View Full Version : Colorado is Closed
Well, not officially, but I have had snow in my yard since October and I am still hoping to get my sprinklers blown out.I'm thinking May or June...
Is it just me or did winter come early this year?
Well it is the 6th of Dec., about time we got some cooler days. I'm still only wearing a light wool Filson shirt. As for me, I hope it snow 20' in the mountains this winter.
Anyone up at Lake Dillon, (Silverthorne), what's the level?
alfromcolorado
12-07-2009, 05:02
Have a heart guys... I mean really...
All I want to see is some nice deep snow and some elevation gain. I live in coastal NC and I am moving to FL...
It really hurts you guys... It hurts very deep inside...
Al
Utah Bob
12-07-2009, 08:35
It was supposed to start snowing here Saturday night. It just started about 20 minutes ago. My wife is leaving for a family reunion in Orlando for a week on Friday. She can have it. ;)
armymom1228
12-07-2009, 09:20
It was supposed to start snowing here Saturday night. It just started about 20 minutes ago. My wife is leaving for a family reunion in Orlando for a week on Friday. She can have it. ;)
The reunion or the weather? Weather in here in St Pete all week is supposed to be low to mid 70's, partly sunny. Interior probalby mid to upper 70's sunny.
Utah Bob
12-07-2009, 13:27
The reunion or the weather? Weather in here in St Pete all week is supposed to be low to mid 70's, partly sunny. Interior probalby mid to upper 70's sunny.
She can have both. After growing up in Florida, I like the altitude and humidity right here!:D
Utah Bob
12-08-2009, 07:45
Well the blizzard is here now!!:eek:
I don't know if Colorado's closed but my road sure is! Snowing sideways right now.
Well the blizzard is here now!!:eek:
I don't know if Colorado's closed but my road sure is! Snowing sideways right now.Snowing pretty steadily here...picked up three or four more inches here last night...last Wednesday, we only got a skiff, but it still took three hours to drive 75 miles from Fort Collins to Aurora...:eek: Too many damned flatlanders think that 4 wheel drive means you can drive the speed limit with an inch of snow on the road...:rolleyes:
BigJimCalhoun
12-08-2009, 08:39
I left extra-early for work today. I don't have the 'work at home" option like I did at my old job.
I saw about 14 cars off the road this AM, but none looked to part of any accident. I suspect maybe their windshield wipers were frozen and they were attending to them.
BTW, Sunday, I got a newspaper stuck in my snowblower - that was why I was a little cranky.
TOMAHAWK9521
12-08-2009, 11:32
Snowing pretty steadily here...picked up three or four more inches here last night...last Wednesday, we only got a skiff, but it still took three hours to drive 75 miles from Fort Collins to Aurora...:eek: Too many damned flatlanders think that 4 wheel drive means you can drive the speed limit with an inch of snow on the road...:rolleyes:
Had to drive down to Denver from the Fort yesterday. I still shake my head when I see vehicles off the sides of the road, be they in the median cables or on the shoulder, that are facing the wrong direction or sometimes upside down.
Utah Bob
12-08-2009, 11:49
County hasn't even plowed the roads yet. At least it seems to be slacking off. Looks like about 20" since yesterday morning.
greenberetTFS
12-08-2009, 12:44
As for me, I hope it snow 20' in the mountains this winter./quote/Wet Dog
You guys are crazy.......I lived in Chicago and when the HAWK came off the lake when in was below zero it could cut you in half......... Screw winter,thats why I moved to southern mississippi to get away from shoveling,and all that other $h*t you had to do.....:rolleyes::eek::p
Big Teddy :munchin
Peregrino
12-08-2009, 13:38
Is this why 10th couldn't get their SOF Sniper Competition team to Bragg? :munchin Those guys missed out on a chance at some serious LOOT!
As for me, I hope it snow 20' in the mountains this winter./quote/Wet Dog
You guys are crazy.......I lived in Chicago and when the HAWK came off the lake when in was below zero it could cut you in half......... Screw winter,thats why I moved to southern mississippi to get away from shoveling,and all that other $h*t you had to do.....:rolleyes::eek::p
Big Teddy :munchin
Crazy like a Fox!
Sun is coming out, just shoveled the walk, going for a run later. Should be sunny and 30 degress tomorrow. Perfect day for a hike.
WD
As for me, I hope it snow 20' in the mountains this winter./quote/Wet Dog
You guys are crazy.......I lived in Chicago and when the HAWK came off the lake when in was below zero it could cut you in half......... Screw winter,thats why I moved to southern mississippi to get away from shoveling,and all that other $h*t you had to do.....:rolleyes::eek::p
Big Teddy
Used to live in Chicago myself, grew up there, and I know of this "HAWK" that you speak of. The big difference(s) between a Chicago winter and a Colorado winter.....Humidity.
Back in Chicago, when that cold air mixed with that humidity, it would indeed cut through you like a knife. Out here, there's no humidity to deal with.
Plus, back in Chicago, winter starts with the 1st snow fall, (usually mid November) and lasts until sometime in the Spring (Mid April). Out here, we know this snow we see today, will be gone by this weekend. Supposed to be in the 50's Fri, Sat, Sun. :D
SkiBumCFO
12-08-2009, 20:33
I love the snow but i have to wonder what is going on with these temps? I dont remember it being this cold in Colorado it feels like back home in New England. Even worse it feels like Chicago or Korea. Luckily i get to defrost in LA tomorrow and have a mini SF reunion in DC this weekend maybe then it will be back to normal in Denver.
Plus, back in Chicago, winter starts with the 1st snow fall, (usually mid November) and lasts until sometime in the Spring (Mid April). Out here, we know this snow we see today, will be gone by this weekend. Supposed to be in the 50's Fri, Sat, Sun. :D
Yeah, it started today. Can't you keep your storms to yourself? :p Then Thursday we're in for a deep freeze...so whatever snow we get (8-10", depending on who you listen to) will be around for a while.
Yeah, it started today. Can't you keep your storms to yourself? :p Then Thursday we're in for a deep freeze...so whatever snow we get (8-10", depending on who you listen to) will be around for a while.
We were told to share...and it's already below zero here...it's been pretty cold here since Saturday evening...tis the season...ho, ho, ho....
BigJimCalhoun
12-08-2009, 22:15
I'm thinking May or June...
I was holding out hope fr a warm spell this month to blow the sprinklers out, but I think I can just forget about that until May as you say.
I was holding out hope fr a warm spell this month to blow the sprinklers out, but I think I can just forget about that until May as you say.The weekend might have highs in the 40s...if you trust the weather forecast...:rolleyes:
I love the snow but i have to wonder what is going on with these temps? I dont remember it being this cold in Colorado it feels like back home in New England. Even worse it feels like Chicago or Korea. Luckily i get to defrost in LA tomorrow and have a mini SF reunion in DC this weekend maybe then it will be back to normal in Denver.
I can remember several times when the temp has dipped waaaaaay down below zero. Nice big blast of COLD Canadian air. Nothing new. It is warmer on the other side of the divide, over by Grand Juntion, so really, this is nothing new.
BTW....this feels NOTHING like a Chicago winter.
We were told to share...and it's already below zero here...it's been pretty cold here since Saturday evening...tis the season...ho, ho, ho....
I'll be guessing you don't listen to everything you're told to do. :p
We're now getting the frigid temps and wind...brrrr. But we lucked out and missed the 18 inches of snow they got up north, so we have that going for us.
Utah Bob
12-09-2009, 18:40
Man, that was a butt kicker!
Spent 4 hours behind Pacman, my trusty winter companion, clearing this dang 800 foot driveway.:mad:
Man, that was a butt kicker!
