On Monday, a 45-year-old woman from Oklahoma fell into the St. Vrain River approximately one mile from the Wild Basin Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. She slipped on wet rocks and was swept about 100 feet downstream under some large logs before she was able to pull herself up on a variety of log debris. Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue members arrived on scene and assisted her from the log. She was on the south side of the river, so no rescuers or swift water teams had to deploy in the water.
Members of Estes Valley Fire Protection District – Dive and Swiftwater Rescue Team, Boulder Emergency Squad and Allenspark Fire Protection arrived on scene to assist RMNP Search and Rescue Team members, if needed.
The woman’s condition was assessed by park rangers and she walked out with team members. She was further evaluated by Estes Park Health at the trailhead and declined transport by ambulance.
Mountain streams can be dangerous. Visitors are reminded to remain back from the banks of streams and rivers. Rocks at streamside and in the stream are often slippery and water beneath them may be deep and will be extremely cold. Provide proper supervision for children at all times, who by nature, tend to be attracted to water. Powerful currents can quickly pull a person underwater.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Saturday, June 26, 2021
Halfmoon Road remains closed until further notice
The Pike and San Isabel National Forests Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, Leadville Ranger District, will continue the closure of National Forest System Road (NFSR) 110, locally known as Halfmoon Road, for safety and roadwork reasons until further notice.
“The road is closed because there were countless times last year where two-way passing in traffic was impossible and compromised the safety of all visitors and limited emergency services,” said Leadville District Ranger Patrick Mercer. “Keeping that in mind, we cannot responsibly open it again until the sightlines and width of the road are addressed.”
Visitors will still be able to access the Halfmoon East and West Campgrounds because the closure begins just past them. Motorized traffic is not permitted beyond the closure. Unless otherwise posted, parking outside the closure barriers is also permitted along the road shoulders and in the small lot near the closure.
“I recognize that the timing is terrible and this closure impacts locals and visitors alike,” said Mercer. “We are doing what we can to get the road completed as soon as possible and kindly ask for patience in the meantime. In the end we should have a product that will safely serve everyone for years to come.”
Non-motorized travel is permitted on Halfmoon Road. Visitors should be aware that heavy equipment may be present in the area and are encouraged to be safe when accessing the recreation areas past the closure.
Visitors wanting to hike to the summit of Colorado’s tallest peak, Mt. Elbert, can also access the mountain through two alternate trailheads, South Elbert and Black Cloud. Visitors may also access the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, which crosses NFSR 110, at multiple other entry points. For further information about this project, please contact the Leadville Ranger District at 719-486-0749.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
“The road is closed because there were countless times last year where two-way passing in traffic was impossible and compromised the safety of all visitors and limited emergency services,” said Leadville District Ranger Patrick Mercer. “Keeping that in mind, we cannot responsibly open it again until the sightlines and width of the road are addressed.”
Visitors will still be able to access the Halfmoon East and West Campgrounds because the closure begins just past them. Motorized traffic is not permitted beyond the closure. Unless otherwise posted, parking outside the closure barriers is also permitted along the road shoulders and in the small lot near the closure.
“I recognize that the timing is terrible and this closure impacts locals and visitors alike,” said Mercer. “We are doing what we can to get the road completed as soon as possible and kindly ask for patience in the meantime. In the end we should have a product that will safely serve everyone for years to come.”
Non-motorized travel is permitted on Halfmoon Road. Visitors should be aware that heavy equipment may be present in the area and are encouraged to be safe when accessing the recreation areas past the closure.
Visitors wanting to hike to the summit of Colorado’s tallest peak, Mt. Elbert, can also access the mountain through two alternate trailheads, South Elbert and Black Cloud. Visitors may also access the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, which crosses NFSR 110, at multiple other entry points. For further information about this project, please contact the Leadville Ranger District at 719-486-0749.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Friday, June 25, 2021
Forest Service joins Grand County partners in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
Due to the continued exceptionally warm dry weather conditions and increasing fire danger, the Arapaho National Forest’s Sulphur Ranger District is joining its local and federal partners in Grand County in enacting Stage 2 Fire Restrictions beginning today, June 25, 2021.
The heightened restrictions encompass all National Forest system lands in Grand County, including all campgrounds, backcountry sites, and developed recreation sites.
Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit the use of all wood burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbeques and smoking outdoors.
Gas-fueled devices that can be turned on and off, such as stoves, lanterns, or heating devices are allowed if used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
Fireworks and other explosives are always prohibited on public lands.
These restrictions are being implemented in coordination with multiple agencies in response to current and predicted weather and fuel conditions, as well as corresponding fire danger rating levels. The purpose is to reduce the risk of fire to promote public health and safety and to protect resources during this time. These restrictions will remain in effect until significant precipitation falls and fire danger levels subside.
