BEAVER BROOK TRAIL

A Lasting Legacy for CMC Volunteers

By Woody Smith

In 1912, when the Colorado Mountain Club was new, the Denver Mountain Parks were also taking shape in the foothills west of Golden. Since these mountains were essentially a training ground for the young CMC, it was only natural the club would join forces with the new Denver Mountain Parks Commission to help protect them.

Over the years CMC members have volunteered countless hours on dozens of projects in the Mountain Parks, but few are better known or longer lasting than the Beaver Brook Trail on Lookout Mountain. Wrote Lucretia Vaile in 1922:

Beaver Brook trail . . . was suggested by C.M.C. member [George] Barnard, routed by C.M.C. geographers, and obtained by C.M.C. (especially Brooks’) persistence. Our president [Henry] Brooks was a member of the Denver Parks Board at the time and he fought our ght and that of the hiking public to good e ect. With the club the Beaver Brook route is an old favorite, our rst trip over it being on December 1, 1912. But the trail as it exists today is traveled by many people who have no connection with us and who know it only as one more credit to the city of Denver. (T&T, April 1922)

Constructed in stages from 1917 to 1919, the Beaver Brook Trail snakes west over the foothills from Windy Saddle on the Lariat Loop Road, 8 ½ miles to a parking area just west of Bald Mountain (7,988 feet), near the Chief Hosa exit on I-70. In the days before the Mountain Parks, Beaver Brook was a Colorado & Southern Railroad stop about seven miles up Clear Creek Canyon. A trail, dating at least to the 1880s, climbed up Beaver Brook from its junction with Clear Creek. Once the Mountain Parks were established, it was common for tourists to take the train to the Beaver Brook stop and hike up to Chief Hosa Lodge for an overnight stay. But with the construction of the Lariat Loop or Lookout Mountain Road (1913), and its extension to Genesee Park (1914), it soon became apparent that Mountain Park visitors were mostly well-todo automobile owners, rather than the less well-o for whom the parks were intended for also.

On April 18, 1917, CMC President Henry Brooks and Vice-president George Barnard attended a meeting of the Denver Mountain Parks Commission. According to the commission minutes:

Mr. Barnard spoke at length on the desirability of building more trails in the Mountain Parks region. He then introduced Mr. Burhans of the Tourist and Publicity Bureau who stated that he believed demand was growing stronger each year for more mountain trails within easy reach of Denver, and that he was of the opinion that this medium would, in a measure, solve the problem of keeping the tourist in Denver longer.

Mr. Brooks . . . stated that the Club had no funds to build trails but that he and the members of the Club would assist the Mountain Parks Commission in any other way possible.

CMC members pose for a photo along Clear Creek. Courtesy Colorado Mountain Club Archives ] CMC members pictured on December 1, 1912, during the club’s first trip along Beaver Brook Trail. Courtesy Colorado Mountain Club Archives ]

e arrangement was made that the trail was to be routed and built by the Colorado Mountain Club—the city to furnish labor and money. When actual work on the trail began it took time and thought to make it not merely a way to get through the hills, but to make it the best way, with the nest views, with the spring just where it is needed, and charming dips into the steep cool ravines coming in sharp contrast to the long stretches on the very edge of the hills. . . . It takes but a few words to tell of the realization of their [Brooks’ and Barnard’s] plans, and not everyone knows of the tireless e ort it actually took to put it over and to get the rst appropriation of $2,000.00 from the city. Countless delays and di culties of all sorts were encountered, but nally the orders went through. e railroad company heartily cooperated with the plans as laid out, and arranged to have a station platform where trains could stop. And by the way, this “station” of Beaver Brook is a spot that was selected, back in the eighties, by some enterprising concern as a picnic ground, and a little pavilion was built where the young people of those days had their moonlight parties. (T&T, May 1926).

Wrote Lucretia Vaile: “In announcing the municipal trail President Brooks spoke of it as ‘shady practically all the way,’ and one of my friends believes to this day that Mr. Brooks hikes with an open umbrella.”

As of August 15, 1917, the cost of building the rst section of the Beaver Brook and Lookout Mountain trails was $996.50. e cost of Bu alo Bill’s grave on Lookout Mountain, installed that same year, was a mere $157.64. e ag pole cost $76.13.