Spent 4 hours behind Pacman, my trusty winter companion, clearing this dang 800 foot driveway.:mad:Hell, Dolores County used to make a single run down each driveway...I guess the times being what they are, maybe they had to cut that out...
armymom1228
12-10-2009, 00:35
We were told to share...and it's already below zero here...it's been pretty cold here since Saturday evening...tis the season...ho, ho, ho....
Oh how sweet...how about I share mine with you? It was warm enough to wear shorts today, no shoes. So humid though, we had heavy fog mid-afternoon.
Your cold front is scheduled to hit my warm front somewhere over my head. It shall be tornado and lightening warnings probably all Thursday night.
Utah Bob
12-10-2009, 08:10
Hell, Dolores County used to make a single run down each driveway...I guess the times being what they are, maybe they had to cut that out...
Yup. Unless you're related to the plow driver.;)
Yup. Unless you're related to the plow driver.
Family's important out that way...
GratefulCitizen
12-10-2009, 21:06
My mother-in-law lives northeast of Totten Resevoir on county road L (in Mancos, technically)
No plowing up there.
I gave her my old Suburban so she would have a snow vehicle this winter.
She didn't quite make it out on Tuesday. Barely made it out on Wednesday.
Shouldn't have been a problem.
The truck has a positrac rear-end and a spool front-end. True 4WD.
My wife talked to her yesterday.
She forgot to put it in 4WD and lock the hubs. :rolleyes:
Anyone here in Colorado going out and about today ???
Here in Golden, we've already received 18 inches of snow .... and it's STILL COMING DOWN !!!! :eek:
:munchin
TOMAHAWK9521
12-22-2011, 09:23
Anyone here in Colorado going out and about today ???
Here in Golden, we've already received 18 inches of snow .... and it's STILL COMING DOWN !!!! :eek:
:munchin
I'm supposed to drive down from Ft Collins to have a lunch meeting down in Westminster. Not looking like that may happen. The weather doesn't bother me, just the other drivers.
SLVGW360
12-22-2011, 10:02
We have about 6" on top of the 10" that settled from about 16" from our last snow. It is beautiful and quite Christmas like. This is my favorite time of year. Hunting seasons are mostly over and things slow down slightly.
I hear you. I used to live in Durango early in my career when the oldest was a baby. We'd take him to see the grandparents in Montrose/Olathe. Red Mountain/Molas/Coal Bank in conditions like this are interesting drives. The scenary is gorgeous, but the drivers keep you from enjoying it. The drop offs on Red without guard rails makes oncoming traffic hug the mountain in your lane!
I've gone over more than one pass when they closed the gate right behind me. That in not a good feeling. Actually, I really like driving in the snow, especially if I'm alone. ;)
greenberetTFS
12-22-2011, 14:50
Man, that was a butt kicker!
Spent 4 hours behind Pacman, my trusty winter companion, clearing this dang 800 foot driveway.:mad:
You gotta be sh*ting me!!!.........:eek:
Big Teddy :munchin
I'm supposed to drive down from Ft Collins to have a lunch meeting down in Westminster. Not looking like that may happen. The weather doesn't bother me, just the other drivers.Drove from FoCo to Dacono to pick up a co worker for another day at the office in Denver...just another day in paradise.
You gotta be sh*ting me!!!........Nah...he has one of the shorter driveways in that county...
I don't know what to say other than I'm jealous. :D
The weather is beyond bizarre here, it's been fluctuating mostly in the 40s' for months now. We're getting some flurries this evening but it's heavy and wet, and won't stick. No white Christmas here this year.
Utah Bob
12-22-2011, 20:53
I don't know what to say other than I'm jealous. :D
The weather is beyond bizarre here, it's been fluctuating mostly in the 40s' for months now. We're getting some flurries this evening but it's heavy and wet, and won't stick. No white Christmas here this year.
Where is here? The Midwest is a big place!:confused:
Where is here? The Midwest is a big place!:confused:
Oh sorry, the Chicagoland area.
Utah Bob
12-23-2011, 17:33
Be careful what you ask for.:D
Be careful what you ask for.:D
I know! They keep saying our winter this year will be colder and more snow, but I've yet to see it. Another week of 40's coming up.
The grass IS greener here right now. :D
theis223
12-24-2011, 01:41
I am jinxing myself as i type this buuuut, the hell with it: Duluth has not dropped below zero once this season and there is hardly a dusting on the ground. We even had a 43 degree day last Sunday. On the plus side the Lester river outlet is still wide open for bait casting spoons out for Northerns and Lake trout. Its all about perspective.
Yeah, we got a doozie of a storm coming in.
:munchin
Horned Frog
02-02-2012, 18:22
The springs is only slated to get 3-6" from the weather report at noon, although they've been saying "blizzard-like conditions" a lot. I suppose we shall see what the night brings... Hopefully more snow. Drive carefully up there.
BigJimCalhoun
02-02-2012, 18:38
This thread is not fun for me this time. I am not even sure what day it is but I was in Perth, Western Australia yesterday and flew out at 11 PM Perth time, arrived 6 AM this AM and had/have a 9 hour lay-over. I am currently in the Sydney Airport. In 3-1/2 hours I leave to LAX for a short 14 hour flight and then I try to get home from LAX to DEN. I think I may be spending a lot of time in LAX.
Utah Bob
02-03-2012, 16:20
Everything's fine here in the 4 corners area. about 1/16 of an inch last night.
Cheated death once again.:D:D
The springs is only slated to get 3-6" from the weather report at noon, although they've been saying "blizzard-like conditions" a lot. I suppose we shall see what the night brings... Hopefully more snow. Drive carefully up there.
C'mon out to Peyton! Hwy 24 was closed this AM and I rescheduled my flight for drill because I had 2 feet in my driveway!
Shoveling is good PT though!
mark46th
02-03-2012, 16:30
Sounds like the weather reporters here in Southern California. A forecast of possible light showers and we get "Storm Watch"!
Yeah, we got a doozie of a storm coming in.
:munchin
We had one also it rained and the sun came out and the temp go to 81f today. I am going to the south side of the island for better weather in the morning and go diving. damn I hate the clouds :p;)
Tatonka316
02-03-2012, 19:54
I've shovelled 5 times since this morning - at least 24" without the drifts!:eek:
Still waiting for a plow to clear out the street - last storm this size, it took 4 days to get off our block:boohoo
molon labe:lifter
The Reaper
02-03-2012, 19:59
I've shovelled 5 times since this morning - at least 24" without the drifts!:eek:
Still waiting for a plow to clear out the street - last storm this size, it took 4 days to get off our block:boohoo
molon labe:lifter
Did you shovel in your usual uniform of shorts, sandals, and an aloha shirt (with vest, if it was cold enough)?:D
Take care, amigo, and pace yourself.
TR
I've shovelled 5 times since this morning - at least 24" without the drifts!
Still waiting for a plow to clear out the street - last storm this size, it took 4 days to get off our block:boohoo
molon labe
I'm back down on the south side of town, around Chatfield, and I'm pretty sure we're hovering around 24" as well .... and it;s STILL COMING DOWN !!!! :eek:
We had one also it rained and the sun came out and the temp go to 81f today. I am going to the south side of the island for better weather in the morning and go diving. damn I hate the clouds
Yeah, yeah, yeah ..... you just enjoy those warm temps and sunny days diving.
Me .... I'll just do a night dive ..... Colorado Style. :D :lifter
BigJimCalhoun
02-04-2012, 06:10
I was amazed that I had no flight delays on return. We have a lot of snow at 6,600 feet right now.
Tatonka316
02-04-2012, 08:19
Did you shovel in your usual uniform of shorts, sandals, and an aloha shirt (with vest, if it was cold enough)?
Take care, amigo, and pace yourself.
TR
... what do you think!!?! Shorts - of course! But didn't have enough traction with my "slippers" - maybe that is why they are called :confused:
So had to revert to shoes ...
