Horsetooth Dive Report

[Dethska]

Hello all,

I've been watching this forum for awhile but haven't had much to add, not being certified and all.

But, this past weekend I did my open water checkout at Horsetooth Res. at Sunrise Beach (east shore, towards north end). So I figured I'd write a little bit about the water.

I dove Saturday and Sunday mornings (7/9-7/10) with a class of about 12 people with 2 instructors, 3 divecons, and 3 divecons in training.

Close to shore the vis was 0!!! Very muddy from all the people getting in and out. Out about 20 yards, it got a bit better depending on wave action and time of day. Vis was around 3ft. down to about 20 ft depth (that's all the deeper we went).

Water wasn't too cold (w/ 7mil wetsuit), although I heard some of the students complain about the cold. I heard someone mention 65 degrees but I could be wrong. There was an intense thermocline at about 20ft. Right at the platform. Got pretty dang cold below that.

After we got certified, they brought us in to about 10 yards from shore and let us go to the bottom about 15 feet down. I saw lots of mud, before someone hit the bottom with a fin and then I saw nothing but brown silt.

I heard some of the divecons that set the platform saw a trout and lots of crawdads.

I'm very excited to be certified, and can't wait to go diving in some clear water where I can see something. But, I think the murk was a good experience. Now I'll really appreciate my trip to Hawaii in August.


So I just wanted to say hi to all the RM Oysters here!

 

[Divedoggie]

Hi,
I am moving up to Ft Collins in August, and was wondering about Horsetooth. Maybe it would be better without an entire class, but... I think that I will book a flight to Coz.
Thanks for the report!
Congrats on your cert!!!
Dd

 

[WiseDiver]

Hi,
I am moving up to Ft Collins in August, and was wondering about Horsetooth. Maybe it would be better without an entire class, but... I think that I will book a flight to Coz.
Thanks for the report!
Congrats on your cert!!!
Dd

Thats about typical for Horsetooth. I've done 50+ dives there over the years, sometimes it was better to close your eyes during the dive so you would quit looking for vis.

 

[RonFrank]

Dethska,

We have been diving Aurora Res almost weekly. The vis ranges from zero to 20 feet in places depending on who's been in, and the grace (or lack there of) of their finning and buoyancy.

It's been fun, and we will likely continue to dive Aurora, or other local area's throughout the summer.

My next trip locally I think is going to be Jefferson Lake. I hear rumors of 30-50 vis!! However I'm guessing the water is going to be cold.

In any event, we have an informal group of regular divers... The Oysters!! Mainly myself, DanDavis, Demitri, Ray (BottomDweller). I'd add Greg, but he seems to be busier than a one legged man in an ***** Kicking Contest :11:

In any event, I generally post a couple days out if we are getting together, what day, time, and how many dives. You are welcome to join us, however you need to have all your STUFF!! Dibbs on Rays extra tanks!

We will likely try and do another RockyMtnOysters BBQ at Aurora or maybe even Wellington depending upon Dan's report and peoples willingness to driver there in Aug.

I'm in FL for three weeks leaving on July 20th so I won't be around for a bit... But DanDavis LOVES to dive, even the mudholes!!

 

[Dethska]

Dethska,

We have been diving Aurora Res almost weekly. The vis ranges from zero to 20 feet in places depending on who's been in, and the grace (or lack there of) of their finning and buoyancy.

It's been fun, and we will likely continue to dive Aurora, or other local area's throughout the summer.

My next trip locally I think is going to be Jefferson Lake. I hear rumors of 30-50 vis!! However I'm guessing the water is going to be cold.

In any event, we have an informal group of regular divers... The Oysters!! Mainly myself, DanDavis, Demitri, Ray (BottomDweller). I'd add Greg, but he seems to be busier than a one legged man in an ***** Kicking Contest :11:

In any event, I generally post a couple days out if we are getting together, what day, time, and how many dives. You are welcome to join us, however you need to have all your STUFF!! Dibbs on Rays extra tanks!

We will likely try and do another RockyMtnOysters BBQ at Aurora or maybe even Wellington depending upon Dan's report and peoples willingness to driver there in Aug.

I'm in FL for three weeks leaving on July 20th so I won't be around for a bit... But DanDavis LOVES to dive, even the mudholes!!

Thanks for the welcome, Ron. My plate's pretty full for the rest of summer, and there is no way I'm diving in the mudholes when the water gets any colder. :11:

I'm hoping that by next summer I'll have enough dives to feel more comfortable in the murk. And also, maybe I'll be able to get some of my own stuff. Right now I have to rent EVERYTHING, which sucks, cause rental stuff is rental stuff.

But, I'll keep watching this board. I would love to see the plane at Aurora. And I would love to find some trout to swim with. Maybe if I can see them in their environment, they would be easier to catch (and release )

 

[scottykrug]

Sorry about the thread creep, but I stumbled onto this site and it raised a question of mine. I fly in and out of Denver Intl on a daily basis and always look for the airplane in Aurora res. I never see anything, but have been told it is there. Obviously, you all have seen it. Where is it? How big is it? What type of plane is it? Please, settle one of my nagging myths!!! When I go over the lake, I have only a few seconds to look, it would be nice to have an educated guess where I should be staring.

Thank you.

Scooter

 

[ddavies]

Sorry about the thread creep, but I stumbled onto this site and it raised a question of mine. I fly in and out of Denver Intl on a daily basis and always look for the airplane in Aurora res. I never see anything, but have been told it is there. Obviously, you all have seen it. Where is it? How big is it? What type of plane is it? Please, settle one of my nagging myths!!! When I go over the lake, I have only a few seconds to look, it would be nice to have an educated guess where I should be staring.

Thank you.

Scooter

Are you trying to spot the lake/plane from the Air? Please tell me you are trying this from a small plane and not a commercial jet.

I doubt you could spot the plane from the air. I have trouble seeing it from only a few feet away :shakehead
The scuba area is just south of the dam, on the north east part of the lake. There is a marker buoy above the plane.

Good Luck!!

 

[RonFrank]

Sorry about the thread creep, but I stumbled onto this site and it raised a question of mine. I fly in and out of Denver Intl on a daily basis and always look for the airplane in Aurora res. I never see anything, but have been told it is there. Obviously, you all have seen it. Where is it? How big is it? What type of plane is it? Please, settle one of my nagging myths!!! When I go over the lake, I have only a few seconds to look, it would be nice to have an educated guess where I should be staring.

Thank you.

Scooter

REALLY old thread, so it maybe better next time to start a new topic if you have a question.

Aurora VIS has been *reported* to be 25'. I've certainly never seen 25' vis there, and 10' is uncommon with 5' more likely. The plane sits in about 35' of water, so spotting it from a plane is very unlikely, if not impossible.

If you want to see da'plane feel free to join SB members for a dive! It's a Cessna I believe.

 

[scottykrug]

REALLY old thread, so it maybe better next time to start a new topic if you have a question

Thought of that after I posted- will do that next time. Might have go pay it a visit. I have no equipment save a mask and a wetsuit, but I have a buddy that has two full setups. May have to give him a call. Thank you for the reply.

Scott

 

[scottykrug]

Other pilots have reported seeing it from the air, when we pass over the lake, we are around 1500-2000' high. I have seen the marker from the air and assumed that was where it was. Will let you know if I do see somthing.