Mid-morning , on July 22, 75 teenagers from the Golden Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began a four day pioneer trek of more than 22 miles in the James Mark Jones Wildlife Area, NE of Hartsel, Colo. Dressed in pioneer-era clothing, minus ipods or any other electronic devices, "families" pushed and pulled period-authentic handcarts over rough terrain in the summer heat. A particularly difficult leg of the trip involved the young men being "called to serve in the U.S. Army", (an actual event in Mormon history) leaving the young women to scale the highest hill of the trek with the handcarts. There was fun interspersed with the physically demanding travel, too. Food and games, true to the period, were welcome distractions. Music played an important part in keeping spirits up as it did on the actual pioneer treks.

Mary Lou Jespersen , of Conifer, and Gaylen Hansen, of Evergreen, presidents of the Stake youth programs, co-chaired the planning committee. Adult members of the Church participated as "parents" to the "families". Mrs. Jespersen explained, "We started planning this event about a year and a half ago. We wanted to give the youth the opportunity to increase their spirituality, appreciate the (Church) heritage that has been left to them, and learn that in order to accomplish hard things they need to work together."

Were they successful? According to trekker Gwendoline Abbondanza, of Conifer, yes. "I was surprised by the sense of unity that was there. Everyone got along; even those who usually don't. Some of us really didn't want to go at the beginning but by the end we were so glad we did. It was great to see the change in attitude." The 17-year-old added, "We learned to appreciate what the pioneers did physically as well as the amount of faith they must have had." (In the mid to late 1800's Mormon pioneers forged west seeking religious freedom and relief from persecution.) Many of the modern-day trekkers considered their journey a life-changing experience.