few days exploring, and just being, in such a beautiful place. The last couple of miles dropped steeply into the Turquoise Lake area and the terminus of the section. A gentle rain cooled us just as we began the steep descent.

Alex is an avid hiker, bicyclist, and runner, so there certainly was an element of "clicking off the miles" as we enjoyed the scenery. Alex is a Justice on the Colorado Supreme Court, and so I also enjoyed getting a bit more of a glimpse of the job of a Supreme Court Justice through some of our many conversations. It certainly was a great weekend of hiking! Alex took a bunch of terrific photos. Here is a link to Alex's photos.

Back on the trail!

2010-07-16T14:22:00.005-06:00

In the morning, I plan on getting back onto the Colorado Trail, this time taking off from Copper Mountain for Sections 8 and 9. My friend Alex Martinez plans on hiking about 17 miles on day one with me, ending up in the old Camp Hale area. (Camp Hale was a WWII military base where the 10th Mountain Division learned mountain skills, such as winter survival and skiing. Many 10th Mtn. Division veterans returned to Colorado after the war and were instrumental in developing the ski industry.) If all goes according to plan, I will finish Section 8 and then Section 9 on the following day or two (how long it takes me depends on how strong I feel). This will put me past the 150 mile mark and into the Sawatch Range, heading south along the eastern side of the Collegiate Peaks. Pledges are above $36 / mile - so the next few days of hiking will bring over $1400 towards our Nature Education programs. Thank you for making this effort a success!

Hiking Around the Ski Areas!

2010-07-05T21:23:00.004-06:00

The July 4th weekend had me hiking Section 7 of the CT. My wife Helene joined me for the first couple of miles. This was the first section I decided to do as a day hike...the 12.8 miles traversed the Ten Mile Range between Breckenridge and Copper Mountain ski areas. The wildflowers were terrific (the yellow arnica - the happy sunflowers - were a delight) and the surrounding mountains were gorgeous. The hike topped out above 12,400' - the highest point so far. It was a good climb and a good workout - although my overnight gear is not all that heavy, it was nice hauling only day-hike gear. This brings my mileage to 117 miles. The next section takes me into the Leadville area and soon I'll be trekking south along the east side of the Collegiate Peaks.

Mile 100 passed and looking forward to the next 100!

2010-06-24T11:12:00.006-06:00

A couple of fairly long days of hiking and so much gorgeous scenery and now Section 6 is complete. I enjoyed the good company of Tim Sandsmark, who helped with vehicle shuttling, and then hiked the first 6 miles of the trail with me. Thanks so much, Tim. Tim is an excellent photographer, and you can check out his photos of the hike at http://coloradotrailsection6.shutterfly.com/.

I then continued up and over the Continental Divide at Georgia Pass. This was the highest point of the hike thusfar, at 11,800'. There were several snow drifts to maneuver over, but they presented no real problem except for a bit of snow in my shoes (I was too lazy to put on the gaiters). I camped at mile 17.1 and enjoyed a lovely "close-to-full moon" and the melancholy song of a lone hermit thrush. The hike into Breckenridge was full of beautiful mountains, lodgepole pines (many hit by pine beetles), and a very hot sun that had me pretty cooked by the time I reached my car.

You can go to my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?pid=726784&id=1274464053 for my photos of the 33 mile trek.

This bring my mileage total to 104 miles. I am looking forward to continuing this effort as the summer unfolds. If you are interested in hiking/backpacking a section with me, please email me at mpec@hikeandlearn.org so we can make a plan.

Section 6 in the morning!

2010-06-21T21:39:00.003-06:00

After a very busy couple of weeks, my backpack is packed with food, shelter, sleeping bag, extra clothes... and I am slipping away for a couple of days of hiking. Section 6 of the Colorado Trail takes off from Kenosha Pass, slides over Georgia Pass (and the trail's first crossing of the Continental Divide), and works its way down into the Breckenridge/Frisco area. My friend and Lookout Mountain Nature Center Director Tim Sandsmark plans on hiking a few of the miles with me. I believe there will be some sections of snow on this leg, so I have my high gaiters and am ready for a vigorous and enjoyable trek across the high country. By the way, I am so pleased to say that I have now received donations and/or pledges totalling over $34 per mile...thank you all so much for your support of my efforts for Nature Education! More on my return!