Finally stopped, total 30" in my back yard:eek:
Plow just went through, so the fun REALLY begins getting from the driveway to the plowed LANE:mad:
molon labe:lifter
Yeah, we got a doozie of a storm coming in.
:munchin
I think it's there. A fella was in today who said roads to the Denver Airport (Stapleton?) were closed last night. They closed I-80 according to the news. Not a lot of snow here but it was very windy.
ZonieDiver
02-04-2012, 17:24
Stapleton??? Ya'll there in NE don't get out much, do you? :D
The road to the new one is named after that weinie, Pena! (Where the hell did I put that damned "squiggle"???):D I'm not sure if DIA is named after anyone or anything.
I'm not sure if DIA is named after anyone or anything.
It was named in honor of Bob Denver! :D
Pat
ZonieDiver
02-04-2012, 17:50
It was named in honor of Bob Denver! :D
Pat
That's better than JOHN Denver, who died in an airplane crash! :D
Snow total map from the "National Weather Service".
I ended with 28 inches at my place S.W. of the city.
I'm back down on the south side of town, around Chatfield, and I'm pretty sure we're hovering around 24" as well .... and it;s STILL COMING DOWN !!!! :eek:
Yeah, yeah, yeah ..... you just enjoy those warm temps and sunny days diving.
Me .... I'll just do a night dive ..... Colorado Style. :D :lifter
That is what happens when you try Drinking and Diving.:p
TOMAHAWK9521
06-11-2012, 20:50
Colorado may not have the extremes of such places like Iceland but we do have our seasons of ice and more importantly, fire.
These are a fraction of the pictures I took of the High Park Fire from east side of Horsetooth Res. on the afternoon/evening of June 10th. Last report was this blaze near 40K acres. All this from a lightning strike on Saturday morning.
twistedsquid
06-11-2012, 21:20
we are in berthoud...can smell the fires and see the blaze...evacuation orders issued to over 2000 homes...seems to be concentrated in rist canyon...great pics tomahawk...here's the dilemma...if its the result of a lightening strike is it ok? campfire or cigarette no...
SLVGW360
06-11-2012, 21:23
Amazing...great pictures! Too bad for the folks who have homes and critters in there. This won't end for some time given the amount of beetle kill throughout the State.
Amazing...great pictures! Too bad for the folks who have homes and critters in there. This won't end for some time given the amount of beetle kill throughout the State.
.... and also how dry of a winter we've had.
Fire season has started early this year.
This pic was from my house of the Lower North Fork fire on March 26.
Tomahawk .... great pics.
Colorado may not have the extremes of such places like Iceland but we do have our seasons of ice and more importantly, fire.
These are a fraction of the pictures I took of the High Park Fire from east side of Horsetooth Res. on the afternoon/evening of June 10th. Last report was this blaze near 40K acres. All this from a lightning strike on Saturday morning.
My son lives there, also. He says he can see flames now. Mostly smoke earlier.
Pat
I just talked to my sister who lives in Erie but works in Longmont. She said the air quality today is horrendous. The past couple of days there has been wind to keep the smoke from settling (but feeding the fire).
Prayers out to everyone effected by this.
My B-I-L lives in a canyon out west of Dever that hasn't burned in years.
Frame house with pines coming right up into the yard.
Still wondering why nobody has come up with a bio-degradable 55 gal drum set up that you could hook up to your garden hose and spray out an expanding fire resistant foam that would harden up something like styrofoam.
Spray the house and go somewhere safe until the fire passes by - then kinda' chip the cover off the house.
I've got a picture in my mind of a house looking like the top of a meringue pie.
Buy it and keep it in the garage until needed.
Still wondering why nobody has come up with a bio-degradable 55 gal drum set up that you could hook up to your garden hose and spray out an expanding fire resistant foam that would harden up something like styrofoam.
Spray the house and go somewhere safe until the fire passes by - then kinda' chip the cover off the house.
I've got a picture in my mind of a house looking like the top of a meringue pie.
Buy it and keep it in the garage until needed.
They do. I bought this gel system for our new place: http://www.geltechsolutions.com/fireice/product.aspx?ProductId=16&product=FireIce+Home+Defense+Unit&subsiteid=2
Promo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hekR5pz-RIo
More videos: http://www.geltechsolutions.com/fireice/videos.aspx
I consider it cheap insurance since we live in the middle of nowhere on a road the firefighters don't have in their database, yet. We are clearing the brush from around the house as I type this. "Be prepared!"
Pat
My B-I-L lives in a canyon out west of Dever that hasn't burned in years.
Frame house with pines coming right up into the yard.
Still wondering why nobody has come up with a bio-degradable 55 gal drum set up that you could hook up to your garden hose and spray out an expanding fire resistant foam that would harden up something like styrofoam.
Spray the house and go somewhere safe until the fire passes by - then kinda' chip the cover off the house.
I've got a picture in my mind of a house looking like the top of a meringue pie.
Buy it and keep it in the garage until needed.
I was actually thinking of your B-I-L when the Lower North Fork fire was going last month. I knew they had set up the shelter area in Conifer, around where your family is.
That was one crazy fire. The BLM did a control burn 3-4 days before the fire took off. They had crews out watching the area afterwards, but then we had on day of 60mph winds (gusting to 75-80mph) and found some embers and just ignited that while area.
What do you expect .... One of the three greatest lies ever told .... "I'm from the government, I'm here to help." :rolleyes:
Glad to hear they made it through that one okay.
Spray the house and go somewhere safe until the fire passes by - then kinda' chip the cover off the house.
I've got a picture in my mind of a house looking like the top of a meringue pie.
Apparently a former fire chief living in Aurora, CO (East of Denver) had the same idea about five years ago. There was a fast moving prairie fire that was sweeping the plains out that way and he called up the local sales rep for this GelTech company. They did his house just in time and the fire swept by, over, around his house. The house survived. The insurance company was very pleased. They only had to pay for smoke damage. Unfortunately, nothing could be done with the pervasive odor and dangerous gasses of the gel.
I understand that he ended up having to demolish the house and build anew. :(
Cavet emptor
Apparently a former fire chief living in Aurora, CO (East of Denver) had the same idea about five years ago. There was a fast moving prairie fire that was sweeping the plains out that way and he called up the local sales rep for this GelTech company. They did his house just in time and the fire swept by, over, around his house. The house survived. The insurance company was very pleased. They only had to pay for smoke damage. Unfortunately, nothing could be done with the pervasive odor and dangerous gasses of the gel.
I understand that he ended up having to demolish the house and build anew. :(
Cavet emptor
Hmmm. Thanks for the heads-up. GelTech did send two test/practice bottles of the gel for use in a 2.5 gal. PWC. I guess I'd better do just that.
Pat
Hmmm. Thanks for the heads-up. GelTech did send two test/practice bottles of the gel for use in a 2.5 gal. PWC. I guess I'd better do just that.
Pat
Got an old storage building you can practice on?
We were out doing some work in CA near San Luis Obispo in 1994 when the mountains just north of us caught fire. I sat up on top of a small mountain watching the fire on the backside of the mountain (Hill) range on the other side of the valley.
TV pictures of a wild fire racing up a canyon do not do it justice. You can not judge the scale of the fire.
As I watched the fire near the ridge line the flames were racing far above it hundreds of feet into the air.
Needless to say I was amazed at that force of nature.
Got an old storage building you can practice on?
No, but we have lots of leftover building supplies from our recent construction, so I can knock together a "doghouse" or something. I've got Cold Fire® in the PWC now. I don't want to waste it, but I guess if I turn it upside down I'll be able to de-pressure it without wasting much, if any.
Pat
TOMAHAWK9521
06-12-2012, 15:56
we are in berthoud...can smell the fires and see the blaze...evacuation orders issued to over 2000 homes...seems to be concentrated in rist canyon...great pics tomahawk...here's the dilemma...if its the result of a lightening strike is it ok? campfire or cigarette no...
