Bruno Lopes – Loveland, Colorado … Thirty-four students from Campion Academy in Loveland, Colorado, split into two backpacking groups to experience over 15 miles of hiking in the State Forest State Park and Indian Peaks Wilderness, August 22-24.
Both groups hiked in about three or four miles on Friday evening and set up camp. Then on Saturday, they spent the day hiking up the mountain to reach alpine lakes. After spending Saturday night at the camp site, they hiked back on Sunday.
Despite the challenges of high altitude, cold nights, and heavy bags, many students mentioned how the group was united, making the trip more enjoyable.
Luca Lu, senior student in the State Forest group, reflected, “I’ve done backpacking with Campion [Academy] for the past three years and something different that I really enjoyed was the group we had this year that made the hike way more fun and relaxing.”
Even though bad weather threatened both areas, the groups were blessed with mostly sunny days and cool nights. Abigail Brown, a junior student in the Indian Peaks group, said, “The weather was good—a little chilly and foggy—making us able to hike for longer and see lakes that we wouldn’t be able to see if the weather was bad.”
For several students, this was their first time backpacking, making this experience more unforgettable. Gabriel Tostes, sophomore student, commented, “I had never done backpacking before, and, although it was tiring to walk with the weight of the backpack, it was very satisfying to arrive at Kelly Lake. I also really enjoyed the time I spent together with my friends in the tent.”
—Bruno Lopes, Campion Academy Student News Team. Photos supplied.
