Tread Lines Newsletter

Meet The New Keeper Of The Tread: A Q&A With Our Operations Manager, Kendall Chastain | Every Tool, Every Mile: 2025 Trail Crews And The Path To A Sustainable CT…

From Garage to Hub: Remodeling the FOC for Enhanced Trail Stewardship | Clouds and McCleods | USFS Changes and The Colorado Trail Foundation | The Trail’s Stewards

Behind the Scenes, A Conversation Between Two Executive Directors | Gudy Being Gudy | Thank You Volunteers | Forging Fooses

CTF Celebrates 50th Anniversary | Farewell to Board Members | Trail Talk with Darin | A Tribute to Ernie Werren | Aunt-Nephew Team |

Mal Sillars and a Collegiate West History Lesson | Thru-Hike Facebook Page a Labor of Love | CTF Welcomes Three New Board Members | Burroughs Retires from Board

Manning Reflects on 17 Years with CTF | New CTF Executive Dir. Tisha McCombs | 19 Crews Take to the Trail | Coloradan Breaks Collegiate Loop Record | CTF Office…

A Hiker’s Happy Race to an SKT | CTF Mourns the Passing of Ted La May | Commemorative Quilt Celebrates the CT | Amy Nelson Departing the CTF | New…

Help on the Way to Clear Avalanche Damage | CTF Says Farewell to Another Trail Pioneer | Zach Sears Joins CTF Board | New Datebook Hits the Shelves | Trainings…

CT Users Can’t Mask Their Enthusiasm | Holiday Party Cancelled | Carolyn Burtard’s Legacy Lives On | When it Snows, Eloping Adopters Adapt | Lake City Feeds Hungry Hikers

‘Blackpacker’ Makes News on the CT | CTF Loses Longtime Friend | CTF Sees Numbers Surge | The Season of the Adopter | Progress Made Clearing Elk Creek | Treks…

Snowy Winter in 2019 Still Spells Uncertainty | Brent Adams Retires, New Field Ops Manager Ready to Come on Board | One Joins, Four Depart the CTF Board of Directors…

Challenging Trailwork Season with Snowpack and Avalanche | Former CTF President Dies | Unusual Season Puts Crews to the Test | Thru-runner Sets Speed Record | Big Donors with Big…

Crew leaders key to completing mission | Training sessions raise the bar | Crews continue to build new and improve old | New CTF website | Business lessons from CTF…

Field Operations Center a Success | Fires Close the Trail(s) | Map Maker Jerry Brown | Hikers’ Testimonies

A little more than two years ago, the idea of a permanent facility to house the vast array of equipment used to maintain and improve The Colorado Trail was just…

It’s not much to look at – yet.  Just a couple of concrete slabs and some red steel framework.  But soon – perhaps as early as the end of November…

Benson Family Foundation donates $40,000, board changes, fundraising success, crews list, sale of cabin, Brett Beasley

Newspapers from one end of The Colorado Trail to the other paid tribute to Gudy Gaskill after her passing in July.  Here are exerpts from the Denver Post and Durango…

As hikers, bikers and riders gear up for summer adventures on The Colorado Trail, the Foundation itself is making great strides toward the construction of a planned Field Operations Center…

The Colorado Trail Foundation has taken some big steps to ensure the Trail will be well taken care of far into the future. The first was the hiring this spring…

A multitude of volunteers have helped build and maintain The Colorado Trail over its first 40 years, but very few have dedicated more time and effort than George Miller, who…

The year was 1974. Richard Nixon resigned the presidency in the wake of the Watergate Scandal; Congress reduces the highway speed limit to 55 mph in response to a Middle…

The Colorado Trail’s new “High 23” beckons hikers, backpackers and horse riders this summer not only with its breath-taking vistas and superb tread, but also with the opportunity of being…

To paraphrase an old saying, if you’re lucky enough to be on The Colorado Trail, then you’re lucky enough. A lot of trail maintenance volunteers feel that way, too. Each…

Nearly every thru-hiker or segment-bagger carries one. Even some Colorado Trail day-hikers won’t leave home without it. A dog-eared, notated copy is a mark of pride to many…

A major expansion of The Colorado Trail is underway: 80 miles of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail in the Collegiate Peaks area, previously built and maintained by the Continental…

