Groups pushing for official Zeb Pike trail

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Created on Thursday, 17 June 2010 20:12

Written by Nathan

By R. SCOTT RAPPOLD, The Gazette

Douglas Hatfield, right, and Susan Paul reach the summit of Mount Rosa Monday, Nov. 27, 2006, just like Zeb Pike did 200 years ago.

Christian Murdock

Zebulon Pike’s 1806-07 journey to Colorado is a historical comedy of errors – he lost most of his party, got captured by the Spanish and never climbed the peak that bears his name.

But a group of historians, Pike enthusiasts and others say his journey was just as important as that of Lewis and Clark, and it deserves similar recognition. They are seeking to develop the Pike National Historic Trail, a network of markers and signs in seven states and Mexico, commemorating the explorer’s travels.

“If you name a mountain Pikes Peak, or if it is named after him there in Pike National Forest and all those things, you’ve got to add something to it,” said Harv Hisgen, president of the Pike National Historic Trail Association and a retired teacher in Conifer.

“What we want to do is put out more of this story, let people know there is more than just Pikes Peak,” he said.

Pike, an Army lieutenant, set out from St. Louis in 1806, tasked with establishing American sovereignty over the plains, making peace with the tribes there and exploring the headwaters of the Arkansas and Red rivers. His journey took him through Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, and near present-day Pueblo he saw a “small blue cloud” in the distance — Pikes Peak.

He didn’t succeed in climbing the mountain, and instead headed south and then to the upper Arkansas Valley and South Park. His expedition party was captured by the Spanish in the San Luis Valley and taken through New Mexico and Mexico. Pike was then released into Texas and made his way into Louisiana.

Unlike Lewis and Clark, he and his surviving men received no extra pay or land grants, and he was killed a few years later in the War of 1812.

The historic trail idea was born from the bicentennial celebration of Pike’s journey. Much of Pike’s route is already commemorated as other national historic trails, including the Lewis and Clark Trail and the Santa Fe Trail.

The project would consist of signs along roads, not actual trail construction, tied together with brochures and a Web site linking them and the more than two dozen Pike historical markers now in place.

Hisgen has been visiting Colorado counties along the route to get support, and has the blessings of 11 of 15, he said. He has yet to make a presentation to El Paso County commissioners.

There is no cost to local governments and property owners, he said.

In El Paso County, the route would parallel Interstate 25 from Pueblo to the south side of Colorado Springs, cut through The Broadmoor area to Old Stage Road, and follow that dirt road to Mount Rosa, the 11,499-foot peak historians believe Peak actually climbed while trying to summit Pikes Peak.

While the trail would not actually go to Pikes Peak, Hisgen said the mountain is one of the “crown jewels” of the national historic trail, and visitors would go see it.

“Certainly people are going to go up to the top of Pikes Peak. They’re going stay in Manitou. They’re going to stay in the Springs,” Hisgen said.

But how much would a network of signs, along a route that already boasts several, actually increase tourism? Enough that Experience Colorado Springs, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, has written a letter of support.

“History and heritage are huge tourism markets in many places and certainly here,” said spokeswoman Chelsy Murphy.

A Congressional designation is required to establish the trail, and Hisgen hopes Colorado’s delegation will soon sponsor a bill to launch a feasibility study. There are 19 other national historic trails.

For more information visit zebulonpike.org.

Call the writer at 476-1605.