Journal 4: From Battlefield to Backwoods: Homesteader John L. Powell

The wind tugged at John Powell’s coat as he surveyed the land just north of Cuchara. It wasn’t much, just forest, rock, and possibility. But to a Civil War veteran with nothing but grit and a government promise, it looked like the future. 

Journal 23: Rediscovering Raspberry Mountain (Part 2: 1876 - Present)

Once a rugged wilderness bursting with wild berries and prowled by bears, Raspberry Mountain has steadily evolved from untamed backcountry into a cherished mountain community. Tucked within Colorado’s Spanish Peaks region, it first sustained wildlife and early homesteaders, then welcomed loggers, ranchers, and adventurers. Today, its slopes are dotted with cabins and quiet trails, blending the echoes of frontier grit with the comforts of modern mountain life. Its a living landscape where wilderness and community now coexist.