Manitou Flood

Aftermath, Heavy Rain on the Waldo Canyon Burn

Rain last night on the Waldo Canyon burn area created flash flooding in Manitou Springs last night.  I decided to do recon early this morning.

 I start on the trail near the shop.   Choosing to connect west of 26th saved me from early mud.

Fountain Creek is still flowing at a "creek" volume--nice to see it brown rather than black.

At 31st Street between Highway 24 and W. Colorado the high water mark is obvious.

 No stinkin flood is gonna run us off!

I was hoping that a good flood would wash the trash on down to Pueblo but you have to factor in the bushes.

Ripple marks on the trail.

Life goes on....

This my annual chance to attach the fenders.

Once into Manitou things get more serious.

The parking lot behind city hall--a Subaru big wheel

Bad news on Lovers Lane

The Arcade is a mess...

and Adam's Mt. won't be open for lunch.

Heading west out of Manitou connecting to highway 24

Got some wash-out. This is sloughing as I'm standing here.

Down slope

Well, it IS Manitou

Humm

An aside on Rainbow Falls

This is the connection to 24

Back in town life goes on as a supplier has made his way to keep the hotel supplied, in the meantime, just to the left of this scene and behind the hotel...

we be scrapin' water

They tried to be prepared.

'nuff said.

Almagre Amble

Casual hike up Almagre Mountain; 12,367; south of Pikes Peak; 7/21/13

Shirley's #63 celebration hike.

We drive to 11,800

and begin our hike up a run out jeep road (this would be our hike down that same road)

It gets better

helped by recent rain and sleet

I love that Bristle Cones thrive on the Pikes Peak Massif

The birthday girl in the forest

We skirted the reserviors

and approached the Peak

There were reminders of big brother along the way--reservoirs on the left microwaves on the right, back in the middle with you, again

But, ya just keep focused...

on the summit

 Two of my favorite things

LOVE THEM LITTLE (and sometimes big) FLOWERS

 

 

 

BUSTED!!!

Yeah, I did call in and they are "checking it out"

Wrapped it up with Japanese lunch and Nescafe (Japanese version of very excellent coffee) in Woodland Park.   Kinda of fit in with the cows wading in the reservoir.

Climbing in Eleven Mile Canyon

Granite domes and big rocks 40 miles west of CS.

 We chose Knome Dome (not sure why K instead of G) which is the first rock up the canyon and has some moderate routes.

 

Access requires a little hiking including a refreshing wade around this outcrop.

Since this was only my 2nd time on granite I started very tentatively but got some confidence quick.

Shane led Waterslide (5.9); Sleeping Beauty (5.8) and Tourists and Fishermen (5.8) and I lead Kiddo Climb (5.5) -- well, I guess that says it all.

 We're outa here.