Route Climbed: Southwest Slopes Date Climbed: 7/30/2005
I've been up TB four times and every time the paper in the register has been wet - the tube leaks. So I replaced both the PVC tube and the old, damp, mildewed summit register and replaced them with a small notebook in a glass jar. Hopefully it doesn't leak. :)
Although the trees are all still dead, groundcover is returning fast in the burn area. In April 2004 the crossing of Shrewsbury Gulch was on dirt and sub-ankle-high grasses. This time we were bushwhacking through grasses and plants that were 4-6 feet high, and very dense! Stuff is also beginning to grow higher up on the peak as well, although obviously not to that extent...
Route Climbed: Southwest Slopes Date Climbed: July 2, 2005
The burn damage is extensive. However, a lone aspen survived the fire at the peak. As you look at over the valley, It's amazing how the fire does not burn indiscriminately, it leaves little islands of life throughout.
Overall, a very good 1/2 day hike. Didn't see a soul until I was almost back at the trailhead on CR Nine-J.
Larry V - Aug 14, 2004 7:03 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2004
Thunder Butte revisited
7/25/09: Return trip 5 years later to see how the revegetation is progressing, which is, slower than I expected. Got well scratched up by the bramble bushes. This is still one very desolate area. Scrambled more or less directly to the summit instead of going by the saddle.
5/24/04: I went solo and didn't see a soul all day. I was overwhelmed with the devastation of the Hayman fire, since I hadn't visited the burned area up close until this day. Thunder Butte marks my first county highpoint climb done expressly for that purpose. Some day I would like to visit all the Colorado county high points west of Denver.
Doug Shaw - Jul 31, 2005 8:03 pm
Route Climbed: Southwest Slopes Date Climbed: 7/30/2005I've been up TB four times and every time the paper in the register has been wet - the tube leaks. So I replaced both the PVC tube and the old, damp, mildewed summit register and replaced them with a small notebook in a glass jar. Hopefully it doesn't leak. :)
Although the trees are all still dead, groundcover is returning fast in the burn area. In April 2004 the crossing of Shrewsbury Gulch was on dirt and sub-ankle-high grasses. This time we were bushwhacking through grasses and plants that were 4-6 feet high, and very dense! Stuff is also beginning to grow higher up on the peak as well, although obviously not to that extent...
Scott Wisher - Jul 4, 2005 10:23 am
Route Climbed: Southwest Slopes Date Climbed: July 2, 2005The burn damage is extensive. However, a lone aspen survived the fire at the peak. As you look at over the valley, It's amazing how the fire does not burn indiscriminately, it leaves little islands of life throughout.
Overall, a very good 1/2 day hike. Didn't see a soul until I was almost back at the trailhead on CR Nine-J.
Larry V - Aug 14, 2004 7:03 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2004
Thunder Butte revisited7/25/09: Return trip 5 years later to see how the revegetation is progressing, which is, slower than I expected. Got well scratched up by the bramble bushes. This is still one very desolate area. Scrambled more or less directly to the summit instead of going by the saddle.
5/24/04: I went solo and didn't see a soul all day. I was overwhelmed with the devastation of the Hayman fire, since I hadn't visited the burned area up close until this day. Thunder Butte marks my first county highpoint climb done expressly for that purpose. Some day I would like to visit all the Colorado county high points west of Denver.