In May 1918, Trail & Timberline reported on the trail’s progress:

Several miles of good foot trail were completed last fall, and it will pay the tramper to go out to Beaver Brook and cover that part which is nished. For those who have never walked over these hills there is a happy surprise in store.

Views from Bald Mountain are unusually ne, and the intimate scenery of forest and brook along the trail is delightful. Go out and see for yourself and then tell others. Spring friends, owers, birds, and maybe a doe or fawn, will be there to welcome you.

Within a few years the Beaver Brook Trail was beginning to see as much use as the new roads. Henry Brooks explained why: ere is more health, information and enjoyment packed away in an hour of the winding, shady trail than in a halfday on the automobile roads. e intimate and friendly trail that unfolds gradually in the depths of some cool ravine, or skirts the summit of a cli , leads its human friend away from everyday cares, mentally as well as physically.

It quiets the nerves, invites the mind to new subjects of interest, entices one into meditation and rest (Denver Municipal

Facts, 3/1919).

*** anks to Janice Prater, James Rogers, J. Wendel Cox, Bruce Hanson, Noel Kalenian, and Erin Edwards of the Denver Public Library Western History Department.

End of the Trail

Barbara Colligan ▶1940–2013

By Molly Lu Castleberry

A former member of the Colorado Mountain Club, Barbara Joan Colligan passed away unexpectedly in February. A memorial service was held at the Spirit of Christ Catholic Community in Arvada, March 2. She was active in the Denver Group in the 1970s and 1980s and some longtime CMC members might remember her as Barbara Whitecross.

Born in New Jersey, on April 27, 1940, Barbara’s love of the mountains, skiing, hiking, and the music of John Denver brought her to Colorado a er her divorce. Barbara was a longtime employee in the laboratory at the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District and enjoyed being a lifelong learner, frequently taking college classes.

Although health conditions prevented her from being a member in recent years, her love of the mountains, the CMC, and memories of the friends she made in the club remained. She is survived by her brother, Dennis Colligan.

Kurt Gerstle ▶1923–2013

Longtime CMC member Kurt Gerstle passed away in Boulder February 20. Born in Munich, Germany, on November 11, 1923, he moved to San Francisco with his family at the age of 14. A er graduating from high school and spending a couple of years as an engineering dra sman, he was dra ed into the U.S. Army, where he earned a Bronze Star for his service at the Ba le of the Bulge. A er the war, he returned to San Francisco, where he earned both his BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of California–Berkeley.

In 1951, he married Eva Holland-Cunz, and the couple moved to Boulder the following year when Kurt accepted a faculty position at the University of Colorado. At CU, he earned the university’s rst PhD in Civil Engineering and went on to receive Fulbright and Humboldt Fellowships during his 40-year teaching career. Shortly a er he arrived in Boulder, Kurt joined the Colorado Mountain Club. He became a lifelong advocate for preserving open space in the Boulder area, and, along with CMC members such as Al Bartle , he played an important role in helping to bring about the Blue Line Amendment, which helped to preserve much of Boulder’s mountainside from development. Kurt loved spending time in the hills and mountains around Boulder, where he o en led hikes and ski tours for family, friends, colleagues, and students alike.

Kurt is survived by his brother Peter of San Francisco; his daughter, Andrea of Boulder; his sons, John and George of Boulder, and Walter of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and ve grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eva, and his brothers, Rudy and Harry.

CMC Adventure Travel

For your bene t and enjoyment, the following trips have been reviewed and approved by the Adventure Travel Commi ee and are o cially sanctioned by the Colorado Mountain Club.

Visit www.cmc.org/AdventureTravel for more detailed itineraries and registration forms.

