Welcome to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail in the Carson National Forest
Where Tribal Nations and Land Grant communities have cared for these lands for generations.
Discover the people, partnerships, artwork, poetry, history, and shared vision that brought these kiosks to life.
Every trail tells a story. Some are written in mountains and rivers. Others are carried through generations of people who have called these lands home. Still others begin with a single person whose love for a place inspires something that lasts far beyond their own journey.
The trailhead kiosks throughout the Carson National Forest were created to help visitors experience this landscape more deeply, not simply as a place to recreate, but as a place of ecological significance, cultural continuity, and living relationships. We hope that after exploring these stories, you’ll discover a landscape that connects communities, cultures, wildlife, waters, and generations.
These kiosks were created through a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC), the Taos Pueblo, and the family of CDT hiker Joe Schuler. They reflect a new way of sharing the stories of the people affected by the Continental Divide Landscape and the people connected along its spine. The story behind these kiosks also illustrates that, through building living relationships with one another, the communities that care for the CDT share motivation from the natural world, spiritual connection, cultural significance, and connecting communities.
The Carson Kiosks were designed in partnership with the Taos Pueblo and guided by CDT Tribal Fellow Cruz Concha, also of Taos Pueblo. Participation from Tribal Elders, Tribal Youth, and Tribal Artists was integral to their design. The Department of Conservation was also instrumental in providing the beautiful expressions of connection to the land included on the kiosks.
The financial support from the family and friends of Joe Schuler supported the ability to provide Tribal honorariums, support youth experiencing the CDT across the Carson National Forest, and the design and production of the kiosks. The family also generously shared images that Joe Schuler had taken while he hiked across the Carson National Forest on the CDT in 2022.
A Message from the Community of Taos Pueblo
“Welcome to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the Carson National Forest. These are the homelands and waters of Indigenous People, Tribal Nations, and Traditional Hispanic communities who remain stewards and maintain deep connections to these places through their traditional, cultural, and religious practices. While visiting these sacred lands and waters, it is important to recognize the original stewards of these places and to honor and acknowledge their efforts in nurturing Mother Nature, past, present, and future.
Recognizing the waters, mountains, and valleys is an invitation to express your gratitude and to honor the first people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial. By recognizing these beginnings and the ongoing dedication and importance of these lands and waters, we all become a part of their living history, for time evermore.
While traveling across these lands, it’s important to acknowledge all the living creatures and the beautiful natural wonders that are cradled in the arms of these Sacred Mountains and waters, and who call this place home. These are places that provide healing plants, cooking herbs, and for many, sustainability for all of life. As an important place of emergence, these lands provide water to people all across North America and remain an important migration corridor for Elk, Bear, Bobcat, Wild Turkey, and many other creatures big and small. And, for time evermore, these lands and waters will continue to hold our collective history, traditions, and spiritual connections to the place we call home, our Mother Earth.
Through acknowledging our relationship to these lands, and all of the lands around us, we have hope for a future with more understanding and knowledge of the places, people, communities, and cultures the Trail connects and brings together. We deepen our connection to the land as we seek to understand our place in its history.
Enjoy your visit and please remember to leave only footprints and take only Mother Nature’s Gifts and Blessings.”
The Story Behind the Carson Kiosks
Many paths converge on trails.
What inspires someone to begin a journey across the CDT is different for every traveler. Still, nearly everyone starts with the same feeling: something calling them toward a destination just beyond the horizon.
For Joe “Plant” Schuler, that call came in the spring of 2021. Joe began hiking the Continental Divide Trail through New Mexico, carrying with him a lifelong love of the outdoors, a passion for botany, and the curiosity of a teacher. Those who knew him saw immediately how deeply he connected with the landscapes of the CDT.
Tragically, Joe passed away from natural causes unexpectedly in February 2022, at just 23 years old, before beginning the next leg of his CDT hike. In the wake of his passing, Joe’s parents, Bob and Vickie Schuler, approached the CDTC about setting up a memorial fund in Joe’s name. The fund would honor Joe’s life and passions, and help support the trail he had come to love. The story of his CDT experience first appeared in CDTC’s Passages in the spring of 2022. It would take three more years before the seed from that initial contact would fully bloom, and a memorial fund was just the beginning of a lasting legacy that Joe Schuler would leave on the CDT, reflecting his love of learning, nature, and the Continental Divide Trail.