The official determination that I have read is that it came from a lightning strike early Saturday morning. I guess the strike created a small 2-acre fire and then it grew to roughly 50 by 0800 on Saturday. By Saturday evening it was up to 8K acres. By noon Sunday, it was over 14K. Sunday night, more than double that. At last check it was still in the low 40K.
I met a family at the reservoir when I was taking pictures who were telling me they witnessed the fire from atop Horsetooth Mtn on Saturday. They said it was a small fire putting up a thin column of smoke and then "bam" it went into firestorm mode. I've never seen it myself, but I understand that an exploding pine tree is something incredible to witness. That's what this family saw. They said it was incredible and alarming to watch.
I watched some of the ridges above the some residences up at the north end of the reservoir suddenly flare up along with individual trees that burned like candles in the distance.
With the massive beetle kill that has swept all along the Rocky Mtn states, not just Colorado, some forestry folks' "worst-case scenario" is that if the winds continue like they are, it isn't outside the realm of possibility that this sucker could scorch everything between Ft Collins and the Canadian border. I do know that if this fire or another one pops up further south, it will likely wipe out Rocky Mountain National Park and the whole Grand Lake valley. Lots of elk steaks will be made on the hoof if that happens.
What will make matters worse is when cooler weather rolls around again and we see a lot of precipitation. I saw that while guiding for an outfitter in '94 after the fire on Storm King Mtn above Glennwood Spgs. The fire took place in the summer and we had some cooler weather move in a couple months later, bringing a lot of rain with it. The boss had driven down I-70 with a trailer full of horses and just gotten down to the ranch out west of Glennwood when his daughter called to say she couldn't get through due to a massive mud slide. It turns out that the rock/mud slide had just missed him by a few minutes before it wiped out the South Canyon area of I-70 just west of Glennwood Spgs.
TOMAHAWK9521
06-12-2012, 16:27
Here are some pictures of the evening sun that I don't normally see.
I told the cute little hippie chick that I would try and Photoshop in a spear and shield in her hands or maybe 2-3 little dragons perched on her shoulders to make that last picture more eye-catching. :D
I live in Fort Collins, have an office in Evans (when I'm not in Wyoming or Montana or Utah or...). The drive to work is pretty interesting. Normally, I have the sun in my face. The last few days, it's been a dim, red ball on the horizon. It's pretty bleak.
The pictures of Horsetooth are pretty amazing. One of my favorite places to go.
It's going to be a long, hot summer, I fear.
TOMAHAWK9521
06-25-2012, 10:30
Well, the High Park fire has now consumed 248 homes and covers roughly 85,000 acres at last estimate.
The more recent blaze down by CO SPGS is doing some major damage as well. I think it was something like 11,000 residents and summer travelers had to be evacuated from their homes, hotels, cabins, etc. Oddly enough, Michelle Malkin and her family are among the evacuees.
A fire broke out in Estes Park this past weekend, destroying multiple cabins and other structures. I don't know if they have that one contained. If not, kiss Rocky Mountain National Park, as you know it, goodbye.
I've also come across some odd internet chatter about rumors of arsonists may be responsible for some of these blazes. I'm trying to remember where I read the statement but one account claims to have seen a guy toss a propane tank out into the woods and detonate by rifle fire before racing off in his truck. :rolleyes:
A bit of sad irony: The news reported the house across the road from the Picnic Rock Day Use Site up in Poudre Canyon has been destroyed by the fire. That house belonged to the guy who started the Picnic Rock Fire in Poudre Canyon in the spring of 2005. I remember that being a very dry spring and, with the winds blowing through the canyon, that fire flew up the sides of the canyon and surrounding areas and cost a fortune to contain. If I recall, the county used most of its budget on that one fire and it was only the first fire of the season. It was easy to determine where the fire started. The guy was illegally burning trash and dead vegetation and the winds took it from there, leaving a big black arrow pointing straight back to his house.
A fire broke out in Estes Park this past weekend, destroying multiple cabins and other structures. I don't know if they have that one contained. If not, kiss Rocky Mountain National Park, as you know it, goodbye.
I've also come across some odd internet chatter about rumors of arsonists may be responsible for some of these blazes. I'm trying to remember where I read the statement but one account claims to have seen a guy toss a propane tank out into the woods and detonate by rifle fire before racing off in his truck.
I worked a horse show this past weekend just south of Lyons, and the smoke from the Estes Park fire made it down to us on Saturday. Not a good time for both riders and horses.
I spoke with a guy who worked with Left Hand Fire Dept. and was up in Estes. He said that that one was mainly contained to structures in the town. The fire kept jumping from roof top to roof top because the residence up there DIDN'T clean out their gutters of dead pine needles and pine cones, so the embers just kept jumping. They had it contained fairly well to just the structures, but those home owners near sightedness of NOT cleaning out their gutters cost them.
This guy also said that these fires have been suspicious in nature as well. He had said there was a theory that it was someone in an aircraft dropping incendiaries. That's a bit of stretch IMO, but it is some what plausible seeing the remoteness of these fires.
Someone got a picture of both the High Park fire and the one in Estes Park from atop of Long's Peak. I'll see if I can track it down and post it up.
Here's a couple of pictures I grabbed from The Denver Channel News dot com FB page.
The first one shows both the High Park and Estes Park fires taken from on top of Long's Peak in RMNP on Saturday, the second is the structures that were burning in Estes Park.
Well, the High Park fire has now consumed 248 homes and covers roughly 85,000 acres at last estimate.
The more recent blaze down by CO SPGS is doing some major damage as well. I think it was something like 11,000 residents and summer travelers had to be evacuated from their homes, hotels, cabins, etc. Oddly enough, Michelle Malkin and her family are among the evacuees.
A fire broke out in Estes Park this past weekend, destroying multiple cabins and other structures. I don't know if they have that one contained. If not, kiss Rocky Mountain National Park, as you know it, goodbye.
I've also come across some odd internet chatter about rumors of arsonists may be responsible for some of these blazes. I'm trying to remember where I read the statement but one account claims to have seen a guy toss a propane tank out into the woods and detonate by rifle fire before racing off in his truck. :rolleyes:
A bit of sad irony: The news reported the house across the road from the Picnic Rock Day Use Site up in Poudre Canyon has been destroyed by the fire. That house belonged to the guy who started the Picnic Rock Fire in Poudre Canyon in the spring of 2005. I remember that being a very dry spring and, with the winds blowing through the canyon, that fire flew up the sides of the canyon and surrounding areas and cost a fortune to contain. If I recall, the county used most of its budget on that one fire and it was only the first fire of the season. It was easy to determine where the fire started. The guy was illegally burning trash and dead vegetation and the winds took it from there, leaving a big black arrow pointing straight back to his house.
I talked to my parents last night and they said Manitou has been evacuated along with some other nearby towns. Highway 24 is closed. It is so sad that the fire is in Waldo Canyon. Some of my best memories from growing up are hiking there with my dad.
Prayers out to everyone having to deal with all of this.
DIYPatriot
06-25-2012, 14:12
A fire broke out in Estes Park this past weekend, destroying multiple cabins and other structures. I don't know if they have that one contained. If not, kiss Rocky Mountain National Park, as you know it, goodbye.
I spent the last week of April in the Estes/Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park area with a buddy of mine from Arvada. We made plans for me to head back in Sept. I am sick over this. That place is God's country. Best wishes and prayers out to all of you.
Golf1echo
06-25-2012, 14:43
We have cabins up Ute Pass. The fire fighters are trying to contain the fire North of Hwy 24 ( Ute Pass Hwy), there are reservoirs in the area and there are some good info streams so that one can see the boundaries of the fire. The bad news is the forests are filled with plenty of fuel to include lots of beetle killed pine, temperatures are high and conditions are so dry. Big time thank you goes out to those fighting the fire!