Sections 4 & 5!

2010-06-04T09:54:00.013-06:00

Just as planned, I began hiking late afternoon on Section 4. I climbed steadily through forests of mixed conifers and many lovely aspen forests in the Lost Creek Wilderness. As daylight began to fade, I needed to get to a better area for an overnight camp, and finally found a good spot after 9 miles -- more than I thought I'd do that first day. A chilly night, woke up to frost and a cloudy sky, but I slept well and warm. After a most tasty and satisfying breakfast of oatmeal with flaxseed meal, walnuts and dried apples, I was soon on my way. Before I knew it, I was well into Section 5, so I figured I'd see if I could make it all the way to Kenosha Pass. I passed the many miles singing (...take me home, country roads...) and enjoying / photographing wildflowers. Although most of the miles were solo, I did visit with a few folks...a fellow who told me he was hiking home to Summit County, and a thru-hiker and her dog from Durango who was thinking she may need snowshoes for the next section over Georgia Pass (which I will not get to until the latter part of June, hopefully after much of the snow melts -- please let me know if you're interested in hiking Section 6 with me). The hiking was relatively easy, and soon I was hearing the traffic on US285. I got to the pass and my car at around 6:30 and was home by 9:30, a day early, tired, but pleased after a great day of 22 miles hiked and a thousand beautiful sights along the Colorado Trail. Here are some photos from along the trail...I was especially pleased to find several clumps of this beautiful orchid; notice the bear claw marks in the aspen tree.

If all goes according to plan...

2010-06-01T15:42:00.004-06:00

...I'll be hiking Sections 4 and 5 starting tomorrow (Wednesday, June 2) afternoon. As expected, the biggest challenge to doing this hike is fitting it in. But, I believe what I have planned will work. After a commitment in the morning, I will drive to Kenosha Pass (the end point for Section 5), leave my car, and my dedicated son will meet me there and drive me to the TH for Section 4. I'll hopefully hike a few of the 31 miles of these 2 sections before dark, camp, do a long day on Thursday, then finish out on Friday in time to get back to Pueblo for my father-in-law's art opening / 90th birthday. By the way, so far I am close to $20/mile in pledges and donations. Thanks to all who are supporting this effort for Nature Education. More after I return. Happy trails, Dave

Colorado Trail miles: 41 hiked, 444 to go...one step at a time!

2010-05-11T15:28:00.000-06:00

I completed my first venture along the Colorado Trail as the weather appeared to be hinting at turning back towards winter. A windy and cooling May 10 morning as I hiked the final miles, after a warm and gentle night, made me glad that my son was meeting me at the section end to shuttle me back to my car. I hear a foot or two of snow may be falling as I write this blog entry. The lighter gear and my solo venture for these first three sections allowed a pace that I was pleased and surprised at...16 miles on day one, nearly 17 on day 2, and only about 8 miles on the final leg. Words/thoughts for each of the 3 sections -- Section 1: a lovely Waterton Canyon hike; many mountain bikers sharing the trail; great views of the Buffalo Creek burn area (section 2's hike); a sunny day becoming grey that tried to rain but just couldn't muster any real raindrops. Section 2: a frosty morning; many miles of burned over land; hundreds of pasqueflowers; mountain ball cacti; lonely, hot and windy; no water. Section 3: more mountain bikes in the beginning; just me and the wind the last six miles; fleeting views of snowy Mt. Evans; my son Sequoia and his dog Bella greeting me at the end of mile 41. A great start for a great cause, Nature Education. (Photos: view of Buffalo Creek burn, mountain ball cactus, Pikes Peak in the distance in middle of Section 2, my overnight accommodations, feeling good at sections 3 end.)

