Bee Tree

A group of us hiked part of Segment 1 of the Colorado Trail recently.  The trail meandered along a sandy/ rocky area until it entered the trees.  From there, it was a long series of switchbacks that teased the mountain bikers within us.  It got my gray matter thinking and I wondered about the history of the CT.

Snowshoeing on the CT at Kenosha Pass

As a newby to the state, I knew next to nothing about Colorado in general, and definitely nada about the Colorado Trail.  Some quick research uncovered years of ugly board member battles and even more years of hard labor - mostly volunteer.  From inmates to executives on week-long "vacations", the trail was built at a pace of just a few miles a year.  These "vacations" could be had for just $10 and covered overhead, meals, and some camp provisions.  "Vacations" started on Saturdays, with Sunday designated as a day of rest and Wednesdays traditionally reserved to summit the nearest 14er.

The trail was intended to link Denver to Durango and provide almost 500 miles of moderate trails for families to enjoy.  It was supposed to merge existing trails and reduce overuse and overcrowding.  The goal was to allow people of all skill levels to be able to enjoy the outdoors.  It was NOT intended to be the fastest way from Point A to Point B.  It was an "adventure in discovery" - the ultimate outdoor classroom.  Even 40 years ago, the people of Colorado could see that there needed to be a change for and by the people.  A change to "use less energy and take more time."

Almost all of the segments of the CT allow dogs

In addition to being a purely recreational trail, the CT also is about conservation.  One of my favorite stories I found in my research was from the 1984 article, Trail to Nowhere.  Near Middle Cottonwood Creek, there was a large, rotting tree in the designated path where the volunteers were building the trail.  As one of the workers poked at it, a large swarm of bees fought back.  A quick discussion declared the bees to be the winner and an unplanned jog in the trail was added.  So-called Bee Tree was spared.

Of course, no story about the CT would be complete without giving credit to the "Mother of the Colorado Trail", Gudy Gaskill.  Her lifetime commitment began at the initial meeting in 1973 and continued even after her "retirement" in 1998.  She never accepted a cent for her work and the trail would not have been completed without her tireless dedication, including much physical sweat on the trail itself.

Where will you go on the CT?

The stories I have read and the few miles of trail I have experienced have made me already fall deeply in love with the Colorado Trail.  Knowing the history of the trail and the land itself adds dimensions to the adventure.  If you spend some time discovering the CT, be the hiker described by outdoor recreation planner, Dr. William Reifsnyder, "He merely passes by and the only sign of his passage is his spoor."