Colorado Weather Discussion Thread

**Kevo** · 08-20-2020, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by Soups

The coming rock/mudslides will be all time I'm afraid. Buckle up for the long haul on common I70 closures

It's going to be so bad this next fall/winter/spring.

Originally Posted by The SnowShow

Yes. Maybe an I70 reroute is in order?

People on the Grizzly Creek Fire Facebook page were talking about how before I-70 was built through Glenwood Canyon there was talk of putting it over Cottonwood Pass (the Glenwood to Gypsum Cottonwood Pass, not the more famous BV to Taylor Park Cottonwood Pass).

**hawkgt** · 08-20-2020, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Kevo

It's going to be so bad this next fall/winter/spring.

People on the Grizzly Creek Fire Facebook page were talking about how before I-70 was built through Glenwood Canyon there was talk of putting it over Cottonwood Pass (the Glenwood to Gypsum Cottonwood Pass, not the more famous BV to Taylor Park Cottonwood Pass).

interesting..... never been over that pass, must have been something compelling to skip that and build in a narrow, cliff hung canyon. would that pass be more difficult than vail pass in winter?

**hatchgreenchile** · 08-20-2020, 11:38 AM

Rough estimate, a reroute over Cottonwood adds 15-20 miles from Gypsum to Glenwood.
Good luck getting it past the environmentalists.
I-70 was also proposed to go under Red-Buffalo Pass in the Gore at one point.

EDIT: Hanging Lake is OK! Photo from 9 news:

Click image for larger version.

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NT · 08-20-2020, 11:39 AM

My understanding is that cottonwood pass was passed up due to unstable soils but who knows.
I rigged my own air purifiers using box fans and 20x20 furnace filters. Let's me open everything up in the morning to cool off, then shut it down when it gets hot and run the fans to clean the air in the house. Thinking about an AC or swamp cooler option as it's still too damn hot.

**Name Redacted** · 08-20-2020, 02:52 PM

Just paving cottonwood and widening in a few key spots would at least make it a viable alternative when the canyon shuts down. Not that I want that. It sure is a nicer backcountry route to the roaring fork side and drifting the corners is fun too.

**Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo** · 08-20-2020, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Name Redacted

Just paving cottonwood and widening in a few key spots would at least make it a viable alternative when the canyon shuts down. Not that I want that. It sure is a nicer backcountry route to the roaring fork side and drifting the corners is fun too.

Luckily the residents along the road will fight most improvements tooth and nail. Most of them live up along it because it's not a viable alternative. When you consider the frequency with which the canyon temporarily closes or is down to one lane in the winter, paving that road would mean a huge increase in traffic.

**The SnowShow** · 08-20-2020, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by hatchgreenchile

Rough estimate, a reroute over Cottonwood adds 15-20 miles from Gypsum to Glenwood.
Good luck getting it past the environmentalists.
I-70 was also proposed to go under Red-Buffalo Pass in the Gore at one point.

EDIT: Hanging Lake is OK! Photo from 9 news:

Do an environmental trade. No highway in a gorgeous scenic canyon for a new highway over Cottonwood or other. A cleaner, tranquil CO river should trump any resistance.

That canyon is going to landslide down this winter/spring.

**mdblows** · 08-22-2020, 08:19 AM

Anyone else in Denver waking up with headaches in the AM? Even running a HEPA filter overnight in the bedroom I still wake up feeling like shit.

**SkiBall** · 08-22-2020, 09:11 AM

Tunnel would seem the best option. Not necessarily a good option, but the best.

**The SnowShow** · 08-22-2020, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by mdblows

Anyone else in Denver waking up with headaches in the AM? Even running a HEPA filter overnight in the bedroom I still wake up feeling like shit.

Yes. Some days are mild but I’ve had two bad ones this week that felt like migraines.

**Name Redacted** · 08-22-2020, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by The SnowShow

Yes. Some days are mild but I’ve had two bad ones this week that felt like migraines.

Me too, but I just assumed they were hangovers. I do keep waking up thinking that I've finally got the virus, only to hack up a lung and realize that it was the fires.

**Rideski** · 08-22-2020, 10:58 AM

With all due respect to CA and their turmoil, looks like we might get whomped with their smoke.

https://twitter.com/nwsboulder/statu...129018369?s=21

**SkiBall** · 08-22-2020, 11:32 AM

Saw a pic of smoke also tracking south getting caught up in the remnants of that hurricane and was swirling still at a good clip. Wild.

**bamboocoreONLY** · 08-22-2020, 05:17 PM

The smoke overlay on the opensummit (summer version of opensnow) map is a pretty cool feature. Has a future outlook animation and has been pretty accurate so far, good for planning when to go ride or whatever. You do have to have the all access account though.

**SkiBall** · 08-22-2020, 05:58 PM

That looks crazy. Most of the west covered.
And then look at the temperatures one. Just baking. But I see a temp drop next weekend on regular weather app.

**Danno** · 08-22-2020, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by Rideski

With all due respect to CA and their turmoil, looks like we might get whomped with their smoke.

https://twitter.com/nwsboulder/statu...129018369?s=21

That shows Colorado doesn't bear the brunt of the smoke, doesn't it?

**summit** · 08-23-2020, 02:23 PM

Trestle is on, no shit, an injury hold. Trails have been open and closed all day. I saw at least 5 10-50s. It was absolutely bonkers here. I've never seen crowds like this. Many Huge groups of 10 and 20 riding together. Trail conditions are approaching Keystone. Still fun...

**The SnowShow** · 08-23-2020, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by Summit

Trestle is on, no shit, an injury hold. Trails have been open and closed all day. I saw at least 5 10-50s. It was absolutely bonkers here. I've never seen crowds like this. Many Huge groups of 10 and 20 riding together. Trail conditions are approaching Keystone. Still fun...

Open and closed all day because of injuries or too must crowding?

**summit** · 08-23-2020, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by The SnowShow

Open and closed all day because of injuries or too must crowding?

Injuries.

I saw 6 people down personally. As I left two ambulances were leaving 7milemc

Most carnage I've seen since 36 hours of Keystone

**Shredhead** · 08-23-2020, 05:39 PM

Snowmass’s bike park and town in general, have been eerily quite today.

Mostly due to the smoke and possibly the tourist wave is subsiding.

We’ve been fairly lucky on the smoke front. Usually the AQI has been below 50, but this morning it was 80 and has held steady all day.

**Name Redacted** · 08-23-2020, 05:50 PM

Busy AF in Summit today, despite being the second day of the worst smoke I remember seeing here in over 20 years. Still got 40+ miles on single track on the motorcycle, but a low grade headache the whole time.

**simple** · 08-23-2020, 05:54 PM

Got rained on for a half hour on my moto ride. It felt amazing.

**Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo** · 08-23-2020, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by simple

Got rained on for a half hour on my moto ride. It felt amazing.

It rained the other day on my way home from work for maybe 10min tops. I rolled all the windows down and almost drove home with my head out the window like goddamn dog.

Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

**MakersTeleMark** · 08-23-2020, 06:37 PM

Stiff SE wind. I don't experience that very often.

**Leshphilling77** · 08-23-2020, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by Name Redacted

Busy AF in Summit today, despite being the second day of the worst smoke I remember seeing here in over 20 years. Still got 40+ miles on single track on the motorcycle, but a low grade headache the whole time.

Interesting. I was down on the front range and drove back up late-ish afternoon and traffic appeared to be pretty light east bound. Who knows anymore.