On Wednesday, Sept. 17, Josh Gardner took his Mancos Middle School PE class on a hike to Sharkstooth Pass.
The group had planned the trip as part of a PBIS reward. On the morning of the field trip it was questionable whether or not the class was going to be able to complete its journey. It had rained the night before.
When everyone arrived at the school there was lighting down south by Mesa Verde. Everyone was packed and ready. The boys waited in the old gym until the decision was made that the group could proceed.
The crew traveled the bumpy road to a point where the bus could safely turn around. It was still 1½ miles to the trailhead. The weather cooperated, and from there the class headed out on foot.
Once they reached the trailhead, the boys found a nice reward of wild raspberries. Everyone was in good spirits, and they continued up the two-mile trail.
Just shy of the pass, the group took cover in a small grouping of trees to eat lunch and stay out of the wind. After lunch they made a break for it, and went to the pass. Everyone made it to the top and took in the breathtaking view.
The trip back down was much quicker. Coach Gardner noted the walk was the longest hike for some of the boys, a total round trip 7 miles.
The boys did not want to return to school just yet, so there was one detour to the overlook at Transfer Campground. The students looked back at Sharkstooth and could not believe they all were just there two hours ago.
Coach Gardner was relieved that the weather had cooperated.
