BACKPACKING INTO THE B-17 CRASH SITE:
Monday morning started at 0400 and we were on the road at 0445. Our route to the trail head would take us to Ft. Collins and the west on Colorado Rt 14. I thought it would take us about 2 hours but it took a bit more as Rt 14 is a slow winding road. From Rt 14 we had 17 miles of dirt road and most of it was a washboard, rutted , logging road.
We finally arrived at the Browns Lake Trail Head (at an elevation of 10,464 feet) and shouldered our pack and started up the trail. The time was 0830. Our original plan was to camp at Browns lake 3.5 miles or more away.
A great majority of our trail in would be uphill and over two passes at 11,200 ft and 11,400 ft. Our weather was great sunny and cool even though there was a rather strong wind of 20MPH plus. After about 1.5 miles we reached our first pass. Here the views were great and we could see beautiful Mountain Ranges in the distance. Here we took a short break in a small group of trees to get out of the wind. We snacked on Salted nut rolls and got a drink of water. The trail is well used and filled with softball to football sized rocks. Not to bad for going up but slower going down hill.
From this first pass we descend into a green valley and the start up pass number two which tops out at 11,400 ft. From there we descend towards Browns Lake.
We arrive at the junction of Browns Lake Trail and Old Flowers Trail at about 11:30. To get to the B-17 crash we need to hike about three miles on Old Flowers Trail. Here we chat with some other hikers coming up the trail form Browns lake we learned that the trail is very steep not like it is described. At this trail junction there is the remains of an old cabin and a nice flat spot to pitch our tent. Here we decide to cache our packs, get a bite of food, and travel light to find the B-17 site.
This plan in the long run works out really well. The trail to the B-17 site is up and down following the contour of the hillside. While hiking this trail we find a good sized snow drift and The Boys enjoy sitting in the snow and having snow cones. Af a little over 2.5 miles there is a bit of wreckage on the trail and a social trail heading down hill about .3 or .4 miles to the crash site.
Just as we reach the site I have the worst cramp I have ever had. This was lightning bolt pain, I stretch it out for a few minutes and then explore the crash site.
My first impression is how in the world did anyone survive this event. Walking about the wreckage you can see the engines, landing gear, and fuel bladders. Most of the wreckage to me was unrecognizable as there are many large to small pieces of the aircraft all about.
We spent maybe 30 minutes there and the started the trek back to our cached packs. We arrived back at our packs at about 1600 or 4:00pm. We did have to stop for The Boys to enjoy the snow again .
We set up camp and realized we are both too tired to cook and we had some tuna and crackers for our dinner. The Boys, after they inhaled their dinner, were crashed. The remains of the cabin did give us a fairly flat surface and did block some of the wind. We were soon ready for bed at 6:00pm. It had been a long day and our Fit Bits were showing 31,000 steps and mine showed 16 miles. In reality I think we hiked 9-10 miles total, but they were at altitude above 10,000 feet, carrying packs, and rocky trails. I think we did rather well.
As we settled into the tent , The Boys took their respective spots. Sitka grabbed 1/2 of the four man tent and Kenai decided Lynn’s sleeping pad was rather comfortable. They did sleep well till we decided on a nature break at about midnight. We then slept till about 0515. We started the stove and boiled water for coffee and oatmeal. I did find the source of a natural spring so we had very good water. We slowly gather our gear and got packed up and hit the trail out at about 0715, backtracking the rough trails and the two passes. We did see two other hikers heading up the trail about .5 miles from the trail head. We stopped a couple of times to take on some food, enjoy the views and water The Boys.
On the way in and out we did not see any large wildlife. We did see signs of deer, elk and moose. The chipmunks were well established in the rocky areas. One of the highlights were the wildflowers, our timing could not have been better. At times I wished I had a better camera as I had decided to just take the Aim and Create (fancy name for a point and shoot). I will say it is operator error on my part as I just put it on Auto and clicked away.
Soon we arrived back at the trail head and got loaded up for the ride home. We had taken the new super cooler and after three days the ice is still holding really well. Will see how long it lasts.
The Boys were ready to get on the road and have a nap while driving home. They did a great job of carrying their food and water.
After an uneventful trip home we cleaned and stowed our gear and washed the Jeep. A warm shower was rather welcome.
Pizza is what we are having for our anniversary dinner.
All in all it was a fun and rewarding trip.
We are ready to go
Browns Lake Trail Head
Nice Views
Top of the first pass at 11,200\
More views
Kenai is ready to keep on going
Lots of flowers, these are astors
Looking south from the Second Pass at 11,400
Snow Cones
Tastes cool
Marker in the Old Flowers Trail
Here are pictures of the crash site amazing anyone survived
Nice day for a hike
This is fun
We will jus take a nap here
We are done for the day
Camp
Thank You I will Sleep Here
My side of the tent
Great Views and great weather
Last pass heading home
THREE DAYS IN THE CAR ANS WE STILL HAVE ICE LOTS OF ICE
OK I am ready to head home !!!!!
This was a fun trip