What has grown from that one phone call has transformed the concept of what a trailhead kiosk can be and how to invite in the stories of all the people connected through a shared love of a place.
From Memorial to Movement
CDTC’s work is to share this story in a way that invites all people who have a love of the Continental Divide landscapes into the story, and see themselves as part of our work. When the Schuler family reached out to CDTC, their desire to honor their son’s legacy seemed to fit the idea for the trailhead kiosk project taking shape for the Carson National Forest. The CDT through this area officially opened in September 2019, marking the completion of the trail across the forest. The final step was to install interpretive signage to welcome visitors and encourage them to explore the trail. While CDTC and the U.S. Forest Service secured initial funding to begin the project, completing it would take several more years.
CDTC and the U.S. Forest Service realized this could be the catalyst to fully realizing a larger vision for how trailhead kiosks could serve visitors and residents alike, to share their love of place. Instead of creating a traditional memorial, the Schuler Family helped create places where every visitor could learn, reflect, and connect more deeply with the landscape he loved.
A Partnership Built on Relationships
Over the next two years, the project evolved into something much larger than informational kiosks. Together, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, Carson National Forest, the Schuler family, and the Taos Pueblo, with artists, elders, youth, and community leaders from the local Tribes, asked:
What is most important for someone standing here to know?
The answer became eight trailhead kiosks that weave together Tribal history, ecology, poetry, artwork, science, photography, and personal stories into one shared experience.
Guided by CDTC Tribal Fellow Cruz Concha and the Taos Pueblo Department of Conservation and Youth Outreach (C.O.R.E.) Program, the Tribal Community became co-creators of this project. Today these kiosks invite every visitor to experience these lands through multiple perspectives while honoring the people whose relationships with them continue today.
THE ARTWORK
Painted by the Taos Pueblo Community
Every painting on these kiosks was created by an artist from Taos Pueblo, several of them still in high school. Their work sits alongside poetry, ecology, and Joe Schuler’s photographs.
Angel Erickson
Taos Pueblo
Winterbear Suazo
“Traveler”
Jenna Bass
“Sacred Waters”
Leonard Archuleta
Taos Pueblo
Frank Rainleaf
“Storytelling”
Jeralyn Lujan Lucero
“Charity”
Jeralyn Lujan Lucero
“Fall Day at Taos Pueblo”
Jennie T. Romero
“Pueblo Flowers”
Joe Schuler's Legacy
Joe began the CDT as one hiker seeking adventure. Today, his legacy lives on in every visitor who pauses at these kiosks to learn about the lands beneath their feet, the people who have cared for them for generations, and the importance of stewardship.
His love of botany, education, and the outdoors continues to inspire thousands of people who may never have known his name, but whose experience of the Continental Divide has been enriched because of his family’s generosity.
A journey may end sooner than expected, but it can be the beginning of a lasting impact.
Help Us Share More Stories
The Carson National Forest kiosks represent a new model for trailhead interpretation, one built through authentic partnerships with Tribal Nations, local communities, public land agencies, artists, educators, and outdoor enthusiasts.
The Continental Divide Trail Coalition hopes to expand this work across the 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, creating more opportunities to share Indigenous perspectives, local history, ecological knowledge, and the stories that connect people to place.
Your support helps make that possible.
Together we can create more places where visitors don’t simply pass through the landscape. They come to understand it.
Support CDTC’s work to:
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Develop additional trailhead kiosks across the CDT. -
Partner with Tribal Nations to share Indigenous knowledge and perspectives. -
Support Tribal youth engagement and conservation leadership. -
Expand educational resources that deepen connections between people and public lands. -
Share your stories of connection to the landscapes of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail so that we may continue to strengthen our collective vision for the future and to ensure these places remain protected for future generations!
Contact us at [email protected] to learn how you can support the Joe Schuler Memorial Fund or contribute to projects like this in the future.
Meet the People Behind the Project
YOUTH ARTISTS
Faith Martinez - Taos Pueblo, 21
My name is Faith Martinez; I am twenty-two years old. I am a Native American woman from Taos Pueblo, New Mexico. I grew up enriched in a family who created art and crafts, whether it was jewelry, sewing, or painting. During my free time I enjoy creating art through different media. I mostly enjoy creating art through painting. I am currently in school to get my associate’s degree in education. My biggest inspiration for becoming a teacher is being able to help teach and guide our youth into the future. I feel that it is important to be a rock for them and show support. Our youth is our future, and I am excited to work with them!
