From the desk of Doug Bressan, High Adventure Director, Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch.

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is in regards to longer treks and high adventure opportunities at Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch.

We are currently regulated to a designated number of service days in a particular area of the San Carlos District of the San Isabel National Forest. Scout Groups have an option to go out on their own, without a guide or any other services provided by the scout camp. There are trail systems from the Indian Creek area to the Purgatory area. There are other trail options open to the north of the Scout Camp.:

Your group must contact the U.S. Forest Service for any regulations or information relating to these areas. I feel that longer treks can be made available to your group. But part of the treks will have to be done on your own. There are many options available and I will try to list a few here.

#1-Leave the Scout Ranch on one of our four or five day treks. Return to camp and take part in our rock climbing program. Stay the weekend and travel (depending on how you get there). Take the next week and take the trail from Indian Creek to the Purgatory campground on your own. Camp and hike in the Blanca Basin Area or other areas to the north.

#2--Spend one week with us at Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch then take a second week at Alfred High Adventure Base (Backpacking, Rockclimbing, White Water Rafting would be your options there) Rocky Mountain Council Pueblo Colorado 719--561--1220 John Salley Director.

#3--Come to Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch. Take part in our High Adventure, Rockclimbing and Mountaineering program. (This is a week long rockclimbing and mountaineering program teaching rockclimbing with ascents on the East Spanish Peak or West Spanish Peak.) Take this program for three days, then contact a white water trip on the Arkansas River, spend the weekend traveling horseback, or relaxing at the camp, then take our five day trek to finish off your program.

#4--Take our backpack program but stretch it out into a more leisurely, educationally oriented program, part would be guided and part you would do on your own. (I developed this program in 1986 but currently have no one staffing it in 1997, but it is a priority for 1998.) There is a very rough trail that figure eights the Spanish Peaks, I used for a college group in 1986. Finish out your trek with our rock climbing program. The group would be on the trail for about eight days.

#5--We are currently trying to get our trail groups back on line. This program is basicly a backpack trek with an educational and service oriented goal. The group would take a standard trek then do a service project for the forest service, including trail work, then finish the program at camp either rockclimbing or taking part in any camp events desired.

#6--Come to Colorado and take the rainbow trail system on your own, I developed a 20 day trek off this trail in 1979, (It's great!!) But this is one you would have to do on your own. You could hit areas of this trip and spend a few days in each one of the mountain basins, instead of hiking it all.

I will send a map of these areas and some general information of this area of the state and some highlights of areas to see. There are many more options at your disposal. You could take on your own within the state, but I would suggest trying one of ours first and then look at others in the future.

Remember these treks are considered special and some logistics have to be worked out in order for them to work out for both the group and the camp. Fees would run about the same per week for any other high adventure group. Any other contracted adventures, ie. White Water, travel, horse programs or others not directly related to the camp would be up to the participants to pay for. Camp staff days off are Friday noon to Saturday noon so if you intend to stay in camp you are on your as far as meals are concerned. All other contracted services and payment would be separate and on your own to take care of. I can provide information on who to contact for scheduling and costs.