Several mules and horses cross the bridge spanning over Lake Creek at the Willis Gulch trailhead during a burro, mule and horse packing expedition Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 to deliver supplies to racers running the Leadville Trail 100 Run outside Twin Lakes, Colorado. (Jonathan Ingraham/Denver Gazette) (Jonathan Ingraham/Denver Gazette)
Burros have packed supplies for miners, ranchers, pioneers and farmers for decades around Colorado’s mountain communities during the 19th and 20th centuries, helping move gems, silver, and lumber from Silverton to Leadville.
In 2025, burros have a new job, or at least a fun one. They will be carrying supplies for racers of the Leadville Trail 100 Run, replacing the llamas that The Hopeless Crew used to carry supplies to the aid station near the summit of Hope Pass the previous 22 years.
Joe Polonsky laughs while standing in a pond after Jake the Trail Running Burro knocked him off trail while on a burro packing expedition to near the summit of Hope Pass Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Twin Lakes, Colorado. (Jonathan Ingraham/Denver Gazette)Jake the Trail Running Burro eats some food ahead of a burro packing expedition to near the summit of Hope Pass Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Twin Lakes, Colorado. (Jonathan Ingraham
jonathan.ingraham@denvergazettedev.gazette.com)A representative Colorado license plate with the words Joe and Jake sits atop Jake the Trail Running Burro’s back ahead of a burro packing hike to near the summit of Hope Pass Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Twin Lakes, Colorado. Jake and owner Joe Polonsky took supplies to the summit ahead of racers running in the Leadville Trail 100 Run race. (Jonathan Ingraham
jonathan.ingraham@denvergazettedev.gazette.com)A mule stands in a horse trail ahead of a mule packing expedition to near the summit of Hope Pass Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Twin Lakes, Colorado. Mules and burros are used to carry supplies to the Hope Pass summit for racers of the Leadville Trail 100 Run race. (Jonathan Ingraham
jonathan.ingraham@denvergazettedev.gazette.com)Two burros stand next to their trailer ahead of a burro packing expedition to near the summit of Hope Pass Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Twin Lakes, Colorado. (Jonathan Ingraham
jonathan.ingraham@denvergazettedev.gazette.com)Harrison Walter walks a burro Full Tilt Boogie on a bridge across Lake Creek during a burro packing expedition to near the summit of Hope Pass Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Twin Lakes, Colorado. Walter and several other burro packers were delivering supplies to the summit spot for racers running the Leadville Trail 100 Run Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (Jonathan Ingraham/Denver Gazette) (Jonathan Ingraham/Denver Gazette)Penny the burro jumps over a small stream as owner John Anderson assists during a burro packing expedition to near the summit of Hope Pass Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Twin Lakes, Colorado. Burros and mules are used to haul supplies to the summit area for racers running the Leadville Trail 100 Run race. (Jonathan Ingraham
jonathan.ingraham@denvergazettedev.gazette.com)Alice the burro follows its owner along the Willis Gulch Trail on a burro packing expedition to near the summit of Hope Pass Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Twin Lakes, Colorado. (Jonathan Ingraham
jonathan.ingraham@denvergazettedev.gazette.com)Penny the burro, front, and owner John Anderson hike on the Willis Gulch Trail during a burro packing expedition to near the summit of Hope Pass Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Twin Lakes, Colorado. Burros and mules are used to haul supplies to the summit area for racers running the Leadville Trail 100 Run race. (Jonathan Ingraham/Denver Gazette) (Jonathan Ingraham/Denver Gazette)Tom Burch, left, and Matt Moffett of Halfmoon Packing & Outfitting load mules and horses with supplies for the Hope Pass aid station for Leadville Trail 100 Run near Twin Lakes, Colo. on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (Tom Hellauer
tom.hellauer@denvergazettedev.gazette.com)
