Caching & Sighseeing On The Way To & In Estes Park, CO 6/21/2010

This morning we started out a little earlier than normal as we planned to drive to Estes Park to do some sightseeing and do some caching as we go. Our first cache was a virtual located in Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park at the site of the old power plant built in 1925 and wiped out by the Big Thompson Flood in 1976. The land was bought by Loveland from Louis Pappa to build a power plant to supply Loveland with electricity. All that is left now is several generators from the original power plant. (More on the flood later).

Then it was on to our next cache another virtual "The Power of Water related to the Big Thompson Flood. On our way to the cache we stopped at the first monument and memorial to a CO State Policeman and an Estes Park Patrolman who died helping saves lives during the flood and lost their own lives. Then it was on to the Big Thompson Flood Monument and Memorial. OK now about the flood:


The Big Thompson River is a tributary of the South Platte River, approximately 78 miles long, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
The headwaters of the river begin in Forest Canyon within Rocky Mountain National Park in Larimer County, Colorado. The river flows east, through Moraine Park to the town of Estes Park. There it is held in Lake Estes by the Olympus Dam before being released into the Big Thompson Canyon. The North Fork of the Big Thompson River also begins in Rocky Mountain National Park, on the northern slopes of the Mummy Range. This tributary flows east, through the town of Glen Haven where it merges with the Big Thompson River in the town of Drake in the Big Thompson Canyon.
From Lake Estes, the River descends 1/2 mile in elevation through the mountains in the spectacular 25 mi Big Thompson Canyon, emerging from the foothills west of Loveland. It flows eastward, south of Loveland across the plains into Weld County and joins the South Platte approximately 5 mi south of Greeley. It receives the Little Thompson River approximately 4 mi upstream from its mouth.
On July 31, 1976, during the celebration of Colorado's centennial, the Big Thompson Canyon was the site of devastating flash floods that swept down the steep and narrow canyon, claiming the lives of 143 people, 5 of whom were never found. This flood was triggered by a nearly stationary thunderstorm near the upper section of the canyon that dumped 12 inches of rain in less than 4 hours (more than 3/4 of the annual rainfall for the area). Little rain fell over the lower section of the canyon, where many of the victims were. Around 9 p.m., a wall of water more than 20 ft high raced down the canyon at about 14 mp), destroying 400 cars, 418 houses and 52 businesses and washing out most of U.S. Route 34.
This flood was more than 4 times as strong as any in the 112-year record available in 1976, with a discharge of 30,000 ft³/s.
In 2008, a man who was thought to have died in the flood was found to be alive and living in Oklahoma. Daryle Johnson and his family had rented a cabin in Estes Park, but left without telling anyone on the morning of July 31. A woman who was researching the flood's victims discovered he was still alive.
Coloradans waiting out more rains to search for the dead and to rescue the surviving in Big Thompson Canyon Monday -- and others awaiting word on neighbors and relatives -- saw the state's centennial weekend come and go in mourning.
At least 60 were dead and hundreds injured and stranded after flash flood waters Saturday night swept the canyon from Estes Park area down stream during 10-inch rains, swelling the Big Thompson River and its north fork into killing flows.
President Ford Monday declared Colorado eligible for major federal disaster aid Gov. Richard Lamm earlier had declared Larimer County a disaster area and requested federal aid, joined by Sen. Gary Hart and Congressman James Johnson.
Larimer County officials, viewing the death, injuries and still-isolated groups of campers and canyon residents as well as structures, trailers and vehicles shattered or swept away, could only say damage would be "very, very extensive," in the millions of dollars.
ALthough at least 60 were known dead Monday, with some on-scene law officers estimating the death toll could exceed 100, the first identified flood victim was Colorado State Patrol Sgt. HUGH PURDY, 53, Loveland, swept from his car as he sought to warn residents and campers.
Indications were that some current and former Greeley and Weld County residents were thought to have died in the flood. Many other county residents were rescued.
Miraculously, officials said, searchers later found a five-month-old baby boy on a rock in mid-river.
Law officers speculated some bodies might be found as far east as Nebraska in coming weeks. Some may never be found, they said. Some dead were found 12 miles downstream along the Big Thompson from the canyon.
Officers said some, warned Saturday night before the flash flooding of 10 feet or so swept through, did not evacuate the canyon.
Officials said 100 or more law officers, National Guardsmen and volunteers were to continue search and rescue efforts Monday. Eleven helicopters were reported standing by for evacuation airlifts, awaiting further rains, wind and low clouds to lift.
