Truck noise in Clear Creek and Boulder Canyons

Correct James - it is the un-muffled engine brakes that are so loud.

Cor, I guess I don't have a sense of adventure because I climb in Clear Creek (among other places). Not sure what that has to do with anything. The noise pollution is terrible, and there are wildlife resources there as well (lambing grounds for one) that it may impact. Muffled brakes are a requirement in several other places (canyons) I've been, so it seems a reasonable thing to pursue.

As a user group, we do have a voice. I agree it would be better if it was a united effort from all recreational user groups.

Turns out that engine brake mufflers are, in fact, required by state law, CRS 42-4-225.
So, if enough of the people reading this thread were to get in touch with the CSP about this issue, something just might happen. Better yet, walk up to any of the CSP officers hanging out in Clear Creek Canyon and remind them of this law, and ask them nicely to take some time out from ticketing speeders to ticket a few of the trucks that don't have engine brake mufflers.

lin murphy wrote:It is not clear to me that huge trucks have carte blanche to make as much noise as they want just so a few people can profit from development. thanx lin9@comcast.net

Can you elaborate on this statement? You realize that trucking is pretty much one of the major reasons you can buy things such as food and clothes right? Or that construction employees large amounts of our community thereby boosting the economy.

I just don't understand this concept of an oligarchy and noise making. Are they just building mansions?

wow....

Jets are far too loud, also. I wish they'd stop flying over my town.

FrankPS wrote:Jets are far too loud, also. I wish they'd stop flying over my town.

You mock, but jet noise comes up (& is sometimes addressed)

myrockymountainpark.com/new…

nps.gov/romo/learn/nature/n…

To the thread subject-

Animals evolved for millions of years in natural soundscapes. How does our sound affect them?

To figure that out, Fristrup and other scientists have conducted experiments. They found that if you add just a few decibels of "unnatural" sound, like a distant highway, it throws animals off-kilter.

npr.org/2016/06/29/48324164…

Wildlife species are affected by noise as well. A newly published paper reports that anthropogenic noise affects bird species differently, depending on their diet and the pitch of their songs.

Cal Poly biologist Clinton Francis found that noise was more likely to drive out birds that sing in relatively low frequencies, probably because the noise was closer in pitch to the songs. Also, birds of prey were more likely to flee, perhaps because the noise interfered with their ability to listen and hunt.

Francis said noise can have a negative effect on even plant species, by driving away the animals that play a role in dispersing seeds. "It appears as though noise pollution is causing a large-scale decline in pinyon pine seed dispersal," he said.

nbcnews.com/science/environ…

There's reasons in addition to "it's obnoxious", to work to reduce sound levels.

I think that engine brakes are used on long steep grades, which do not exist in this canyon. With the moderate grade and constant curves, trucks are on the gas pedal as much or more as they are on the brakes. So I don't think engine braking is the issue. I think the noise is due to a high number of trucks driving hard because they're employers are paid by the load of decomposed granite from Frei pit.

The casinos are owned by very big players from around the globe, and they've sneakily ensured (publicly opposed but in private they supported and promoted) that much of the taxes go to schools (think of the children!!), so I don't have much faith in being able to change the bus route to a more expensive route on I-70, but stranger things have happened. At least all the activity has brought us cell coverage to nearly every inch of the canyon (to the delight of some climbers but the dismay of others). Such is life and progresh.

I think this whole discussion is really funny.
First of all, US Highway 6, in Clear Creek Canyon, IS a major highway, look at the CDOT traffic count sometimes, it's huge.
Secondly, you already know that the traffic volume is high, and it's noisy, yet you choose to climb there anyway...and then complain about the noise. Kinda reminds me of the folks that buy houses near an airport and then complain about all the dang airplane noise.
The casino gambling has been in place since the early 1990's, with thousands of vehicle round-trips to Central City and Blackhawk every day thru CCC. If you want to make a significant noise reduction in the canyon, consider lobbying the casinos to eliminate parking in Blackhawk and requiring everyone visiting to take a bus, and then only on the Central City Parkway. Good luck with that.
Btw, it was gambling taxes that have allowed the widening and improving of US 6 thru the canyon, so, as minimal as it is at times, the parking for climbing is 30 times better than it used to be, and gambling taxes also support most of the outdoor recreation projects in the state, including that Mayhem Gulch bike trail, Centennial Cone, the new canyon bike path, etc. The casinos paid for the cell towers in the canyon.
Let's not pick on just the gamblers, consider all the tourists and skiers heading west up US 6 to spend beaucoup $$ in the state--maybe they can be asked to only use I-70! Think of all the wind noise generated by ski racks, bike racks, and rocket boxes. The horror.
The large gravel quarry at the junction of US 6 and I 70 has been there much longer than the casinos, and like the casinos, pumps millions of dollars either directly or indirectly into the economy. Maybe if you talk nicely to the owners they will ask the drivers of the big trucks to slow down to 15mph when you are climbing, so they don't have to use their engine brakes...and interfere with your recreational activities...while they're just trying to work for a living.
That troublesome noise caused by spring runoff in Clear Creek could be controlled to a manageable level, if only a dam was built somewhere upstream, so climbers wouldn't have to shout as much, and could always wade across, no matter what the season or the traffic volume. And that would cut down on the amount of noise and traffic generated by those rafting companies and all their slow moving client buses, plus all the yelling and screaming from those folks having too much fun on the rafts, how dare they interfere with climbers trying to hear over the din.

From CDOT:
codot.gov/programs/environm…

": Can anything be done about "Jake Brake" use?

