Beyond the Horizon: A Guide to Snowshoeing Historic Sites in Northern Colorado, Fourth Edition

By James Hess

The sport of snowshoeing can provide for a physical workout that can appeal to the young and old, the novice and the seasoned physical fitness advocate. Add information about the history of the place visited and the experience takes on a new dimension of meaning of appreciation, along with memories that will last for a long time.

One of the fastest growing outdoor sports, snowshoeing appeals to the young and the old, the beginner and the seasoned physical fitness advocate alike who want to get into shape or stay in shape during the seemingly inactive winter months. Add historical information about the places visited, and the experience takes on a dimension almost without equal, resulting in memories certain to last a long time. To ensure success in the pursuit information about the fundamentals of snowshoeing along are also included in a concise volume.

For more than 10,000 years the foothills and mountains of Northern Colorado have been home to many people. Despite floods and fire, drought and disease, people continue to call this place home. Through a first-person narrative, writer James C. Hess comes to understand his place in this place.

Inspiring and motivating, BEYOND THE HORIZON: A Guide to Snowshoeing Historic Sites in Northern Colorado, third edition, includes information and recommendations about diet and exercise in order to make the most of the snowshoeing season.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Hess
• Release date: Dec 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005974152

James Hess

James C. Hess graduated from the University of Colorado, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, with additional studies in Editorial Journalism and Cinema Studies. He divides his time between his home in Colorado and all points west.https://www.instagram.com/j.c.hess/

Book preview

On August 13, 2020 a wildfire ignited near Chambers Lake, CO., approximately 25 miles (40.2 km) east of the town of Walden and about fifteen miles southwest of Red Feather Lakes, near Cameron Pass - and was subsequently named The Cameron Peak Fire. Containment was officially declared December 2, 2020. In the wake of the fire more than 208,663 acres or 326 square miles of lands in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Larimer and Jackson Counties and Rocky Mountain National Park were blackened, charred, and forever changed. At the height of the fire more than 20,000 residents in the Estes Park, Chambers Lake, Rustic, Glacier View Meadows, Red Feather Lakes, Masonville, Glen Haven, Spring Canyon, Stove Prairie Landings, and small, unincorporated communities along State Highway 14, as well as the Colorado State University Mountain Campus, were evacuated and more than 1,000 personnel fought the inferno. After containment was achieved and survey efforts were undertaken it was determined 469 structures were destroyed, including 220 outbuildings and forty-two primary residences. The Cameron Peak Fire became the largest wildfire in the history of the State of Colorado, surpassing the Pine Gulch Fire, which had set the same record less than two months prior.

The Cameron Peak fire torched 208,663 acres in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Rocky Mountain National Park in both Larimer and Jackson Counties.

On October 14, 2020 another wildfire, which became known as The East Troublesome Fire, was reported, the point of origin northeast of Kremmling, in Grand County, CO, in the Arapaho National Forest. The cause for the fire and the Cameron Peak Fire remains under investigation.

Three days after The East Troublesome Fire ignited high winds and low humidity provided the fire the opportunity to spread, covering more than 10,000 acres. The fire, growing, moved rapidly, threatening State Highway 125, forcing the closure of the road and mandatory evacuation of almost 100 homes by October 17, 2020.

Between October 20 and 23, 2020 the fire exploded in size, growing from 18,000 acres to 87,000 acres in twenty-four periods. From late afternoon October 21 through early evening October 22, 2020 the fire grew to 187,964 acres. The inferno crossed State Highway 125 and spread east, into Rocky Mountain National Park, crossing the Continental Divide and reaching the town of Estes Park, CO. on October 23, 2020.

A combination of drought, beetle-killed trees, red flag weather conditions provoked by high winds and dry conditions, and low humidity provided the fire the means to move quickly, consuming everything in its path, leaving blackened destruction and ruin in its wake.

As The East Troublesome Fire moved the area north of United States Highway 40 near Granby, CO and eastward to Grand Lake and Estes Park seemed doomed, with more than 7,000 structures threatened and a human population of approximately 35,000 ordered to evacuate.

On October 24, 2020 a winter storm brought what some would consider a miracle: cold temperatures, precipitation in the form of snow and light winds dampened the fire, and allowed firefighting personnel to gain the upper hand.

November 30, 2020 The East Troublesome Fire was officially declared contained.

The total acreage damaged: 193,812 acres.

The combined total acreage blackened: 402,475 acres or 628.8671875 square miles. As a matter of comparison, the state of Rhode Island is only 1,045 square miles.

