Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Hawk's Eye View

Dateline: Telluride, CO
The Colorado Tour


Take a hawk’s eye view... that’s what the four 4th grade classes at Telluride Elementary School do every year to study natural and cultural history of their hometown located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains.  Students and teachers will soon hike the popular Jud Wiebe (“wee-bee”) Trail in the Uncompahgre National Forest just as we did on a recent Sunday afternoon. Beginning at the eastern edge of Telluride, the trail climbs up sharply through aspen and spruce glades to a high alpine meadow perched over 1200 feet above the valley floor. At this height, the students will be able to clearly distinguish the U-shape of the glacially formed Telluride Valley with its hanging side valleys and waterfalls. And, they will look down on the 19th Century mining town of Telluride and see the history of its development literally unfolding before their eyes. It’s a great perspective to experience and remember...
Courtney Childe, 4th grade teacher and Leave No Trace practitioner, invited us to talk to the students about principles of outdoor ethics and planning ahead to make choices that minimize their impact on the Jud Wiebe Trail, as well as in all of their outdoor adventures.
…soaring above the Colorado Trail,
Peggy and Barrett

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