The GoHawkeye Desert to Mountains fundraising hike

April 9, 2021 Off By Craig Stein

I completed my Desert to Mountains fundraiser hike on July 15, 2021 but there is still time to donate. -Hawkeye

1,000-mile trek on the Continental Divide Trail to benefit adaptive athletes …

On May 15, 2021, Hawkeye will begin the 1,000-mile Desert to Mountains fundraiser trek from the boot heel of New Mexico to Telluride, Colorado. He expects it will take 60 days to complete this hike which begins near the Crazy Cook monument, at the Mexico border near Antelope Wells, the southern terminus of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). This is a new edition of his annual fundraiser hike and is the major GoHawkeye Foundation fundraiser for the year. Hawkeye always donates his expenses for the trip.

“The New Mexico desert is an exciting place to start a trail with the rattlesnakes, mountain lions, tarantulas and cows. It is very dry, pretty high, and it has great skies. New Mexico is truly the Land of Enchantment.”
HAWKEYE

Hawkeye wants to increase his fundraising mileage this year, so he decided to hike the CDT again but instead end at his home in Telluride, Colorado. His last time here was in 2007 when he was hiking the 3,000 miles to Canada and raising funds for the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program(TASP)link. He raised $17,000 on this first try combining long distance hiking with helping athletes through adaptive sports. This year’s trek will raise money for the GoHawkeye Foundation. Hawkeye cofounded this all volunteer non-profit organization in 2014. GoHawkeye provides financial grants for equipment and experiences to adaptive athletes and organizations. People are encouraged to donate per mile or a set amount for this hike fundraiser.

Track Hawkeye’s progress while out on the trail.

Relying on the best gear available, he uses durable and lightweight equipment provided by Six Moon Designs.

In southern New Mexico, Hawkeye will carry his fly rod on portions of the trail through the Gila National Forest, along the Middle Fork of the Gila River, then farther North along the Rio Chama and Abiquiu Lake. He is in search of the rare, native Gila Trout found only in New Mexico and Arizona. It is an annual tradition for the GoHawkeye support crew to join him for Fish Camp out on the trail. this year at the Raina campground on Abiquiu Lake.

The majority of the CDT through New Mexico is rugged and remote. South of Silver City is dry desert. North it traverses the Gila National Forest which contains three wilderness areas. The Aldo Leopoldo, Blue Range, and the Gila Wilderness have a combined area of 792,584 acres. The Gila Wilderness was the first in the United States designated in 1924. Continuing North, the trail crosses the lava fields of the El Malpais National Monument, Dry Mesa, and Canyon Lands, San Pedro Parks Wilderness, and the Carson National Forest. In Colorado, the trail traverses the remote South San Juan Wilderness and the rugged Weminuche Wilderness and the San Juan Forest before reaching Telluride, Colorado.

“This vast undeveloped natural land can refresh the human spirit simply by it’s grandeur, purity and remoteness.”
HAWKEYE

Hawkeye will enjoy vehicle support with wife, Debbie, for the first 150 miles and then he’s on his own. He expects it will take at least two months to finish this hike through the 800 miles of New Mexico and 200 miles in Colorado. Follow along with the “Where in the World” link for updates from Hawkeye during the trek.

You can support his efforts and help make a difference through adaptive sports by donating. Since 2014 GoHawkeye has awarded grants to 60 adaptive athletes and 8 organizations totaling over $170,000.

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