What do you call a 50 pound empty pack, 300 pounds of granola, 20 wool blankets, a gallon of bug spray 140 protein bars, eight leather “handcuffs,” nine extra shoes,…

I first heard about the mother of all ultra-endurance mountain bike races, the Colorado Trail Race (CTR) in 2009. My initial impression … that’s NUTS. But then the wheels started…

Even for Colorado’s outdoor enthusiasts, the phrase, “I’m going for a hike,” probably means, at most, a several hour trip out and back in a single day. When Brian Jackson…

The eagerly awaited Eighth Edition of The Colorado Trail Guidebook – the first full revision of the guide in five years – is set for release early next year in…

Spring is underway and bits of warm weather have gotten us all excited about summer activities. Trail season is right around the corner. We’ve begun to hear that some of…

It was another successful season of Trail building and repair, thanks to the hard work of our crew leaders and volunteers. Fourteen weeklong crews and two weekend crews, a total…

2008 was a good year for the CT. Our volunteer Adopters worked hard at their annual maintenance, clearing the entire Trail corridor and reporting their findings. Trail crew volunteers worked…

With The Colorado Trail almost entirely on Federal lands and most administered by the U.S. Forest Service, it’s natural that the CTF and USFS should work together. We’ve been partners…

The Forest Service has proposed a new policy for managing the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, the Congressionally mandated trail that runs from Canada to Mexico through the Rocky Mountains…

This summer a number of our trail crews will work in the beautiful Clear Creek Valley surrounded by magnificent scenery with many 14,000-foot peaks. We’ll be camped beside the sparkling…

Rerouting the Trail above tree line on Cataract Ridge began this summer when three CTF volunteer trail crews started construction of the new tread near Stony Pass. The new 17-mile…

The new Official Guidebook of The Colorado Trail Foundation has been delivered from the printer and is available for purchase from a number of places. About 100 were mailed out…

Bill Manning, formerly of Durango, has been named to fill the new position of Managing Director of the Colorado Trail Foundation. Beginning February 1, Bill is responsible for overall management…

This has been a busy summer for the Colorado Trail Foundation. On July 8 we signed a new, updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Forest Service that we had…

A front-page story in the April 19, 2005, Rocky Mountain News reported the U.S. Forest Service expects drastic reductions in agency budgets for trails and recreation…

I went snowshoeing recently and the weather was so great that it made me think of summer and The Colorado Trail. The CT Foundation had its annual Board of Directors…

Mocassins in a Tree | Thank You to Donors

Bill Lucas recalls “How the Trail Began”, party in Buena Vista celebrates 30th anniversary of CT, crew reports, Gudy’s Rest bench built.

30th Anniversary of CT | Irene Cazer | Roundup Riders of the Rockies Makes Tool Caches Available | Smokejumpers Work on Cochetopa Creek Bridge

Pole Creek Reroute Study | 30th Anniversary of the CT | Crew Work Schedule | Outdoor Classrooms | 2003 Trail Crew Reports | Poem – “Morning in Camp”

“All For a Vanilla Coke”

Successful Summer Projects | Crew Reports

Adopters Keep the Trail in Shape for All Users | Adopter Reports | New Watercolor Notecards | Roundup Riders of the Rockies | Remembering Bob Ballou

Behind the Lens: Video on The CT | Outdoor Recreation Information Center | Women Riders | Horse Sweat | Shared Dreams on The Colorado Trail

Letter to CTF Friends by Merle McDonald President | Gudy Story about Hiker’s Miraculous Survival with Help from Some Goats.

Fire and flood; new books from CTF; group ski tour; Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue Cards: Where does the money go?; 2002 Educational Classes; Summary of 2002 Trail Crew…

Trail Host program; education center deck extended; board retreat; about the printer of our newsletters, Barnum Publishing Company; tribute to Ellen Kolovos; Ron Hansen obit, map corrections

Gudy inducted into Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame CTF plans pancake breakfast at Waterton Canyon on National Trails Day slide show for garden club, crews and volunteers “Colorado Trail Crews…

Thank You from Merle McDonald, President CTF | Lucy and the CTF

“Colorado Trail Reroutes” “Angels among Us” by Julie Mesdag “Bicyclists from Georgia Did It!” “State Parks/Great Outdoors Colorado Trail Grants Total $14,400 for CT” by Merle McDonald “CTF Awarded National…

