Golden Eagle Aviation did not own the DC-6, but had an arrangement with the Jack Richards Aircraft Company to use it. A hand-painted memorial marker within the debris. There is a large, fenced-in storage area to the right. Still accessible but take your time and again, poles will help! My husband’s cousin was engaged to one of the young men who perished. There are no trails to Mount Bethel’s summit; the majority of the hike up will be above treeline. Too snowy for late May... try again late June. One of the planes proceeded to Utah via southern Wyoming, avoiding Colorado’s high mountain wall. Great experience. “Yesterday, you wrote an article on the Wichita State plane crash that killed 31 people. But according to the NTSB, the accident could have easily been prevented if … At 0.4 miles, you’ll come to a flat spot where the road will cross Dry Gulch Creek. Forty-four years ago, a plane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed in Colorado. My sister and I are from Wichita and have been wanting to do the hike for a while. And she told me of this hidden gem Once you get to where all the rocks are stacked at the top of the mountain hang a left and just follow the trail. If you can experience this trail I strongly suggest taking a moment, A moment of silence for peace for all those that perished there, 5/23/20. What an incredibly moving sight to see. Pay attention and watch for carns. It is a short hike to the crash. Great trail to a somber site. Looking west to the Citadel, Hagar Mountain and Pettingell Peak. Each year on Oct. 2 at 9 a.m., a wreath is placed at this memorial. Finding it was a surreal moment, realizing the magnitude of the tragedy that happened there. Seems a miracle that anyone survived, as it had to have been very difficult to get to the crash and rescue people. His writings reflect his personal passions: adventure, science, exploration, philosophy, animal welfare and technology. I have always wanted to make the journey to the location of the crash. People were also awesome and left hiking sticks at the start of the trail. Simply put. Wichita State Plane Wreck is a 1.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Silver Plume, Colorado that features a great forest setting and is rated as moderate. Distance to Plane Wreck: 1.2 miles; 600 vertical feet This modest memorial is just off the highway past mile marker 217 on westbound I-70, next to the actual creek that runs through Dry Gulch. Plenty of shade, but may want bug spray. Turn left. The hike is not difficult if you are used to hiking in the mountains. The saddle between the Citadel and Pt. Be warned, it goes up about 600 vertical feet in a short distance. Around 1 pm on a clear day, the pilots got trapped in the box canyon while moving in for a closer view and put the plane down on the side of Mount Trelease. Both airplanes refueled at Denver’s Stapleton Airport. I set off with Richard and my border collies, Fremont and Mystic, for a full day of exploring Dry Gulch. Quite an accomplishment giving that one of them has cancer and in very poor health. It will be easy to follow until it levels off. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips. The sight of the wreck is a somber place so please be respectful. There’s a sandy pull off where you can park. It really makes you wonder what the pilot was doing flying at such a low altitude given the geography of the area. Very steep at first, would recommend hiking poles as they helped us tremendously. WSU Plane crash On 2 October 1970, a twin-engine plane carrying Wichita State University football players, staff and supporters crashed near Loveland Pass enroute to a game in Utah. Very somber at the site. While it’s perfectly acceptable to head into Dry Gulch a bit farther and head up the saddle between Point 12,671 and Bethel, our crew had a blast simply grinding up the south ridge and slopes. Hopefully this guide will help those looking for it, as other sites online are a bit spotty with directions. take your first sharp right onto a dirt road and follow to a closed gate. That day, I cried. Sports editor for The Sunflower, Sean Marty, observes the 1970 Wichita State plane crash site on Sunday, Sept. 27 near Silver Plume, Colorado. Beautiful along the way and lots of trees for shade. This trail in Vermont will actually let you explore the wreckage of a real WWII plane crash. We’re in good health but definitely not athletic! I know it is a short distance but bring hiking poles if you have them. We used this app to guide us. Sept. 30, 2020 - The annual ceremony of remembrance for those who died in the 1970 Wichita State University plane crash will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Cessna Stadium. 