Kane Creek, Rory Returns, Day Five

It was Thursday that the rain began and I don't remember ever missing more than one day where I couldn't get across Kane Creek, This is Monday, Day Five. It's been very expensive. Of guests that were unable to make it to the lodge and it's about a $10,000 loss.

At the same time I have two guests that were to check out today and while I could get them out I can't get their vehicle out. This has never happened before for more than a day, maybe two, not five.

Rory has returned and has a vehicle on the far side winched to his vehicle which is winched to "Freddy."

Freddy has been rescued. Miraculous job by Rory. I talked to San Juan County today. They ask if I thought they could get in there and fix it but I don't think they can. There's still too much water coming down from the La Sals. Take a look at it again tomorrow. Going to have to get groceries someday.

Returning to the Lodge

Three guys on bikes had left Moab earlier, down to Monticello, over to Needles, up Lockhart Basin then found Kane Creek was closed and had to head back, about a six hour drive. We fed them, gassed em up, hydrated them, and they took off trying to get through the hard part of Lockhart before dark.

As Freddy Dies

Pulling all the paperwork out we found the key said the truck was named "Freddy".

When we left to come check on the creek we didn't imagine the drama that would come our way. I had left Kobae out on the porch thinking we'd be back inside an hour. I wasn't worried about him getting run over as there hasn't been anybody crossing Kane Creek since Thursday but I wanted to make sure if I had to track him to find him I could have him back by dark. I ask Teresa to take me back and we saw his tracks going down the driveway but pulling up to the lodge he was sitting on the front porch waiting to be fed. Teresa returned to the creek and found this before leaving to get back by dark. Freddy is on life support as darkness falls on Sunday evening.

Slow Truck Wreck

This is what the road looked like on Friday when Jax and I went to check on Kane Creek. Rory had safely taken the truck far from the creek.

Then when we all came back on Sunday to see if the creek was passable it had changed. It broke through up creek somewhere and was chewing up the road pretty quickly. It was only a matter of time before the creek took the truck. I got in and tried to start it but the battery was dead. We were in the side by side without jumpers. As the drop off got closer it was too dangerous to get back in it and not enough time to drive back to the lodge and get a truck to jump it. I wouldn't have pulled the truck up next to it to jump it anyway. The creek was taking the road too quickly.

We pulled everything we could out of the back of it and salvaged what was possible. Got the paperowk out and anything else that might have some value to somebody but it was getting too dicey to get close to it. Hard to know what portion of the road it will take with it when the time comes.

The Sun Breaks Out

After another rain, we finally see some sun.

Hurrah Pass Road Damage

The pass took some damage to the road. I called San Juan County and they said they'd send domebody out Monday to look at it. But then I went to Kane Creek to check the flooding and called San Juan County back and told them they have bigger problems. I'll take care of Hurrah Pass with big rocks and a shovel. Won't be able to get the propane and septic trucks out here without their help sometime in the future.

Everything is Turning Green

Jax and I try to walk down the creek to the beach but 100 feet before we get there the water has backed up the creek and there isn't a beach. On the way back we have grass growing everywhere. Kobae will be so happy.