As part of the AmeriCorps member experience, we provide optional Backyard to Backcountry trips throughout the term for our members. We visited Wheeler Geologic Area, a 7 mile in – 7 mile out trek in the La Garita Wilderness. Despite the lengthy hike, this trip is great for beginners who want to experience and visit the backcountry.
Off To Adventure!
On the morning of the hike, the members drove through a thick fog rising from the Rio Grande River. Passing frosted flora on their way to the Hanson’s Mill trailhead must mesmerize anyone who sees it. At the trailhead they did some stretching, packed group gear, and started their journey.
The weather was perfect for a backpacking trip. The trail took them across several creek crossings, through beautiful Colorado Fall foliage, and across picturesque landscapes. Only a few miles in and they could already sense the isolation and freedom being in the backcountry brings.
After four miles, the group made it to their home for the evening. The view of the Wheeler Geologic Area was quite the reward. The group set up camp, threw on their camp shoes, energized, and headed up to Wheeler.
The entrance describes the Wheeler Geologic Area as “an enchanted city,” accurately portraying the unreal formations shaped by volcanic activity over 20 million years ago. The hike begins through a boulder-filled slot canyon. You’ll definitely feel small scrambling over volcanic rock to get to the top. At the top, you walk on lava frozen in time and look across the canyon at sharp spires and hoodoos. These structures formed from crumbling, ancient rock.
Time Well Spent
After exploring for a while, the group headed back to camp to prepare for the evening. They split up into groups and gathered firewood, began cooking dinner, and fetching and filtering water from a nearby creek. The spent the rest of the evening reflecting over the day next to the campfire, going to bed only after the stars told them to do so.
Our AmeriCorps members come to Colorado from all over the country, and often they have not had the ability to experience the outdoors like you can in this area. Because of this, it is important to us that we integrate lessons into our Backyard to Backcountry trips so that our members can learn how to be responsible stewards of the outdoors during their service with us and beyond. Through these lessons, they also can learn how to push themselves, gain independence, problem solve, and how to work together as a team to accomplish something; all lessons that can transfer into their service with youth as well as into their daily lives.
By Maddie Interdonato
