Back in August, my boyfriend and I hiked the Continental Divide Scenic Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. On our 3rd day of our backpacking trip, August 13th, 2020, we rounded the mountain only to see a billowing smoke cloud coming from a few ridges over. Little did we know that we had seen the smoke on the first day of what would become the largest wildfire in Colorado History, the Cameron Peak Fire. The fire burned over 200,000 acres of land north of the park and has been somewhat contained by firefighters and due to a snowstorm, has slowed its advance.
On October 14th, 2020, the East Troublesome Fire erupted west of the park and raged on burning up to 6000 acres an hour at times. The town of Grand Lake was devastated with over 300 homes burnt to the ground as well as another 100-200 outbuildings, like barns. In less than 2 weeks, the East Troublesome Fire became the second largest wildfire in Colorado History burning more than 190,000 acres, including a very good chunk of Rocky Mountain National Park. Thus-far, Estes Park is safe, but there is no telling what the fire will do with temperatures warming again. It has been said however, that the fire is expected to be completely contained by December 10th.
If you notice on the map below, all of the greenery from our hike is nothing but charcoal now. My heart goes out to the firefighters battling the blazes, as well as the residents, the park rangers, and anyone who has beheld this magnificent park. My heart aches for another lost beauty claimed by Climate Change.
The first day of the Cameron Peak fire as seen from the Continental Divide Scenic Trail, August 13th, 2020
Rocky Mountain National Park. The red is the border of the fire and the green is the Continental Divide Scenic Trail. The camera located on the trail is where the above image was taken. The camera on route 34 is where the below photo was taken. The lower tent is where we spent our first 2 nights on the trail, the second, higher tent is where we spent our last night.
The Cameron Peak Fire as viewed from Medicine Bow Curve on route 34 in Rocky Mountain National Park, August 14th, 2020.