Trailhead of the Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail. Plaques honoring the fallen firefighters.
Each Spring, when I’d return for a few days to Colorado, my first hike was always the Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail. This year, although my stay is more permanent, was no different. The trail, which is located seven miles west of Glenwood Springs, is dedicated to the fourteen wildland firefighters who lost their lives battling the South Canyon fire. It is a journey of grief and gratitude through a charred and aching landscape that is slowly recovering.
On July 2, 1994, lightening sparked a fire near the base of Storm King Mountain. Early efforts to get the fire under control failed and more help and assistance were needed. On July 6, a dry cold front hit the area, causing high winds and increased fire activity. The fire jumped beyond the fireline and twelve firefighters were caught, unable to outrun it. Two other helitack firefighters were also killed as they tried to flee in another direction.
Trailhead Sign-In Box showing decals and stickers representing firefighters from around the USA and the world who have visited this memorial.
Firefighters from around the world hike the trail, honoring their fallen brethen.
According to Go.Colorado, this relatively unknown trail,, “was built by a community literally walking through the grieving process. It began as a footpath made by families of the firefighters and others as they hiked the mountain to pay their respects to those who had died, and to try to understand what had happened. In response to the community’s need, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and volunteers built the trail.
Signage on the Trail tells the story of the South Canyon fire of 1994.
The fire, which started at the base of Storm King Mtn., was threatening to Interstate 70, nearby homes and West Glenwood Springs.
Over 100 volunteers from the Glenwood Springs area built the main trail and water bars in October 1994. In April 1995, 60 cadets from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs installed wooden and stone steps, hauled mortar to the observation point for stone benches, dug holes for interpretive signs, and developed an area for reflection at the base of the hill where 12 of the firefighters fell.”
The trail shadows the journey of the firefighters. “The main portion of the trail is about one-mile long and leads to an observation point with good views of the memorial sites. Beyond the observation point, a footpath leads to the sites where firefighters died. The footpath, marked only by rock cairns, is not maintained. Its rough condition is intended as a tribute to firefighters and the challenging conditions under which they work.
The barren landscape left by the South Canyon Fire of 1994.
The Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail.
The trip from trailhead to memorial sites and back is about four miles. It climbs 700 vertical feet to the observation point and another 450 feet to the top of the ridge leading to the memorial sites.”
Today we honor all of those young men and women who have given their lives to protect us and our country. It is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. Therefore, it’s especially appropriate to honor the Storm King 14.
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.
The Memorial Plaque honoring the Storm King 14
If you want to know more about this fire, refer to“Fire on the Mountain: The True Story of the South Canyon Fire.” by John Maclean
Mary, what a wonderful and thoughtful way to celebrate Memorial Day – the fire was such a devastating and catastrophic event and it is certainly moving to read about the trail that was built by all those volunteers – years ago when I was studying, I did a lot of volunteer work and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and right now I am planning on getting involved in a very worthy cause, hopefully it will work out.
What a fabulous memorial…there are so many signs of forest fires in the area, but I wasn’t aware of this tragedy. Thanks for sharing…may God bless all the firefighters who put their lives in danger each day~
Such a lovely way to spend your Memorial Day ….what a gorgeous looking trail! A lovely way to memorialize the firefighters!
I remember the tragedy and always look up and remember when I travel west on I-70. Your photos and words bring back more concretely the terrible loss of those young, brave people.
I’ve never been on the Storm King Trail, but you made me want to go there. What a lovely way, and an appropriate time, to remember those young firefighters.
Mary, I’ve nominated you for a brand new award! Please stop by my blog to “pick it up”. I always enjoy reading your stories!
wow..excellent post
new to your space
very interesting space you hve
happy following you..:)
do stop by mine sometime
Tasty Appetite
Mary, what a moving post and a perfect way to spend your Memorial Day.
This is such a great way to keep Memorial day. We have terrible fires raging in AZ , as we do every Summer. I admire those who defend our lands and homes and resources as well as those who defend our country as a whole. I appreciate your post. Hope you enjoy CO. I’m sure you are an asset wherever you choose to be. Thanks for this post.
Granite Mountain Hotshots tragedy in Arizona brought me to this site. I used to live in Colorado and remembered this tragic event.
It happened July 6th, 1994. I am going to the memorial this Saturday, July 6th, to honor the Storm King Hotshots and the Granite Mountain Hotshots, as well.
I don’t have FB so out of the loop w alot of the social media . The morning of the fire myself and another jumper were demobed to another fire to jump . As we flew from the airport we flow over the fire. I radioed down to Don to heads up the fire is starting to run on the lower corner.
The next day we were demobed again from fire we had just jumped to be given the news of one of my great friends and several other fellow jumpers . To this day I still hold alot of regrets .