Sprague Lake

October 2, 2009

Our Fall Trip to RMNP began with the traditional "altitude acclimation"  hike around Sprague Lake which was created when Abner Sprague dammed up a stream to create a trout pond for the guests at his lodge.  The lodge stood

approximately where the Sprague Lake parking lot is now and was operated from 1910 - 1940.  The Lake is still an excellent source of trout and is often fished by groups led by our Sasquatch Fly Fishing Guides.  Hikers can usually get really good views of the beautiful fish from the bridge that leads to the path around Sprague Lake. 

Certainly the breath taking views of the Continental Divide from Sprague Lake did not go unappreciated by Abner Sprague and his guests!  And I obviously never tire of photographing it.  These are some of our clan's favorite summits:  Otis, Hallett, and Flattop.

Thankfully, RMNP even provides benches for us to view the Continental Divide.

Two things, besides fewer pine trees, were notably different from our 2008 Fall Hike around Sprague Lake. There were no beautiful yellow Aspen leaves because they had already fallen, but to take their place was pristine white ice beginning to form around the edges of the Lake. 

 

No!  I didn't mention the pine trees and their beetles because I don't try not to complain about God's Plan.  Besides, when we do get to Sprague Lake while the Aspen leaves are yellow and still on the trees, there'll likely be a lot more Aspens (replacing the Pines) to enjoy!  For more views of the gorgeous scenery surrounding Sprague Lake, see the 2008 slide show entitled, "A Walk in September - around Sprague Lake".  It's near the bottom of the right side of this blog.

Shadow Mountain Fire Lookout - RMNP

SHADOW MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT

National Registry of Historic Places

Rocky Mountain National Park

Elevation: 9923

Status: Standing

Year built: 1933

Structure type: Three-story, square plan, stone and frame building

Shadow Mountain Lookout is the only remaining fire detection tower in Rocky Mountain National Park. Last staffed in the 1968 season, it was rehabilitated in 1982 and again in 1994-96. This building represents the type of rustic design advocated by Park Service administrators and designers.

The Shadow Mountain Lookout Trail begins just outside Grand Lake, CO on the western side of RMNP.   It is a 4.8 mile hike (one way) of moderate difficulty with a 1533' gain to the Lookout which is near the summit of Shadow Mountain.  The 360 degree view from the third story of the Lookout is gorgeous and makes the approximately 4 hour round trip hike worth every step!

Who Knew? Golfing in Moraine Park?!

Richard Hahn posted this entry in Rocky Mountain National Park Forums on July 10, 2009. The Forums are a huge wealth of information about RMNP.

No one has golfed in Moraine Park for 46 years, but the outline of the old nine-hole course stood out, weeds against native grass.  Last fall, park crews began lowering the abandoned greens and trees to their natural grade as part of a plan to restore native wetlands and grasses.  Today, park crews continued their restoration process by placing native grass plants in the restored soils at the natural grade.  This was a very good thing to see.  Thanks park crews for your good work.

Incidentally, Richard Hahn is an awesome photographer and has a gallery in Estes Park.  Several of his photographs are on my "must have" list.