44 years after the October 2, 1970 crash, gnarled aluminum and crumpled metal gears are eerily unrusted. Never miss a story Choose the plan that's right for you. Please be careful if you have dogs, the highway is only 15 feet away with no fences. Before going under the I-70 bridges, turn sharply right onto a flat dirt road. Reaching the Wreck Site I stopped to talk to her dog and pet him. If you aim too far west and miss the trail, no worries — you can always just follow the creek east to get back to the open area near the fenced in storage. Many downed trees also. Very somber but interesting. that day I felt I was supposed to be there. Wichita State constructed a memorial for those who died from the crash called Memorial ‘70. When you see the old lova d ski area fenced area of crap. The off-trail work in treeline has plenty of open spaces. The trail was steep, as well described by others. I’m sure I’ll be back there before too long! They were bound for Logan, Utah, to play the Utah State University Aggies the following day. About three months before the crash, Wichita State contracted Golden Eagle Aviation to supply a Douglas DC-6B, to fly the team to away games for the 1970 season. lots of fallen trees on the way to the wreckage. Trees and shrubs were gapped out nicely and outside of a few very short sections, the off-trail aspect was steep but easy to navigate. Poles were necessary for me. I’m 63 and she’s 60. At 1:14 PM, the plane collided with Mount Trelease. Over the years, I’ve visited quite a few plane wreck sites in Colorado. This is the most accessible and most dramatic of Colorado’s plane wrecks. there will be highway traffic noise for a bit as you ascend. We wanted to honor those who perished, as well as those who survived. You have never been forgotten! It’s steep, very steep at the beginning. Plane crashes are a reality in the mountains and part of the history of our Rocky Mountains; how one chooses to appreciate this fact is up to the individual. It looks like an old 4×4 or ATV path and goes steeply uphill and as of 2014, it was unmarked. Reaching Mount Bethel and the Snow Fences The single track starts there. A roadside memorial plaque listing the names of the victims is located near the Colorado crash site, adjacent to westbound Interstate 70. There is so much wreckage still and memorials. But once you arrive to the plane remains, you may have a sense of calm and remembrance and peace, hopefully. By taking this path, you’ll approach the wreck in a few hundred feet from above. took my brother from Kansas to pay our respects. Overview map of the Dry Gulch area. This trail is not EASY if you are going to the actual wreck. According to Wikipedia, he was trying to take a scenic route but hadn't properly examined his maps to plan a safe route. This is the story of the crash, and what happened after. Photo by Travis Heying via Paul Harrison Enhancements have been made to Memorial ’70, located near the 18th Street and Hillside entrance to the university. Wichita State players remember their 'second season' 50 years later (8:03) Wichita State was devastated by a tragic plane crash 50 years ago. After paying your respects, return the way you came back to the broad road into Dry Gulch. Note that before driving to the trailhead for Dry Gulch, you may want to make a quick visit to the memorial to the victims of the crash. Memorial buttons, slowly starting to rust. We did see a hiker while we were at the wreck and he came from this trail; it actually goes just below the wreck site. © James Dziezynski & Mountainous Words Writing 1997 - 2014, article on the crash from 5280 can be found here, overview on the area for Elevation Outdoors, Mount Edwards – Goatfinger Couloir Scouting Trip, Goatfinger Couloir – Mount Edwards – Trip Report, Watrous Gulch 4 Pack: Four 13ers in a Day, Rocky Mountain National Park – Insider’s Guide, Pandemic Journal – Day 1 – Our Very Own Plague. Above treeline, the slopes open up a few hundred feet below the epic snow fences. We went straight up from the bend in the trail. Very steep and difficult but short. At this large digital sign at mile marker 217, pull off to see the memorial site. Just before the fenced area, there is an area on the left side of the road (before the creek) that looks like an old parking area. Consider this: from the fenced parking area to the summit of Bethel, it is roughly 2,000 vertical feet in 0.9 miles! After the agreements were made, the DC-6 was damaged and was unavailable for use. The charred wreckage of N464M lies on a Colorado mountainside some hours after the crash. It was something I have always wanted to do. Bicyclists riding to Colorado to remember victims of 1970 Wichita State football team plane crash KWCH Staff 10/4/2020. the steep section is less than four tenths of a mile. Nice hike to a sombering site. Wichita State Plane Wreck is a 1.