T-38 jet crash

[RangerRick]

Yesterday, to get out of the heat, I went to check on the Coney Creek trail which I found to be closed till The Trail Ridge Runners pre-run and clear it on June 18 & 19. So, while I was up there I went up above Bunt School Road to the wreck of the Air Force trainer jet that crashed in the early 1960s'. I hadn't been up there in 15 years or so and found it to be fun and a little challenging. I'd rate it at a 3+ trail. It took an hour an a half from Camp Dick and back to Peak to Peak Hwy.

 

[ColoradoXJ13]

I was up there on saturday, I'd love to see that wreck but have no idea where it is.

 

[RangerRick]

Go up Bunt School Road from the Camp Dick (south) side. Take the 3rd left(opening). Turn right just pass the mud puddle/culvert. Then left at the your first chance. (I think the 2nd left gets there also.) Then keep on this trail. It has its' good spots and bad spots, then gets narrower. When it gets really tight, it's only a 100 yards to the end of the road (unless you go up the hill 75 feet to an area that's hard to turn around). You'll see a foot trail from this point. ATVs have used it. You'll have to walk, (can I use that word on this sight) a 100 yards. There's a tail section and other metal stuff. Wonder through the trees and you'll find what's left of a jet engine and more. The jet was on a training flite and buzzed the city of Longmont (showing off). It was unable to clear the mountain. I think the road was built for access by the Air Force to investigate the crash and retrieve important stuff.

 

[smithz]

I was just up there yesterday seeing if Middle St. Vrain was open, and it's not. No signs stating when it would be.

Any chance of explaining where Bunt School Road leaves Camp Dick? I don't remember seeing any roads leaving to the south. I found another trail that was open to the north, CR 202/203 or something like that. CR203 went through some cool stuff, but ended up dead ending in the middle of nowhere. Didn't have time to explore CR202 though. I would be interested in checking out the plane wreckage if I could find it. Any GPS coordinates for it?

 

[xj-grin]

After you've gone through the first part of camp dick and the road starts bearing south towards the middle saint vrain trailhead, there is a HARD right -- that is Bunce....

 

[RangerRick]

Now that I think of it. FR 203 is the road to the sight. When you go through the tight trees stop there before the trail turns left and goes up hill a little ways. The foot trail should be right there as if the road went straight. The foot trail goes up and down 2 or 3 times then pans out at the sight.
The south end of Bunts School road starts on that road (left side) running north after the 1st camp ground and before Camp Dick.

 

[smithz]

I do remember the trees getting tight right before a mildly steep uphill to a deadend. That's where I turned around. How obvious is the foot trail? I don't remember seeing anything, but of course I wasn't looking for it either.

If I find it, I'll try and post GPS coordinates for it. I might just go back Sunday with my Dad or something.

Thanks for the info. Kinda funny I just accidentally meandered my way practically there without even knowing it. :roflmao:

 

[smithz]

Well I found it, I'll post some pics and GPS coords later.

I was trying to find some more info on the crash, but couldn't. RangerRick, do you have a link to any info on what happened? I know you said it was buzzing Longmont, but tha'ts a loooooooooooong ways for it to not be able to pull up before hitting that mountain. Unless it was going mach 20...

 

[RangerRick]

My information was wrong. It's a T33 Trainer Jet. A straight winged fighter like the P80. But I'm sure the the Info I got from an old fellow, (former police officer and LEU member) about the plane flying low over Longmont was true. Anyway, look up Allenspark T-33.

 

[smithz]

Thanks! Here's a link with some info...

http://coloradowreckchasing.tripod.com/AllensparkT33/T-33.htm

 

[smithz]

Here's some pics finally...

The tapered bearings in the second to last pic still turned, rust and all... :sunshine: