6th Annual Trek for Life – Save the Date!
You Don't Have to Walk alone!
Saturday, September 14, 2024
• West Maroon Trail (USFS #1970)
• Schofield Park to Maroon-Snowmass Trailhead (11 miles)
What is Trek for Life?
The 6th Annual Trek for Life is a memorial hike held during Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month to celebrate the lives of those no longer with us. We work to raise awareness and address the stigma associated with mental and behavioral health issues, raise funds that provide mental health services for those who are un(der)insured, and fight the high rate of suicide in the community.
We're spreading the word that 'You Don't Have to Walk Alone' because help is available for those who are struggling.
I will be celebrating the life of my son Kyle by hiking the West Maroon Trail — a hike he did the at same time in September of 2018 to coincide with the beautiful fall weather and changing colors of the Aspen trees.
The choice by someone to take their life is a very personal one with many varied reasons — social, economic, emotional, medical, substance abuse, and physical to name a few — underlying causes we're working to address.
The Hike
This is an extraordinary 'bucket list' hike that begins at the Schofield Park Trailhead (10,448'), just past the town of Gothic about 11 miles outside of Crested Butte. The West Maroon Trail heads up the gorgeous Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness valley among the Indian Paint Brush, Lupin, and wildflowers to the top of West Maroon Pass (12,465'), about 4 miles. Once at the pass, you descend another 7 miles thru tundra, willow and pine forests, crossing streams and rocky scree before arriving at Crater Lake. For the final leg we pass through Aspen and pine lining the trail as Maroon Lake (9,580’) opens up before yu at the Maroon-Snowmass Trailhead in Snowmass, Colorado.
This 11-mile day hike is considered one of the most desirable hikes in the U.S. and is timed to coincide with the dry weather and beauty of the turning Aspen trees. I hope you will get out and hike to celebrate life and remember those who are struggling or are no longer with us. Help us raise awareness —
There is HELP.
There is HOPE.
We'll take your hand and walk together. You don't have to walk alone.
Please note that if you register on this site as a Trekker, Donor, Sponsor, or otherwise, you are registering as a fundraiser only and you are not registering as an entrant in an event (there isn't a fee). You are free to join me for the hike but per the Wilderness Act of 1964 organized events are prohibited from using wilderness areas such as the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area.
A Few More Details
This is a single day event. Current plans are to make transportation available to Schofield Park and for the return trip to Crested Butte from the Snowmass Trailhead all on the same day. Of course you are welcome to arrange your own transportation and/or spend the night in the Snowmass/Aspen area.
You can check back here for details but the best way to stay informed is to Register as a Trekker on this website or use the Subscribe button to receive our emails.
Awesome! How Do I Walk With You?
There isn't a fee to enter or register but if you'd like to walk with and/or support us . . .
1) REGISTER AS A TREKKER on our website.
2) DONATE Once you're registered visit your profile page and make a 501(c)3 donation.
3) INVITE Use your profile page to invite family, friends, and co-workers to 'walk with us' by making a donation in your name.
4) POST Let your friends know that you're walking with us on Facebook or Instagram using #trekforlifecb
5) Can't join us? You can still walk with us by hiking anywhere, any day you want! You can make a difference by building awareness — Just let everyone know!
Get Your Swag On!
Donate/Fundraise under your own name a minimum of:
• $125 and get a cool Trek for Life t-shirt! *
• $250 and get a cool Trek for Life t-shirt AND hat! *
* 2024 Trek for Life t-shirts and hats are in limited supply and will be presented to donors and fundraisers who meet the above donation goals. Additional swag will be available for sale online.
Life is Butte-iful!™
I will be hiking to remember my son Kyle — to celebrate his passion for the outdoors, and to bring awareness to mental health issues in my fight against the high rate of suicide that plague these high-altitude communities.
If you feel mental health issues and suicide prevention are important issues I encourage you to become a donor/fundraiser or sponsor.
