What do you think?
Rate this book
Trailblazer: the Adventures of a Nature Guide
Enos A. Mills (1870–1922) was the driving force behind the 1915 founding of Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park, which ensured the preservation and ongoing public enjoyment of one of the United States' great wilderness regions. Mills recognized visitors' need for guidance and education, and in this evocative, easy-to-read autobiography he tells of his experiences as a homesteader and nature guide.
The great naturalist John Muir encouraged Mills to assist in the promotion of parks and forests by conducting close observations of wildlife and writing and lecturing about his findings. Mills took his mentor's advice to heart, producing more than a dozen books and hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles. He also trained both men and women as nature guides, creating a new professional role for females during an era when such opportunities were rare, and he paved the way for what the National Park Service today terms "interpretation." Featuring all the illustrations from the original book, this edition transports readers to the unspoiled natural beauty of the Rockies under the expertise of one of the region's greatest advocates.
The great naturalist John Muir encouraged Mills to assist in the promotion of parks and forests by conducting close observations of wildlife and writing and lecturing about his findings. Mills took his mentor's advice to heart, producing more than a dozen books and hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles. He also trained both men and women as nature guides, creating a new professional role for females during an era when such opportunities were rare, and he paved the way for what the National Park Service today terms "interpretation." Featuring all the illustrations from the original book, this edition transports readers to the unspoiled natural beauty of the Rockies under the expertise of one of the region's greatest advocates.
320 pages, Paperback
Published March 18, 2020
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Enos A. Mills
76 books7 followersEnos Abijah Mills was born in Kansas but moved to Colorado early in his life during a bout with digestive illness. At age 15, he made his first ascent of the 14,255-foot Longs Peak. Over the course of his life, he made the trip 40 times by himself and nearly 300 additional times as a guide.
In 1887, after returning to health, he moved to Butte, Montana. There he lived and worked intermittently until 1902, spending more summers traveling the West Coast of the United States, Alaska, and Europe. In 1889, he had a chance encounter with famed naturalist John Muir on a San Francisco beach, and from that point on Mills dedicated his life to conservation activism, lecturing, and writing.
In 1902, Mills returned to Colorado and purchased from his cousin the Longs Peak House in Estes Park. He eventually homesteaded in the surrounding area and later turned the Longs Peak house into the Longs Peak Inn, from which he treated guests to excursions into the wilderness and evening nature talks.
From 1902-1906, Mills also served as the Colorado State Snow Observer, a position that took him into the wild he so loved. His job was to measure the snow depths to predict spring and summer runoff. Following this position, he served as government lecturer on forestry from 1907-1909. During this time, he also authored several articles and books on nature and Estes Park area.
Throughout his time in various assignments, Mills was also leading the fight to preserve the area around Longs Peak as a national park. Aided by groups such as the Sierra Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution, Mills succeeded and Congress established Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915. Called the "Father of Rocky Mountain National Park," Mills continued to lecture and write books until his untimely death at age 52 in 1922.
From: National Park Service Founders: Enos Mills
http://www.nps.gov/home/historycultur...
In 1887, after returning to health, he moved to Butte, Montana. There he lived and worked intermittently until 1902, spending more summers traveling the West Coast of the United States, Alaska, and Europe. In 1889, he had a chance encounter with famed naturalist John Muir on a San Francisco beach, and from that point on Mills dedicated his life to conservation activism, lecturing, and writing.
In 1902, Mills returned to Colorado and purchased from his cousin the Longs Peak House in Estes Park. He eventually homesteaded in the surrounding area and later turned the Longs Peak house into the Longs Peak Inn, from which he treated guests to excursions into the wilderness and evening nature talks.
From 1902-1906, Mills also served as the Colorado State Snow Observer, a position that took him into the wild he so loved. His job was to measure the snow depths to predict spring and summer runoff. Following this position, he served as government lecturer on forestry from 1907-1909. During this time, he also authored several articles and books on nature and Estes Park area.
Throughout his time in various assignments, Mills was also leading the fight to preserve the area around Longs Peak as a national park. Aided by groups such as the Sierra Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution, Mills succeeded and Congress established Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915. Called the "Father of Rocky Mountain National Park," Mills continued to lecture and write books until his untimely death at age 52 in 1922.
From: National Park Service Founders: Enos Mills
http://www.nps.gov/home/historycultur...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
No one has reviewed this book yet.