​​Last August my daughter joined some friends for the final 75+ miles of the Colorado Trail from Molas Pass (near Silverton) to Durango. You can read about that in my post The Million Dollar Highway. Her friends completed the entire length of the trail, 567 miles, over several weeks. At the time, I hadn’t realized that the Colorado Trail, or CT, wasn’t completed until 1987. Though its conception was in 1974, the project languished due to lack of interest and funding until Governor Dick Lamm in 1985 pushed for its finish. Golden spike ceremonies in September 1987 marked the completion of the CT.

This July I’m trekking a few miles of the CT with my adventure-loving daughter. We’re planning five nights on-trail, covering about 60 miles. To be clear, Charlotte could do the 60 miles in three days. I’m feeling very lucky that she’s willing to meander next to me, barely breaking a sweat, while I huff and puff up and down the climbs. 

I’m not sure about you, but I tend to get a wee bit anxious with a trip like this. So I’m taking my training seriously. Dumbbells in my daypack give my legs and back that extra challenge as I hoof it up Mt. Werner or Emerald Mountain. I climbed Emerald twice last Sunday, and messaged Charlotte in a panic on Monday that my sore muscles might not be up to the task at hand on the CT - multiple 12-mile days. She calmly explained that no, you don’t get up in the morning with a spring in your step feeling like a million bucks. You are sore, tired, and use duct tape on your blisters. This is life on the trail.

When I asked a friend of Charlotte’s who is doing a portion of the Continental Divide Trail, also in July, what she’s doing for her training, she told me, very kindly, that well, at her age she really didn’t need to train. Ah, yes. Youth and its many benefits.

But training has its benefits too. I notice that hiking with my weighted pack, though challenging, has actually helped my legs feel better - stronger and more balanced with the need to recruit every one of those leg muscle fibers not only on the climbs, but stability on the descents as well.
I can feel my back getting stronger. And my home strength training is supercharged with the new goal of being as strong as possible for the trail.

On my way up Lane of Pain near the top of Emerald the other day, I was counting my steps, a little trick when I’m tired to get me to the top of a climb. In my tuckered-out state, I was moving pretty slowly through a shaded area and caught a lovely whiff - of the wild pink roses blooming all along the trailside. There were dozens of small orange butterflies taking delight in the almost imperceptible moisture on the ground. Were it not for my training and heavy pack, I might have missed this little piece of paradise.

Learn More
Colorado Trail Foundation: Key Events in the History of The Colorado Trail

Important note: Hiking Hahns Peak is a unique adventure held in many hearts. At this moment, Hahns Peak is in jeopardy, as it is included in the 14.3 million acres of Colorado public lands (250-300 million acres nationwide) that would be for sale under the current Budget Reconciliation Bill. 
Learn more in this Yampa Valley Bugle article.
See map of lands for sale and take action here.
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June Jaunt Up Hahns Peak
Early one Thursday morning in late June, my daughter and I turned onto the dirt road directly across the highway from the Columbine General Store. The reviews we’d read didn’t exaggerate about the deeply rutted road. Jolting and jouncing, we at last catapulted over a steep rise and into the small parking area. I was grateful that my SUV earned its title on that trek. Compared with the approach, the trailhead parking was luxurious - a peaceful and empty patch surrounded by evergreens. More importantly, it was flat. 

We headed up the lovely alpine trail, with plenty of gorgeous views - nothing but mountains to the west as far as the eye could see. Once we hit the talus field on the ridge at the top, my acrophobia kicked in. My go-to in these fear-of-height situations is to drop down to a pseudo-crawl and speak words of encouragement to myself. Works well for getting to the top, and is pure hilarity for my daughter - I heard her quietly snickering and turned to see her taking a stealth video of her nutty mom. 

The Hahns Peak Lookout is such a cool structure. The view of Steamboat Lake and the 360’ surrounding mountains was fabulous. It was especially lovely to see Pearl Lake from here. The rest of this summer, while on my Pearl Lake paddles, I’ve gazed at the Hahns Peak Lookout lit up by the sunrise, and think of the fun we had that morning.

