On April 1, 1919, 20 intrepid women, along with 15 men, signed on as charter members of the U of C Hiking Club. Females were required to submit a letter from the physical education department attesting to their ability to do hikes.

On April 1, 1919, 20 intrepid women, along with 15 men, signed on as charter members of the U of C Hiking Club. Females were required to submit a letter from the physical education department attesting to their ability to do hikes.

Since the first hike to Chautauqua’s Royal Arch, the club has flourished and is CU’s longest-running student organization. Initially, students did two audition hikes in order to qualify for membership, Sunday hikes were discouraged and chaperones accompanied all trips. While membership requirements have eased, today’s club still enjoys a camaraderie fostered by the outdoors.

See photos of the CU Hiking Club’s recent explorations of the natural beauty surrounding the university at www.colorado.edu/studentgroups/uchc/. To learn more about CU’s history, visit the Heritage Center on the third floor of Old Main or go to www.cuheritage.org.