Near Estes Park in Larimer County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Changing Times Bring Changing Uses
Photographed By Connor Olson, August 25, 2020
1. Changing Times Bring Changing Uses Marker
Inscription.
Changing Times Bring Changing Uses. . Over the years, Hidden Valley has been the site of many different kinds of human uses. Each has left its own changes on the face of the land - visible or invisible. Part of the forest was logged, and a sawmill operated here in the late 1800’s. Logs from the mill provided lumber for the construction of the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. Part of the forest was burned when a fire that started in the sawdust pile of the mill moved through here in 1900.
Perhaps Hidden Valley’s most well-known use was as a downhill ski area. Local people skied here as early as 1931, often skiing the skid paths left by the loggers. It grew into a commercial ski area and operated until 1992.
It was a popular resort, with lots of skiers and lots of snow. In 1957, the area ranger reported that 38 feet of snow fell! But changes in weather can cause changes in use. By the late 1980’s, even snowmaking machines couldn’t provide enough snow to keep the area open consistently.
Over the years, Hidden Valley has been the site of many different kinds of human uses. Each has left its own changes on the face of the land - visible or invisible. Part of the forest was logged, and a sawmill operated here in the late 1800’s. Logs from the mill provided lumber for the construction of the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. Part of the forest was burned when a fire that started in the sawdust pile of the mill moved through here in 1900.
Perhaps Hidden Valley’s most well-known use was as a downhill ski area. Local people skied here as early as 1931, often skiing the skid paths left by the loggers. It grew into a commercial ski area and operated until 1992.
It was a popular resort, with lots of skiers and lots of snow. In 1957, the area ranger reported that 38 feet of snow fell! But changes in weather can cause changes in use. By the late 1980’s, even snowmaking machines couldn’t provide enough snow to keep the area open consistently.
Location. 40° 23.567′ N, 105° 39.518′ W. Marker is near Estes Park, Colorado, in Larimer County
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. Marker can be reached from Hidden Valley Road. Located on the Hidden Valley Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Estes Park CO 80517, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 13, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
