Now Steena, you promised you wouldn’t get lost again…

Mission: Collect Wilderness permits and check out potential hunter camps along Martin trail, hike out to West Grouse Mountain trailhead. This is the story about how an easy day hike through the Holy Cross Wilderness became the longest hike ever. 8am: I headed out to...

Seasons of Wonder

Not everyone has a chance to experience the wilderness as I have this season. I have had the opportunity and absolute privilege to see the Rocky Mountains of Colorado transition through spring, summer, and fall, with each transformation just as enchanting as the next....

A Return to the Primitive

In the Wilderness Act of 1964, which we can thank for areas like the Holy Cross Wilderness, part of the definition of wilderness contains the following line: “has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation” In wilderness...

From Sea Level to Summit

I drove from Atlanta to Colorado in early August knowing little about what the next two months doing trail maintenance may entail.  Soon enough I learned about altitude sickness, days spent moving large rocks, snow in August, and wag-bags.  And I’ve loved every...

The Tail End

It’s the time of the year, the end of the field season.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel, an end to the constant trail-work and strenuous hiking.  Although I have had a great experience this summer, I look forward to a break from the sun beating down on my...

Something That Doesn’t Belong

I was hiking an alpine trail, surrounded by lush grass with wildflowers the color of the rainbow. Suddenly, I catch a glimpse of one of the only sights that could tarnish such a moment: an empty plastic water bottle! I thought to myself that another hiker must have...