Just Art

By Kyle Kirves

AN ARTIST'S SIMPLE PLEA CONSIDER THE WORK

B y Ky l e K i r v e s

rtist Gregg Deal wants you to consider the work. “ You can either love my work

Aor hate my work – I’m ok with either one – but consider it. Complacency,” he says, “is not consideration.”

Deal hails from Utah but now calls Peyton, Colorado, home. He creates in a wide-range of media, from painting to performance and ever ything in between. A member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute tribe, his work blends elements culled from his Indigenous ancestr y with pop-culture references to create something informed by his identity, yes, but at odds with the cultural prejudices associated with the term Native American art.

“Contemporar y Native art is not fully defined,” Deal says. “So that really gives me the ability to define the space that I occupy. Navigating identity has a lot to do with constantly tr ying to overcome the perspective of people who won’t engage with it because it doesn’t look familiar to them. It doesn’t strike them as authentic.” He suggests that makes it sometimes challenging to reach audiences who lack the proper context, and that a lot of things get lost in tropes or antiquated ideas. “Tr ying to overcome that (bias) has proven to be difficult. But the consistency of my work has allowed it to exist in spaces it wouldn’t other wise get to.”

The notion of contemporar y art should not be limited by the race of its creator, Deal suggests, and that just because a work is inspired by Indigenous identity shouldn’t necessitate a “political” or “activist” label. “I’m really a contemporar y artist whose work is informed by an Indigenous identity,” he says.

He credits the Black Lives Matter movement with helping break down those perceptions, and is cautiously optimistic about the prospects of the movement. “Many are tr ying to engage with people of color in a way that’s hopefully more meaningful,” he says. “ We’ll see.”

To say that Deal’s work manifests itself in Colorado in a big way is actually literal. Anyone who’s been to the corner of Tejon Street and Pikes Peak Avenue in Colorado Springs has seen his work in the form of a 77-foot mural on the side of an office building. “Take Back the Power” is designed to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and members of the LGBTQ communities. The image is of a haloed girl in a punk rock t-shirt, Deal’s trademark handprint facepaint over her mouth.

“ With that mural, in that case – I mean that mural is huge … you don’t realize how big that is until you’re up that high,” Deal says. "And it raises the issues and asks for consideration.

And it creates an image of diversity, both ethnically and politically, in Colorado Springs.”

The mural is a potent statement piece, but is also ver y personal to Deal: the model is Deal’s daughter, Sage.

“From a practical point of view, my daughter is the most easily accessible Indigenous woman in my life. So, I can draw her, I can use her as a subject, I can pull her in. But she would tell you, it’s not even necessarily her. She is a figure that is existing there, engaging these multiple different issues. All those things exist within that space at the same time. Yet missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls are at the forefront.”

A dedicated and family-first father, Deal says it is a privilege to have his family in his work. He knows that his experience informs his art, and speaks to his family as well. He hopes it makes it a little easier for them to travel the same path he has. “They are going to see and experience what I’ve seen and experienced, he says.”

Not all of Deal’s work is on the grand scale of a 77-foot mural, naturally. When asked what his favorite medium is, he chooses not to choose. “I love painting. I love murals – they kind of remind me of graffiti in the ‘90s. Getting outside and getting dirty and kind of sweating through that process. Performance art is ver y freeing and has informed my other work by bringing a little more audacity to ever ything.” As for his favorite work, Deal points to “Rise” as an iconic, lasting image associated with the artist.

In the near future, Deal will be producing, performing and installing a series about the unlikely intersection of punk rock and Indigenous identity. “It’s pretty personal,” Deal says. “It’s spoken word and musically driven. There’s a lot of things in there that speak to things that sound familiar, and the struggle to figure out who you are as a Native person.”

Ultimately, though, what Gregg Deal wants is for you to consider the work. “The work is what’s most important. At least, it’s most important to me,” Deal says. “Pushing against all these different concepts or ideas play into that idea of loving or hating it. More than anything else, truth is where I’m tr ying to land – truth of experience, or historical truths, or social or political truths. I want to provide something that is wholeheartedly truth.” Find Gregg Deal’s work at greggdeal.com or on Instagram and other social media.

Kyle Kir ves drinks beer, plays guitar, runs trails, and manages projects – all with var ying degrees of success. While not a craftsman himself, he is quite content writing about the Colorado artisans who create such wonderful things and memorable experiences.

GET WILD

Plan backpacking trips far from the maddening crowds

By Steve Graham

Some parts of the Colorado backcountr y may not feel like wilderness as much as they once did. Even backpackers are likely to have some company throughout Rocky Mountain National Park and on most 14ers.

The best-known parts of Colorado attract plenty of adventurers. Still, it’s a big state with a lot of forested public land, so here are some other suggestions for a more isolated backpacking trip.

BUFFALO PEAKS WILDERNESS LOOP

This is the rarest of finds — a moderate 12-mile loop trail suitable for beginner backpackers that typically isn’t too crowded, owing partly to being 10 miles off the highway, and partly to the distance from any 14ers.

The trail, south of Fairplay, passes meadows, forest, waterfalls and creeks. There is plenty of access to water, and maybe too much water for the spring and early summer. Expect wet boots after stream crossings any time of year, and soggy trails early in the season.

There are several campsites at the top of the loop. You can also add some elevation and challenge yourself by climbing the namesake Buffalo Peak 13ers.

