Schofield Pass, Colorado | 19 Miles of Adventure
Narrow roads, steep drop-offs, a breathtaking waterfall, and 19 miles of unforgettable terrain. This Return to Dirt adventure was not for the faint of heart! On September 11, 2026, High Fives Foundation’s Return to Dirt program headed into the rugged Colorado backcountry with adaptive athlete Doug Rottman for an unforgettable ride through Schofield Pass. Doug, a C4/C5 quadriplegic for 40 years, has spent much of his life exploring the Colorado mountains. As a part-time resident of Marble, Colorado, he’s been visiting this incredible landscape for decades. But this time, he experienced the familiar terrain from a whole new perspective.
The adventure kicked off in Marble, Colorado, a small mountain town with a big history. Its famous marble quarry supplied stone used in some of Washington, D.C.’s most iconic landmarks. From there, the crew headed into the mountains, navigating 19 miles of rugged trails, narrow mountain roads, and exposed sections with steep drop-offs. The route took the team toward the legendary Devil’s Punchbowl, a dramatic waterfall tucked into one of Colorado’s most breathtaking and challenging backcountry corridors. With tight turns, rocky terrain, and plenty of exposure, this was the kind of adventure that gets everyone’s adrenaline pumping.
“Most adrenaline I’ve had on a Return to Dirt trip in years.”
— Tim Burr, Return to Dirt Manager
And coming from someone who spends his days exploring the backcountry, that’s saying something!
For Doug, this trip was more than another day on the trail. It was an opportunity to experience a landscape he’s known and loved for much of his life through adaptive off-road adventure. That’s what Return to Dirt is all about…creating opportunities for individuals with life-changing injuries to reconnect with the outdoors, explore challenging terrain, and share unforgettable experiences with their community.
Sometimes the most meaningful adventures aren’t about discovering somewhere new. They’re about finding a new way to experience somewhere you’ve always loved.