Appalachian Trail Slackpack, Roan Highlands, Tennessee June 16–23, 2013 $825 (8 participants)

Hike a section of the grand-daddy of longdistance trails and fall in love with it! e Roan Highlands in Upper East Tennessee are widely regarded as the most scenic part of the entire Appalachian Trail. Backpacker magazine featured it among “ e Top 36 Hikes on America’s Classic Trails” in 2008; National Geographic’s Adventure magazine listed it as one of the “50 Best American Adventures” in 2009; and Andrew Skurka considers it one of his top 10 hikes. So sign up and nd out where you rank this stretch of trail on your list! All the accolades are for great hiking, stunning views, and incredible wild owers. e Roan Highlands are home to the longest stretch of grassy “balds” in the entire Appalachian range. ere are more rare and endangered plants here than in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And in the spring and early summer the wild owers are simply spectacular. Most notably, you will be hiking through the largest natural rhododendron garden in the world during peak rhododendron blooming time. Our rst day is the last day of the local Rhododendron Festival which attracts around 200,000 visitors each year. We will gather at the airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, and travel by van to a hiker hostel in Roan Mountain, Tennessee, where we will stay for the entire trip. We will hike 65 miles of the Appalachian Trail in ve days—in slackpacker fashion. What this means is that we will be shuttled to a trailhead after breakfast each morning and picked up at another trailhead in the afternoon and shuttled back to the hostel. We will day hike 12 to 15 miles each day; the terrain is up and down all day long. Due to the nature of the trip, not every participant has to hike every day. e expectation is, however, for everybody to intend to participate in all hikes. One sightseeing day is planned with a visit to the Boone, North Carolina, area and Grandfather Mountain State Park, where we will visit the museum, scramble to the top of the mountain, and walk across the Mile High Swinging Bridge. Our hostel is a rustic, open-design cabin with four single beds in a loft and a queen and a king downstairs, separated from the common area by curtain. e cabin has two full bathrooms. Linens and towels are provided. e innkeepers provide a full breakfast each morning and sack lunches on days two through seven. We will cook our own dinners at night. Every participant is expected to participate in dinner planning, preparation, and clean up. Hiking di culty will be equivalent to di cult B hikes in Colorado at a moderate pace. Rain is always a possibility in that part of the country and the trail can be wet, slick, rocky, and full of roots. A good sense of balance is necessary to have a good time. e trip fee includes transportation from the airport in Charlotte to the hostel and back, as well as all lodging, transportation, entry fees, seven dinners, seven breakfasts, and six sack lunches during the trip. We will travel in a 12-passenger rental van. Travel between Denver and Charlotte is not included in the trip cost. e trip is limited to eight participants. e trip leader has lead hiking, bicycling, and backpacking trips for years and lived and hiked in East Tennessee for 12 years. Your leader is very knowledgeable about the area, its culture, history, ora and fauna, and is a NOLS WMI certi ed Wilderness First Responder. Need more information? E-mail Chris at cattanooga@ gmail.com. No phone calls please.

In-State Outing Week 1 Sunday, July 21–Friday, July 26, 2013 CMC Members: $410 Non-CMC Members: $450

In-State Outing Week 2 Sunday, July 28–Friday, August 2, 2013 CMC Members: $410 Non-CMC Members: $450

e 2013 ISO will be staged from Ridgway State Park. Only 15 miles from the town of Ouray, Ridgway’s great outdoors—the “Switzerland of America”—welcomes you! e park’s beautiful reservoir and swim beach, playground areas, extensive trails, and diverse wildlife o er activities for all types of outdoor enthusiasts. Meals from Sunday dinner through Friday breakfast will be served at the pavilion, a covered, outdoor picnic area. Our fantastic chef, Michelle, will be back again this year! e ISO fee includes meals, evening programs, and tent camping at the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground loop G. Additional lodging is available nearby in Ridgway, although July is busy there! Free CMC hikes (A–D) in the San Juan Mountains will be o ered each day and are open to all CMC members. FAMILIES, PLEASE CALL THE CMC TO REGISTER: 303-279-3080 x 2. Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel, send a written request to brendaporter@ cmc.org. If you cancel by May 31, you will receive your payment minus the $50 deposit. After JUNE 1, THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS. Trip cancelation insurance is recommended in case you may need to cancel after June 1. You can get trip cancellation insurance at http://www.insuremytrip.com/ Attention Members: To get the member price simply go to the members section and log in to the system, then come back to the Adventure Travel page to register and you will be charged the member price.