Some 840 to 860 stranded canyon survivors were reported as hiking, driving or being flown out by late Sunday. Estimates ranged from 200 to 400 of those still stranded in the canyon area Monday. Officers earlier had said as many as 4,000 may have been in the canyon Saturday.
Dead recovered by Monday were reported in range in estimated age from three to about 65, many older and a majority reported to be females. Very few children were reported among the dead, observers said.
Highway spokesmen said about 16 miles of U. S. 34 through the canyon, from four miles east of Estes Park to the Dam Store, was largely destroyed. Reports indicated replacement will take a number of years.
With few significant damage reports coming from Estes Park, that city's sewer main, however was reported broken by flood waters, polluting the river along with smashed systems from canyon residences and motels.
Loveland city officials indicated that city had a limited water supply in tanks, and were urging water use only for meals and drinking. Old Loveland power plant in the canyon was destroyed.
With rain in the area Sunday night and possible heavy rains and further flooding in the northern mountains and eastern plains forecast for Monday, Gov. Richard Lamm declared the canyon and downstream areas a disaster area Sunday after touring and flying over it.
Lemm said he would ask federal aid to help rebuild the flooded, shattered and -- in some cases -- eliminated mountain communities and residence areas.
U. S. Sen. Gary Hart, D-Colo., said he had asked President Ford for emergency aid, planned to tour the area and seek further aid from laws and existing federal programs.
Fourth District Congressman James Johnson toured the area Sunday, officials said, and was slated to return again Monday or early in the week.
Massive hail and rains in the area Saturday night were placed in various locals at 10 or more inches for the entire night.
Larimer County officials said the normally low, placid Big Thompson River basin from Estes Park to Loveland turned into a torrent. Officials said a wall of water estimated at 10 or 12 feet tore through the canyon and downstream areas after dark Saturday.
Resort communities and recreation areas were flooded or twisted up and carried away. Cars, trucks, campers, trailers, trees, debris and bodies were swept downstream in the flash flood.
Sheriff's officers and survivors reported pressurized propane tanks torn from cabins and recreational vehicles were exploding in the torrent as they struck large debris or abutments of wrecked bridges.
Residence, motels and bridges near or over the river were swept away.
Officials said 12 to 15 miles of the U.S. 34 canyon route was flooded or destroyed.
State district highway engineer Dwight Bower of Greeley flew over the area Sunday, saying he personally saw about 300 persons in or on cars along a four-mile stretch of U.S. 34, the only intact portion in a 15-mile stretch of U.S., the only intact portion in a 15-mile stretch viewed.
Sheriff's officers and others reported survivors literally clinging to steep slopes and walls of the canyon during the night and early Sunday.
A patrol car from the Larimer sheriff's office and one from the State Patrol, and a Loveland ambulance were lost in the torrent.
With rescue helicopters operating along with National Guardsmen, law officers, volunteers and some volunteered heavy-duty vehicles, Larimer County Sheriff Bob Watson said searchers would have to trek the canyon for bodies literally "beating the bushes."
"It (the canyon) is a quagmire right now," said Watson. "We've seen bodies from the air. We know we have more bodies there. This is going to go on for any number of days."
Watson and the Larimer county commissioners were to confer Monday on working with state and federal officials in search, rescue and long-term disaster relief efforts.
Rain started falling about 5 p.m. Saturday, authorities said. Watson said in the one to two hours before the water crested in the area, rainfall was placed at varying locales at from four to seven inches.
Watson said his Fort Collins based office received earliest notice of flood danger about 8:15 p.m. Saturday.
He said sherriff's deputies began driving the canyon area, warning residents and campers. Watson said some areas were warned up to three times.
However he said many campers and residents disregarded the warnings.
"It was a small, gentle stream," he said. "People had been camping by it, and fishing and tubing in it. But then ......"
"I couldn't even believe it would develop like that," he added.
Watson said a major storm and flooding hit in 1962 in the Buckhorn Creek area west of Loveland, but was not comparable.
He said this was the worst Larimer County disaster in his experience.
Fort Collins police official DAVE FELDMAN said residential and resort areas hard hit and with numerous reported fatalities included the Cedar Cove and Grandpa's Retreat resort areas around Drake, Drake itself and the River Front trailer and camper park west of Loveland.
WATSON said Grandpa's Retreat usually has 20 to 30 trailers and campers there on summer weekends. "That place was scoured clean," said WATSON. "There wasn't even a blade of grass left up there."
WATSON said, "Bodies were scattered against trees and other places downstream. Cars, vehicles, trailers and debris were overturned and scattered everywhere. They looked like toys rushing downstream."
"We had a few who dragged their feet, but we gave them exception," said ENGLEBERT.
"Every resident contacted was forced to leave the area. We just barely got out of there in time ourselves."
