We saw a black bear standing in this pullout in early August of '09 at 11:00 in the morning. We watched as the bear crossed the highway, walked across the river, and ambled up the ridge to the west. We don't know where this bear was at March 30, 2004...but, we have a good idea of where he wasn't.That particular day started out sunny and calm along the ridge immediately to the east. Spring was slowly awakening here in the lower reaches of Poudre Canyon. An early flock of migrating mountain bluebirds casually flitted along the ridge foraging yet fixated on a northward bearing. Life was good.
That all quickly changed a few hours later. Fires will do that...change stuff.
On the southeast end of this ridge near the highway, yard waste was being burned. The gusty winds picked up the fire and ran with it. By the time this fire was declared fully contained on April 7th, it had burned 8,900 acres. NOTICE THE DEAD BLACK PONDEROSA PINES up the slope that have been blown down. At the height of activity, there were four helicopters and seven fixed-wing aircraft battling the fire along with the ground crews. A rain/snow system moved in and finally put this fire out...once again, Nature bats last.
Enjoy the beautiful Poudre Canyon!