I was looking at an old picture taken not far from the area I am referring to and there were not nearly so many trees. Most of the large hotels built up Ute Pass back at the turn of the century burned down, it did not occur to me until now that some probably went when forest fires came through. It is easy to forget what power nature has...I have been in and around forest fires before, to see 40'-70' flame up in trees, let alone 100'+ and know that the fire can double in size overnight is very humbling...
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_20928988
Estes Park fire is 100% contained.
The below link was posted last night (Sunday June 24th) at 2109hrs.
http://www.broomfieldenterprise.com/ci_20929047/residents-22-homes-lost-estes-parks-woodland-heights
BigJimCalhoun
06-25-2012, 19:12
This is a picture of the Waldo Canyon fire, from the overlook off of I-25@ Briargate.
Any word on Fountain, Co? I am hoping I-25 keeps the fire away from my house!
Any word on Fountain, Co? I am hoping I-25 keeps the fire away from my house!
The Waldo Canyon fire is up by the The Garden of the Gods. Far enough away from Fountain, so your home should be okay.
Here's a map of the fire perimeter as of 1800 MDT
http://maps.google.com/?q=http%3A%2F%2Fextras.denverpost.com%2Fmedia%2Fma ps%2Fkml%2Fwaldo-canyon-wildfire-20120625.kml&msa=0&t=p&output=embed&z=12
Hope it helps.
DIYPatriot
06-25-2012, 19:56
Estes Park fire is 100% contained.
The below link was posted last night (Sunday June 24th) at 2109hrs.
http://www.broomfieldenterprise.com/ci_20929047/residents-22-homes-lost-estes-parks-woodland-heights
Good to hear! Rock on!!! Nice article, too...I like the free hugs. Pretty cool.
The Waldo Canyon fire is up the The Garden of the Gods. Far enough away from Fountain, so you're home should be okay.
Here's a map of the fire perimeter as of 1800 MDT
http://maps.google.com/?q=http%3A%2F%2Fextras.denverpost.com%2Fmedia%2Fma ps%2Fkml%2Fwaldo-canyon-wildfire-20120625.kml&msa=0&t=p&output=embed&z=12
Hope it helps.
thanks!
TOMAHAWK9521
06-26-2012, 07:40
I forgot to mention this earlier, but to make matters worse, Ft Collins was invaded by moose via amphibious assault. :eek::D
http://www.denverpost.com/contactus/ci_20882081/moose-tranquilized-after-fleeing-colorado-wildfire
...... and we have ANOTHER wild fire.
This one is just west of downtown Boulder.
Mandatory evacuations are in place to a good portion of the downtown area, west of Broadway (next to CU).
twistedsquid
06-26-2012, 17:19
...... and we have ANOTHER wild fire.
This one is just west of downtown Boulder.
Mandatory evacuations are in place to a good portion of the downtown area, west of Broadway (next to CU).
saw the lightening strike and am watching the smoke now...wow...
BigJimCalhoun
06-26-2012, 19:04
North Colorado Springs is now at risk
My in-laws just got the reverse 911 call. Peregrine, Rockrimmon, the Air-Force Academy have been evacuated. We know others in Monument who are on the East side of I-25 and are now on pre-evacuation.
Just talked my mom, things are getting worse. They are evacuating part of housing at the USAFA and they have closed down I-25 to help with that. Mountain Shadows is burning. Flying W Ranch is gone. The Gazette is reporting approximately 32,000 evacuees. Mom said the town is orange right now with sunset hitting and all the smoke. My best friend is posting some horrendous pictures.
Prayers out.
BigJimCalhoun
06-27-2012, 05:29
Look at the front page of Fox News:(
http://www.foxnews.com/us/slideshow/2012/06/27/colorado-wildfire-forces-more-evacuations/#slide=1
I think that is Mountain Shadows in slide 1.
Golf1echo
06-27-2012, 05:32
It is hard to believe the Flying W burned to the ground...great memories from that place. I built about 6 homes up that way along the foot hills North of GOG road and over at Eagles Nest. The fire to the West is just over the ridge from our cabins the only good thing there is that the authorities are using the area for a staging ground from what I understand...for now. Best to the fire fighters and pilots!!!
Update from home, the problem yesterday was they had a dry thunderstorm come through with gusts up to 65 mph, and it caused the fire to jump primary and secondary fire llines.
All of Academy housing was evacuated last night. The new freshman class is suppose to show up tomorrow, so it should be interesting to see what happens with that.
Here are some pics my Dad posted last night. Both are from up North and look to be off of Highway 83.
Stargazer
06-27-2012, 07:09
:( Take care everyone!!
New Pics from the Gazette.
Red area is on fire, Blue area is under Evacuation, Yellow area is pre-evac.
Mom said the Academy personnel have been evaced to Ft Carson
Lt. Bill (a QP and a former teammate of mine) is on the job out there in Colo-Springs.
Keep him and him fellow firefighters in your thoughts and prayers!
The whole West is in our prayers, Colorado is by far getting the worst of it but judging by the news tonight it looks like the whole West is on fire.
My wife keeps in touch with old friends of her and the pictures and stories she reminds me.
ColSpgs your in my prayers
Praying this fire is out soon, and everyone can safely return home soon.
Here's a pic of the USAF Academy Chapel yesterday - haven't yet seen any from today. :eek:
The pic was taken by a guy I know whose daughter and grandkids have moved in with him in Oklahoma. Her husband is still at the academy - one of a few stay-behind "essential military personnel." Tense situation for them.
Richard :munchin
TOMAHAWK9521
06-28-2012, 11:21
God willing and the weather cooperate, the High Park Fire, which is now 75% contained, could be put out by this weekend! :lifter:D
If you care to help out in anyway, here's a link with various organizations helping those affected by the fires.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/31229456/detail.html?aa
Utah Bob
06-29-2012, 08:31
The Weber fire is South of us and the Pine Ridge fire is north.
I have a feeling we're being bracketed.:eek:
In Cortez on Wednesday I saw one start on the North slopw of Mesa Verde NP from a lightning strike. Fortunately it was in an area with pretty spotty fuel and they seem to have knocked it down.
First Ice. Now Fire. What next, locusts?
Inciweb (http://www.inciweb.org/) is a good site to track the all the fires' progress.
If you care to help out in anyway, here's a link with various organizations helping those affected by the fires.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/31229456/detail.html?aa
Thanks Sdiver, for providing that link!
Talked to a QP yesterday on the phone who said the fire was in his line of sight...:(
Holly
Talked to Mom last night and things have quieted down a little bit. They were able to do an aerial survey of the Mountain Shadow's neighborhood and last count had 357 home destroyed. I am not talking burned, I am talking nothing left but the foundation. The pictures are crazy. She said they have found one body so far and there are currently 10 people missing.
If this was arson, someone is now going to be charged with Murder, on top of everything else.
Golf1echo
06-30-2012, 13:43
Here is a link to a briefing and recent news , I have been refreshing this one every day to see the latest reports.
http://www.kktv.com/news/wildfires/headlines/Fire_Reported_In_Waldo_Canyon_160124015.html
The perimeter map was great the first few days but as time went on updates slowed, I imagine there is a lot of ground to cover to get it correct...
Great work firefighters! Special thanks to Delta Section!!
Best to your area Bob.
Well that was a 10 MB Map - took a few extra seconds to down load.
Interesting to look at the total loss vs no damage. Not knowing how old the picture was, what type of brush had grown up, wind speed and direction, etc, etc.
The obvious big hits were to the smaller lots with, I guess, townhomes - in the tight clusters and the larger homes with brush in the back of the lots.