Angel Erickson - Taos Pueblo, 14
My name is Angel Erikson. I am from Taos Pueblo, and I come from the Vigil and Erikson families. I am an active person with a strong interest in sports, including softball, track, skiing, and wrestling. I also enjoy drawing occasionally.
I am dedicated to my education, and I currently maintain strong grades with excellent attendance. Although I’m not a fan of chores like washing dishes or cleaning, I do enjoy working and earning money.
I live on a farm where my family raises cows, ducks, chickens, dogs, and cats. We have five dogs, two cats, and eleven siblings. This is a little bit about me and my life.
Marian Concha - Taos Pueblo, 15
My name is Marian Concha. I am a fifteen-year-old, indigenous, young woman from Taos Pueblo, New Mexico. I was born in Englewood, Colorado. I moved to Taos when I was five years old. I am the oldest of three, I have two crazy younger siblings who always keep me busy. Jaelyn, my little sister, is four years old and Cruz, my little brother, is two years old.
Currently, I am a sophomore at Taos High School and a dual-credit college student at UNM. Recently, I attended a competition for HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) and placed for the state championships. HOSA is a global student organization for those interested in healthcare careers. I am the youth representative for The Indian Education Committee (IEC) which represents all Taos Pueblo students. I am also involved with the Taos Pueblo Youth Coalition; I am the secretary. I have been the altar server at San Germino church in the pueblo for five years and recently made my confirmation in May 2025. My favorite hobby is baking. I enjoy baking specialty cakes. My favorite food is my grandma’s food she makes at her Cafe in the Pueblo called Aithloo’s (Grandma’s).
In the future, I will see myself in college. I’m not exactly sure what I want to do but I know whatever I end up doing, I’ll love.
Sadie Pepion - Taos Pueblo and Blackfeet, 16
[Bio in progress.]
ARTISTS
Leonard Archuleta - Taos Pueblo Artist
Art has always given me enjoyment as well as a sense of purpose, and I find art challenging to do. It is my desire to create artwork that is a form of communication to the audience as to how I view the world through my life experiences and all the unique memories that go along with it. I have a feeling of deep respect and love for the beauty of my culture and the outdoors which inspire my choice of subject matter. When I see something interesting in nature, I photograph the scene and work from this to create my art. I use both oil and acrylic colors to paint detailed and accurate representations of my subject matter. Art has given my life meaning and purpose, to inspire and enhance people’s lives, one painting at a time. Being recognized at an early age for my creativity in making art, I was encouraged to pursue art and create art that invokes an emotional response to the viewer. I attended the Institute of American Indian Arts where I was influenced by famous artists such as Allen Houser, Ralph Partington and Guy Nex. Completing a process and making something physical that can be viewed and enjoyed by people is rewarding to me.
Jeralyn Lujan-Lucero - Taos Pueblo Artist
Taos Pueblo’s renowned painter, potter and sculptor.
“Gathering Flowers”
James and Jeralyn are raising their three children in their ancestral home, based on the native calendar, living a traditional Pueblo life. My beliefs come from both worlds: I express my deeply held cultural beliefs and the spirituality of the catholic religion. The basic elements I use are water, clay, and paint, and with the guidance of the great spirit, my work is achieved. This is the gift he has given me, and this is what I share with you. Thank you!
James and Jeralyn-Lujan own and operate The Sage Brush Deer Studio/Gallery located in the historic Taos Pueblo Plaza.
Frank Rainleaf - Taos Pueblo Artist
Is a self-taught artist from Taos Pueblo. He learned from a young age how to paint from his grandfather Little Joe Gomez, watching him paint and draw using various mediums such as pencils. His grandfather would tell him stories about hunting trips on Taos tribal lands. He once told him that he would be an artist some day and remember the stories that he was told and never forget. He never forgot, and his paintings emulate that today, painting from his own personal experience and about those of his grandfather’s stories, his art captures the scenery and wildlife of the Taos Mountain. His work has been tribal vehicles and on tribal Flags. As an elder councilman, Frank believes in the traditional way of life. Frank is compelled to paint for peace and love because of all the wars and strife here and abroad. He has a painting labeled “Prayer for World Peace”. The painting portrays all nations of indigenous people. All Native Americans have a wish for peace, but peace cannot just be among Native Americans it should be among all nationalities all over the world. He said, “close your eyes and will see it. It’s always about love. So, if you want peace, it’s all here in your heart.”
