Just a heads up. Tried to hike the Chicago Lakes Trail today and the tree damage from high winds was so bad that you lost sight of the trail about a mile into the trail. We turned around when we saw 8-10 very large pine trees in succession blocking the trail before the first switchback. Right now it is highly dangerous to take the trail due to all the downed trees that have blocked the trail and that are being held up by other trees. I would say at least 30% of the trees have been blown over in the area. These are very large trees, 30-50 years old. They were snapped like toothpicks in some areas, with most of them being blown over at the roots. It looks like winds of over 100 mph have hit the area back when we had those high winds early this year. It reminded me of EF-2 tornado damage. USFS has not yet tried to clear it and will have a heck of a time getting this trail cleared within the next month.

Same thing with Redskin Creek Trail. Looks like a microburst whipped in the area. One of the trees is hanging precariously over the trail...Heads Up!

Bdog and I went hiking down 543 last week and when you approach the flood area, there is a tree making creaking sounds as it sways back and forth in the wind. These trees are tall and it's really eerie sounding. Never heard a tree do that before. Kind of wants to make you walk by it at a quicker pace.

sounds like a widow maker

Same story for the Silver Dollar Lake trail from Naylor Lake Rd off of Guanella Pass.
The wide 2wd Naylor Lake Rd is impassible by many large downed trees, farther up the road it is completly covered for 70+ feet. This wind storm happened last fall. What a scene! Natures own fire mitigation at work.