Check out this image of the Waldo Canyon Fire burn scar.
The image is from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on the Terra satellite.
It is also being reported that they have 90% containment and expect to have full containment sometime tomorrow.
Officials have also stated they have found the "Point of Origin" for this fire and investigations are underway to find out who started this.
http://www.krdo.com/news/Point-of-origin-found-for-Waldo-Canyon-Fire/-/417220/15220000/-/dlvom1z/-/index.html
TOMAHAWK9521
07-07-2012, 23:39
Well, the drought is over. At least for N Colorado. God is willing but now we have to worry about the river rising, mud slides and wash outs. Large rocks and debris from the burn areas have already been reported on Highway 14 yesterday after 2 days of afternoon storms rolling through. A massive, slow moving storm parked itself over the High Park burn area for most of the day before settling over Ft. Collins. This same storm reduced visibility over by Walden in North Park to absolute zero for a period of time due to heavy, black clouds and monsoon-type rains. A local radio station 107.9 FM broadcasted alerts for flash flood watches through tonight.
As for the burn area. I rode the bike up to Cameron Pass on the 4th. The fire fighters did a hell of a job saving a number places. One particular property in Poudre Park had a large pine tree right next to the privacy fence and was completely black on one side and green on the other. I know many homes and structures were lost but where the fighters could get in there, they stopped the flames at "danger close" proximity in many cases.
In some places it's hard to see how the fire jumped the river/highway because what should have been burned in the path of the blaze seemed untouched. My guess is that the winds were really hauling in the canyon to get burning embers to clear some of those distances. There were areas of beetle-kill that were unscathed while whole sections of what had been green, healthy trees were gone. I honestly expected to find a heck of a lot more destruction up there. Yes, there was quite of bit of evidence that the blaze had come through the canyon, but it would seem most of the fire damage was deeper in the back country above Poudre Canyon. What's bad is that the fire only destroyed barely a fraction of the diseased trees. That means we'll have all kinds of opportunities to burn again, or else someone is going to start up a lucrative fire wood industry to help clear out all that dead wood.
Well, here we go again.
You know it's winter in Colorado when the map of the state looks like a bag of Skittles due to all the weather advisories.
My son, in Ft. Collins, said that he was getting snowflakes the size of quarters! :eek: I've seen the size of dimes and, maybe, nickles.
Pat
My son, in Ft. Collins, said that he was getting snowflakes the size of quarters! :eek:
Pat
AKA here in Colorado as "Light Flurries". ;)
10" powder at MaryJane in WinterPark this AM - Whoohoo!
TrapLine
12-19-2012, 06:47
10" powder at MaryJane in WinterPark this AM - Whoohoo!
Enjoy the bumps...and remember, No pain, No Jane:D.
BigJimCalhoun
12-25-2012, 07:58
The snow-blower made this awful metal sound after and oil change on Sunday. I thought I seized the engine as it would not budge, but after removal of some parts, I found that the alternator loosened and jammed the flywheel. The good news is that my model of snow-blower does not require an alternator and now the engine is running again. I do wish however that I did not break the clutch cable end during re-installation as I could use the snow-blower today.
Merry Christmas.
AKA here in Colorado as "Light Flurries". ;)
S~
So is Dallas! Only supposed to get rain...but it started this morning as rain, then changed to this snow, and is now expected to ice tonight and overnight.
Well, my plan is to walk to work in the morning, as someone has to make breakfast at 4, and I live right down the way....we will see! Hope I make it! <gulp>:o
Haha, Merry Christmas!
Holly
A good day to just stay home and study and study some more.
:munchin
Statement as of 10:41 PM MST on February 23, 2013
... Blizzard Warning remains in effect from 2 am to 5 PM MST
Sunday...
* timing... snow will begin around midnight... combining with very
strong northerly winds on Sunday.
* Snow accumulations... 6 to 12 inches possible... heaviest over
southern Douglas and Elbert counties.
* Wind/visibility... north winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 45
mph can be expected on Sunday.
* Impacts... snow with extensive blowing and drifting snow will
create visibilities near zero. Roads will become icy and
snowpacked.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are
expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds
and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout
conditions... making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If
you must travel... have a winter survival kit with you. If you get
stranded... stay with your vehicle.
Utah Bob
02-24-2013, 06:33
My son, in Ft. Collins, said that he was getting snowflakes the size of quarters! :eek: I've seen the size of dimes and, maybe, nickles.
Pat
Aw Hell, I've seen 'em the size of dinner plates. I just go out, pick one up, put it on a platter, and top it with jumbo crustaceans. Colorado Shrimp Cocktail!
:D
About 12 inches of snow here by my place so far.
Expecting another 4-6 inches of the white stuff when it's all said and done.
:munchin
About 12 inches of snow here by my place so far.
Expecting another 4-6 inches of the white stuff when it's all said and done.
:munchin
Hope it does not gget tooooo Cold up there. I got a chill entering the water today but it went away quickly. ;)
24457
Ended up with about 14 inches total here by my place.
Thankfully it hit on Sunday. Kept most people off the roads allowing CDOT to work on them and keep them somewhat clear. All in all nothing more than a nice "Colorado Spring Snow Storm". Not a lot of people complaining about this one, we need the moisture around here.
Hope it does not get tooooo Cold up there. I got a chill entering the water today but it went away quickly. ;)
:( I'm not liking you all that much right now. :mad::boohoo
ZonieDiver
02-25-2013, 10:52
Hope it does not gget tooooo Cold up there. I got a chill entering the water today but it went away quickly. ;)
24457
It was probably that damned Nitrox!:D
Ended up with about 14 inches total here by my place.
Thankfully it hit on Sunday. Kept most people off the roads allowing CDOT to work on them and keep them somewhat clear. All in all nothing more than a nice "Colorado Spring Snow Storm". Not a lot of people complaining about this one, we need the moisture around here.
I'm not liking you all that much right now. :mad::boohoo
Today was a really tough one..... We flew over in a 206 to St Croix and I had to bring a 34' intrepid back to San Juan. Got a little tooooo much sun..... :p
Rough day. Have to wash it Tuesday Can not wait until Wednesday. ;)
Golf1echo
08-23-2013, 01:33
Back in Colorado, many of you know Ute Pass out of the Springs now gets closed when rain hits the Waldo Canyon burn scars, a couple of fatalities already. On thur. evening significant rain in Woodland Park and down Ute Pass caused flooding that looks like it will have me trapped in until the road can be repaired, know more in the morning. I forgot how intense large thunder storms can be at elevation. Several bouts of hail, sky ripping lightning, thunder just overhead, and heavy rain for hours. Our road in was covered with rushing water, floating stumps and debris with the entire canyon bottom consumed with flowing water just below Woodland Park.It appears images will have to be posted when I have better signal.
Golf1echo
08-23-2013, 07:23
24 is back opened this morning. Looks like we got lucky where I was, not so just up the road.
BigJimCalhoun
08-31-2013, 16:18
We have got more rain this year than I can remember since escaping from Massachusetts 10 years ago.
From an eMail:
This is a likely cause of the 346 homes lost in the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs...and now 510 homes in Black Forest at Monument, 12 miles north of Colorado Springs.
This is why they waited so long to tell us what started the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado. The public still has not been told what was used to start the fire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=SFHM0rd9cX8
BigJimCalhoun
09-02-2013, 17:36
Interesting video - thank you.
I just drove down Hodgen Road in Black Forest today on my way to Falcon. I am not sure of the widening of that road started prior to the first, but the Southern side of the road was burned but the fire did not appear to have crossed it.
Golf1echo
09-03-2013, 06:50
Here is another aspect of living in the mountains here, there have been two mountain Lions on the prowl taking a 400lb + lama and many local dogs...away. Accomplished hunters able to bound upwards of 20', instinct predators, and working in tandem. Being visual I can see a couple of these posts running together ;). There is a much greater awareness around here and No Trespassing signs are backed up by 2nd Amendment Rights off the corridor ...
