bigtyke

We usually take at trip from Greeley up US34 each Sept and Thanksgiving week to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. This year the Sept. floods ruined the trip then and I thought there was no way that the road would be fixed by the Dec. 1 date that the governor set. But the highway department and the contractors did an outstanding job and the road opened the week before Thanksgiving.

As we entered the Big Thompson canyon, we noticed that the Dam store was still open and escaped damage. I would like to see marks on the cliff at the mouth of the canyon to show the level of the floods. I had heard that this year's flood was 20 feet higher than the 1976 flood that killed 144.

At the end of the steepest part of the canyon, the Colorado Cherry Company store was still standing and was open. It is one of our favorite stores. We didn't stop going up the canyon, planning to stop on the way down. However, when we came back down. it was closed for the day so we didn't get to find out how they might have been impacted by the flood.

All along the river, there were damaged and destroyed homes. Some homes looked like they might have been ok, but they had big X's on them, which I assume meant they were condemned. Several bridges crossing the river to houses were destroyed and not replaced yet. The road itself was almost as good as it was before the flood. We experienced no delays.

I noticed no damage in Estes Park. We stopped at the very nice visitor center and took a short walk along the river. Quite often there are elk on the golf course at this time of year and because of this, we didn't bring our Siberian husky. No elk today.

We drove into the park (got to love that Senior Pass !) and drove up to Bear Lake. It was a nice drive. There was no snow or ice on the road. Bear Lake is 9500 feet above sea level so the altitude might bother some. The trails were covered with ice and compacted snow and we had no equipment to handle that. Most people had poles, spikes on their boots or snowshoes. The views going up to the parking lot were of magnificent snowy jagged peaks.

Back down to the town where we parked the car and walked around the town. We stopped in a nice rock shop. If I was still accumulating 'stuff', I would love to get some. In the Simply Christmas shop we bought a few ornaments to give as gifts.

After gassing up the car ( price comparable to Greeley's price - not a higher price that usually occurs in isolated mountain towns), we headed back home. As we were leaving town, there were about 20-30 elk grazing along the side of the highway.

Two months ago I was thinking that it would be summer before we could go to Estes via US34. Once again, a big thank you to all involved in getting the road back.

tekwriter

Hi bigtyke, we, too just got back from a two-night stay in Estes, coming up from Denver via Hwy 36. We got a good look at the damage in Lyons and were astounded by it, especially north of the main part of town along the St. Vrain river. Many, many houses damaged or destroyed with debris piles on top of ruined automobiles in several places. It is absolutely amazing that the state roads have been repaired this quickly, but there seem to be many side roads and private bridges that are a long way from fixed.

Yes, Estes seems fine, completely open for business everywhere I saw. We stayed at the Woodlands on Fall River Road, one of our favorite destinations. They sustained serious damage to their bridge across Fall River and had to close for prime fall season, which is such a shame. Luckily, their units escaped any water damage, although the view of the river is substantially changed. The distance across to the other bank used to be 20 feet; it is now 70 feet, with many of their towering trees completely gone. We heard the story of the harrowing days of the owner trying to clear one huge tree that threatened to dam the bridge and divert the water onto the property. With a chain saw and a lot of luck, he saved the Woodlands from disaster!

We went into the park on a warm and sunny Thanksgiving Day to the Endovalley area, to see the damage there. This area was created when a dam high up on the mountain burst in 1982 and brought down an enormous number of rocks and boulders to create the Alluvial Fan, which is a beautiful area. Well, this year's flood had a similar effect. There was a culvert to channel the water under the road, but the rocks dammed it and diverted the water to another part and totally washed out the blacktop. This road leads to the popular Old Fall River Road, but it is not clear when this road will be open again. I can't imagine it will be repaired until after winter weather subsides next year. Fascinating, the power of water.

Our hearts went out to the people who were affected by all the damage we saw, but these are resiliant folks who are Mountain Strong. They will come back. Hopefully, the tourists will too!

wtm003

Thank you both for your reports. I also thought there would be no way 34 would be repaired by December 1 and I'm glad to hear it is now in good condition. I was a kid during the 1976 flood and remembering taking a "Sunday drive" through the canyon and being in awe at the destruction. The past few days have been beautiful and I've thought about a day trip to RMNP quite a bit, but just can't fit it in this weekend. I'm glad you were both able to enjoy.

Connie

Good to hear!

Ozarksbill

Glad to hear highway to Estes Park now open. I am sure much damage in wider area. Rocky Mnt. Pk. also open to traffic? My cousin in Denver has a family cabin down the gulch in Glen Haven, much damage in town but his properties high up so untouched. Well, the flood wiped out connecting road and two bridges.

wave725

It's great to hear how quickly Estes Park has recovered from that devastating flooding. Thanks for your reports.

Tekrider: We always stay at the Woodlands too and will be heading there next August. Can't wait to get back to Estes!

michelhuebeli

Good to see the reports showing lots of positives after the horror. We just booked a few nights for after Xmas, looking forward to being able to do most of what we have planned.

It's not all rosy, though - aside from the many outside the park who still are having a hard time, even inside the park there will be scars and reminders. Old Fall River Road will probably not open at all next season, they were publishing pictures of the washed-out road, hardly anything left in spots.

Still, fingers crossed, it's such a great place!

bigtyke

I made another quick trip yesterday. With the great weather lately, the road crews are out in full force improving the road. There were perhaps 5 segments where there was a flagman. The waits were very short and added no more than 5 minutes total to the trip.

In RMNP, we drove the Fall River Road (US 34) to US 36 - just a short but very nice drive in the park. With the Senior Pass, I have no cost to enter the park. We saw no elk but did see 4 deer right by the side of the road.

Returning down the mountain, we came across a herd of 12 bighorn sheep just outside of Drake. This is the area where we have often spotted the sheep. I can't recall the exact spot where we used to see the sheep because the parking area we used to use was washed away with the flood.