[The Colorado Trail is] a legacy which will feed the quest for adventure, and precipitate the special dimension of life imparted by the spirit of the outdoors. The dream has come true.
~Bill Lucas
In 1973 Bill Lucas, Regional Forester for the Rocky Mountain Region, and Merrill Hastings of Colorado Magazine conceived the idea of a “Rocky Mountain Trail” between Denver and Durango. Bill attributes the credit back to the Roundup Riders in the 1940s, but he was the one to push the idea into reality.
In 1984, Ed Quillen published an article in the Denver Post called ‘The Trail to Nowhere‘, in which he admonished the Colorado Community for not following through on plans for the trail. By 1987 the trail was completed.
Today, the CT passes through eight mountain ranges, six national forests, and six wilderness areas across the span of 486 miles. Elevations range from a low of about 5,500-foot at the Denver end of the trail to a high of 13,271 feet on the slopes of Coney in the San Juan Mountains. The Colorado Trail Foundation estimate that roughly 150 people thru-hike the CT each season.
This year, I’m aiming to be one of them.
When I first started hiking, the “whys” all filtered back to my own fulfillment. Because out there, I am sane. Out there, I am put in my place and so far I’ve always found a way through. This bolsters confidence, allowing me to dare to do it again.
Out there, I finally accepted that no man is an island. I would not have succeeded on the PCT if it weren’t for my Trail Family, Trail Angels, and family and friends back home. And I’m counting on each one of you to send love my way to help me accomplish the CT. Words of encouragement are also and always a big deal!
I’ve enlisted the help of local friends for support. Lotus & Jay LotsofLove are my kick-off brigade. Rocket Scientist Doug is a mid-way resupply hiking buddy. Christina & Doug of ‘Yeti & Co’ will be playing home base while Sherry & Rod SummerAficionados are storing my worldly possessions and mailing drop boxes (boxes of food I’ve pre-packed and labeled) which will, ideally, meet me at POs along the way.
Because of who I am and because of the support of people like you, I advance confidently in the direction of my dreams; able to live the life I’ve imagined.
But there are many who are not so lucky. Working at the Family & Intercultural Resource Center, I come face to face with those who can’t dare to dream. Single mothers, younger than myself, barely able to feed and support their children; Seniors who spent a lifetime saving up, then losing everything in the market crash, now can’t afford vital medications.
The staff at FIRC work every day to help local families overcome difficult situations and to come out stronger for it. Such assistance often necessitates some level of short-term monetary support, be it to cover an overdue heating bill, rent, or medical assistance. The truth is, we need your help to continue offering these chances to the Summit County Community.
Because I believe I can complete this trail, and because I believe in the work we do here at FIRC, I ask that each of you consider giving. If I can walk 500 miles, you can give at least .01 cent per mile, or .1o per mile, or whatever you can. Just pick your total, and give.
The easiest thing about helping those in need, is that when you’ve got nothing, a little seems like a lot.
So:
- Go HERE and make a donation.
- Write “Trail Giving” in the Comments box
- Follow this Blog to see how I’m doing along the hike, and I’ll keep tabs on how much we raise!
Thank You, everyone!
Comments (4)
Good luck Fidget, I look forward to following your trek.
Thanks FUzzy, and I yours!
O U Q-T, U R A B-U-T
Glad to help! Hey if we were to send your supplies to Molas Lake Camp ground, it would make it a lot easier to pick up. lt is just a hop, skip, and jump off the trail. I will call and make sure we can send them there. That is maybe another day for you. Jeez, I wish I were going with you!!!!!!