CO 1st Rifle Weather Warning

[justinspicher]

to help understand what the weather is doing here, look at the river flows….

Vallecito creek went from 80 CFS to 884 since midnight.

 

[Bulldawg]

That's pretty incredible. I do wonder if/how much is going to make it to the other side of the divide. Hope not much haha.

to help understand what the weather is doing here, look at the river flows….

Vallecito creek went from 80 CFS to 884 since midnight.

 

[Levy_ken]

Sliding sideways on slanted roads is a pucker factor, be prepared.

One of my favorite pastimes

 

[lak2004]

to help understand what the weather is doing here, look at the river flows….

Vallecito creek went from 80 CFS to 884 since midnight.

Last weekend we camped up there and it went from 40's to high 300's overnight and I thought that was a lot of rain! This storm has already tripled that and isn't done!
Looks like snow up high starting next week, we'll see.

 

[TaperPin]

That’s good information - it’s going to catch a lot of guys off guard.

Some years ago we were in a drainage with some big bowls that emptied into the creek we walked across near the trailhead. A really big rain had the ankle deep creek up to our crotches with a flow fast enough I wouldn’t have waded it for fly fishing. We debated taking packs off and floating them across, but it quickly became clear the added weight was an advantage helping keep our feet firmly planted. Unbuckle your belts and sternum strap, shuffle your feet along the bottom and stand side by side going across. Other than a bad lightning storm, easily the most dangerous event I’ve been a part of in the back country.

 

[stalkingwolf]

It’s been raining on and off for almost twelve hours at my place in SW Colorado. I’m between Pagosa and Durango at 7400’. Not real cold, between the low to mid 50s. The forest service roads around these parts don’t get much maintenance and this storm is really gonna jack them up. Be careful out there.

If you’re gonna be in this area during 1st rifle and need some assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ll try and help however I can.

You live in Bayfield?

 

[justinspicher]

North of it, by a couple of miles.

 

[Hondo0925]

to help understand what the weather is doing here, look at the river flows….

Vallecito creek went from 80 CFS to 884 since midnight.

That’s nuts!! here in Pagosa the San Juan went from 80 to 500.

I’m going to have to get the raft back out!

 

[bradyhunt]

That’s nuts!! here in Pagosa the San Juan went from 80 to 500.

I’m going to have to get the raft back out!

I was telling friends the same this week, would be cool to get a float in in the fall.

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

 

[stalkingwolf]

North of it, by a couple of miles.

Gotcha I live in Dove Ranch. Born ane raised in Bayfield

 

[lak2004]

Gotcha I live in Dove Ranch. Born ane raised in Bayfield

Damn, we're all neighbors! I'm in Forest Lakes.

 

[justinspicher]

Same, Forest lakes dweller myself, at the bottom.

 

[davsco]

Sliding sideways on slanted roads is a pucker factor, be prepared.

yeah no friggin sh1t!!! i took my truck just a few hundred yards up one "road" and chickened out real quick. tried to back it down and had basically one wheel off the side, being off camber and such. had to deflate all the tires to get some sort of grip in the oily peanut butter. and it was a BIG fall off, most scared i think i've ever been.

 

[spike camp]

If it actually rains 8” it’s going to be catastrophic.
I wouldn’t be anywhere near that area unless I had to be.

 

[COJoe]

It looks like the weather forecast for where I'll be going on the eastern side of the divide is changing daily for the worse. It not as nasty as SW CO thankfully but as of tonight, whatever is left of the storm dump, will cross over the divide and will be rain turning to snow by next weekend.

That’s good information - it’s going to catch a lot of guys off guard.

Some years ago we were in a drainage with some big bowls that emptied into the creek we walked across near the trailhead. A really big rain had the ankle deep creek up to our crotches with a flow fast enough I wouldn’t have waded it for fly fishing. We debated taking packs off and floating them across, but it quickly became clear the added weight was an advantage helping keep our feet firmly planted. Unbuckle your belts and sternum strap, shuffle your feet along the bottom and stand side by side going across. Other than a bad lightning storm, easily the most dangerous event I’ve been a part of in the back country.

This a good reminder because I will be crossing three or more small creeks to get to my spot. Even if we get a quarter of the rain SW CO will get, those creeks may overflow the drainage tubes under the trail.

 

[Jason Snyder]

Likely going to be some road and trail washouts with that level of rain. Be particularly careful if you’re around burn scars.

 

[Mattyq17]

Started watching the weather this week as I will be there 3rd season with a cow tag. We have life long friends who live in Bayfield but we camp in the NF when we are there. Will be keeping an eye on weather and road conditions from here on out.

 

[Poser]

If it actually rains 8” it’s going to be catastrophic.
I wouldn’t be anywhere near that area unless I had to be.

My partner headed into the backcountry yesterday -right into the heart of the 8 inch forecast. His update said “moist but manageable.”

I’m heading in today -long hike that’s going to be a soaker. I added extra contractor bags -gonna wrap up my rifle with one. I also added a wood stove which I haven’t brought the last couple of years, extra fire starter and bringing my Kindle since I’m expecting lots of tent time the next few days.

We always plan on being out 8-10 days for 1st rifle, but with the opener on Wednesday this year, I took this whole week off and with Monday off, might as well head in on Saturday.

 

[justinspicher]

Durango Weather Guy

Where the locals go, because the locals know!

durangoweatherguy.com

This dude seems to be fairly accurate on the weather in these parts.

I am at 5” of rain at my place as of 0600 this am.

 

[awcopeland]

I appreciate the continued updates. I'll be doing the majority of my packing today and head out Monday.