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Silver Plume, Colorado that features a great forest setting and is rated as moderate. I didn’t know him, but I knew his family. a Denver news channel was with them to record the visit to air in October to coincide with the 50th anniversary. The Martin 4-0-4 was carrying members of the Wichita State Football team, their assistants and a 3-person flight crew. The day we went 2 members of the team that were on the other plane were visiting the site. You Can Explore A Hidden WWII Plane Crash On This Mountain Hike In Vermont. You’ll know that area when you see it. it isnt necessary to take the tunnel, exit and approach from eastbound. In 1968 a small plane carrying two passengers en route to Las Vegas crashed in the Wichita Mountains in southern Oklahoma. Steep but short trail. They never arrived. (8:03) Downloaded the All Trails app and it took us right to the crash site. Leash ‘em up! “Randy and I played football at Clinton High School. Fifty years ago today — Oct. 2, 1970 — I walked into the student newspaper office at Utah State University expecting to be given media credentials for the first college Greg Hansen: Remembering the Wichita State plane crash, 50 years later | Greg Hansen | tucson.com Wichita State plane crash survivor takes on a mission of remembrance The first time Rick Stephens descended Mount Trelease, near Silver Plume, Colorado, he faded in and out of consciousness. You’ll want to follow the left path, which is unmarked. When not spending time in the mountains, James volunteers at several animal rescue organizations and is a collector of classic video games. It was a sign My 16 and 11 year old daughters and I completed this hike and felt a sense of accomplishment as the beginning of it was very strenuous and severe. I did have my dog with me and he did fine too. Wow. Than straight up. Definitely needed a hiking stick. Paul and Kelly Harrison help plane crash survivor Rick Stephens hike up the steep Rocky Mountain grade to the site of the Wichita State University football team plane crash Stephens survived 50 years ago. the steep section is less than four tenths of a mile. quick hike. Large debris field with large pieces of wreckage strewn about. Thank you Vern. The memories of the 31 people who died in a plane crash on Oct. 2, 1970 — including 14 members of the football team, 14 staff and boosters, and three crew members — are honored every year at Wichita State’s Memorial ’70 observance, but survivors, friends and family choose to remember their loved ones by hiking up to the crash site located on a mountain west of Silver Plume, Colorado. Would recommend doing this for seeing history and paying your respect to the victims. It is a very sad site to know that 29 people died on site and 2 more later. It led to one of the more unlikely games in college football history. Most of the metal has been shattered into unrecognizable shapes, though we saw some hydraulics that could have been wheel supports, a cooling unit of some sort and a few painted sections from the shell of the plane. I feel that they are all at peace. Great trail that doesn’t take too long. Easy to veer off if you’re not closely looking for the rocks marking the way, but the map on here and directions from others are accurate. Just looking at the wreckage, it's a miracle that there were any survivors of this crash. I wrote up an overview on the area for Elevation Outdoors that gives a good idea of what’s out there. Very somber place as 31 people lost their lives due to the crash. Tip: exit 216 from westbound I-70. Vistors to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge can hike to the site and still see debris left behind from the crash. I’m amazed at how much of the wreckage is still intact. I couldn’t believe how much wreckage is there, 50 years later. I was unsure if I was on the right trail because it would keep disappearing and then reappearing again. I sat for a while and then it began to snow. This is a site to see for sure. While the plane didn't arrive where it was expected, it wasn't found until hikers stumbled onto the wreckage three months later. What a tragedy. no snow today, dry trail. Though the beauty of nature is definitely it’s own reward, sometimes it’s nice to embark on a hike that will take you somewhere really cool. shallow footpath in many places that was not easy to navigate. I was in