I recently had the pleasure to accompany Doug Labor, who recently received his pilot’s license, on a flight around Routt County. The Colorado blue, cloudless morning afforded us an incredible view of all the landmarks of the Yampa Valley. On takeoff we headed south toward the Flat Tops Wilderness area. Off to the west you could clearly see Yampa Valley Regional Airport’s runway and just beyond the town of Hayden. As we approached the Flat Tops we were climbing to over 13,000 feet and still would have needed more to clear the snow covered peaks. On the way we could peer down at the towns of Oak Creek, Phippsburg and Yampa peacefully existing among their natural settings.
With the wet spring that we have endured it certainly has everything lush and green. I was surprised to see as many hidden lakes as we did. We proceeded to turn and head north east over Lynx Pass and the Stagecoach area and could see people enjoying the water activities at the Stagecoach State Park. Beyond the reservoir you could see the Yampa River meandering through Pleasant Valley on its way to Lake Catamount. As we passed the lake we could see the Rabbit Ears that gave the pass its name and began to approach the Steamboat Ski Area and Mount Werner. The city of Steamboat Springs lay at her feet aligned with the Yampa flowing through its midst. We passed by both the Walton Creek and Fish Creek drainage areas and could make out the waterfalls glistening in the sun. The Mount Zirkel Wilderness area was still holding its snow and we wondered how far up Buffalo pass one could go before snow blocked the way. Off to the right of the plane was a large canyon situated between the Fish Creek area and Seed House road. I made a mental note to see where this area is on the map and see if there is any access into the canyon.
On the horizon Hahn’s Peak kept getting larger as we approached. Pearl Lake with its still waters was now below us and as we circled Hahn’s Peak and the town of the same name we could clearly see into Wyoming just past Hog and Whiskey Parks. Heading south west once again Steamboat Lake appeared as did the Bears Ears and Sand Mountain in all of its glory.
Not everything was perfect however. It was clear that the Pine Beetle infestation is taking and will continue to take a tremendous toll from our lovely forests for decades to come. Of course in the middle of it all was the Sleeping Giant that you could see from almost any other place in the valley. I thought of the old Ute Indian legend that this sentry would rise up and protect the valley from any evil that might befall it. Even from the air this majestic figure gave me the sense of comfort knowing that all is well.
