W
NW
N
N
NE
W
the Degree Confluence Project
E
SW
S
S
SE
E

United States : Colorado

4.4 miles (7.0 km) SE of Erie (Weld), Broomfield, CO, USA
Approx. altitude: 1589 m (5213 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap topo aerial ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 40°S 75°E

Accuracy: 6 m (19 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: View to the east #3: View to the south #4: View to the west #5: The confluence is near the center of the picture #6: View of GPS screen #7: The Colorado Front Range, looking west from a hilltop, 1.1 km west of the confluence

  { Main | Search | Countries | Information | Member Page | Random }

  40°N 105°W (visit #11)  

#1: View to the north

(visited by Eric Altshuler)

26-Sep-2005 -- While I was in Boulder attending a workshop at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, I visited this easily accessible confluence, which is about 15 miles due east of Boulder (the 40th parallel runs through the middle of the city). The confluence is located in a field, about 40 meters south of Colorado Route 7 (Baseline Road, which follows the 40th parallel almost exactly), 100 meters west of the intersection with County Route 7, and 250 meters west of Huron Street.

The field in which the confluence lies is almost completely enclosed by a fence, but there is a fortuitous opening in the fence just a stone's throw from the confluence. There is also a "No Trespassing" sign on the fence near the opening, but since this appeared to be commercial property, with no houses anywhere nearby, I had no qualms about stepping inside the fence. (Of course, it is not even necessary to leave the roadside to get within 100 meters of the confluence, but I wanted to stand directly on it.)

In recent years, the area between Denver and Boulder has experienced rapid development, and the presence of a large billboard for Anthem Colorado (a housing development currently under construction), in the same field as the confluence, suggests that 40N105W may soon be in the middle of someone's lawn or driveway.

Although there is a partial view of the Colorado Front Range looking west from the confluence, there is a more impressive view from the top of the hill about 1.1 km to the west. Unfortunately, despite the perfect weather, there was enough haze to make the view of the Front Range rather murky.

While I was on this trip, I thought about trying to visit 40N106W, in Grand County west of the Continental Divide, but I concluded that, given its remoteness and the rugged nature of the surrounding topography, it would be too difficult to attempt safely without an experienced hiker to accompany me.


 All pictures
#1: View to the north
#2: View to the east
#3: View to the south
#4: View to the west
#5: The confluence is near the center of the picture
#6: View of GPS screen
#7: The Colorado Front Range, looking west from a hilltop, 1.1 km west of the confluence
ALL: All pictures on one page