Middle School when the crash occurred. Very interesting. The next 1/4 mile is very steep and after having to go around to the right of the trail due to 5 or 6 dead falls blocking the trail you will see a small pine tree on the right with rocks all around it. quick hike. We were very rushed, climbing as quickly as we could! the all trails map is accurate for the trail so if you check in on it, you should be fine. at the very moment the steep incline begins to taper a bit, carins and stone arrows have been placed to guide you to the crash. Very steep. Glenn Kostal has three children and has been married for almost 35 years. It is also very helpful to have the map downloaded. Of the 40 on board, 31 died either in the crash or as a result of injuries sustained in it. Follow this road a short distance to a metal gate; this is the parking for Dry Gulch. So stay on the steep, more-trodden trail. Trail is not in great shape but easy to follow. Paul and Kelly’s cousin Martin was a team equipment manager who died in the crash. An excellent article on the crash from 5280 can be found here while Wikipedia’s page on the wreck is quite informative and has good links to detailed reports. 31 out of the 40 people on board were killed. only had shorts and flip-flops, A decent climb with a sobering destination. There is a little parking area. You can see Loveland ski area from the site and hear I-70. Lost off bullshit trails off to the left. When I got to the crash site it was a very humbling experience. very! This sent me back to the tragic day, 50 years ago, when Randy was killed. From the gate, head northeast up the road. It takes about 45 minutes to hike to the scene of the deadly crash. steep incline. The pups get ready to charge up Mount Bethel. The hike through the trees gets very steep; so though it is a short hike, I wouldn’t call this easy. It is moderate and nothing technical. Grizzly Peak and Cupid Peak via Mount Sniktau Trail and Loveland Pass, Torreys and Grays Peaks via Loveland Pass. Difficult to remain on the trail without the use of this app. I educated my girls on the tragedy that befell these people, and we paused for a moment of silence in their honor. Paid respects. I hiked Grays Peak the day before and I met an older woman with a beautiful white German shepherd. Great short hike to pay respects to the lives lost in a tragic accident. At about 10 feet tall, they are secured into the mountain by some crazy strong cables. The slope is relentlessly steep (poles were my best friend) but going through the foliage was quite fun. A young man from our Hometown, Belle Plaine, was on the plane, and was one of the nine Survivors. After admiring the views for a while, we opted to head down a little bit west of the path we had ascended. Start off Exit 216 on I-70; It was easier to find that first day because my heart lead the way. Remarkably she was the only one I saw on the trail and she had hiked Gray’s that day. There are some white stones and you can consult the photo. Wichita State University memorial engraved with the names of the crash victims. The plane hit the side of a mountain and 31 people were killed. Yesterday we did! It’s pretty easy to find and note that you never actually go into Dry Gulch — the wreck area is on the south side of Mount Trelease, facing I-70. Though the elevation wasn’t too bad at 12,500 feet, the steepness of the last push to the summit is a real burner. The field of debris extends south (downhill) and off to the east. I found it to be a great hike to acknowledge a piece of history without hope of ever repeating it. Trail is very steep after you head up from the road. Worth the hike up. trail starts off up a dirt road. I’m not sure if I was supposed to meet her on that trail but when I Came on this little adventure on October 3 that year it was a beautiful 80° day. If you overshoot this turn off, just remember to aim left (south) downhill after the steep section of the trail levels off. On Oct. 2, 1970, Wichita State lineman Mal Kimmel boarded a plane with his teammates for their game against Utah State. Make sure to pull over far enough to the right so other cars can park and vehicles have access through the gate itself. The hike is on a gravel road for the first .4 of a mile. We were surprised how long they were (around 200 – 250 feet) and how steep the angle was. At this point, the trail seems to faintly go both left (downhill) and straight through some trees. It’s about a 3.2 mile round trip up and  down Bethel, depending on your off-route planning. From the start of this trail, you are less than half a mile from the crash site. To reach the parking area for Dry Gulch, take exit 