Coloradans love the great outdoors, but take away our REI and Patagonia, and we’d probably think twice about tackling a fourteener, let alone hiking 521 miles.
For their next adventure, Ben Jenkins and Aaron Klass are trading in their modern sportsman gear for equipment, food, and clothing from the 1860s and setting off to hike the Colorado Trail, from Denver to Durango, starting July 6.
Jenkins first dreamed up the 35-day trip after attempting the trek with contemporary equipment in 2014. He injured his leg a few miles in, and during his recovery period, rediscovered a passion for “living history,” more commonly known as the reenactment of historical events or time periods.
“I was at a thrift store and I found this old, wide straw hat. I bought it, fixed it up, put it on eBay, and it sold,” says Jenkins. That spawned the idea for the 19th century hike and a new business—Jenkins works independently out of his Erie home as a tailor creating clothing and accessories for serious historical re-enactors.
In the 1860s, the west was still wild, but the mountains promised fortunes in the way of gold, furs, and timber. It was around this time that explorers set off from Denver City, traversing the wilderness in order to secure their futures. Jenkins and Klass—who met a few years ago through the living history community—are hoping to recreate the journey of the frontiersmen. The authenticity is both the crux of the adventure, and its biggest challenge.
“It’s going to be unique even in the living history world just because of the amount of immersion we’re going for,” Klass says.
Though the Colorado Trail itself is well marked, Jenkins and Klass will be taking a few liberties with their 19th century tools. They’ll have a modern data book, with important information like water sources and less intuitive sections of trail, and a compass from the 1850s.
The only other deviation for the trip relates to food. “Ninety percent of our menu is documented in Colorado between 1859 and 1861, but the other 10 percent or so is going to be stuff that we’ll rely on to keep going,” says Klass. That 10 percent, remarkably, is still based on recorded 19th century snacks—for example, rather than take easily perishable Danishes like those of the 1800's, the duo will carry packaged Danishes, which are both packed with calories and preservatives. A similar rule applies with all other aids; for example, they’ll refuel in Breckenridge, which was established in 1859.
The fickle Colorado weather will likely create problems for the duo, but fortunately, Jenkins and Klass will be able to wear warm woolen clothing as well as rubberized ponchos to fend off the summer storms.
A two-man documentary crew will be tailing the pair as they hike, but they’ll mostly be flies on the trail, so to speak, only breaking in to do interviews. Eventually, they hope to enter the finished product in film festivals with the goal of educating audiences about early Colorado settlement, and showcasing a true escape from modern times.
“I’m hoping to be a better person when I get back,” Jenkins says. “And I’ll be able to remind myself that I don’t need [modern] stuff to be happy.”
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