DENVER (July 18, 2016) – Families and friends can enjoy Colorado’s nature at its best while helping to make strides to find a cure for multiple sclerosis by hitting trails at the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter, National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society’s Hike MS Keystone on July 30, 2016. 
 
This year there are route options for every skill level ranging from a two-mile paved base camp path to a six-mile trail, to a 12-mile trail through varying terrain. All routes feature route marshals, rest stops and medical support to ensure safety and comfort.
 
Hikers can make this a weekend by starting with free gondola ride from Gondola Plaza at Keystone Resort to the top of the mountain for a happy hour and live music from 4 – 7 p.m. on Friday, July 29.  Participants can then hit the trails Saturday between 8:15 a.m. and 10 a.m., depending on length of the hike.
 
“Hike MS Keystone is a wonderful opportunity for families and friends of all ages to get together and experience Colorado’s pristine high country while making a difference for people living with MS,” said Chapter President Carrie Nolan.
 
“MS is a disease that strikes the central nervous system by disrupting the flow of information within the brain and to the body, impacting mobility, cognition and many other functions. Although the cause and cure remain unknown, this is a very hopeful time.

“Today there are more than a dozen disease-modifying treatments available to help people manage MS, where none existed just over 20 years ago. There is also concerted global research effort underway to find therapies that will stop progression of this disease, in addition to finding solution to reverse damage caused by MS and a cure.  Everyone who hikes helps take us closer to solving the mystery of MS,” Nolan added.
 
The Chapter has four offices in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Grand Junction in Colorado and an office in Cheyenne, Wyoming to provide information, programs and resources to help the more than 100,000 people affected by MS in the two-state region.