Wind River Wyoming Llama Trek

August 5–9, 2013 $1,645 (No tickets le )

is trip will be a classic Wind River Range Trip, including glacial cirques and many high alpine lakes with plentiful trout shing. Typical wildlife seen is moose, deer, and elk. We will move camps each day except for one layover day. Participants will carry day packs and llamas will carry all of the camp gear. e guides will do all of the cooking. We will start out at the Worthen Meadow Reservoir trailhead, more speci cally the Sheep Bridge trailhead (no reservation permits required for this trip). Starting at approximately 8,800 feet we will drop down to the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River and follow the Middle Fork Trail to Bill’s Park, an open, meandering, high alpine meadow just below tree-line (10 miles). On day 2 we will hike to the Ice Lake and Deep Creek Lakes area, just below Wind River Peak. We will gain about 1,000 feet of elevation and camp at approximately 10,600 feet, with the maximum elevation at a 10,900 foot pass on the way in, approximately 6 miles. We will stay here for 2 nights. On the layover day we could split up the group, if desired, to take various day hikes of di erent abilities. Historically, most participants really enjoy our Deep Creek Lakes day hike loop, with some of the best views in the Wind River Range. On day 4 we will hike a relatively short distance of 5 miles, down a few hundred feet and back up a few hundred feet to Pinto Park, a spectacular high alpine park with the “Cirque of the Towers” in full view 7 miles in the backdrop. Short mountain ridge scrambles are available from Pinto Park for even better views. On day 5, we will continue the loop and descend on the Pinto Park Trail, merging back up to the Middle Fork Trail on the Popo Agie River and back to the Sheep Bridge Trail to Worthen Meadow Reservoir, approximately 11 miles (a mostly gradual descent, except the last 2 miles up 700 feet). Total trip length is about 32 miles exclusive of the elective day hikes from camp. You should be in good shape and be able to hike in elevations between 9,000 and 11,000 feet. is is a B-level trip with hiking up to 8 miles per day. We will see the remote Wind River Range and learn how to travel with llama support. We will be able to explore hiking and climbing in this range and feel the wilderness experience. We will be able to sh if desired and nd out what fresh sh tastes like. We will experience glacially carved cirques. e per-person cost is $1,645. Price includes all food from lunch on day 1 through lunch on day 5, llamas to carry gear, guides and cooks, camp gear, and tips for guides. Provided at no extra charge are tent, sleeping bag and pad, or you may bring your own. Trip expenses NOT covered are travel to and from Lander and the hotel on the nights before and after the trip. Register by contacting Carol Kurt at P.O. Box 7977, Aspen, CO 81612, or phone (H)970-925-6648 or (C)970-948-6412, or e-mail kurtskarma@aol.com.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness August 27–September 2, 2013 $620

Two days of travel and a ve-day canoe trip within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) of the Superior National Forest of northern Minnesota and the Quetico Provincial Park of Ontario, Canada. BWCAW Rules limit the group size to 9, with a maximum of 4 water craft per group. e canoeing portion of the trip will begin and end north of Ely, Minnesota, at Mudro Lake. e entire trip is approximately 33 miles: over 10 lakes, several rivers, and 12 portages (maybe more depending on water levels) over a period of 5 days. For approximately the middle 1/3 of the trip we will be on the waters that are the border between the U.S. and Canada. is area is part of the original “Voyageur’s Route”— these were well-established canoe fur trade routes which ships and larger boats could not reach or travel. Average physical conditioning is required for this trip. In addition to an organizational meeting the leader will arrange for two canoe practice and get acquainted outings. One will be a half-day outing on Chat eld Reservoir and a fullday outing on Lake Dillon. During these outings we will practice loading and unloading canoes, portage methods, and paddling skills. e trip includes the following: round-trip transportation to Ely from the Minneapolis airport, two nights lodging in Ely (before and after the canoe portion of the trip), shuttle to and from Mudro Lake (our entry point into the Boundary Waters), BWCA permits, canoe package in Ely (canoe, paddle, and personal oatation device), individual Duluth Canoe pack (yours for the trip), canoe rental package in Colorado for 1 ½ days (a half day on Chat eld, and a full day of paddling on Lake Dillon, a celebration dinner after we return from the BWCA, and all tips and gratuities along the way. To obtain the trip application, itinerary, and more details about the trip, please contact the leader, Vern Bass, at 4efs@eazy. net or call (cell) 303-902-2905.