Jennie T. Romero - Taos Pueblo Artist
Has called Taos Pueblo, her home for her entire life. She attended The Taos Pueblo Day school early from kindergarten to eighth grade. She went on to attend Taos High School and upon completion later that fall she was accepted to The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe N.M. Where she enrolled into the silk-screening program. After graduation from IAIA, she was hired as a clerk for the Johnson O’Malley program for Native American youth attending the Taos Public schools. She would eventually land a position for school clerk with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Taos Pueblo Day school. A position she held for 23 years. There she would use her creative art talent to create and design arts for the annual Christmas pageant and eighth grade promotions. She recently started drawing full time, creating paintings of Native American pottery with different types of floral patterns.
Jenna Bass - Taos Pueblo Artist
Jenna Bass is a self-taught artist who specializes in acrylic and watercolor mediums. Her artwork is inspired by her family’s culture from Taos Pueblo, the people of the Taos community, and the landscapes of Northern New Mexico.
She has been traveling to Taos Pueblo with her family since childhood, for traditional activities within the village. Growing up in an environment where creativity was encouraged to grow and flourish, she was deeply influenced by her father, a well-known sculptor whose work was featured in galleries and art shows. Through her father, her introduction to the art world sparked a lifelong passion to create.
Her spiritual journey led her to move from Rio Rancho to Taos in 2018, where she fell in love with the community, the landscapes, and the area’s unique atmosphere.
A local once said, “You go to New York to get rich; you go to LA to get famous, and you go to Taos to be yourself.” She has found this to be profoundly true. Everyone is unapologetically themselves, the culture is rich, and through meeting so many beautiful, authentic people, she has in turn met her true self.
She metaphorically views life as a blank canvas waiting to be painted and lives accordingly. Experiencing life’s beauty continuously fuels her inspiration for upcoming works of art.
Her work is currently featured at Lyle’s Creations Gallery in the McCarthy Plaza in Taos. She has also recently expanded to include prints and canvas prints, available at the Hotel La Fonda de Taos lobby and Casa Benavides Inn.
Winterbear Suazo - Taos Pueblo / Jemez Pueblo Artist
Born in 1992 in Santa Fe New Mexico. I am a Taos and Jemez Pueblo Native. I started drawing and painting seriously in high school. The cultures I grew up in are traditional and have taught me many meaningful lessons like prayers, songs, and dances. I create from my experiences and dreams. My art is a mix of pencils, colored markers, oil, and acrylic paints reflecting how beautiful life is.
He is very outgoing, loves the outdoors and sings Native American music.
POETS
Juan Isidro Concha - Taos Pueblo Poet
Juan Isidro “Tha poet” Concha, of the Taos Pueblo tribe, has been writing poetry since the seventh grade. It was then that Mr. Concha was taken under the wing of the World Poetry Bout co-founders, Anne MacNaughton and Peter Rabbit. Contending at the local Poetry slam level, He has yet to be defeated. During his youth “tha Poet” brought three state titles back to Taos N.M. and placed third in the 2000 International Poetry Slam. Since then he has focused his talents on furthering youth poetry in Taos, where he continues to mentor and teach.
“Family and community, always, before self,” he exclaims.
Coral Dawn Bernal - Taos Pueblo Poet
Coral Dawn Bernal, “Red Coral Flower” was born on June 24, 1987, and made her spirit journey on July 18, 2020. Born to Carpio (Taos Pueblo) and Rose Bernal (Canada), Coral enjoyed a rich, multi-tribal family background, and was very active in her cultural traditions, often the subject of her poetry. As an awarded poet, Coral represented Taos in national poetry competitions, received the inaugural UNM Native Writers Award, among others, and was a favorite on the slam poetry scene. Posthumously, Coral’s poem, “Movement” was published in the 2023 New Mexico Poetry Anthology which was also published in New Mexico’s Campfire Stories, Santa Fe and Taos. The inclusion of Coral’s poetry in the Continental Divide project brings great honor to the Bernal Family and to the Taos Pueblo community. Coral’s legacy has been the inspiration for the soon-to-open Dawn Butterfly Restaurant and for the future Coral Dawn and Paul J. Bernal Center for Arts and Literature at Taos Pueblo.