UPPER CATARACT LAKE TRAIL

Another rare pleasure is a long, shaded trail that is lightly traveled, but relatively easy to reach. Less than two hours from Denver, find the Surprise Trailhead just off Highway 9 north of Silverthorne in the Eagles Nest Wilderness.

Set out on a 10-mile hike past Surprise Lake to a view of Cataract Lake from the top of the trail. There is a short and steep trail from there to Upper Cataract Lake.

This streamside route has abundant wildflowers but can attract a lot of mosquitoes early in the season. Also look for bear, elk and moose in the meadows near the trail.

WOODY CREEK TRAIL

This 18-mile round-trip is a year-round option, as it begins with a shorter trek to the Marcy and McNamara huts. It then continues to the Woody Creek headwaters, up to a steep ridge and down to Hunter Creek.

The trail outside Aspen doesn’t travel to a particular destination but it offers some magnificent views of the Maroon Bells. There is also some wildlife spotting, including bears, so take care with food.

The trail is rarely traveled and not obvious in some areas. Look for cut logs and tree notches for clues to the right path. Dispersed camping is widely available; be sure to get off the trail at least 100 feet.

LAKE PARK LOOP

For a longer three- or four-day trip, or a really hardcore weekend outing, tr y a 23-mile loop near Florissant that travels by Goose Creek, Lake Park, McCurdy Park and Hankins Pass.

BE SAFE AND SMART

The isolation of a little-traveled trail means safety and preparation become even more important. Light traffic can mean a trail is not as well marked, and it is more likely to be both remote and challenging. Also, you are unlikely to encounter others who might be able to lend a hand.

The following expert tips apply to any backcountr y adventure, particularly for remote wilderness trips in the spring and early summer months.

Stay hydrated: Carr y one gallon per person per night and treat all stream water before consuming. While it’s tempting to slip a hip flask into the backpack, avoid alcohol and caffeine to limit dehydration and altitude sickness.

Also, always purify stream water. It’s tempting to think that headwater streams are clean and pure, but giardia is always a risk. Be thoughtful about timing your water run. “Don’t get water at dusk and dawn because that’s when the wildlife is getting water,” said Barr y Sweet, wilderness office manager for Rocky Mountain National Park.

Dress right: Plan for freezing temperatures through June for most alpine areas. Remember that summer doesn’t necessarily start on Memorial Day. “It’s not completely summer until the middle of July,” Sweet said. He also suggests bringing traction devices for shoes in the spring and early summer, as lingering snow is likely.

Be avalanche aware: “Avalanches don’t just impact people new to the backcountr y, they can impact seasoned backcountr y outdoor enthusiasts,” said Bridget Kochel, public information officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Check the avalanche forecast and take a safety course. “ You can’t really help yourself in the backcountr y if you don’t know what to protect yourself from,” Kochel said. In general, prepare for challenges in snowy spring adventures.

“It is important to be mindful that winter sports require a different level of physical stamina,” Kochel said. “For example, if you are hiking and fall into deep snow you have to be able to pull yourself out. Being responsible outdoors can help prevent overloading our first responders and search and rescue teams.”

Be bear aware: After seeing a yearling bear in my central Fort Collins driveway, I can attest that bears appear in the most surprising places. Sweet said at least 24 bears live in Rocky Mountain National Park, even though that number may be dropping. “ We kill a bear a year because of a human interaction,” he said. Carr y bear spray, wear a bell or other noisemaker and put your food and other scented items in bear canisters.

Listen for wind: Sweet has also seen plenty of wind-caused accidents in the park. “It’s the fall that kills you but the wind that blows you off balance,” he said. “On exposed ledges, listen with all your ears. When you start to hear it in the distance, you go from a 2-point contact to a 3-point contact or a 4-point contact.” In other words, stabilize yourself by putting one or two hands on the ground.

Camp safely : Tr y to set up your campsite away from standing dead trees. Pitch your tent where others have already camped, and keep the site small. “ We don’t want site creep,” Sweet said.

Communicate: Finally, tell someone where you are going and have a backup plan in case of problems. Call the local forest ser vice office for conditions and closures, particularly after last year’s widespread fires. For a list of offices, visit cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo Start at the Spruce Grove Campground, climb past Lizard Rock to cross Hankins Pass. The trail then climbs up to Lake Park and drops into a valley with excellent views of summer wildflowers and fall foliage.

The full loop climbs more than 5,600 feet, with some ver y steep stretches. It also includes some long legs without ponds and streams, so plan to carr y plenty of water.

The route links several trails, which can be hard to find. Be sure to carr y or download a good map.

LONE EAGLE PEAK

Finally, start at the Monarch Lake Trailhead north of Granby for a challenging 14-mile trek to some of the most beautiful views in the state.

Hike past Cascade Falls and several other waterfalls on the climb up to Mirror Lake. At the right time of day, the namesake mirror is a reflection of the relatively short but isolated and visually stunning Lone Eagle Peak.

T h e r e a r e a l s o p l e n t y o f c o n n e c t i o n s t o c l i m b i n g r o u t e s a s w e l l .

Note that the Indian Peaks wilderness has a $5 parking fee. Overnight trips require a permit, and camping is limited to designated and reser ved sites. Be sure to request a permit several months in advance, especially for summer weekends.

S t e v e G r a h a m i s a f r e e l a n c e w r i t e r a n d f o r m e r n e w s p a p e r e d i t o r w h o t a k e s h i s t w o b o y s b i k i n g , h i k i n g a n d b r e w e r y - h o p p i n g i n n o r t h e r n C o l o r a d o .