The Foothills

The foothills on the East side of Colorado’s Front Range are rugged. The grit and determination of the prospectors and miners that exploited them is a lesson in perseverance. One of the towns from that era is the hamlet of Ward, CO. 

Now a place for counter culture/hippie/survivalists, it is a harsh 35-45 mile commute to anyplace with decent jobs down Left Hand Canyon, two lanes wide with numerous 20 mph corners.

Business took me once again to Nederland, CO. Not wanting to again experience the horrid driving experience of the capitol city of the People’s Republic of Boulder I opted for the longer route up Left Hand Canyon.

The foothills attract hordes of Tour de France wannabes. While you can admire their fitness, sharing the road with them is a royal PITA.

FLYING THE FRONT RANGE

Many pilots come to grief crossing the Continental Divide. During part of the trip, I had a good view of Devil’s Thumb Pass, the fatal scene of a pilot I knew. A former military, current airline pilot, an  owner of a North American T-6 with a P&W R1340 engine and a rate of climb of 1,100’ per minute, he attempted to cross Devil’s Thumb East to West. 

Was about 150’ too low. Further, the impact site suggested he hit 90° to the ridgeline.

Local knowledge teaches which passes to transit West to East, which to transit East to West, and which ones to avoid completely (Independence Pass near Aspen). Further, approach the pass at 45° to shorten a retreating turn.

He left a widow, two small sons, and a hell of a mess for his friends to clean up.

Those mountain waves are powerful. One time, flying a Cessna 180 configured for a 600’ per minute descent, we were climbing 1800’ per minute.

(For pilots, idle power, 40° flaps, 60 mph IAS, carb heat on)

LESSON LEARNED?

Don’t accept any more assignments in the foothills. Reality?  If the money is right……….