216 off I-70 westbound(Loveland Pass / Loveland ski area). Understanding the 1970 Wichita State football plane crash Two planes carrying Wichita State University football players, coaches, administrators and fans refueled on Oct. 2, 1970, in Denver. The 63-year-old Stephens plans to ride his bike 550 miles to honor the victims of the 1970 plane crash in Colorado that killed 31 Wichita State football … Despite the steepness, the footing is solid nearly all the way down and the slopes will eventually merge with the Dry Gulch hiking trail. There are several memorial objects, including a tombstone with the Wichita State football helmet and a few faded flags with the names of the victims. Some other reviews on here detail really well the turning points to look for so if you aren’t comfortable with the map, just read a few of those. So rather than head into the forest trail that slowly dissolves in the basin, we started up a few hundred feet west of the fenced in area. Loose rock and downed trees so poles or hiking stick is helpful. There was a cairn To mark the trail so I followed it up, it’s almost a mile incline and then the trail goes down words to the left. I assume this is a shortcut to wreck, though I would advise skipping it and staying on the main trail. A somber summit. That was amazing. 29 of the 40 people on board were killed in the crash and two more perished after rescue, making for a total of nine survivors (including the co-pilot who was flying the plane at the time of the crash). Click for a larger size. The accident report reveals that the crash occurred when a non-certified pilot "departed on a cross-country flight to relocate his airplane for maintenance." I opted to leash up my pups at this point so that they wouldn’t be off-leash near I-70. There will be a reception immediately following the remembrance on the Cessna Stadium concourse. James is a best-selling author and writer based out of Boulder, Colorado. I knew almost every one of those killed. I’m 63 and I thought my hiking days were over! It was awesome. It is a very steep climb to the next part. To check it out (when coming westbound on I-70 from Denver), get ready to pull over when you see the large electronic sign just past mile marker 217. There’s tons of other adventures waiting in Dry Gulch — Mount Trelease, Golden Bear Peak, Hagar Mountain, Pettingell Peak the Citadel and even the terrain of Loveland ski area can all be reached from this area. It was touching to see what many had left behind. Was very challenging for my brother and I but very rewarding as we are both from Wichita. We just took it slow and stopped for breaks. On a personal note, while I find mountain wrecks fascinating, the humanity of the situation is never lost on me. While Richard and I explored the ruins, it was sad to consider how young the men and women on the plane were. Because it is a relatively short outing, it’s worth combining a visit to the wreck with a climb up Mount Bethel, the Citadel, Point 12,671 or any other of the rolling summits in the area of Dry Gulch. The app was a huge help as far as keeping us on the right trail. I came here almost 2 years ago on October 3. Shattered remains of the Martin 4-0-4 have rested in the forest since October 2, 1970, when the pilot of the craft swept down into the box canyon along I-70 for a better view for the Wichita State football team on board. Turn left and follow that single track for about 1/4 mile to the crash site. The pieces of wreckage show almost no wear from the elements after 50 years of being up on the mountain. A pair of Martin 4-0-4s(which had not flown since 1967) w… As the crow flies, the debris field is less 0.2 miles from I-70. Very satisfying day, very thought provoking. well marked. We weren’t able to stay at the crash site very long, Because the sun was setting, so I would like to come back another year and spend more time there. at the top by the fence you can either continue straight for a lovely hike through a meadow or be on the lookout on the left for a small clearing that goes straight up to get to the wreck. None may be as fascinating or sobering as the wreckage of the 1970 Wichita State University crash. The wreck happened on October 2, 1970. Upon closer inspection, the breadth of the carnage will become apparent. on the trail we met a group from Wichita, some of whom are survivors and others from the other plane that took a route over Wyoming. A worthwhile hike, for sure. well marked. When you see a fenced in area on the left there is a pile of rocks with a stick in them on your left. 12,671. The app was a life saver! This is the informal trail to the wreck site. He said that