Hiking in the SLV

By Tegan Welsch-Rainek. Starting on the outskirts of Del Norte, I embark on a journey that transcends time, tracing parts of the historic Old Spanish Trail from when this land was a Spanish territory.  The Old Spanish Trail is a historic 2,700-mile wagon route used by Anglo, Mormon and Spanish travelers. Stretching from Santa Fe to Los Angeles, it traverses six Southwestern states. This trade route was primarily used to transport wool, handmade items and other goods in exchange for California-bred horses and necessities. There are many rumors of lost gold along the trail and tales of the slave trade. As I...

By Tegan Welsch-Rainek. Starting on a nice warm, sunny day with bright blue skies, my hike began with a steady climb up switchbacks, accompanied by the trickle of a nearby forest stream. As I gained elevation, the trail transitioned into a lush tree line with aspen and pine standing tall and surrounding me. A squirrel's nest and the presence of bark beetles reminded me of the intricate web of life thriving here. The sun overhead cast dappled light through the leaves, creating a serene atmosphere. As I marched at a steady pace, the dirt path under my sandals showed signs of...