He said the waters hit the last bridge "aminute or two after we got off it."
BOB and ANN MORRIS, Lexington, Neb., fled their flooding motel room. "My wife fell down in the current," said MORRIS. "I went back for her and we were swept along until a man pulled us out. We saw people float by in cars. We saw one man in a tree. It was horrible."
The vacationing GEORGE RASSMUSSON family of Bellvue, Neb., fled to high ground. "We heard the horrible noise, like a jet plane exploding," said MRS. RASMUSSON. "We heard girls screaming and we ran for high ground."
They spent the night on the canyon slope, returning in the morning to get clothing from their cabin. They were evacuated by helicopter.
Survivor LYLE PRESTON of Oklahoma City said this would be his last vacation in the Rockies. "This is it for vacations in Colorado," he said. "That flood took my pickup and crumbled it into a ball. We never knew it was coming."
Two persons allowed into a temporary morgue at Loveland Memorial Hospital were CLARK and PATTY COE, who spent Sunday afternoon searching for their missing brother, ROY, a multiple sclerosis victim who had a cabin in the canyon.
"We spent the whole day looking," COE said. "He has MS and can't get around too well. He's not in a wheelchair, but he uses crutches. The sheriff said everything in the area where the cabin was had been wiped out."
A young auburn-haired woman with a puppy on a leash was evacuated from the canyon by helicopter, landing about 2 p.m. Sunday in a field west of Loveland. She lived in the canyon about two miles before Drake, and had spent the night in the canyon. About the survivors in that area still were awaiting evacuation, she said, many of them older persons.
Sheriff's spokesmen said in the early hours after the disaster that full location and identification of victims could take weeks or months.
Watson said deputies warned residents in many areas up to three times, using loud speakers. "But some people simply did not believe us. They didn't want to move. They were ready for bed and didn't want to leave."
A Weld sheriff's deputy reported debris from the upstream disaster was seen along the South Platte River at dawn Sunday.
Watson said rain and heavy mud slides occurred in the Cache la Poudre River canyor north of Fort Collins, but no deaths, injuries or significant damage was reported.
A U.S. 287 bridge north of Virginia Dale near the Wyoming border was washed out. Watson said there was an early, but never confirmed report of a drowning death in low-lying land near Livermore, near U.S. 287 east of the popular Red Feather Lakes recreation area.
FELDMAN and WATSON said 2,000 to 4,000 persons were estimated in the canyon area Saturday night. They said helicopters were bringing out about 100 per hour Sunday.
600-800 Evacuated.
WATSON estimated 600 to 800 had been evacuated by late afternoon Sunday, about half of them sustaining some injuries.
Of 150 Colorado National Guardsmen mobilized by the governor, WATSON said about 40 were being dropped into the area late Sunday to aid survivors and get them started on self-help efforts to take their minds off their plight.
Survivors were told by radio and pamphlet to get names of survivors in their areas and possible victims, boil needed water, stay on high ground and await rescue operations which would resume at dawn Monday.
They were told to build large signs, "A" if medical aid was needed, "W" for needed water and "OK" if no immediate care was needed.
However, the pamphlet grimly ended, "We are expecting more rain tonight (Sunday)."
WATSON said he was certain bodies had been swept downstream past Loveland, possibly to the South Platte. Besides refusal of some to evacuate before the flood, he said some persons were adding to confusion by returning to look for loved ones afterward.
"We're still finding bodies," said State Patrol Capt. WILLIAM THOMAS Sunday. THOMAS said U.S. 34 in the canyon Narrows area was gone. "There is no Narrows Road," he said.
Besides the State Patrol, Larimer sheriff's officers and Loveland and Fort Collins police, rescue and control efforts were supported by national guardsmen and some law officers from other areas, inclulding Boulder County.
WATSON said offers of aid had come from Denver and Arapahoe County among others.
Besides the guardsmen dropped in by helicopter, officials said perimeter stations were to be set up about dark Sunday to aid any survivors thereafter who might walk out.
Hundreds of volunteers, 30 sheriff possee members and about 20 four-wheel drive vehicles were being called into the effort.
Evacuation Sunday to two fields west of Loveland was by six helicopters, four from the Colorado National Guard and two from St. Anthony's hospital in Denver. They were averaging four trips an hour each, bringing out about 100 persons hourly, FELDMAN said.
WATSON said about six more helicopters had been requested, including larger Chinook helicopters from the National Guard. He said they could double numbers per trip.
Survivors were being taken to Loveland Memorial Hospital, or, if not injured, to a large Red Cross station at Loveland High School in the northwest part of the city. At the high school volunteers aided survivors, survivor lists were posted and a massive amount of donated clothing was available.
