She packed a punch and vital goods

She packed a punch and vital goods

Olga Little was miners’ savior in La Platas
Courtesy Ernie Schaaf family and center of southwest Studies
A resident and legend in La Plata Canyon, Olga Schaaf Little exemplified the grit and grace of pioneer women in Colorado, and she may have been the only woman burro packer in the Rocky Mountains.
Courtesy Ernie Schaaf Family and Center of Southwest Studies
Sandy the lead burro stops the pack train for a photograph on a narrow trail in the La Plata Mountains. Burro packer Olga Little stands leaning against one of her burros in the center of the photo.
Courtesy Ernie Schaaf Family and Center of Southwest Studies
Olga Little hauled supplies into the Gold King Mine in La Plata Canyon during its boom years. Now all that remains of the mine is the stone chimney on the right side of the road as visitors drive, or ski, up La Plata Canyon.
Courtesy Ernie Schaaf Family and Center of Southwest Studies
Beloved by the working men in La Plata Canyon, Olga Little stands next to one of her burros and poses with miners. A century ago this winter, she saved the lives of 18 miners at the Neglected Mine up Junction Creek by bringing them safely to food and shelter amid a raging blizzard.

She packed a punch and vital goods

Courtesy Ernie Schaaf family and center of southwest Studies
A resident and legend in La Plata Canyon, Olga Schaaf Little exemplified the grit and grace of pioneer women in Colorado, and she may have been the only woman burro packer in the Rocky Mountains.
Courtesy Ernie Schaaf Family and Center of Southwest Studies
Sandy the lead burro stops the pack train for a photograph on a narrow trail in the La Plata Mountains. Burro packer Olga Little stands leaning against one of her burros in the center of the photo.
Courtesy Ernie Schaaf Family and Center of Southwest Studies
Olga Little hauled supplies into the Gold King Mine in La Plata Canyon during its boom years. Now all that remains of the mine is the stone chimney on the right side of the road as visitors drive, or ski, up La Plata Canyon.
Courtesy Ernie Schaaf Family and Center of Southwest Studies
Beloved by the working men in La Plata Canyon, Olga Little stands next to one of her burros and poses with miners. A century ago this winter, she saved the lives of 18 miners at the Neglected Mine up Junction Creek by bringing them safely to food and shelter amid a raging blizzard.