Non-profit provides all-ability backcountry experiences

By Jay McKinney

Colorado is known for its beautiful scenery and active people who enjoy the outdoors in multiple ways. While some of the most scenic regions of the state lie among rugged landscapes where access is limited to some folks, Wilderness on Wheels (WOW) offers an amazing outdoor experience for people of all ages and physical capabilities.

Located in the Pike National Forest near the town of Grant, Wilderness on Wheels is a non-profit organization that features an 8-foot-wide boardwalk that stretches nearly a mile and rises to more than 9,000 feet in elevation. Similar to other hiking hotspots in the national forest, visitors are treated to the fresh scent of pine and aspen trees, the peaceful trickle of a mountain stream and views of the valley and towering mountains at the boardwalk’s summit.

Everyone is welcome to visit Wilderness on Wheels, but as the name suggests, it was made especially for those using wheelchairs. Roger West envisioned the project more than three decades ago after seeing his father, an avid outdoorsman, become reliant on a wheelchair. West couldn’t stop wondering how outdoorsy people struck with a disability could continue to get out into the mountains and visit the places they love most.

So, with the help of thousands of volunteer hours of labor and donations to fund the project, construction on the boardwalk began in 1986. Building the same structure on flat ground would have been a challenge, but going through the forest and up a mountainside made it a task that took years to finish.

Ever since its completion, the boardwalk has been visited by people of varying abilities along with their friends, family and caregivers year after year. Over time the site expanded to include a stocked fishing pond along with a campsite, huts and two cabins for visitors to reserve and spend the night if they choose. Despite only being open from Memorial Day until October, it’s estimated that more than 1,000 people visit each season and the joy that some of them experience is unparalleled.

“Hearing a 5-year-old girl squeal when she caught her first fish, a rainbow trout, is a sound I’ll never forget,” says Alison Kessler, president of Wilderness on Wheels. “We also had a 35-year-old come last summer that said it was her first night being independent away from her parents, but WOW provided all the safety and predictability she needed for that freedom.”

Kessler has served as the president for eight years and knows how difficult it can be to adjust to life using a wheelchair. When she was 26, she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks nerves and can bring on a variety of severe symptoms including paralysis. Even though most people can make a full recovery, it caused Kessler to be temporarily reliant on a wheelchair, and she learned that many public places are not very accommodating. After the experience, she wanted to give back and Wilderness on Wheels was the perfect fit. This mountain getaway was created specifically with disabled needs in mind, and it’s a Colorado gem that Kessler is proud to be a part of.

For visitor Brian Davis, it’s a great escape. “Opportunities for disabled people to experience hiking, camping and fishing in the forest are few and far between,” Davis says. “WOW offers just that, and the caretakers are wonderful at making everyone feel at home in the process. Our favorite aspect of camping at WOW is the solitude and isolation from the hubbub of daily living. Without internet access, life can slow down and allow us to enjoy the flow of nature, as the wind, rain, sun and temperature vary in their unique ways. At different times of the summer season, we can experience the emergence of wildflowers, hawks, hummingbirds, deer, and other wildlife, as well.”

While the extreme accessibility of Wilderness on Wheels is special because it allows people to achieve some independence in the backcountry, there are also other ways that they can experience the outdoors in Colorado. For example, Staunton State Park has a track-chair program in which disabled visitors can ride a specialized wheelchair through some of the park’s trails.

Another option is the Lockwood Foundation – where those with limited mobility can traverse difficult trails – with the help of technology and a little volunteer muscle. The foundation, established in 2018 by Jeffrey Lockwood, also hosts several hikes throughout the state, including a yearly extreme hike that has allowed disabled individuals to summit Mt. Elbert, Colorado’s highest peak.

It’s great to see organizations prioritizing accessibility regarding the outdoors. Roger West passed away in 2016, but Wilderness on Wheels has brought an unimaginable amount of joy to thousands of lives and will continue to do so.

Living in Colorado and being able to explore the outdoors is a luxury that everyone deserves access to. Those who are interested in helping Wilderness on Wheels can do so by donating or volunteering. Volunteers are vital to the organization and it’s a great way to give back to the community, spread joy and protect a mountain treasure.

Jay McKinney grew up in Sedalia and graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communications. During his free time, he enjoys playing golf, shooting pool and hiking throughout Colorado and neighboring Utah.

This story is in our May-June print issue. Click here to read the full magazine.