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twc
 Advanced Member
627 Posts
[Mentor]
Fort Collins, CO
USA
Harley-Davidson
Electra Glide Ultra
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 Posted - 05/28/2007 : 7:02 PM
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May 28, 2007
When I got home from Cameron Pass yesterday, I found the Teenage Mutant Ninja in the garage -- door closed, lights off -- kind of grumbling to itself. I promised to take it out for a ride today and this is our trip report.
At 9:00 AM on Memorial Day we left home for Estes Park. We hadn't gone a quarter of a mile -- hadn't even left our neighborhood -- when I heard a screech behind me. I looked frantically in the mirrors then all around, bracing for the inevitable impact, but there was nothing there. Just then, a pair of F16s passed directly overhead; I felt like I could reach up and touch them. Nothing like a quick shot of adrenaline in the morning.
Now more alert, I continued south to Loveland and headed west on U.S. 34 to the Big Thompson canyon. We were followed by a Sheriff's Deputy most of the way to Loveland, but I kept both wheels on the ground at all times and strictly obeyed the speed limit -- to two decimal places. The Dam Store at the mouth of the canyon ("Best Store by a Dam Site") is a local landmark that's been there as long as I can remember.
The canyon begins with steep rock walls, which would be a real challenge to climb if you had to get out of the way of a flash flood.
On July 31, 1976 that's exactly what happened. An upslope pushed moisture-laden clouds up against the mountains and at about 6:00 PM it began to rain. Within the space of three hours the storm deposited over 12 inches of rain. The rocky soil doesn't absorb moisture very quickly, so most of the rain went downhill. It first filled the little feeder streams. They in turn filled all the tributaries in the basin and ultimately it all ended up in the Big Thompson River.
When the flash flood reached the mouth of the canyon, it was a wall of water 19 feet high traveling 50 mph. It pushed everything before it: rocks, trees, homes, cars. It also took the lives of 145 people who were unable to get out of the way of the raging waters; six of those people were never found.
At the town of Drake we turned right to go up Devil's Gulch Road, following the North Fork of the Big Thompson River. About half way to Estes Park you go through the sleepy little town of Glen Haven.
Heading west out of Glen Haven the road gets steep, really steep. Climb that hill on a bicycle and you get your "animal" merit badge.
This section of road finishes with four tight switchbacks, after which you top out and overlook the mountain valley that's home to Estes Park. The Front Range forms the backdrop and the two dominant peaks are Mt. Meeker (13,911 ft.) on the left and Long's Peak (14,255 ft.) on the right. The second picture is more of the Front Range to the north of Long's Peak. Not a bad view for Estes Park residents.
Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park and it isn't undiscovered. Expect stop and go traffic downtown during any warm month. The town is set up nicely for tourism with outdoor parks and picnic areas, outdoor markets and lots of downtown shops with everything you might hope to find.
Estes Park is also home to the Stanley Hotel, built by the Stanley family of Stanley Steamer fame. Stephen King's stay at the hotel provided the inspiration for his novel The Shining.
After a brief stay we headed southeast via U.S. 36 to the town of Lyons, stopping briefly for a picture: the TMN enjoying a view of the St. Vrain valley.
Flyfishermen will recognize Lyons as the home of fishing writer John Gierach and his sidekicks A.K. Best and Mike Clark. Mike owns South Creek Limited and is a master bamboo rod maker. We got our first rod from Mike before he was well known. Now you have to put down a deposit and wait five years to reach the head of the list.
The only raindrops at all during this trip came just as I was heading east out of Lyons. Even then, the right and left tracks had been driven dry. We took the long way home from Lyons, stopping first at Carter Lake. This is the more open of the two big lakes in northern Colorado and it attracts the sailing crowd. There are sailboat races on Carter Lake every weekend during the summer.
Continuing north takes you through Eden Valley (very well named) to the little town of Masonville. It was really starting to look like rain at Masonville, but it proved an empty threat.
If you turn west from Masonville, you head up Buckhorn Canyon and ultimately will reach the Cache la Poudre canyon, the reverse of yesterday's trip. Turning east at Masonville takes you to Horsetooth Reservoir, the other big lake. Horsetooth is a long, narrow body of water and it's mostly in a canyon. The winds aren't as great here so it's mostly power boaters that you see.
Looking east from Horsetooth Reservoir road over the plains below you see the city of Fort Collins, home of Colorado State University. Down the hill and we're home again, about 125 miles total distance.
We reached a break-in mileage landmark during this trip: I am now allowed to get the engine speed up to 6000 rpm, at which point it feels like somebody touched off an afterburner. Sometimes it's hard to believe the TMN only has 600 cc. Definitely a superior toy.
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Edited by - twc on 03/02/2009 2:01 PM |
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nomad dan
Advanced Member
1276 Posts
Denver, Colorado
USA
Kawasaki
06 Vulcan Nomad 1600
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Posted - 05/28/2007 : 8:30 PM
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Great report.
I didn't know about the flood in 1976. It's fun to know some of the history of places that I've ridden. |
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twc
Advanced Member
627 Posts
[Mentor]
Fort Collins, CO
USA
Harley-Davidson
Electra Glide Ultra
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Posted - 05/28/2007 : 9:55 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by nomad dan
Great report.
I didn't know about the flood in 1976. It's fun to know some of the history of places that I've ridden.
Thanks. Did you notice how the TMN is parked well back from the precipice? I get nervous even looking at some of your photographs.
If you're interested in more history about the Big Thompson flash flood, the Fort Collins Coloradoan has a pretty good flash presentation here. It's really hard to imagine the devastation, even through photographs.
BTW, can you sit down yet?  |
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nomad dan
Advanced Member
1276 Posts
Denver, Colorado
USA
Kawasaki
06 Vulcan Nomad 1600
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Posted - 05/28/2007 : 10:42 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by twc
quote:
Originally posted by nomad dan
Great report.
I didn't know about the flood in 1976. It's fun to know some of the history of places that I've ridden.
Thanks. Did you notice how the TMN is parked well back from the precipice? I get nervous even looking at some of your photographs.
If you're interested in more history about the Big Thompson flash flood, the Fort Collins Coloradoan has a pretty good flash presentation here. It's really hard to imagine the devastation, even through photographs.
BTW, can you sit down yet?
Thanks for the link. I watched the whole thing. I'll have to go back up that canyon now that I know the history. I have a riding friend in Drake so I'm sure I'll get back that way.
I like taking photos that cause an emotion in those viewing them. Some do it subtly, I do the whack em over the head route
Ya, I was pretty sore, but just while I was riding |
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shadowrider
Advanced Member
577 Posts
[Mentor]
Phoenix, Arizona
USA
Harley-Davidson
Ultra Classic
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Posted - 05/30/2007 : 12:55 PM
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It's been awhile since I've been out to Estes Park...thanks for the great pics and bringing back memories. Great trip report!
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