Hiking the White Mountains September 1–September 9, 2013 $940

is trip will take us to the White Mountains, a mountain range covering about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire. We will y into Boston’s Logan Airport and be greeted by our shuttle to take us to the Highland Center to spend the rst night, where accommodations are simple, clean, and comfortable. Evening programs and tours explaining the green technology of the Highland Center will be o ered. e Center is on Crawford Notch, a dramatic mountain pass on the southwestern slopes of Mount Washington. e next day starts our travel to the Appalachian huts, the rst being Zealand Falls Hut. e hut holds 40 overnight guests and accommodations will be in co-ed bunk rooms. At 2,700 feet in elevation, Zealand Falls Hut is located in Zealand Notch. is hut occupies a choice spot near waterfalls and outstanding views at the eastern edge of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. A popular destination, it is the perfect place to spot moose and other abundant wildlife. e Zealand Trail is relatively short, so there will be the option of taking a hike near the hut in the afternoon. e view from the hut is spectacular, and the roar of the waterfall above a glassy smooth pond is inviting. Galehead Hut is our next destination for two nights. It is located on Gar eld Pass, at 3,800 feet, the most remote hut in the New Hampshire chain with spectacular views of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. From the hut it is possible to climb South Twin, a 4,000-foot peak, or hike down to 13 Falls. A hearty breakfast each morning and a delicious dinner after an active day, included in the trip price, will be provided by a hospitable and friendly kitchen crew who live in the huts to ensure a pleasant experience for the guests. Lunches are not included but can be purchased for each day. Evenings will be social events, exchanging stories with other people from all over the

world who are enjoying the New Hampshire experience. e next day we will take the cog railway to the top of Mount Washington, the highest mountain in the Northeast. Elevations in the White Mountains are certainly not as high as in Colorado but nevertheless challenging and beautiful. In 1869 the world’s rst mountain climbing railroad was opened on New Hampshire’s Mount Washington. e beauty of the mountains and the thrill of ascending the Northeast’s highest peak are just as enchanting today as they were then. e cog railway, a National Historic Engineering Landmark, continues to provide a sense of adventure and history as it carries passengers up a 3-mile-long trestle and the steepest railroad tracks in North America to the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington. We will take in the spectacular panoramic view, spanning the mountains and valleys of New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont, north into Canada, and east to the Atlantic Ocean. You are in for an unforgettable adventure and magnificent scenery. Descending to Lakes of the Clouds hut we will spend the night in the highest and most popular hut in the chain. Lakes of the Clouds Hut is located on the southern shoulder of Mount Washington and the hut o ers sweeping views, gorgeous sunrises, and sunsets and proximity to rare alpine owers. On rare occasions it is possible to see the northern lights from the hut. We will then descend 2,500 feet to our last night before returning to the airport and home. To register for this trip contact leader Betsy Weitkamp, Phone: 303-722-1656 or e-mail: elaw@q.com

British Columbia Coast Mountain Getaway September 8–14, 2013 $3,200

Journey into one of Canada’s best kept secrets: e undiscovered natural paradise of British Columbia’s Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region. Trip includes inspiring alpine hiking in the Coast Mountains; ight from Nimpo Lake to camp; scenic oat plane ight over the Monarch ice elds and expansive Coast Mountains; alpine lake canoeing; Grizzly Bear River oat tour with a professional local bear guide to watch grizzlies feeding on spawning salmon; explore 10,000-year-old Nuxalt native petroglyphs; alpine owers and crystal blue glacial lakes; giant cedar trees; breathtaking waterfalls; drive the famous Heckman Pass, with grades of up to 18%; discover the remote and dramatic Bella Coola Valley; enjoy healthy gourmet meals (day one lunch through day 7 lunch); six nights cozy accommodations in backcountry cabins, lakefront cabins and lodges; scenic ight along the spine of the Coast Mountains from Bella Coola to Vancouver. is is a partially supported trip, sleeping bags will be carried by participants on two hikes, from hut to hut on days two and four. Other hikes will be day hikes, mostly o trail and over uneven ground but led by experienced, personable, and passionate guides. Hiking di culty is mostly B or C, with o -trail conditions. NOT INCLUDED: Flight to Vancouver, British Columbia, ($545–$630 depending on stops); optional nights in Vancouver depending on ight times; ight to Williams Lake (Estimated $120—guide will assist with booking); travel insurance (recommended); alcoholic beverages if desired; tips. Minimum 6 persons, maximum 12. Call Janet Farrar 303933-3066 or e-mail wildjc@Juno.com.