Long-time residents of the State of Colorado suggest that there are not four seasons in the Centennial State, but five: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and The Season of Fire and Ice - a time of year when a forest fire rages at a lower elevation while snow accumulates at higher elevations. The same Coloradoans may also suggest that because of this there comes a complacency toward natural disasters, and that can be a concern which rivals a wildfire's potential for destruction.

When word came that The Cameron Peak Fire had started many considered it a part of life, believing containment would be quick. But when it began to spread, consuming everything in its path with a frightening speed and efficiency, the complacency was replaced with a sense of urgency. To act, react, and even flee.

From my home I could see the ever-growing cloud of smoke representing The Cameron Peak Fire. In a relatively short period of time it went from being an abstract to being a fact: The color changed from light gray to black, and, as it moved toward the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies, it changed color again and again, including an ominous shade of crimson otherwise reserved for a Cecil B. DeMille Biblical epic of cinematic proportions.

Assurances regarding partial containment of the fire were quickly discounted when I stepped outside one day to investigate an unsettling smell, and discovered a light rain of gray ash was quietly settling across my home. My concerned was heightened when I attempted to sweep it up and found the straw broom I used had started smoldering because the gray ash was also on fire, resulting in spot fires elsewhere, overworked firefighters had difficulty locating and suppressing.

Not long after that the reality of the situation took on a more personal dimension when it was reported the East Troublesome Fire had damaged a property not far from my home, and was on the move, fueled by strong winds coming off the mountains and drought conditions. Here The Cameron Peak Fire. There The East Troublesome Fire. And convergence to become the biggest wildfire in the history of the state was almost certain.

As noted, toward the end of October 2020 Nature decided to be kind and compassionate, bringing forth cold temperatures as snow and rain, suppressing both fires and allowing for containment.

When it was certain the wildfires were no longer a concern to populated areas curiosity-seekers wanted to see first-hand the aftermath, and were denied access. I waited patiently, wondering what remained, watching stories and footage captured using airplanes and drones.

An acquaintance, familiar with my writing, asked if I would be interested in taking part in a aerial survey using drones. As we watched monitors the drones sent images that were at once almost incomprehensible in terms of destruction and devastation and inspiring because they were wonderous and amazing. For example, to avoid collision with a grove of pine trees that had miraculously survived the fire while acres of other trees died quick deaths in the flames, the drone navigated up and then down, into a narrow ravine, where Nature was renewed and reborn, and wildlife had returned. Again and again, the evidence of Nature's refusal to submit was presented by the drones flying above.

Then came word several properties written about, closed for assessment and restoration, were reopened. The desire to satisfy curiosity was too great, and I set out to see for myself the wonder of Nature itself. In the moment, when a soft breeze moved across the charred landscape, dotted with color, infused with life, a new sense about the adventures, journey, and experiences previously undertaken was realized.

Thought was given to how to approach this aspect of Nature, and the cycles of Nature as it related to this work. In the end it was decided the approach should be individual, aided by suggestions collectively called The Sensory Tour: As you undertake visiting the properties included in this volume also undertake making the most through the senses: Sight, hearing, smell - noting the experiences.

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Introduction to Third Edition

There is a school of thought that believes doing something for at least 10,000 hours will yield an expert.

Respectfully, that is not true.

Do something for at least 10,000 hours, and demonstrate dedication, determination, and discipline, which will result in experience and expertise. But such a commitment does not make for an expert.

After more than 10,000 hours on snowshoes the claim of expert could be made on my part without challenge, but experience and expertise prove otherwise, because each outing has been unique, and the uniqueness of each negates the claim of all-encompassing expert.

The year after starting snowshoeing, muscles were used in a different manner in the off-season, and when snowshoeing was resumed an unpleasant discovery was made: Off-season living does not ensure fitness for the snowshoeing season and muscles not used in the off-season had gone soft and physical stamina had decreased - the second season of snowshoeing started with a less-than satisfactory adventure. To ensure that this was not repeated a change was immediately pursued to ensure the next snowshoeing season was not as unpleasant.

Something an expert would not know. Something only experience provides.

A routine involving diet and exercise focused on snowshoeing was implemented, ensuring success for the next season of snowshoeing. My enthusiasm inspired others, but they reported that their experiences had not been as satisfactory, and I realized the reason was because they had not pursued the same routine. When this was pointed out several snowshoe advocates suggested that a new edition of BEYOND THE HORIZON should include specifics on how to achieve this in order to make the most of the snowshoeing season.

Because diet and exercise are an individual concern, always consult with your physician before making changes. Information provided is based on personal programs and regiments, and should only serve as guidance.