At a temporary morgue at Loveland Memorial Hospital, coroner's officials, doctors and Red Cross volunteers classified bodies by sex, apparent age and any scars or tattoos. Bodies also were fingerprinted and checked for items such as wedding rings.
Officials said major efforts at identification, and victim identity announcements would not start until Monday.
"We want to minimize this business of relatives going down a line of corpses and the trauma that goes with it," said FRANK N. BALES, a rescue operations officer.
Coroner MICHALE CHARNEY said, "When we get a good description that seems to fit, we will uncover three or four bodies." He noted many victims were from out of state, but said a couple of identifications had been received from local people, however, 'nothing definite.'"
Officials said many bodies had been stripped of identification by the flood waters. Deputy Coroner TED FISHBURN said bodies at the morgue were checked, classified, fingerprinted and "cleaned up before we release them to local mortuaries for embalming."
"We're getting ready for identification procedures."
BALES said operations were "being troubled by sightseers." " Extensive and serious operations are in progress and it is essential to have sightssrs out of all areas." Police guarded doors of the hospital to keep out the curious.
The Big Thompson Canyon flood was the first in the nation with loss of life since Idaho's Teton Dam failure in June. It was the worst flood disaster in loss of life since the Rapid City, S.D., flood of 1972.
Last major state flood with loss of life was the South Platte River flood to eastern Colorado in 1965 in which 26 died.


As you can see by the pictures the Memorial was very lovely with a poem "Reflections" on one side and a short blurb on the flood on the left. On top of the memorial are the names of the 144 people killed in the flood with symbols next to some of the names. The "heart" symbol next to a name meant something. If there was 2, 3 or 4 hearts next to a name meant that there were 2, 3 or 4 members of one family killed in the flood and we saw many names with more than one person from a family killed. They also had some other symbols but we weren't sure what they meant. As we drove up there was a older man and woman tending to the lawn and flowers and come to find out it was Barb Anderson and her husband who were survivors of the flood. She told us she literally made it out of there house 2 seconds before the flood destroyed it. She helped track down a man thought killed in the flood named Darrell Johnson. The millennial flood supposedly killed 144 residents, including Darrell Johnson. It has been 32 years since the Big Thompson flood and an unexpected situation occurred. Darrell Johnson had been reported missing or deceased under the 144 names of people that had died. But when a Big Thompson resident decided to track him down after the coroner's record showed nothing on him, Darrell Johnson was located in Oklahoma. A man who was listed among the missing and presumed dead in the Big Thompson flood 32 years ago is alive and living in Oklahoma. Darrell Johnson was in Estes Park around that time, but left a day early. He was one of six people missing and had been counted among the 144 killed by the Larimer County disaster.
"We were in Estes Park with our children," Johnson said. "We left a day early. It saved our lives." Johnson said he didn't know he had been counted among the dead. A Big Thompson Canyon resident (Barb Anderson) set out to track him down because there were no details about Johnson in the coroner's records. Johnson has received a book about the flood in which his name is listed as a victim. It was nice talking to her as she answered some questions we had and told us some facts that weren't ever printed. Then we drove next door and saw the first Monument to the flood victims a large boulder with a plaque under it which was dedicated in 1977.

Then it was on into Estes Park and 7 NRV caches all except one not having any interesting of historical background. The one that did was a monument to Joel Estes. The first settler was Joel Estes. Joel, a Kentuckian, was a wanderer who moved to Missouri and then set forth on several journeys to the west, some as far as California and Oregon. But in 1859 he brought his family to Colorado as a part of the 1859 gold rush and eventually settled as a farmer near the crumbling Fort Lupton. In the fall of 1859, as the mountains were mantled with the red and gold of the aspen, Joel and his son set forth on a hunting expedition. Following the trail of a bear, they came out on a high promontory and looked down into a beautiful valley which became the home of the Estes family in the summer of 1860. But winters were difficult for the cattle, so they sold out and left for a warmer climate in the spring of 1866. We found that cache and drove around Estes Park taking in the village. There wasn't an awful lot of history to view so we found a park and had lunch. Then it was on back toward the campgrounds but with one more stop at the CO Cherry Co. to do a cache in front and of course pick up a cherry pie and some strawberry/rhubarb jelly. Then it was on back to the coach for the day and the bummer of finding out I lost all the pictures I took. I retook some of them today but the few that I lost that bothered me the most were the ones of a mother deer and her 2 fawns still tiny with spots. That bummed me out.

Well that's abour all for today so until next time we love and miss you all. Mom & Dad Dori & Dick