Adventure and Lost Cities: Gary Ziegler

It’s not every day one meets an individual who is an explorer, archaeologist, mountaineer, sailor, cowboy, rancher, former sheriff, historian, musician, author, lecturer, and sometime philosopher. Gary Ziegler is a field archaeologist, researcher, and experienced Andean explorer with a background in geology.

If you’ve never had the chance to meet a real, live “Indiana Jones”…this is it! Gary is the owner of Bear Basin Ranch and Adventure Specialists near Westcliffe, Colorado from which he leads expeditions into remote areas of the world as well as pack trips to include our very own Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Hear about some of Gary’s adventures and discoveries in Peru. Prepare to be enchanted by his experiences in lost cities. Find out about some of the fascinating local history, culturally modified trees and out of the ordinary astronomical alignments just 80 miles southwest of Colorado Springs at the Bear Basin Ranch.

Gary is nearly a Colorado Springs native, moving to Manitou at the age of four.  After attending Bristol School, North Junior, and Colorado Springs High, he continued on to Colorado College and graduate studies at Peru’s National University. He is a Vietnam veteran and an active member and former Ride Director of the Pike Peak Range Riders. One could also say Gary is a film star as he has been featured in numerous films.

Membership in the Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners is open to individuals with an interest in Western history. Guests are welcome!