Sikkim Himalayan Trek October 15–November 5, 2013 $3,220

Gyeljen Sherpa invites you to join him on a trek through exotic Sikkim. Once its own kingdom, tiny Sikkim is now a state of India. Sikkim is home to the third-highest mountain in the world, Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters/28,169 feet), one of the largest mountains in sheer size in the Himalayas. From Delhi, we will take a domestic ight to Bagdogra, then on to the legendary city of Darjeeling, home of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, and the Tibetan government in exile. One day by jeep will bring us to the beginning of our two-week trek. We will be traveling through the Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve, walking in rhododendron forests, camping in small villages, visiting Buddhist monasteries and shrines, traversing high alpine passes, and experiencing breathtaking Himalayan vistas. We will camp beside the sacred lake of Lam Pokhari and cross the high pass of Goecha La, 16,207 feet, the highest point on our route. Along the way we will interact with the local people, getting to know their customs and culture and making new friends. e minimum number of participants is 8. Not included in the price: International and domestic airfare, travel insurance, personal spending money, and Indian visa fee of $73. Indian visas must be obtained before departing the United States. For more information, please contact Gyeljen Sherpa at alpineadventurel@gmail.com or call Gyeljen at 720-2073-7158.

Everest Trek Nepal November 9–25, 2013 $2,540

Join Pemba Sherpa, a native of the Khumbu region of Nepal, in the Himalayas on this spectacular trek along the foothills of some of the world’s highest peaks! Pemba has been guiding visitors to his homeland since 1986 and will do so again in 2013, taking us into the heart of the world’s majestic Himalayan Mountains. We start our trek with an exhilarating 35-minute scenic ight into the airstrip at Phaplu, a small town in Solukhumbu district. We will trek over gentle paths through agricultural farming land and small Sherpa and Rai settlements. We will then trek into the rarely visited Lumding Valley. Very few Westerners have ever ventured into this completely unspoiled valley! We will be surrounded by striking scenery as we trek through virgin terrain while marveling at views of Everest and its neighbors. We will also spend time with Pemba’s family in the small Sherpa village of Sengma and will relax for a couple of days in Nepal’s colorful capital city of Kathmandu. is journey is sure to satisfy your thirst for adventure, let you meet the people and learn the culture of Nepal, as well as bring you in person to some of the best views on Earth! For more information please call Pemba Sherpa 303-525-6508, or e-mail pemba@ sherpaascent.com.

Cerro de Aconcagua 22,841’ November 25–December 16, 2013 $1,695 (4 to 6 people); $1,550 (7 people)

It’s nally here; the rst trip since early 2004 to the highest mountain in South America. Aconcagua, in good conditions, is the highest mountain in the world where

one can gain the summit without setting foot on a glacier. However, the altitude and wind can quickly become factors a ecting a climb. We’ll be there just before the start of the climbing high season. e trip is led by Steve Bonowski, leader of the 2004 Aconcagua trip as well as numerous Club trips to Kilimanjaro and Mount Elbrus/Russia. is climb is a formal expedition; moving loads and camps, climbing high and sleeping low, in order to get su ciently acclimatized. Maximum group size is 8, including the leader. Minimum size is 4, including the leader. e posted trip cost includes all ground transportation and airport transfers; mule transportation of gear from Puente del Inca to Plaza de Mulas base camp and return; lodging in Mendoza (breakfasts, 2 nights—double rooms) and Puente del Inca (3 nights—quad rooms); ½ board in PDI; full board, including dinners, in Mulas when there; ½ board in Con uencia; sanitary services at Con uencia and Mulas; contingency; gratuities; limited leader expenses; CMC fee. Posted cost does not include round-trip airfare to Mendoza; Argentine reciprocity fee (entry fee—$160); Park climbing fee ($340); travel and evacuation insurance; baggage fees; single supplement; food and fuel for use above base camp; dinners and lunches in Mendoza; lunch in PDI; cost of any medical exams or medications; bar tab; souvenirs; snacks; porter services; Internet or satellite phone. Pre-requisites are recent graduation from a Club high altitude or advanced mountaineering school, or instructors in said schools, and good physical conditioning. Equivalent experience will be considered provided one has experience hiking at 15,000’ or higher. For a trip packet, contact the trip leader at: climbersteveb@gmail.com.No phone calls please