he would die young and would be a plane crash. while this is a short trail, I might rate it closer to hard than moderate for the angle, tree fall and places here the trail is washed out. Richard at the turn-off point for the steep trail to the wreck site. The s… As a former Shocker, this was a hike I’ve wanted to do for a long time. A really interesting hike. The 1970 Wichita State football plane crash was one of the worst in Colorado aviation history. About 0.8 miles in, the steep trail will flatten out just past a bit of a marshy area on your left. It was well worth it. Luckily on of them picked up a hiking stick and I used it a lot. The crash involved one fatality, the pilot. Directions a Denver news channel was with them to record the visit to air in October to coincide with the 50th anniversary. It was a bit overwhelming to be there, but I am blessed for having made the effort. The little-known memorial stands as a tribute to the 31 people who lost their lives when a plane carrying the Wichita State football team crashed while traveling to a game at Utah State … The trail followed a dirt road for half a mile and then there is a very hidden left turn that goes straight up. Wichita State will hold its annual memorial for the plane crash at 9 a.m. Oct. 2 at the Memorial ’70 landmark on campus. Path to the wreck site as seen from Mount Bethel. Pay attention to Verns review, spot on information there. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips. 50 years ago, WSU’s football team was flying through the Dry Gulch when the plane crashed into the side of a mountain on Oct. 2, 1970. She Later married another player who was on the other plane. Strangely, after the intersection the trail becomes more visible in a short distance. The trail is an old access road that was used to reach the wreckage site. Note the parking for the trailhead and wreck are further down the road. Wichita State Plane Wreck. The wreckage of the plane has never been removed.The survivors and many family members and friends of the victims hike to the crash site annually on October 2 to remember the 1970 Wichita State football team. Epic Mystic. The end result is special and somber. Morgan Anderson. The Wichita State plane crash is often forgotten and overshadowed because of a … Epic Fremont with Dry Gulch in the distance. He has frequently visited Colorado to hike back to the crash site. About midway up, there is a cairn that seems to point to a very faint trail. Stay on this trail as it climbs through the woods. Best advice is that the actual trail to the plane wreckage is before you cross the creek where the storage area is at. First up was finding the wreckage site. Living with the Wichita State Crash Glenn Kostal. On Friday, October 2, 1970, a pair of Martin 404 twin-engine aircraft took off from Wichita, Kansas, carrying the Wichita State University (WSU) football team, coaches, and VIP supporters. Quite a steep trail in certain sections A memorial to a Wichita State University teammate killed in the plane crash Sept. 23, 2020, hangs from a piece of the 40-seat, Martin 404 twin-engine plane lying on the side of Mt. I’m so grateful for this life. on the trail we met a group from Wichita, some of whom are survivors and others from the other plane that took a route over Wyoming. The hike along an unmarked (but easy to find) trail is about a mile and the area is still densely littered with twisted metal. Distance to Mount Bethel / Snow Fences: 2.9 miles / 2,280 vertical feet. Absolutely a great piece of history to see as an aviation enthusiast. shaved about 15-25 min off drive to trailhead. As the crow flies, the debris field is less 0.2 miles from I-70. The hike along an unmarked (but easy to find) trail is about a mile and the area is still densely littered with twisted metal. The area is cleared out and at first it’s difficult to tell if you are looking at downed, gray timber or metal. We would of missed it. The four-engined DC-6 was a large, powerful aircraft that could accommodate the entire team. Two more who had survived the initial accident passed away later on due to the injuries sustained in the accident. Poles a most. Of the 40 people on board, 29 died at the scene. They plan to hike up to the wreckage next week. (John Putt) On the 2nd of October 1970, a chartered airliner carrying the Wichita State University football team took a detour to give the young players a close-up view of the Rocky Mountains. None may be as fascinating or sobering as the wreckage of the 1970 Wichita State University crash. Much of the mountain by some crazy strong cables I are from.! 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