“CTF Outdoor Workshop Series: An Extraordinary Experience!” “Adopt-A-Trail Program” by Glenn W. Kepler, Sr. “300 Volunteers Ready to Improve The Trail” by Jon Greeneisen “It’s Not Too Late!” by Lila…

New Releases! “The Colorado Trail GIS Project” “A Quick Primer on GPS” “Cookies Anyone?” by Gudy Gaskill “Trail Crew 0100 Report South Platte Reroute” by Ted La May, Crew Leader…

Thank you From Merle McDonald, President of the CTF | “A Letter from Gudy”| Thank You’s

“Join the Festivities!” “Join a Communications Team And Tell the World about the Trail” by Tom Brooksher “History of The Colorado Trail” by Peggy Bond “Autumn Magic” October 17, 2000…

“Gudy Will Lead a Crew!” “Meet Old Friends on Trail Crews This Summer” by Jon and Marylin Greeneisen, Crew Registrars “Fun While Learning” by Gudy Gaskill “CTF Education Center” by…

Trail Crews “CT Office Winter Update” “The Gudy Gaskill Endowment Fund” “Trail Users Are All Ages, Almost Half from Out of State” “Sections Available for Adoption; Other Adopt-A-Trail Notes” by…

“An Event to Be Remembered!” by Gudy Gaskill “Gunnison Spur Celebration a Smash!” by Darla S. DeRuiter “Thanks from Gudy!” “A Huge Thank You to Our 25th Anniversary Sponsors!” “The…

“The Social Event of the Year! The 25th Anniversary Celebration” | “South Platte Bridge Dedication Ceremony” June 6, 1999, 2-4 p.m. | Corporate Sponsors Underwriting the 25th Anniversary Celebration |…

“Our 25th Anniversary—Closing an Era, Continuing Our Mission, Enhancing Our Vision” “View from The Colorado Trail Office” by Denise Wright “Trek Helpers: Past and Current Needs” by Lila Miller “Bridges”…

“Memories” | “Christmas Giving” | “Preview of 1999” | “A True Colorado Christmas Gift” | “And A Precious Gift Was Given”

“What? The South Platte Bridge Is Gone? Big Deal! Let’s Just Replace It!” by Stan Ward “President’s Corner” by Gudy Gaskill Mt. Kilimanjaro and Wildlife Safari “The Colorado Trail,” A…

“John Fielder/Julie Davis Medley” “President’s Corner” by Gudy Gaskill “Michael Martin Murphey and Other CT Angels” by Gudy Gaskill “Benefit Trail Ride” by Gudy Gaskill Glenn Kepler: Our New Adopt-A-Trail…

“Don’t Miss the Opportunity!!!” | “The Gudy Gaskill Endowment Fund: Maintaining The Colorado Trail Forever!” by Stan Ward | NEW!! CTF Hires Full-Time Staff Person | “South Platte River Bridge:…

1997 in Retrospect! | 1998 in Preview | 1997 partially supported MYSTERY TREK | Contributor list | Our Maintenance Crews….Who Are They?

South Platte Bridge Update | “How to Get from the Denver Airport (DIA) to The Colorado Trail” by Harriet Patton | “Terry Hardie Conquers The Colorado Trail” by Linda and…

“Trail Maintenance Seminar” by Merle McDonald, Adopt-A-Trail Coordinator “Trail Crew Report, Crew WE-1” by Joe Slack, Crew Leader “Jason’s Bench” by Jim and Judy Sealy “My Statement on Life” by…

“Appreciation for Adopters” | Field Study “Geology of the Magnificent San Juan Mountains” | “Wildflowers of the San Juan Mountains” | Watercolor Workshop | “What’s Happening on the CT this…

“The CT Web Site” by Merle McDonald | Letter from 1997 Crew Schedule Package | “What is a Colorado Trail Trek?” | Report from the San Juans | “Taylor Bridge,…

“Memories of Kenosha Pass to Leadville” | “Celebration For Our Long Time Loyal Supporters, July 13 to 19, 1997” | “A Christmas Gift” | “10 Years of Retirement?” | 1997…