New Zealand Great Walks February 14–March 1, 2014 (Dates may be adjusted based on booking availability for the tracks.) $ 2,260 (No Tickets le )

Join the CMC for an unforgettable adventure to hike two of the famous Great Walks in New Zealand—the Milford and Routeburn Tracks. is trip features 7 days of moderate hut-to-hut backpacking in Fiordland National Park on the South Island of New Zealand. ese scenic walks are considered some of the nest tracks in the world. Layover days in Queensland (between tracks) and in Auckland (at the end of the trip) will allow participants to explore additional cultural activities on their own. If bookings are available, the trip will also include an overnight excursion on Milford Sound. e trip is limited to 11 participants. Final cost may be adjusted based on exchange rates at the time of bookings and 11 participants. Current CMC member trip cost estimate is $2,260. Non-member estimate is $2,328. Final trip dates may be adjusted depending on track bookings. Current projected dates are February 14 through March 1. Total trip length will not change. Trip fee includes all track booking fees, all ground and water transportation in New Zealand, and all lodging in New Zealand. Not included are airfare, food, and incidentals. To register for this trip contact Patrick McKinley, Phone: 303-973-7387, E-mail: patrickmckinley@hotmail.com

Best of the Grand Canyon—Colorado River Raft and Hike, 2014 April 26–May 8, 2014 CMC members: $4,265 Non-CMC members: $4,390

is unique trip to the Grand Canyon offers participants the opportunity to experience this World Heritage Site on a motorized raft for 188 miles through the best of the canyon, departing from the historic Lee’s Ferry and ending with a helicopter ride from Whitmore Wash and a plane ight back to the start. It is especially ideal for those who would like to hike in areas that can be reached only from the river, and those who have always wanted to experience the canyon but who do not wish to make the 7-mile, 4500’-trek in and out. Our out tter, Hatch River Expeditions, has been guiding river trips through the canyon for over 70 years. We will have 4 guides and 20 participants on two 35’ S-rig boats running 30 hp 4stroke outboard engines (fuel e cient and quiet). Each boat holds 18, so for this trip we will have plenty of room. An average motorized raft trip through the Grand Canyon is for 7 days with short daily hikes. Hatch is adding 5 days to the trip with over 100 possible hikes, depending on the group’s interest and the weather. ey o er us daily-guided hikes at di erent hiking levels, or one may choose to rest in camp. ere are several opportunities for point-to-point hikes where we may hike from one drainage to the next and the raft will pick us up later in the day. Register with Leaders: 303-871-0379, blakerosemary@ cs.com.

WHAT IS PROVIDED Hatch provides all meals, snacks, eating utensils, life jackets, tents, camp chairs, and the helicopter and plane rides back to the put-in. A free sleeping kit is available for those who need camp gear—a sleeping bag, pillow, sleeping pad, ground cloth, and waterproof bag. e park entrance fee is included. e cost of the trip also includes all tips and one night (double occupancy) at the Cli Dweller’s Lodge near the put-in on Saturday (4/26/14). e cost does NOT include: carpooling to and from Lee’s Ferry, any meals other than those on the raft trip, and extra beverages for the raft trip (water, lemonade, and sports drink are provided by Hatch).

TRAINING AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONING REQUIREMENTS For maximum enjoyment, a person may wish to participate in several hikes prior to the trip. e hikes will vary in di culty in the range of our CMC levels B and C. In general, a couple hiking levels will be available for most days. ere is always the option to take the day o and rest in camp. All of our hiking will take place below the altitude of Denver (the river is at about 2,500 feet). Because this is the desert, one must be able to adapt to the heat and cold. Some of the hikes o ered will be full day hikes of signi cant distance and altitude gain. Many hikes follow a social trail or are o trail.

CANCELLATION POLICY FOR PARTICIPANTS • Trip deposit of $500 is payable to the CMC at time of registration. • $300 of this deposit is non-refundable. • Final payment is due November 15, 2013. • For cancellation on or before November 15, 2013, there will be a refund of $200 ($500 less the $300 non-refundable fee). Any refunds after November 15, 2013, will be made only if a quali ed replacement is accepted. Travel insurance is recommended.