Red Flag 1
09-03-2013, 20:06
Here is another aspect of living in the mountains here, there have been two mountain Lions on the prowl taking a 400lb + lama and many local dogs...away. Accomplished hunters able to bound upwards of 20', instinct predators, and working in tandem. Being visual I can see a couple of these posts running together ;). There is a much greater awareness around here and No Trespassing signs are backed up by 2nd Amendment Rights off the corridor ...
I love the, "Stay calm". I'd me crapping me pants :eek:.
cat in the hat
09-04-2013, 22:26
... there will eventually be a hippy who gets mauled after saying" here kitty kitty, kity"
... there will eventually be a hippy who gets mauled after saying" here kitty kitty, kity"
I hope someone gets film of it. :D :munchin :D
... there will eventually be a hippy who gets mauled after saying" here kitty kitty, kity"
Just what we need... a big kitty on hipnip...
I love the, "Stay calm". I'd me crapping me pants :eek:.
That is my problem when mountain biking. I am convinced every noise I hear is a bear or a mountain lion, but I bet I would never actually hear the mountain lion.
Just what we need... a big kitty on hipnip...
Good one.;)
Golf1echo
09-05-2013, 08:49
... there will eventually be a hippy who gets mauled after saying" here kitty kitty, kity"
I have seen some of them too...
What intrigues me about the sign is it is turned inward towards the cabins, you don't see it until you drive out. They say " if your in lion country you may never see one but they see you". Not much in the cerebral cortex, that area is taken up with optics and sensors... They see what they believe is prey running, well
That is my problem when mountain biking. I am convinced every noise I hear is a bear or a mountain lion, but I bet I would never actually hear the mountain lion.
... and Coyotes.
Drew down on one last night as I was walking the dog. Came within 25 feet of us and paralleled us for about 50 yards. I've got a little Bichon (hey don't judge, he was a rescue dog) and I knew he'd of made a tasty snack for Willy E.
It's that time of year that Bears, Big Cats and Coyotes start packing on the pounds for winter, so more and more of them will be seen in populated areas.
TOMAHAWK9521
09-12-2013, 12:46
Well, TR certainly has my complete attention with the start of his latest thread. What was it? The "Oh Sh*t!!" thread? That pretty much sums up where I might be headed if this rain continues.
I woke up to everyone on the radio yammering hysterically about the rain and flash flooding someplace else in the state and thought, "Damn, that sucks for those poor bastards." Then I began driving out of my neighborhood to head down to Denver for school. I got to the end of the street to find we now have a new creek to go along with the name of our housing development. "No Name Creek".
This swift flowing stream is about a block to the south of my house and cuts along the west side of the development where it has already washed out part of another street roughly 1 block to my west. There are two moderately sized reservoirs (ponds) nearby, one a couple hundred meters to the north, and the other about 800m to the south. With this incessant rain, I may be in for owning a riverside home. Unfortunately, some of my neighbors now do.
I returned home to move all my high value toys out of the basement and up onto the second floor. Luckily there is no imminent threat of my house actually going under water so I had plenty of time to get them all upstairs. Still, that was a time-consuming pain in the ass. I may have to rethink keeping my stuff locked up in the basement while living in a potential flood plain.
Having completed moving the irreplaceable stuff, I went out to look around the neighborhood. Some of my neighbors drove by and said we'd been ordered to evacuate. They looked panicked and had only the clothes on their backs. I was stunned by their level of panic. Okay, so the retaining walls of those two aforementioned bodies of water might actually fail, (as remote a possibility as that may be) but I would think people would do more than just get into their cars and haul ass. It's not like we are living below the Glenn Canyon Damn.
While out taking pictures, another neighbor said they got the initial evac call but were later told to hold where they were at because our area was now cut off. Understand, we aren't dealing with the conditions like the folks up in Lyons or Estes Park. There are still routes out of here but they are slow going due to the high waters washing parts of the road out. And the last I heard, Lyons was completely isolated and the only way in is by RW aircraft, which isn't possible with these low ceilings.
Anyway, this continuing weather situation has gotten me to take a much more serious perspective on the whole bug-out/defend the castle discussion. I figured I was good with the "2 and 1" formula, but this is apparently more likely of what I will be faced with. I have no family and am still widowed so I must admit that I put more effort into going back to school and very little into the worst case scenario plan. As with so many others, I figured "What are the chances, really?" Well, now I know as I am potentially headed towards the "This is going to suck!" category.
All this must be because I failed to heed the portent of the salamander I found in my garden yesterday. Curses!
The Reaper
09-12-2013, 13:33
Wow!
Sorry for the excitement, hermano. Glad to hear you are doing okay.
Hope the water stops rising, if it hasn't already.
It does make me wonder why they had not built homes in that area before.
Maybe the previous property owners knew something. Hmm.
TR
Sorry for the troubles, but Boulder needed a good flush for some time now.
TOMAHAWK, I remember days like that!
No Name Creek! How Ironic!
Here in Northern Texas, we have the "No Water" Red River! Please scoop some of that up and send to Texas, ASAP!
Golf1echo
09-12-2013, 16:12
Dynamic country, 24 closed again down here, saw 3 fatalities across the State last I checked. Heard Lyons was cut off, Manitou was also under a mandatory evac. And something about firemen escaping in a tree as their truck washed away...
Tatonka316
09-12-2013, 16:41
TOMAHAWK - you have a safe house down in Littleton if you need one ... minutes from light rail so let me know if we can help. I am still "home" at Bragg, but fly back to FOB-CO tomorrow ...
molon labe:lifter
Glad to hear you were able to get the toys to higher ground, but most importantly that the homestead is safe.
It's been raining on and off down here on the south side of town for the past three days. The creeks been running steady but it hasn't crest it's banks .... yet.
Rain totals are in, so far. We still have another couple of days of rain forecasted. Let's see what it's like on Saturday.
Oh and Razor .... you're right. Boulder did need a good flush.
My wife just got back to the Springs today. Our house is in the downtown area, and it seems ok so far. She got back at night fall so she didn't check the basement yet. Hopefully all stays well for all of the Front Range area. I'm still at Bragg, but let me know if anyone needs help moving stuff and I'll put a call out. I hadn't been keeping tabs on just how bad it's been. I guess the adage "When it rains it pours" is holding true.
TOMAHAWK9521
09-12-2013, 22:29
There is more rain in the forecast for tonight and the weekend, but for now, it's down to a gentle drizzle and the waters have subsided for the time being. However, the cops still have a barricade at the end of my street. It cordons off the 100m stretch where the water was rushing over earlier in the day, but is now down to a shallow flow. I was almost tempted to blow it off and go through it but figured some fiendish LEO was lurking about in the shadows. 6 miles of driving around later, I pull up to my street and, low and behold, those pesky cops have stopped 2 other vehicles that had driven through just as they reached this end of the cordoned section. A-HA! I knew those guys were out there!
The homestead is still high and dry but a fellow gray hair a couple miles away had about 20 gallons pour in through his basement window. It was his place I had just returned from visiting. Fortunately, the water was easily cleaned up and any flood damage is negligible due to the fact that he has an unfinished basement.
I wish I could say the same for other parts of the state that took the brunt of this storm system. It sounds pretty bad up in Lyons. Ironically, the only way out of Estes Park is to take Trail Ridge Road over the top of Rocky Mountain National Park. That road is usually closed to traffic when the weather gets ugly or winter sets in. As for Boulder, I agree -They had it coming. :p
Just about every drainage and canyon along the front range is NO-GO for travel. If they aren't already flooded and blocked off with rock and mud slides, your chances of getting through one of those canyons alive, if you are stupid enough to try, are non-existent.