“Yurt Trip in February 1995” by Barbara Wasser “Soggy Day, Soggy Food, Soggy Packers” by Pat Nagorka, CTF Food Chairperson “Trail Crew #4 Report” by Phil Smith, Crew Leader “Cumberland…

“Another Banner Year” by Jon and Marylin Greeneisen | “South Platte Weekend Crew” by Joe Slack, Crew Leader | “Guller Creek Trail Crew” by Bruce Armstrong | “Report from a…

“A Salute to the Adopters” Chamberlin Observatory San Juan Conference “Crew Leader Apologizes for Oversight, Crew #9, Dustin Gulch-cum-Texas Creek, July 22-29, 1995” by Bruce Armstrong, Leader “Adopt-A-Trail Section 10:…

“The Sign-up for ’96 Crews Is in ‘High Gear’” | “Two College Level Courses Offered on The Colorado Trail” | “HAM IS BACK!!!” by Pat Nagorka, Food Chairperson | “Hope…

Nature’s Gift | “My Spirit” | “1995 WITH the CTF” | Donors List | 1995 CT Geology Class Musings

  In Memory of Michael Ross | The Fable of Marshall Pass | “Status Report on the Summer of 1995” by Merle McDonald, VP, The Colorado Trail Foundation | An…

1995 CT Trail Crew Reunion, Saturday Sept. 16th | Crew #1195, Grindstone 1, July 29 – Aug 5, 1995 | “‘Friends’ don’t get any better than this!” | Memorial Bench…

“Volunteer Trail Crews Nearly Full for Summer of ’95” by Jon Greeneisen | Field Study, Land Forms of the San Juan Mountains | National Trails Day Weekend Crew in Lost…

Thank You to CT Volunteers | 1995 Summer Volunteer Work Crew Schedule | 1995 Colorado Trail Treks | Two Courses Offered for Summer 1995 Along The Colorado Trail | Colorado…

    “20th Celebration of the Colorado Trail, ‘A Celebration of Partnerships’, A Gala Affair” by Belinda Wiman | Gold Hill Trail Dedication | D.A.R. Award | “Week 2: Colorado…

20th Birthday Celebration of the Colorado Trail | “The Colorado Trail, A Story of Partnerships” by Belinda Wiman | National Trails Day Events Hosted by The Colorado Trail Foundation |…

  2oth Birthday of the Colorado Trail | Ribbon Cutting Ceremony | Trail Crew and Friends of the CT Reunion | CMC (week 1) Reunion on North Pass | CMC…

Colorado Trail’s 20th Birthday, A Celebration of Partnership | Colorado Trail Foundation 1994 Trek Schedule | The Colorado Trail Trek, What is it? | “Status of the Colorado Trail” by…

Colorado Trail to Celebrate 20 Years | Western State College Approves Course | Colorado Mt. Club Offers Treks July 3-16 | Gaskills Host Holiday Open House | Christmas 1806: Near…

20th Year CT Celebration | Equipment Committee Report | CTF Receives Vehicle | Sliderock #2, Crew #13, July 31-Aug 7, 1993, Leader Joe Slack | Adopt-A-Trail Maintenance Molas Pass to…

National Trails Day, June 5, 1993 | 500 Mile Summer for Multiple Sclerosis (500MS for MS) | “Thanks, Helen, For Your Friendship!” By Kay Hubbard | In Memory of Helen…

Walk the Colorado Trail in Comfort, CT Slideshow | 1992 CTF Donors | Week Long Crews | Weekend Crews | Geico Matching Letter | A-Frame available for Skiers | Morning…

A Special Holiday Open Letter to All 1992 Trail Crew Volunteers | Greetings to the Adoptees of the Colorado Trail | A Christmas Gift to Last a Lifetime!

