07/07/2026
The Gold Mountain Fire, which started near Ouray, Colorado a few days ago is raging across the Uncomphagre Mountains. This intense fire is being driven by extreme drought and high winds--as a result of human caused climate change.
The first, black and white, picture in this series shows Courthouse Mountain and Chimney Peak which are located on the western side of the Uncomphagre Wilderness Area near Ridgeway. According the current maps showing the boundaries of the fire, this area has been totally burned by the fire. This is one of the most iconic mountain scenes in western Colorado. Now altered for the remainder of our lives.
The next picture is on the opposite (east) side of Courthouse Mountain and Chimney Peak looking into the West Fork of the Cimmaron River. At this point in time the fire has not dropped into this amazing subalpine valley, though it has burned around the base of Courthouse Mountain. I'm sure there are many fire fighters and resources working to prevent the fire from dropping into this valley. The fire is burning into the forested areas in the distance beyond Chimney Peak.
The third picture looks into the upper reaches of the West Fork of the Cimmaron River. Courthouse Mountain is just out of view on the left side of the picture. The West Fork is an incredibley gorgeous high mountain valley. I hope that it is as amazing the next time I hike there!
The upper reaches above Cow Creek is shown in the fourth image. The area directly behind this picture has burned according the burn maps.
Fire in these high subalpine environments is very damaging. Entire old growth forests are completely burned. It may take centuries to recover. Or even longer given that global climate has been altered to the point that forest reestablishment may not be possible.