Link has some pretty good pictures of what's going on, also current evacuations.
http://www.9news.com/news/article/354908/188/Evacuations-ordered-after-flash-floods-spread-across-Colo
Looks like Boulder is going to be officially flushed.
Just came through, mandatory evacuation for 4,000 people in the below area, which as you can see, is right through downtown.
:munchin
Benevolence
09-13-2013, 01:18
I guess we got lucky. Parents' house is fine, but neighbors' have some basement flooding. I guess I won't be going shooting in Lefthand Canyon this weekend, or what's left of it. Up in Fort Collins we didn't get it nearly as bad, just made for some miserable biking.
Best wishes to others in the area!
TOMAHAWK9521
09-15-2013, 10:23
AAAAAAND......It's raining again!
I was finally able to get out of my lobster trap of a neighborhood yesterday. Even better, I was able to get all the way up to Ft Collins to check on some other gray-hairs who live up there. You wouldn't have thought the state was in such bad shape with sun shining and the roads dry.
For those not familiar with the Front Range, this video was taken not very far north of my house: http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2013/09/14/boulder-colorado-floods/2813225/
I live fairly close to that spot and, from my neighborhood, it looks like just another day after heavy rains. One can't see just how bad the damage really is unless you can find a way out and are able to see areas that were and are still underwater. The way the terrain determines where the water goes can be frustrating to people who can't readily see the water, nor understand how flash floods work out in these parts. Whole swaths of the countryside that saw relatively little rain have been blocked off because somewhere down the road it has been washed out or a section as wide as 20 feet has been undermined by the flood.
The towns of Johnstown and Milliken lie to the north of me and, as of Friday, were a couple of islands out on the plains. The 3 main rivers: the Cache le Poudre, which flows down from Poudre Canyon through my old home of Ft Collins: the Big Thompson, which flows down from Rocky Mountain National Park/Estes Park and through Loveland; and the one on the film, the St Vrain, flows down from Estes Park, through Lyons and Longmont are all converging east of I-25 and flooding the plains and just about every small farm town out there.
One of the guys that I spoke with yesterday up in Ft Collins said Larimer County had upped the estimated number of missing people to 500. People forget that there aren't just mountain folks living in cabins up there. At any given time there are thousands of people up in the high country. With this being archery season, who knows how many hunters are up there along with the other groups of recreationists. If the weather ever settles back down to a seasonal pattern and allows searchers to work safely and find these missing people, it is likely that the death toll is going to climb.
And what could make matters worse, not that I'm trying to turn this tragic saga into a horror movie, is when you go up into the mountains, you become a potential link in the food chain. My late wife was on the county S&R team and more than once did they find remnants of someone who perished from exposure and had wound up an easy meal for some wild critter(s). The bear population in this state has been growing and this is the time of year when bears are out stuffing themselves before hibernation. In recent years, incidents of bears breaking into mountain homes, regardless of the occupants, has been increasing. They've also proven to be getting more aggressive in face to face encounters. I can personally attest to that.
God willing, everyone unaccounted for is found holed up somewhere, alive and in one piece.
TOMAHAWK ..... YOU stay safe up there.
I see there are new postings of evacuation orders for certain parts of Longmont. I know you're not in that area, but just be careful.
Talked with a couple of old (er) board members, one in Greely and another in Milliken.
The one in Milliken said his place is just an island. Can't get in, can't get out. Said he and his family are just hunkering down and keeping his powder dry.
The one in Greely said pretty much the same. Where he's at is not so much an "island", there are areas that he's keeping an eye on. But all in all, they're doing okay.
TOMAHAWK9521
09-15-2013, 17:26
I don't know how it is up north or against the foothills, but our local flood waters are back to where they were a couple days ago. (*see previously posted pictures). So far, my sump pump has yet to start up while my neighbors on both sides have been running at intervals. I must be in the sweet spot on my side of the street. :)
Unless the shallow reservoir that lies less than a mile south gives, I'm going to remain in the clear. If it does fail, that would suck. However, the ground rises up a little just before it comes down to my place and the tiny creek, which is once again a river, turns to the west and works its way down the west side of our development. Hopefully, nothing beyond what is currently happening with occur.
Link for live streaming for one of the local Denver media channels.
http://media.thedenverchannel.com/livestreampage
Golf1echo
09-15-2013, 19:40
"The towns of Johnstown and Milliken lie to the north of me and, as of Friday, were a couple of islands out on the plains. The 3 main rivers: the Cache le Poudre, which flows down from Poudre Canyon through my old home of Ft Collins: the Big Thompson, which flows down from Rocky Mountain National Park/Estes Park and through Loveland; and the one on the film, the St Vrain, flows down from Estes Park, through Lyons and Longmont are all converging east of I-25 and flooding the plains and just about every small farm town out there."
I remember the Big Thompson and Poudre Canyon events back in the 70's, many lives were taken but nothing as extensive as these events. Do hope everyone stays safe. I snuck down the pass after waiting most of Thur. during the few hours it opened only to meet the rain head on in CS, as I drove that goat trail up to 70 the emergency broadcast told the folks out by three lakes near the arsenal to " move quickly to safe your life"...finally left the down pour at Hays, KS., back in NC now but be back in a bit.
Some amazing photos.
http://photos.denverpost.com/2013/09/14/photos-colorado-flood-damage-aerial-views/#1
Even with the repeat photos of the same area there is some serious road & bridge damage out there.
Prayers out for all those affected by the flooding. Stay safe and dry.
Oh joy. :rolleyes:
"What gay adventures lie ahead .... Brother, this upcoming season is going to make LSD feel like aspirin."
TOMAHAWK9521
09-16-2013, 09:50
Oh joy. :rolleyes:
"What gay adventures lie ahead .... Brother, this upcoming season is going to make LSD feel like aspirin."
Thank God I wasn't drinking anything when I pulled that up, Diver. That about sums it up. In spite of all the mayhem and destruction we're having, that is damn funny. Holy crap, I have to forward that one.
Tomahawk, please stay safe. Hope the rains ease off and the flood waters subside.
"Hey, nobody told me to build an ark!"
God be with you and all your buddies out in CO.
All you folks out there stay safe.
TOMAHAWK9521
09-16-2013, 18:59
Tomahawk, please stay safe. Hope the rains ease off and the flood waters subside.
"Hey, nobody told me to build an ark!"
God be with you and all your buddies out in CO.
Much oblige, brother. I'm high and dry out here. I wish I could say the same for a lot of others.
My son, in FTC, says that Estes Park will be cut off over the winter once the Ridge Road closes.
Pat
Well, SGT son just got activated for flood relief. He's a bit miffed since it will screw up his CSU semester, but he also recognized that two houses that he had been looking to buy have been washed away. I pointed out that he will remember the disaster response far longer than the semester. ;)
Pat
Latest report from my son is that the flat-land citizens (Longmont, etc.) are getting testy with the NG checkpoints. So he and three other NCOs re-assigned themselves to Estes Park where he said that they were welcomed with opened arms. The locals are bringing them coffee and snacks. He just got there, so has not had time to recon the situation. They are happier helping those who really need them, though.
Pat
TOMAHAWK9521
10-04-2013, 06:56
Oh joy. :rolleyes:
"What gay adventures lie ahead .... Brother, this upcoming season is going to make LSD feel like aspirin."
Diver,
We need to update that slide. We've officially gone from Drought&Fire to Flood to Rock Slide, and are now in Snow season.
The high country and northern regions are talking about a foot of snow or more with this system. Out here in Frederick, it's snowing with a big freeze expected for tonight. I doubt we'll have too much precipitation here but, then again, I don't live in a flood zone either. :rolleyes:
Well, at least all the flood damage repair crews have places to plow the snow into for the interim.