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The two world-class towns of Aspen and Crested Butte are actually
quite close, but no road directly connects them. Join us as we celebrate
Shabbat with a hike from Aspen to Crested Butte (and back, the next
day). All you'll need to carry is a daypack with rain gear, warm
clothes and lunch, as your overnight bag with your clothes for going
out on the town will be shuttled around by car.
 This
trip is a Eurpean-style trekking experience, right here in the mountains
of Colorado. Led by Rabbi Jamie S. Korngold, a.k.a. "The Adventure
Rabbi", the trip will feature two days of hiking through some
of the most spectacular and breathtaking scenery in North America.
Through text, discussion and prayer, Rabbi Korngold will integrate
the spirituality we easily feel in the wilderness with Jewish practice.
Surely Shabbat has never been quite as powerful as that experienced
on the trail, surrounded by the awesomeness of God's creation.
Trip Description:
The trip begins at the parking lot for the Maroon Bells Recreation
Area, at 9,580 feet above sea level. We'll pass by Maroon Bells
Lake and the famous Crater Lake, where you can snap a photo of one
of Colorado's most photographed scenes: the Maroon Bells peaks (South
Maroon Peak - 14,156'; North Maroon Peak - 14,014). The hike wanders
around the east side of the two fourteen-thousand foot peaks, and
goes from wooded trees to high-alpine meadows filled with expansive
views and vibrant wildflowers. The well worn trail tops out at the
top of West Maroon Pass (12,500'), and then winds down a massive
V shaped valley.
 The
trail continues down to the Schofield Park, where in the summer,
we'll be able to see flowers like the purple Subalpine Larkspur,
White Geranium and pale Western Paintbrush. If it's a nice day,
we'll be able to see many of the peaks in the Elk Mountain range,
including the fourteen-thousand foot Snowmass Mountain (14,092').
At the Schofield Park trailhead, we'll be met with wine, cheese
and a shuttle to whisk the group into downtown Crested Butte.
After re-uniting with our 'town clothes' that have been shuttled
by car (the shortest distance between Crested Butte and Aspen by
car takes 3.5 hours and 105 miles over many winding mountain roads),
we'll go out to dinner and enjoy a hearty meal after the long 10.5
mile hike.
And then the next day, we'll have the shuttle pick us up from the
hotel, drive us to the trailhead, and we'll hike from Schofield
Park, over West Maroon Pass, and down into the Maroon Bells parking
area.
Itinerary:
Saturday Morning: Meet at the Maroon Bells Recreation
Area parking lot at 6:00 am. After a quick breakfast, strap on a
day pack with rain gear, warm clothes and lunch, and we'll hike
from Aspen - Crested Butte. The hike will take approximately 8 hours,
cover 10.5 miles, and gain approximately 2,000 vertical feet in
elevation gain.
Saturday Mid-Morning: Snack and stop at Crater
Lake for a view and a photograph of the Maroon Bells peaks and a
chance to learn why Rabbi Abraham Ben Maimonides wrote: "In
order to serve God, one needs access to the enjoyment of the beauties
of nature, such as the contemplation of flower-decorated meadows
and majestic mountains... For all these are essential to the spiritual
development of even the holiest of people."
Saturday Lunch: Lunch will be on top of West Maroon
Pass (12,500'), where you'll be  able
to see the top of Belleview peak directly to the north (13,233'),
South Maroon Peak (14,156') and gaze across at Pyramid Peak (14,018'
- one of the most technically challenging of the fourteen thousand
foot peaks in Colorado). You'll also be able to see vast patchworks
of wild flowers on both sides of the pass that shade the high alpine
meadows hues of green, purple and yellow. Weather permitting, this
will be the site for our Shabbat service, with time for private
meditation among the awesomeness of the peaks.
Saturday Afternoon: Upon reaching Schofield Pass,
a wine and cheese reception (and soft drinks, too) will greet the
group. We'll be whisked into town by a shuttle, where you'll be
re-united with your overnight bag and you can shower and relax before
dinner.
Accommodations: We will be staying at the Grand
Lodge in Crested Butte, located in the heart of mountain village.
Their outdoor hot tub boasts one of the best views of Mt. Crested
Butte! The free Crested Butte town shuttles leaves right from the
front door, to drive us 3 miles to the historic town of Crested
Butte.
 Saturday
Night: The group will go out on the town for a hot, hearty
meal. We return to our hotel to celebrate Havdallah (the separation
between Shabbat and the rest of the week) with wine and song. Then,
we'll retire to the outdoor hot tub, to soak our tired muscles and
enjoy the peace of the evening.
Sunday Morning: A shuttle will pick us up at the
hotel, bring us to the trail head, and we'll hike the 10.5 miles
back to Aspen. The trail begins in a wooded forest with a rushing,
flowing mountain stream on your right. As the trail wanders uphill,
you'll hike on the left side of a giant valley filled with wondrous
wildflowers. The valley (and the trail) turn to the right, and a
few short switchbacks later, you're back on top of West Maroon Pass.
Learning: Of course learning with Rabbi K. continues
throughout the day. We'll discuss the "theology of ecology,"
awe as a path way to God, and have an opportunity to invigorate
our relationship with prayer.
Sunday Lunch: Lunch will be on or before the West
Maroon Pass (depending on the collective hunger of the group. After
lunch, the trail will wind down the high alpine meadow, framed by
the Maroon Bells high above on the left and the West Maroon Creek
on the right.
Sunday Afternoon: Meet back at the Maroon Bells
Recreation Area parking lot, where we will be re-united with our
overnight bags that has been shuttled by car.
Trip Details:
Length of Hike: 10.5 miles each way, starting at 10,580 feet above
sea level and gaining approximately 2,000 feet in elevation.
Difficulty Level: Strenuous. If you are from sea level, we recommend
that you spend several days acclimating to the high altitude before
attempting the hike. You should be in good physical condition and
be able to hike for extended periods of time.
Price: $350 ($50.00 early registration discount until March, 2005.)
Scholarships / work-study discounts are available based on need.
$150 is refundable until June 30.
Price Includes: Breakfast & Lunch on Saturday, Wine & Cheese
(and soft-drink) reception, transportation to / from hotel from
Schofeild Park trailhead to Crested Butte, Breakfast & Lunch
on Sunday. Hotel accomodations included, based on double-occupancy.
Not included: Transportation to / from Maroon Bells Recreation
Area parking lot (carpool list serv is available - click
here). Dinner in the town of Crested Butte on Saturday night
is also not included in the price.
Registration: Is
now open. Please click here to register.
More Information: To have someone contact you
with more details about the trip, please click here.
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