Hahns Peak Specs

• Elevation is 10,839’ above sea level (the 1972 US Geological Survey says “about 10,840 feet” and in a Google search several different elevations were listed, which I found both interesting and strange). 
• The mountain is an extinct volcano.
• Was known by trappers back in the day as “Old Baldy.”

A Little History
What is now known as Routt County was the summer hunting grounds for the Indigenous Ute Tribes, and possibly the Cheyenne and Eastern Shoshone as well (Interactive Map Native Land Digital: maps Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages - you can type in your address to determine which Indigenous Peoples originally lived there.)

Eventually trappers, explorers and gold miners made their way to the region. That’s where Joseph Hahn comes in - he found gold in the vicinity of present-day Hahns Peak.

The story is that three men, Hahn, Doyle and Way, were prospecting and winter set in. Way was dispatched to get supplies and return - he left, taking with him all the gold in camp, and was not heard from again. After surviving until April, Doyle and Hahn set out on snowshoes. They made it to the banks of the Muddy Creek on April 30, 1867, near Kremmling. The two men sat down for a rest, and this is where Hahn collapsed and died.  
Steamboat Pilot Article Sidebar: Mysterious Fate of Joseph Hahn
Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection: Hahns Peak Monument to Man Who Perished After Gold Discovery

Hahns Peak Lookout
The Hahns Peak Lookout started as a stone shelter when in 1908 it was commissioned by the Forest Service as a fire lookout. Between 1908 and 1912 people and horses packed up concrete, local stone and timber to construct the building. (Colorado Preservation: Hahns Peak Lookout)

The lookout was decommissioned in the 1940s or 1950s, and fell into disrepair. In 2014 it was listed as one of Colorado Preservation’s “Colorado’s Most Endangered Places.” Between 2014 and 2017 the lookout was restored as part of a joint project with Historic Routt County, USDA Forest Service, Historicorps and Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. (Historic Routt County Hahns Peak Lookout)

Hahns Peak Village
Hahns Peak Village began as a gold mining camp, and had the first post office in Routt County. It is the oldest permanent settlement in Routt County, and served as the county seat from 1877-1912. The schoolhouse, opened in 1912, held its last class in 1943.
Hahns Peak Area Historical Society
Northwest Colorado Cultural Heritage Travel: Hahns Peak


​Originally published August 2023

​The official flag was established by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. Flag Day was officially declared in 1949 by President Harry S. Truman.

The seven red and six white stripes symbolize the original thirteen colonies, and the stars the fifty states. “The colors of the flag are symbolic as well; red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.” (PBS: The History of the American Flag)

Growing up, Flag Day was always a bit of a mystery to me. Why was it on the calendar? What did it mean? 

The flag, Old Glory, means different things to different people. But the underpinnings I believe are shared values. Freedom. Opportunity. Equality. Dignity. The sacrifice of those who’ve died under the banner of the flag. The flag is the symbol of a nation of immigrants, people who’ve been coming here for hundreds of years to seek a better life. In war time the flag could mean support, help, safety. 

But the symbol of the flag doesn’t always live up to the promise. I think of the indigenous peoples of the nation and the violence and betrayal that the flag must represent to them. I think of immigrants in current times and the violence and disappearances - surely the flag doesn’t represent freedom or safety for these people. And I think of the opportunity that is many times denied to marginalized people. There is a harsh reality underlying the original vision for what this country and its flag would mean to the people actually living here.

It is complex, this idea of the symbol of our nation. I still can’t say that I fully grasp all that is meant by Flag Day. But it is tomorrow, June 14, and it is time to emphasize the highest intentions of our flag. The American flag represents our unity as a nation, as a people. Many people have fought and died for the freedom the flag represents. The dignity with which the flag is treated, the humility of lowering to half-mast in the event of a tragedy, the exuberant pride as it flies decisively across a royal blue sky - all appeal to those qualities in ourselves. 

