Thank you very much... It was quite a day. And we were lucky to be there. We decided to take a 3 day weekend, almost went Friday-Sunday, but due to poor preparation we weren't ready and went Saturday-Monday instead. This all happened by surprise on Monday.
I've seen the flood markers on the way out of the valley. It was unbelievable. But, to have been there and seen it all is even more amazing. You said it was raining lightly all night. It must have rained pretty hard in the high country to produce so much water. I have slept in the same campground during an all night rain many times, but never saw anything like this. Kind of scary, anyway you look at it.
Thanks for the comment Marc! True- I hadn't thought of how much it might have rained up high, and I also remember it being fairly warm, it was going for a long time too (constant from maybe 7 PM to 9 AM and a little during the day as well). We wore jackets in a failed attempt to stay dry, but it wasn't cold. Likely all of that helped with the snow melting process.
The markers you've seen around the valley are from the flood of 1997, which was much more devastating. It wiped out highway 140 and destroyed things thoughout the valley... I added a link to the writeup for those that might be interested in it.
Thanks for clarifying the two different floods. I have to admit that I didn't know there were two different ones. I just remembered the really bad one, and I am terrible with dates/years. I'll check out the link.
I don't know how I missed this amazing gem of yours, but it really makes me miss the good old days. You know. When winters and springs in California were actually rainy.
I hope you are well and still hiking and climbing, Mr. Chad.
-Gordon
Liba Kopeckova - Apr 6, 2010 9:52 pm - Voted 10/10
an interesting story andactually great photos! Thanks for sharing...
mrchad9 - Apr 6, 2010 10:03 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: an interesting story andThank you very much... It was quite a day. And we were lucky to be there. We decided to take a 3 day weekend, almost went Friday-Sunday, but due to poor preparation we weren't ready and went Saturday-Monday instead. This all happened by surprise on Monday.
Liba Kopeckova - Apr 6, 2010 10:20 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: an interesting story andWhat a lucky co-incidence! and of course, amazing that you did not get flooded inside your tent.
Nanuls - Apr 7, 2010 1:20 pm - Voted 10/10
Nice recordMust have been some spectacle!
mrchad9 - Apr 7, 2010 3:06 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice recordThank you... It was pretty wild- fun watching everyone else in the valley running around freaking out too.
SoCalHiker - Apr 7, 2010 1:50 pm - Voted 10/10
Nice and interestingThanks for sharing. Cheers.
Marcsoltan - Apr 7, 2010 3:21 pm - Voted 10/10
Amazing!I've seen the flood markers on the way out of the valley. It was unbelievable. But, to have been there and seen it all is even more amazing. You said it was raining lightly all night. It must have rained pretty hard in the high country to produce so much water. I have slept in the same campground during an all night rain many times, but never saw anything like this. Kind of scary, anyway you look at it.
mrchad9 - Apr 7, 2010 7:55 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Amazing!Thanks for the comment Marc! True- I hadn't thought of how much it might have rained up high, and I also remember it being fairly warm, it was going for a long time too (constant from maybe 7 PM to 9 AM and a little during the day as well). We wore jackets in a failed attempt to stay dry, but it wasn't cold. Likely all of that helped with the snow melting process.
The markers you've seen around the valley are from the flood of 1997, which was much more devastating. It wiped out highway 140 and destroyed things thoughout the valley... I added a link to the writeup for those that might be interested in it.
Marcsoltan - Apr 7, 2010 11:47 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Amazing!Thanks for clarifying the two different floods. I have to admit that I didn't know there were two different ones. I just remembered the really bad one, and I am terrible with dates/years. I'll check out the link.
lisae - Apr 7, 2010 4:06 pm - Voted 10/10
Comparison PhotosI really appreciate the comparison photos. Thanks for posting them!
mrchad9 - Apr 7, 2010 7:59 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Comparison PhotosNo problem lisae. It was interesting putting them together too. I was surprised how close some of the angles were. Thanks for the comment.
boyblue - Apr 14, 2015 11:51 pm - Voted 10/10
NostolgicI don't know how I missed this amazing gem of yours, but it really makes me miss the good old days. You know. When winters and springs in California were actually rainy.
I hope you are well and still hiking and climbing, Mr. Chad.
-Gordon