Jul10
Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail Hike
On July 6th, WIN’s Marvin and Peggy announced that they were going to hike the Storm King Mountain Trail. Basically, it’s a “straight up” hike to an area where fourteen people lost their lives fighting a fire in 1994 near Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
At the time, I didn’t realize that we were actually hiking the same path as the heroes did to fight the fire on the eighteenth anniversary of the day they perished – July 6th. On the path we saw other firefighters hiking the trail also.
I don’t think anyone who hiked that day didn’t personally feel the impact of the disaster. At the summit, we gathered around for a group photo and suddenly became silent and solemn. Kay wisely suggested a “moment of silence.” After hiking back down the path we had a picnic lunch in a park in Glenwood Spring where there is a memorial with photos and short biographies of those who perished.
I thank those special fourteen for their bravery, courage, and ultimately sacrificing their lives for the safety of others…
The South Canyon Fire was a 1994 wildfire that took the lives of 14 wildland firefighters on Storm King Mountain, near Glenwood Springs, Colorado on July 6th, 1994. It is often also referred to as the “Storm King” fire.
On July 2, 1994 lightning sparked a fire near the base of Storm King Mountain, 7 miles west of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Initially small and well away from private property, the fire was assigned low priority and allowed to smolder for the first two days. By July 4th, the fire had burned only 3 acres. Nearby residents of Canyon Creek Estates, however, were growing increasingly concerned by the persistent blaze, prompting local authorities to take action. Due to the ruggedness of the terrain, and the efforts necessary to coordinate the incident response, it was decided that the fight against the fire would commence the following morning.
On July 5th firefighters began their approach from the west at the east end of Canyon Creek Estates, making a difficult march up the rugged terrain along what is the present location of the Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail. Firefighters began constructing firelines to contain the blaze. The fight was joined that evening by smokejumpers who began aiding in the construction of the fireline, working well on into the night of July 5 but quitting early due to “danger from rolling rocks”.[1]
On July 5th firefighters began their approach from the west at the east end of Canyon Creek Estates, making a difficult march up the rugged terrain along what is the present location of the Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail. Firefighters began constructing firelines to contain the blaze. The fight was joined that evening by smokejumpers who began aiding in the construction of the fireline, working well on into the night of July 5 but quitting early due to “danger from rolling rocks”.[1]
The following day twenty Hotshots from Prineville, Oregon were rushed to the fire to aid in the battle. That afternoon a dry cold front passed through the area, increasing the winds and fire activity. By 4:00 p.m. the fire had “spotted” beyond the fireline and below the firefighter’s location to the west and began to race up the steep, densely vegetated terrain towards them. Twelve firefighters were unable to outrun the blaze and perished. Two more helitack firefighters were also killed as they tried to flee to the northwest.
The Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail, closely following the actual path the firefighters hiked to fight the blaze, leads visitors to the site. Plaques and memorials line the trail explaining the events and paying homage to those who fell. Memorials have also been constructed at Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs, and at Ochoco Creek Park in Prineville, Oregon.
Those who died:
Prineville Hotshots: Kathi Beck, Tamera Bickett, Scott Blecha, Levi Brinkley, Douglas Dunbar, Terri Hagen, Bonnie Holtby, Rob Johnson, Jon Kelso.
Missoula Smokejumper: Don Mackey
McCall Smokejumpers: Roger Roth, Jim Thrash.
Helitack: Robert Browning, Jr., Richard Tyler.
Fabulous hike and touching tribute to the firefighters who lost their lives. Gnarly, twisted trees make such terrific photo subjects!