May we treat one another with dignity, honor, and respect. May we have pride in ourselves and our communities, maintaining the understanding that all people are inherently equal and valuable. May we, as a nation, cultivate empathy and work to resolve the problems we have in common. 

With liberty, and justice, for all. 


Sources/Learn More
PBS: The History of the American Flag
PBS: What is Flag Day?
The Fulcrum: Reclaiming the American Flag

​The word community is on a lot of lips these days. As our world descends into ever-increasing violence, unkindness, and online siloing, being in proximity with caring people, actual in-person community, is one relevant antidote. Connecting with, reaching out, being there to support - these mean a great deal in the fractured now. 

The etymology of the word community, from Old French, is “the common people” - distinct from rulers or clergy - and “commonness.” I grew up thinking of the word common to mean base or lowly, a bit of a slur. To be uncommonly good at something, to rise above, was the aim. I still believe that working to be a person of quality moral character, that is, someone who cultivates awareness, takes action to support and be kind to others regardless of religion or politics, and learns from and apologizes for their mistakes, is a worthwhile way to live.

But I now take a different perspective on the idea of “the common people;” rather than lowly, the common people are those who put their commonality in front of their differences. If a neighbor knocks on the door because they need food, aid for an injury, or help moving a heavy item, we don’t first assess all the ways in which we differ. We see that they are a person in need, as sometimes we are in need. Basic needs are often a commonality.

Last weekend my daughter ran her first marathon - the Steamboat Marathon. She ran a consistent race, thanks to her disciplined training, and I am beyond proud of her mindset, her strength, and the huge smile on her face right to the finish line. While on the side of the road ready to cheer her on, another woman was also there to cheer on and we struck up a conversation. I didn’t know her, I didn’t know the runners going by, but we cheered and the tired runners gratefully acknowledged the enthusiasm. We had formed a sort of community based on our excitement for them to finish, the understanding that they were in the tough part (hot, tired, ready to be done), and our belief in and encouragement of their accomplishment. 

There are the communities of long-standing. Folks who’ve been coming together for meals, sports, books, games, etc., for months or decades. People who give rides to that test at the hospital, text or call when there’s been a power outage or illness, celebrate the births and graduations of kids and grandkids.

Community can be brief, temporary, lifelong. Right now, maybe it is time to expand the idea of community. By that I don’t mean invite the stranger you see on the street to an intimate family dinner, although that could be interesting. What I mean is, begin to focus on what you have in common with people at the grocery store, on the trail, and yes, even driving. This is not easy. In all three of those situations my go-to is usually a version of “you are in my way and please be gone!” I’m not proud of that, but I’m being honest.

If I focus on the commonality, it looks more like: “hm, looks like they’re just trying to get their groceries and get outta here, same as me,” “well, they are appreciating this beautiful river like I do,” and “we’re both frustrated with all the cars on the road.” Looking at what we have in common is the way to shared humanity. 

To take that further: if I feel surprised and irritated by a large medical bill, I think of the people who literally do not have the funds to pay that bill, or who don’t have health insurance. With rising prices on food items, I can choose other options - but I can still buy food and not everyone is in that position.

Finding commonality, feeling community with people who are not in our normal circles isn’t about feeling guilty or sad, although awareness is heartbreaking. Rather it is about humility, an awareness of what we do have, and a way to keep in mind the compassion and understanding of people who are in dire or different circumstances. There but for the grace of God go I.

From this place we act. Awareness is important, acting on that awareness is non-negotiable. 

To be truly in community we can’t just have all of our feelings and awareness and stay at home. Community is viable and thriving when we jump in. We help the neighbor, honor the get-togethers of our friends and families, and also find a little time to engage by volunteering. Or maybe time is so short we donate $10. If we forget what we have in common and make a mistake, we apologize and repair. We make it right. 

Community is give and take. We find commonality, practice awareness, take action. This is when a community of the common people is a living, breathing thing, when there is a recognition of oneself in others, when we’ve created a net that is strong, even stronger in its mended places, so that it continues to grow and support each one of us for a long time to come.