Killing it on Colorado Trail
June 12, 2025
Hello from the ROCKIN ROCKY STATE OF COLORADO! We have been getting after it from the jump, driving through the mountains and getting to know each other. So, how has it been going?!?!? Let us tell you.
After a smooth day of travel, we departed Denver and began our drive southward on 285 South to the small town of Salida. Here, we devoured some local pizza before checking out the local surfers (I know, there are seriously surfers in Colorado?!?). From the park, we then headed to our first campsite at Hecla Junction! Shoutout Wood and Sam L. for leading their groups in tent setup. Then, as the sun set on our canyon campground, we held our first Moonup and reflected on our goals for the next two weeks. The group then received some cool Moondance swag and we revealed our first student LODs (leader of the day), our tent captains, Wood and Sam L! We then spent our final moments of Moonup reflecting and looking at the stars.
After the first night sleeping in our tents, the kids woke up bright and early to the smell of bacon as Will was preparing breakfast burritos. LOD Sam L. helped to wrap and distribute burritos. We packed up camp and headed into Buena Vista to River Runners where we loaded a nights worth of clothing into a dry bag and got familiar with our guides for the overnight rafting trip. Trav and Courtney piloted the boats and taught the kids the commands and safety procedures before we took off. We floated down the beautiful Arkansas River-Browns Canyon section and and conquered many Class III rapids. Andie and Kennan sat in the front of the raft and took the brunt end of the impact. In the late afternoon we pulled to the bank of the river and set up camp along a sandy shore campsite. Our group loved the guides and Kennan and Bennett came up with nicknames for them that they went by the rest of the trip. We played games, ate stir fry, listened to music and cooked s’mores late into the night! Shoutout Blake for her insane Mafia skills!
On day 3 we got to sleep in and enjoyed breakfast made by the outfitters. We cleaned up camp, packed the guide raft and prepared for the river. Today we persevered through tougher, longer and more rapids. We stopped for a swim and also a small hike to a waterfall. After lunch we changed to a boys boat and a girls boat for the last set of rapids. This was really fun floating down next to each other And bringing out the competitive side of 13 & 14 year olds. Everyone was sad to say goodbye to our guides but happy to be back with our van and belongings once we got off the water. Luke shined in helping the group pack the van without us asking (also brought back the most sticks for the fire on Day 2). We then traveled to the store where Rachel and Maya went in and bought hamburgers and watermelon for a fun dinner over the fire back at the Hecla Junction campsite. Will & the boys had fun setting up a large tarp over our campsite learning knots and practicing teamwork. They took pride in their work when they finished.
On day 4, we woke up really early to get ready for some fly fishing! Sam F. woke up very driven and helped clean up camp and load up the bags for a swift departure. We left and met our outstanding fly fishing guides for a great day by the water. Wiley dedicated himself to learning and fishing all morning. Sam L. and Kennan led the way, catching four fish each! Their leaders, Tytus, Will, and Maya were not as successful catching a smooth zero combined. Once we finished up we headed to lunch in a local park for some sun and PB&J’s before our long road-trip to the tune of Sophie and Sadie’s musical touch. When we got to camp, we setup our tents before surprising the group with a dinner in Ouray! As we finished our meals we also caught a glimpse of the most beautiful sunset we have ever seen (group consensus). We then settled back into camp to prepare for our backpacking trip in the San Juan’s!
Shoutouts!!
Blake- Hi Family! I am having such a good time at camp and I miss you guys! I am going backpacking today! Love you!
Sadie- Hii, I love you so much and the trip is great. See you soon! Good luck golfing.
Luke- Hi, I love you, we just passed Telluride and saw where we stayed!
Andie- I’m having so much fun! Can’t wait to tell you about it.
Sam L.- Hi mom and dad, I’m having so much fun! Tell Griffin and CC I said hi! Love you.
Wood- Hey guys, it has been super fun here and I miss y’all. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!
Rachel- Boo! Thank y’all so so much for this amazing opportunity. Tell T-bones hello!
Sophie- Having a blast and learning so much. Miss you guys!! Love y’all! See u soon.
Kennan- Hey Mom and Dad, I miss y’all and am ready to golf soon. We are about to go backpacking! Love y’all.
Bennett- Yo, camp is amazing. It’s been great. We are about to backpack. Love y’all.
Sam F.- Hey guys, camp has been great, we are about to go backpacking for 4 days, I’ll see you guys in 9 days. Love you.
Wiley- Mom, Dad, and Sissy, I have missed y’all over these past days. I have made a lot of friends and I have a lot of nicknames like Y, Lee, and Lee-ray!
Safe Arrival in Denver!
June 8, 2025
Hello Colorado Trail Families!
We heard from our leaders that the group has landed safely in Denver! The trip is off to a great start, and we cannot wait to hear more stories from their adventure! Please remember our leaders and students will be unplugged during their trips, but we will be posting trip updates throughout the next week! This will allow you to follow along with the trip. You can also follow us on Instagram, @moondanceadventures, to see more of what we are up to!
-Moondance HQ
