Supporting biological research to preserve, protect, and sustain wildlife and other natural resources in the Elk Mountains of Colorado, and the urban and wildlife interface in the Roaring Fork Watershed.

HISTORY:

BRAILLE TRAIL

Robert Lewis envisioned a self-guiding nature trail for blind people while reading the story of Louis Braille's childhood. After loosing his eyesight, young Louis became despondent until his sister inspired him to get out of the house and explore the woods around their home with all of his senses.

Bob's own life had been profoundly influenced by nature and he treasured the solace as well as the insights, which he enthusiastically shared with people of all ages.

During one of his hikes up Independence Pass, Bob discovered an ideal location for the self-guided nature trail, 13 miles east of Aspen in the White River National Forest. Lewis persuaded the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture to dedicate several acres of spruce, fir and pine forest and a wet meadow adjacent to the rapids, riffles and calm sandy pools of the Roaring Fork River.

Forest Service personnel contributed many hours to map a safe and interesting trail that meanders over a glacial moraine, along pine needle carpeted paths, around tree roots, down a stony slope and around the soft mossy banks of a small sphagnum bog that supports a variety of wetland shrubs and flowers within the area of about one city block.

Bob Lewis poster.

A maintenance plan is being developed for the Braille Trail.
To find out how you can get involved, please contact Mark Fuller, Executive Director for the Independence Pass Foundation.
Email: fulcon@rof.net