Axel's Loop

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 0.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
MTB Skill level:
Elevation: 6931 - 6960 feet
Cellphone: 2-5 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Dennis Weaver
Fee: none
Attractions: Tribute trail

Axel's Loop is located in the Dennis Weaver Memorial Park near Ridgway, Colorado. The trail is dedicated to the memory of a local 2 year old boy named Axel Charrette who was murdered while vacationing with his family in Sayulita, Mexico.

The trail makes a loop that begins off of the Stagecoach trail about 400 feet from the trailhead. From there it continues along the side of the hill looping back to the parking area.

The trail starts out through sagebrush that probably would have seemed tall to a 2 year old.

Before going very far it comes to a staircase of carefully placed stones that leads up to a memorial.

At the top of the stairs there is a metal bench with 3 small markers.

I can't think of a single friend of mine that wouldn't be fighting back the tears that come uninvited upon the soul without even knowing the story behind the little boys passing. That story breaks our hearts to the point that we will avoid relating it in this post. It has been told many times over elsewhere.

From the memorial bench the trail continues as before.

After looping around the trail finishes up at the trailhead. We never knew Axel's story when we took the pictures for this post yet we were deeply saddened about the experience anyway. The greatest outcome that anyone could hope for after leaving this life it to find that they have journeyed to where Axel has gone. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.