FELLOWS & INSPIRATION
Joseph “Joe” William Schuler - CDT Hiker · 1998 to 2022
Joseph “Joe” William Schuler, Age 23, died suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday, February 27, 2022, from a pulmonary embolism.
He is the beloved son of Bob and Vickie Schuler; dear brother of James Schuler; and loving grandson of W.E. Hollingsworth. Joe is also survived by many loving extended family and friends.
Joe is a 2020 U of M Grad (Ann Arbor). He majored in Education with concentrated study in the sciences. His work at the U of M botany museum exploded into a wealth of knowledge in plants and their classification. He was also a member of the university’s cross country ski club.
He was teaching high school science at Black River High School in Holland, MI. Classes included Physics, Botany, and Astronomy. He had also immersed himself in the school social functions and assumed the role of JV Basketball Coach.
Joe is a 2016 Rochester High School High Honors Grad and he ran track and x-country for RHS all 4 years.
Joe attended West Elementary in Rochester (and substitute taught in spring 2021). And if you are familiar with Meadowbrook elementary, as a student, he wore something ORANGE to school every day. (A legend in his own time!!)
Joe was an Eagle Scout with Troop 360 and was a treasured senior patrol leader.
He continued his love for the great outdoors, having hiked the 700 mile New Mexico portion of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in April 2021. The trip started in the heat of the southern US border and ended in waist deep snow at 11,000 ft on the Colorado border.
He loved life and had a kind word for everyone.
Crucito A. Concha Jr. “Cruz” - Taos Pueblo · Continental Divide Trail Coalition Tribal Fellow
Crucito “Cruz” is from Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, the home of the Red Willow People. Formerly struggling with alcoholism and substance abuse, his search for a path to find his way out of addiction led him in 2019 to enroll at UNM-Taos in the Construction Certificate Program. Upon completing the program, he realized that education was his pathway to sobriety, healing, recovery, and a new life, which led him to push further and pursue a 2-year degree. Now focusing on his bachelor’s degree.
He has worked extensively with the UNM-Taos Film Digital Media Arts program team on a six-part safety series for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Public Lands Interpretive Association (PLIA), an educational film series illustrating how to recreate safely in the Río Grande Del Norte National Monument. He also recently completed a film project for the Taos Pueblo Tiwa Language program, a film documenting the language and culture of the Red Willow People. As a work-study in the FDMA program, he has collaborated in filmmaking, in the Native Voices Film Series for the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC). Beginning with episode one, featuring Acoma Pueblo, and episode two, featuring Taos Pueblo. Episode three, The Voices of the Land, is in post production phase. The series will hopefully include all 19 New Mexico Pueblos and beyond. This led him to an opportunity with the 2024 CDTC Tribal Fellowship program where he and 4 other Native Americans from different tribal affiliations came together with the support of the National Forest Service and the American Indian College Fund to help inform and impact the professional trajectory of the 5 Tribal Fellows in the field of conservation and/or develop a stronger connection to conservation type work. This led to a final presentation in Washington, D.C. to the leadership of the USFS, USDA, and DOI.
He graduated with honors in the summer of 2024 with an Associate in Film and Digital Media Arts (FDMA). He also received two additional certificates: 3-D printing and Film Technician. He continues his journey now, focusing on a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from UNM’s main campus.
He is currently CDTC Tribal Fellow where he continues to work on collaborative projects with the Carson National Forest trailhead Kiosks, mentoring young indigenous professionals, working with Indigenous Youth and the CDTC Native Voices Film Series. His work focuses on representing local Indigenous tribes that once or still inhabit areas along the CDT.
In addition to school and work, his greatest joy is raising a family with his significant other. They are blessed with two daughters, a 16 year old and the other is 4, and a 2 year old son. He feels truly happy and blessed with his new lease on life and is grateful for how education and how the CDTC has helped reshape his life.
Land Acknowledgement
CDTC staff and Board asks all trail visitors to join us in acknowledging the lands on which the CDT traverses across its entire 3,100 miles are the homelands of Indigenous and Native People and Tribal Nations. These traditional stewards of these lands have called these places home for millennia, and still call them home today. Many were persecuted or killed through genocide and were removed from these homelands. In all of our work, we honor these people, past, present and future, who continue to live, hold sacred, and steward all of the landscapes across which the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail traverses.