A: Colorado state law now requires that any vehicle equipped with engine compression brake devices (commonly referred to as "Jake Brakes") be equipped with proper mufflers. Failure to do so will result in a $500 fine. The enforcement of this law is the responsibility of the local authorities.
(nb: I interpret this statement to indicate that the state patrol has more pressing things to do)
CDOT has not restricted the use of these devices for safety reasons. However, CDOT has assisted local entities with this issue by installing "Engine Brake Mufflers Required" signs along selected highways."

My suggestion, if the traffic noise bothers you, climb somewhere else.

Highway 6 has gone through clear creek canyon since the 1950s (according to coloradoencyclopedia.org)...which I'm guessing pre-dates most, if not all, of the climbing development in the canyon. Clear creek is a very convenient place to climb because of that road, and part of having that convenience means we give up a bit of our "wilderness experience". There are plenty of places nearby to climb that require a good solid hike to get to, thus eliminating any road noise. Even in clear creek, you can hike further to escape noise and crowds. Just some thoughts.

ErikaNW wrote:Cor, I guess I don't have a sense of adventure because I climb in Clear Creek (among other places). Not sure what that has to do with anything. The noise pollution is terrible

Everyone has their own adventure.. But what I am saying is, you are right by the road, and it bothers you. Have a sense of adventure and walk away from the road a bit to climb.

If one has quick access... one must except the other things like road noise, crowds at the crag, etc.

This thread just kind of seems like: Have your cake, and eat it too.

So, as much as some people are amazed that climbers might care about noise in the canyon, I'm kind of amazed there are climbers who don't!

The trucks are using jake brakes (engine braking) in the canyon - there are a couple of stretches where it's really bad (near Little Eiger for one). There is a real difference between the trucks with mufflers and those without.

The OP specifically referred to braking noise when she started this thread - not general traffic noise or volume. I don't think anyone is saying they expect a pristine wilderness experience in CCC, but it is a great place to grab a few pitches before/after work during the week - and it sucks when you leave the crag with a headache from the braking noise.

I also don't hear anyone saying we don't appreciate having goods, services that we receive via the trucking industry or recognize the tax benefits that have resulted from gambling or the quarry.

It's interesting that mufflers are required - I actually didn't know that. I thought the places where I've seen the signs had special ordinances - so it appears it's just not enforced in the canyon. Again, I see this as a place the LCO could get involved (if they choose to do so) - perhaps bring it up with CDOT - see if some signs could be installed?

Are you guys really in favor of truck noise?

Or is this just some kind of subtle humble-spray about how much more adventurous you are?

The noise is obnoxious to everyone- climbers, fishermen, cyclists, birds, deer, skunks, everyone!

What is wrong with asking for the trucks to comply with state law?

Although tbh, I think the effort would be more successful if the families/tourists using the new bike path start complaining.

Is it truly burdensome to use brake mufflers? I mean, why aren't they just doing it anyway to comply with the law?

Edited to add- Erika, you beat me to it!

Go climbing next to a highway.

Complain about highway noise.

Yep, sounds like the good old Front Range...

Do you really want those trucks bombing downhill without engine braking?
(no, you don't)

Is it really about development?
(no, a lot of people already live in the mountains)

Maybe you should climb someplace that is not immediately next to a highway.
Truck noise never bothered me in Boulder Canyon or CCC.

The state law was news to me, too. Apparently a number of states have similar laws. CDOT has apparently decided to let local authorities enforce the law, which would seem to be the JeffCo Sheriff's Office or the CSP, both of whom are pretty visible in Clear Creek Canyon. I sent e-mails to both agencies through their websites, listing the different user groups that are impacted by the noise and asking them to enforce the requirement for engine brake mufflers. Maybe a few more of us need to do the same.

Mark Dixon, your post expressed my sentiments completely. And no, using engine brake mufflers is no more burdensome than using the muffler on your car. It comes with the vehicle, and you have it fixed when (if) it wears out.

First it's road noise, then its all the people....what else do we have to complain about for climbing at a crag right by the road?

I don't like how the hammer drill sounds like a jake break going off. I hear it, and get all excited thinking that a new route is going in!! Yes!!
Only to be disappointed when I then see the truck roll by… Sigh, I will have to climb the same route again.

And yes, I do care. I just find this whole thread funny.

TBlom wrote: Truck noise never bothered me in Boulder Canyon or CCC.

When was the last time you climbed there?

My impression is that it has gotten much worse the last couple of years.

I don't even notice the casino busses, but the trucks seem more numerous and a lot louder.

CSP just returned a phone call that I made to them this morning about this issue. The officer I spoke to did not know about the engine brake muffler requirement until I told him. He did, however, say that CSP set up mobile scales at the bottom of the canyon, in addition to maintaining the heavy presence we've all seen inside the canyon. He did say that he would pass on my complaint to the officers working in the canyon, and ask them to watch/listen for violations. Maybe a few more MPer's could get in touch with CSP and/or JeffCo sheriff's Office about this?

Mark - that's great! Would you mind passing along any relevant phone numbers/contacts, or should I also send an email through the website? Thanks for being proactive. Maybe nothing will come of it, but at least they are being made aware of the issue.

Lin - thanks for starting this thread!

I did e-mails through the websites for JeffCo Sheriff, CDOT, and CSP. You can also call CSP Motor Carrier Safety at (303) 273-1875. I would have the stature number (CRS 42-4-225) ready in case whoever you talk to doesn't know the exact law. The engine brake muffler requirement is an amendment to the original statute, and the officer I talked to had no idea that it existed.