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Introduction to Second Edition

My inaugural snowshoeing outing was not a graceful undertaking: I misjudged the spacing of my feet after donning snowshoes, and put one snowshoe on top of the other. The resulting imbalance caused me to react in an awkward manner and I fell, tangling my feet and lower legs, and smacking my backside with one snowshoe before I came to a resting position at the bottom of a small, icy incline.

The second attempt at snowshoeing was slightly more successful where grace and elegance were concerned: I only fell once, and did so in such a manner that other snowshoers interpreted my faux pas as an attempt to make a snow angel.

My third sojourn into snowshoeing - less-than lithe - involved a shallow creek bed I assumed was dry. The assumption was incorrect: The snow I stood on turned out to be snow-covered ice.

It was thin ice - which I plummeted through, soaking my boots, socks, and pants in a few inches of very cold water before I wadded out of the mishap.

Despite my less-than stellar entrance into snowshoeing and mishaps that might have been a reason for discouragement, I became and remain a supporter of the pursuit, and advocate the sport.

The enthusiasm and passion for snowshoeing provided reason to write about the subject, but when the decision was made to do so I also decided that I needed to write about it from a perspective that would contribute to the existing canon of work.

More than a few expressed genuine surprised when I made my intention known - snowshoeing and history. Some actually asked how I intended to bring the two seemingly dissimilar topics together.

Some expressed explicit approval for the resulting book. Others remained initially unimpressed, but their curiosity won them over to my side.

Although I was pleased in the interest expressed in in my writing, I found myself wondering - often while snowshoeing - if there was more, I could offer by way of my perspective.

When the opportunity was presented to update my literary effort, I knew how to do so.

Experiencing the outdoors in any season is a wonderful thing. Adding to it with knowledge of the place you are visiting makes it more so, but when you put yourself in harm’s way the only thing that matters is your safety and well-being.

Information added to this edition emphasizes safety and well-being, but it also includes an additional focus on the historical aspect of the locales provided.

May your days on the snow, in the seemingly infinite whiteness of winter be joyous ones and may your experiences into history be memorable.

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Introduction

One of the first hikes I participated in involved a small pack and my father’s strong back. I was about two years old, and trying to keep up with his long legs was not a realistic option, so he carried me in the pack on his back, each step bouncing and jiggling me with delight.

The first hike I personally undertook was a few years later, and over the years the hikes pursued have totaled thousands of miles.

Several years ago, after years of hiking often alternated off-season with cross-county skiing, I took to offsetting hiking with snowshoeing. Like hiking, the number of miles logged on snowshoes shows no sign of diminishing or ending soon because I intend to remain part of it for as long as possible.

Over the years these outings have resulted in memorable moments and unforgettable experiences that, when recalled for others, instigate many comments and responses, including the familiar exclamation: I wish I could do that!

Because everyone lives busy lives, trying to organize a snowshoeing event that would accommodate everyone is not always realistic. Regardless, the opportunity to take advantage of what Nature offers through beauty and splendor is not something to forgo. Hopefully, the excursions and historical information included provide the encouragement needed to do so.

The trips included range from easy to challenging. They should appeal to the beginner and the experienced snowshoe alike. Each found inspiration and motivation from the Snowshoe Itinerant Preacher, Father Dyer, whose historic trips took him from one end of Colorado to the other, and back again.

On the subject of history, all the trips included share at least one thing: Each not only offers specifics about the outing but also information about relevant historical fact. Snowshoeing provides for a good physical workout. Knowing about the place where snowshoeing takes place provides for an intellectual workout. Together they make memories that last forever.

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A History of Snowshoeing

The snowshoe boasts a long history and interesting pedigree. According to some a version of the known snowshoe dates to more than 12,000 years ago, with origins reportedly in Asia. Over time it underwent evolution in form and functionality when human migration across the Bering Land Bridge took place, and a means of travel, specifically in winter, was needed to traverse snowpack that proved not only challenging but dangerous. In Alaska and Canada, where simplicity in design was embraced, it underwent a change in configuration - the result of which was considered to be almost perfect.

Despite changes in design, the basic function of the snowshoeing remained constant: The need to explore new places and to learn about the world beyond the immediate when the cold and whiteness of winter may reveal the secrets of Nature.

The first snowshoes were relatively big, clumsy, and unwieldy, and proved problematic for long-distance travel. Thankfully, design improvements continued, and the popularity of what is now a growing sport continues to increase, owing much to this evolution. The desire to know about the world beyond