CTF Receives Recognition from the BLM | Wellness and Giving Together! | Beartown Crew #24, July 4-6, 1992, Leader Pat Nagorka | Timberline One, Weekend Trail Crew #25, August 3-4,…

“Vice President’s Corner” by Merle McDonald | “Colorado Trail Song” by Dick Hackman, 1990 | “Reunion Crew for Maintenance Section 13.1 (Camp Hale)” by Jim and Margarita Miller | “The…

Trail Crew and CTF Reunion Date, Friday September 11, 1992 | Report of Colorado Trail Crews 21 and 22 (Weekend), June 15-16 and June 22-23, 1991 | “Spring Creek Pass…

CTF Receives Governor’s Environmental Award | Camp Hale, Reunion Maintenance Crew, June 22-29, 1991 | Fire Destroys Condo | Construction Crew Reports | Bob Boblette Recovering | Betty Cedar, 1947-1991

  Tennessee Pass Historic Hike | Openings in the Summer Work Crew Schedule 1991 | Adopt-A-Trail Maintenance Program | Nordic Center Season Pass | EMS Support $1500 | Colorado Trail…

CTF receives $1000 from Webb-Waring Lung Institute | Charlie Russell Honored | Projects for 1991 | El Pueblo Boys Ranch Pitches in to help construct the Colorado Trail | Crews…

CTF and United Way | Pride in America Award | Five new CTF Board Members Elected | New Additions to CT Equipment Pile | Summer 1990 Trail Crew Summaries |…

Friends of the Colorado Trail Special Events | CT Board Member Under the Weather | 1990 Trail Crew Potluck Reunion | Escape Week-End in Winter Park | Report of Pancake…

The New Decade Begins for Colorado Trail Leaders’ Weekend Planned | 1990 Colorado Trail Crew Schedule | Weekend Crew Schedule | 1989 Volunteers | EMS Sponsors Three Crews | 1990…

Kenosha Pass Picnic | 1990 Trail Crew Potluck Reunion | CT Weekend Hike/Bike, Sept 22-23 | Leader Retreat, Work and Social Session | American Hiking Society, Annual Meeting | Maintenance…

Coors Brewing Company Gives Grant | Second Creek Cabin Open | 1990 Colorado Trail Trek | CT Completion Awards | REI Trail Crew | Wanted, Volunteer Bookkeeper | Missing Signs,…

Friends Hike postponed from Aug 19th to Sept 9th Trail Crew Reunion Aug 27 | Coors Social Eve, Oct 6 | Friends of the Colorado Trail CT Weekend Hike |…

  CT Master Plan | Colorado Trail Maintenance Signs | Mancos New Spur | Chalk Creek Area Reroute | Roxborough Park New Alternate Trail Head | Swan River Drainage Relocation…

Wanted, Committee Expertise | 1989 Special Trail Crews | Join a Colorado Mountain Club Sponsored Trip to New Zealand, April 1 – 15 or 21 | Al Mauthe is Trail…

Another Year Completed…| Trail-A-Bration Hike | Dedication Ceremony | Colorado Trail and Gudy Gaskill Receive Official Recognition | Possible CT Interpretive Program | SCA and Operation Raleigh Work on CT…

The Colorado Trail Dedication | Operation Raleigh Works On Trail | Commemorative Pins | Trail-A-Bration Hike, June 21, 1987 | Colorado Trail Documentary Aired | Colorado Trail Maintenance Sections |…

Colorado Trail Foundation and USFS Plan a Special Dedication Ceremony, State Historical Event | Denver Dedication at Waterton Canyon, Sunday July 24, 1988 | Durango Dedication at Junction Creek, Sunday…

  Colorado Trail To Have 22 Work Crews For Summer 1988 | Farewell Dinner For Leader | C.M.C.’s Trails & Huts Committee’s Trail Crews | Colorado Trail Foundation Formed |…

Colorado Mountain Club Trail Crews | The Guide Book to The Colorado Trail | Colorado Trail Works | New Colorado Trail Brochure

News Briefs | Outings | “Lawsuit Threatens Club’s Existence” by Richard Jones | “Will and Way Completes Colorado Trail” by Willard Boblett | “Fassbinder Gulch” by Irene Cazer | “The…

Colorado Trail Linked Together with 47 Trail Crews | Golden Spike Ceremonies Held | Colorado Trail Receives Media Attention | CT Foundation Continues to Receive Support | Outstanding Animas District…

  Behind the Scenes, Special People | Recent Sustaining Donors | Coors Foundation Grant | Friends Work With Forest Service Districts | CT Nears Completion! | 1987 Schedule of Leaders…

1986 Synopsis | Colorado Trail Statistics for 1986 | Kudos to Forest Districts | Trail Changes Course in Frisco District | Governors Mansion Fundraiser | Crew Members Received Mementos |…