The view from Crow Gultch

Pondering Pikes Peak

By Mary Burger

Awhile ago, I saw an article in our local newspaper which attempted to pit east side people against west siders. As usual, the attempt failed because there just wasn’t much to argue about. The east side folk like where they live because the people are friendly and they have a great view of the mountain. The west side folk, like where they live because the people are friendly and they have great access to the mountain. The single thing that everyone mentioned was their perspective of “being close” to Pikes Peak. Seems we all agree that Pikes Peak is important to our lives. As the volunteer stewards of Pikes Peak, we couldn’t agree more. I am so glad so many people care about Pikes Peak. It makes it a lot easier to be enthused myself.

That enthusiasm showed this year as we turned out a record number of volunteers, and accomplished a record amount of work. We turned out 78 individual volunteers on 19 separate project days, to complete 181 project days on 4 different areas of the peak. We completed maintenance on Barr Trail, Crags to Devil’s Playground trail, Bear Creek Trail, and Mt Ester trail. We also completed another link in the ever growing Ring the Peak Trail, and began the next connecting section of that trail. An overview of these exciting projects will follow in this newsletter. We also completed the signage of the existent portions of the Ring the Peak Trail. Thirteen volunteers worked a total of 144 hours to complete the signage of all existent sections of trail. Although the ring is not yet complete, we can now all go out and begin to put together the links in our own minds.

I am overwhelmed with admiration and gratitude for all the work done by volunteers on Pikes Peak. The work is invaluable. The monetary value of our volunteer effort this year is upwards of $25,000. But, the real value of the work we do is much higher. Thanks to all those who came out, and all our friends who support this worthy cause.