The Hike Begins!

2010-05-07T21:28:00.000-06:00

In the morning, I am driving up to Denver to the trailhead of the first section of the Colorado Trail and plan on spending the next 3 days hiking the first two or three sections of my adventure. I believe we have the maps on this blog set up to track my progress...so check it out over the next few days and see where I am.

More on my return,

Ranger Dave

2010-05-05T01:33:00.000-06:00

Hike is attracting attention!

2010-04-28T15:35:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, KOAA Channel 5 TV News did a story on the upcoming hike, with some great footage of some of our Earth Studies students. Check it out at
http://www.newsfirst5.com/news/485-mile-fundraising-effort/
Click on PLAY VIDEO underneath the large Mountain Park Environmental Center logo to see the clip.

Meanwhile, I am actively working on getting my gear ready. I've stuck with my desire to do this project with lighter gear, so I recently seam-sealed my Big Agnes Fly Creek 1 tent (it weighs less than 3 pounds), I trail tested my Osprey Exos 58 backpack (2.5 pounds), and I just purchased a GPS SPOT Beacon so I can send "I'm OK" or "I need help" messages, and also so folks can track my progress and whereabouts on the trail. I am still figuring out how this gadget works, so more on that soon.

I hope to be on the trail soon. Happy trails, Ranger Dave

Hiking for Nature Education

2010-04-23T11:05:00.000-06:00

(This was first published in the Spring 2010 edition of MPEC's newsletter "Mountain Park News".)

Yes, it’s been a challenge, keeping the funding going for our programs in this slumped economy. As MPEC’s Executive Director, I am 100% determined to get through these tough times with zero reduction in the on-the-ground programming that MPEC is all about, so people, especially young people, can keep getting out into our part of Colorado’s great outdoors!

So, this year, in response to my determination to keep programs fully funded, combined with my desire to always be creative in our fund-raising, I am embarking on a personal fund-raising effort for MPEC. Beginning sometime this spring, and continuing for as long as it takes me, I plan on doing a fund-raising backpack of the Colorado Trail.

Since my work and family commitments will not allow a straight-through hike, my plan is take a series of shorter backpacks of a few to several days, taking off on each subsequent hike where I left off on the one before. Depending on many factors (e.g. weather, scheduling conflicts, other commitments), I know that this may require 2011 to finish, but my plan is to walk from Denver to Durango, all 485 miles.

Backpacking the Colorado Trail will not be without its challenges: all sorts of weather, long stretches with no reliable sources of water, and a total of 77,690 feet of elevation gain (and 76,210 feet of downhill hiking), to name a few. But I won’t deny it, I love to backpack, I love a challenge, and there certainly will be a huge element of personal enjoyment in doing this hike. As MPEC’s founder, I also cannot deny that MPEC has become so much a part of me, and is never very far from much of what I do in my life. So, I thought, why not combine my love of backpacking with my love for Nature education? Hence, Ranger Dave’s Colorado Trail Fund-Raising Backpack for Nature Education.

I know that MPEC could not do the good work that we do without the support of the many people who support MPEC through memberships, donations, and volunteering. And I know that this new fund-raising effort will not be successful without that same support. So, I need your help. Please consider making a pledge towards this effort. A dime per mile translates into $48.50. A quarter per mile comes to $121.25; $.50 would provide $242.50 towards MPEC’s programs; and so on. Maybe one lump sponsorship sum would work better for you.

Another way you could help is to provide transportation and/or shuttle assistance to the various trailheads. If you would like to join me for sections of the trail and get your own pledges, that could be another way to help. My “not-as-young” body is requesting an equipment upgrade with some “ultralight backpacking gear,” – maybe your business would be willing to co-sponsor by helping out with gear. It’s all about raising funds to keep MPEC’s great programs going, so let me know your ideas on how you can help make this fund-raiser a huge success for MPEC. You can contact me at (719) 485-4444 or email mpec@hikeandlearn.org. Thanks so much!