May 10-11, 2025
By Penelope Purdy
Four RMCC members enjoyed a wonderful two-day journey on the historic Rio Grande south of Alamosa, Colorado, during a rare opportunity when this Class I+ stretch of river holds enough water for pleasant paddling. Along the way, they saw elk, wild horses, several raptors. and songbird species, as well as historic homesteads and layers of complex geology. If you follow in their paddle strokes, please treat this uncrowded river stretch as though it is the final exam for a master class in Leave No Trace Ethics – this area remains remarkably unspoiled, despite 10,000 years or more of nearby human presence (including prehistoric Natives).