we took a drive through the mountains to check out some of the fire damage (pic heavy, added more)

[fizzgig]

Last edited Fri Sep 28, 2012, 11:51 PM - Edit history (2)

in june, the high park fire destroyed 87k+ just west/northwest of my city. we finally took a drive up poudre canyon to see some of the damage. the fire was large and destructive, but i did not see nearly the damage i expected to in the canyon. the fire was evident, but it looks like it hit worse elsewhere.

the lower part of the river looked like oil, which was heartbreaking, but it was crystal clear above the burn area. but i didn't need my eyes to tell me there'd been a fire, the smell still hung heavy in the air.





we hit some rain on the next leg of the drive and the air was beautiful far above the burn area.





and our last stop, just below the burn area



i got some better photos but couldn't seemed to get them resized and they were HUGHLARGE. i'll get those posted later if i feel like fussing with it. viva_la_revolution, i looked for falls creek on the way up and down and i'll be damned if i could even find it. i'll more closely consult a map and make one more run up, the husband didn't feel like hitting the mish the other day and i want to grab a bite there before the snow flies.

editing to add some more now that they're resized

the burn area




above the burn area

[lunatica]

1. Even with the fire damage that's beautiful country!

It will all come back next Spring. Life has a way of reasserting itself very quickly.

[fizzgig]

2. i could already see some green coming up on the forest floor

it will be some time before the trees fill back in, but the ground will be nice and green come the spring. i'm lucky to have such beauty so close by.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. thanks Fizz!

Falls creek is on the west edge of Poudre Park

link to a map showing a nearby residence for sale
http://www.automatedhomefinder.com/1-653583/poudre-canyon-lower-colorado-nearby-properties.php

[fizzgig]

4. i'll be a son of a biscuit if that isn't the link i used

i really need to start looking with my eyes and not my ass

[fizzgig]

5. vanity kick

[Tsiyu]

6. Beautiful country

despite the burns.

Thanks for sharing the pictures. I love the water - your pictures are so good you can almost hear the river clattering and glugging over the rocks.

[fizzgig]

7. thanks

that spot above the burn area is our favorite spot, i love listening to the river absolutely roar in the spring.

[locks]

8. thanks

thanks for the great pictures. It is still hard to go up Fourmile to Gold Hill but amazing how Coloradans work to restore and move back. I hope we will learn from these terrible fires and the drought to combat global warming by caring for our beautiful state. To me this means conserve, use less energy, and elect Democrats who care about the environment!

[fizzgig]

9. i worry that it is just going to get worse if we don't do something about it

it is hard to see, but i also have to remember that some fire is necessary for the forest.

welcome to du!