Visitors should use extra caution recreating on public lands when fire danger is increased.
Additionally, the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests’ Clear Creek, Boulder and Canyon Lakes ranger districts along with the Pawnee National Grassland are enacting Stage 1 fire restrictions effective today. Stage 1 fire restrictions limit where and what type of fires visitors can have and remain in place until rescinded.
Help prevent wildfires and become a steward of public lands by checking the official local source for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/knowbefore.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
The heightened restrictions encompass all National Forest system lands in Grand County, including all campgrounds, backcountry sites, and developed recreation sites.
Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit the use of all wood burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbeques and smoking outdoors.
Gas-fueled devices that can be turned on and off, such as stoves, lanterns, or heating devices are allowed if used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
Fireworks and other explosives are always prohibited on public lands.
These restrictions are being implemented in coordination with multiple agencies in response to current and predicted weather and fuel conditions, as well as corresponding fire danger rating levels. The purpose is to reduce the risk of fire to promote public health and safety and to protect resources during this time. These restrictions will remain in effect until significant precipitation falls and fire danger levels subside.
Visitors should use extra caution recreating on public lands when fire danger is increased.
Additionally, the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests’ Clear Creek, Boulder and Canyon Lakes ranger districts along with the Pawnee National Grassland are enacting Stage 1 fire restrictions effective today. Stage 1 fire restrictions limit where and what type of fires visitors can have and remain in place until rescinded.
Help prevent wildfires and become a steward of public lands by checking the official local source for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/knowbefore.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Lightning Safety Week: Know the Statistics!
The National Weather Service for the Denver/Boulder forecast office published a series of graphs on their Twitter account earlier this week showing lightning data as part of Lightning Safety Week. I thought it would be important to re-post those graphs and some other data here to highlight the danger hikers face from lightning while hiking in the mountains of Colorado in the summer. The first Tweet shows the most dangerous counties in Colorado:
The key takeaways from this data is that danger from lightning peaks during the early afternoons of the summer months. Additionally, as you might expect, the highest number of casualties occur on weekends when more people are out recreating. For more information on lightning, and how to stay safe while out on the trail, please click here.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Since 1980, Colorado has had 100 fatal lightning strikes and nearly 500 lightning related injuries. Below is the top 3 counties and number of fatalities and injuries recorded. More information for each of the 64 Colorado Counties can be found here.The second Tweet is in conjunction with the three graphs mentioned above:
1) El Paso County (includes Pikes Peak area): 10 fatalities / 84 injuries
2) Larimer County (includes RMNP): 10 fatalities / 76 injuries
3) Jefferson County (west of & western portion of Denver): 9 fatalities / 38 injuries
The following charts show lightning flashes per day of the year as well as lightning casualties per hour of the day and day of the week. Are you planning a hike for a Saturday afternoon this July? We highly recommend you check the forecast before you go (click here for the RMNP forecast).
The key takeaways from this data is that danger from lightning peaks during the early afternoons of the summer months. Additionally, as you might expect, the highest number of casualties occur on weekends when more people are out recreating. For more information on lightning, and how to stay safe while out on the trail, please click here.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Monday, June 21, 2021
Hiker Found Dead In The Loch Area Of Rocky Mountain National Park
Late Friday afternoon, June 18, park rangers were notified that a woman’s body was discovered below the outtake of The Loch in Rocky Mountain National Park. The body was noticed by park visitors in the drainage below the outlet of The Loch.
Park rangers attempted to reach the location on Friday night, but lightning storms and darkness hampered those efforts. On Saturday, June 19, Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team members were again hampered by weather while conducting field operations.
On Sunday, June 20, thirty-eight RMNP Search and Rescue Team members were involved, twenty-eight of which were in the field. The woman’s body was extricated up 60 feet through steep, rocky, hazardous terrain to the Loch Vale Trail and then wheeled out by litter to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead.
Her body was transferred to the Larimer County Coroner/Medical Examiner’s Office. She has been positively identified as a 33-year-old female from Arvada, Colorado. The woman’s name will be released after next of kin are notified.
As is standard protocol the incident is under investigation.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Park rangers attempted to reach the location on Friday night, but lightning storms and darkness hampered those efforts. On Saturday, June 19, Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team members were again hampered by weather while conducting field operations.
On Sunday, June 20, thirty-eight RMNP Search and Rescue Team members were involved, twenty-eight of which were in the field. The woman’s body was extricated up 60 feet through steep, rocky, hazardous terrain to the Loch Vale Trail and then wheeled out by litter to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead.
Her body was transferred to the Larimer County Coroner/Medical Examiner’s Office. She has been positively identified as a 33-year-old female from Arvada, Colorado. The woman’s name will be released after next of kin are notified.
As is standard protocol the incident is under investigation.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)