Lakeshore Drive - Guernsey State Park

It seems like we have been out of town more than we have been in town the past few weeks. Last night we took a leisurely drive, yep, drive. We were too tired to walk a trail so decided instead to drive the lakes famous, Lakeshore Drive. 

Cruising Lakeshore Drive

A few weeks ago I had someone ask me why they would name a road in a Wyoming State Park after the very famous Lake Shore Drive that borders Lake Michigan in Chicago. Well, here is the scoop, or answer.

CCC Built Bridge Near Fish Canyon - One of two CCC Bridges on Lakeshore Drive

Tough to Beat Landscape Work by Mother Nature

Guernsey State Park’s Lakeshore (one word) Drive, is a decade older than Lake Shore (two words) Drive of Chicago fame. The winding, path, along Guernsey Lake’s east side was named Lakeshore on the first maps used to build the road by the CCC in the middle 1930s. It is a simple name as is Skyline Drive on the west side, but both are more than fitting. 

The Drive is Never Far From the Water

A Pair of Mergansers on the Water

There are other roads that border lakes for a bit, but it is hard to find one that hugs the lake like the Civilian Conservation Corps, built Lakeshore Drive. As a matter of fact, I cannot think of a single one.

A Look At Lakeshore Drive From the Castle

Lot's of Wildflowers in the Park

And a few more scenes from last night’s drive, and to think, I didn’t even get out of the pickup.  Hike tomorrow, I can feel it. 

Killdeer,  I Think

Love the Bluebirds in the Park

Memorial Day Weekend is coming soon, get out and enjoy one of Wyoming's Terrific State Parks. Oh and to end this post a spectacular Lakeshore Drive Sunset. Not last evening but there are many of these along Lakeshore Drive. 

Taken From the Narrows

Mountain Mahogany in the Park

Along with writing and photography, I am proud to be a Certified Wyoming Master Gardner. I take many photos of wildflowers in the park and most of them I have to look up to see what they are. Even if an identification of species is not my strength, I do enjoy trying to figure out which plant is which.

One that is a favorite of mine in the park, especially now, when it is flowering is Cercocarpus, better known in the west as Mountain Mahogany. It is stunning when in flower, and is a member of the rose family. They are a true western plant growing up and down the Rocky Mountain area in semi-arid habitats and usually at altitudes above 4,000 feet. 

A Most Interesting Bloom

In the park, the plant is most easily found below the dam near the powerplant spillway and near the Museum on Evergreen Glade Trail. 

Cercocarpus - Mountain Mahogany

Sitting Bull Shelter & Lakeshore Drive

It is possible the Civilian Conservation Corps built shelters in Guernsey State Park may be some of the most photographed picnic shelters in America. Sitting Bull shelter is the most elaborate of the east side picnic shelters, built with a   huge fireplace, stone benches and great views it is the highlight of Lakeshore Drive shelters. 

The Wonderful Sitting Bull Shelter

 Sitting Bull has long been one of the most popular day-use picnic areas in the park.  This description is from my book, The Civilian Conservation Corps & the Building of Guernsey State Park – With Folktales and Stories of the Park.

Picnic with the CCC

With picnic time at hand, this is a most peaceful place to spend an hour of two. It is a day use area (no camping) and weekdays there is not much competition to use the shelter. Weekends it would be a good idea to get there early, well before lunch time. I cannot think of a better place, anywhere, to roast a hot dog and a few marshmallows.

Now That's a Roasting Place

Once Again

One last comment and I have made it here, on this blog, before. It is Lakeshore Drive. The houses on the drive after leaving the park are addressed as Lake Side Drive or Road. Too bad, as this was most likely a mistake made, that has stuck. That means that Lakeshore Drive turns into Lake Side Drive after leaving the park and the lake. Oh well, that does make for an interesting story, even some of the state materials about the park list it as Lake Side. Google Maps also call it Lake Side, they should have called me first. (just kidding)

It's All About the View

All early CCC maps and documents list the east side road as Lakeshore, one word. I like it, like Chicago, we have our very own Lakeshore Drive, only ours, has mountains and animals, and a few great picnic, and camp sites. 

Oh, and What About the Sunsets? Looking South-West from the Shelter

Lakeshore Drive on a Snowy Day

Mule Deer in Today's Snow

What a day in the park. I was disappointed that my talk and walk in the park, for the local community education, was canceled, but with the inclement weather it was a very good decision.

Osprey Looking for Dinner in the Lake

Rain & Snow

We had snow much of the morning and early afternoon and a misty rain when the snow let up. In the past ten days, we have had 3.6 inches of moisture. Terrific for everything, hope it keeps on coming. Just so it lets up in a couple of weeks so I can start my garden, then starts again.

The North Spillway is Open and the Water is Running

The big question is? What to do on a snowy and wet spring day. How about a trip to Guernsey State Park? We didn’t spend much time outside my pickup but did enjoy a ride along Lakeshore Drive and back into Long Canyon.

The Obscured Mountain in the Background is Powell Mountain

Wildlife in the Park

At times, bad weather brings out the wildlife, and today was one of those days. We saw a large variety of birds, a few deer and lots of snow. All and all it was a very pleasant couple of hours in the park.

The Bluebirds Look Great Even in the Snow

If you have not been to the lake yet this spring, the water level is up, way up. Reminds me of the lake after the work on the dam in 2012-13. Overfull but looks great.

The Boat Ramp at Long Canyon is Under Water - Still Usable Though

No better way to relieve stress or in our case, home-boundness, (I may have made up that word, but I like it) self-imposed today.

Geese in Heavy Snow - but it Didn't Last Long

A Talk & Walk In The Park

A Walk in the Park

Saturday morning at 9 AM, I will be talking and hiking with a group in the park. The event was arraigned by Gale Heimbuck at Guernsey Adult Ed, and there is still time to sign up, just call Gale at the school.

We will start at the parks incredible CCC Museum, it opens officially on May 1, so I guess we will be kicking off the year a day early. I will give a presentation on my book, The CivilianConservation Corps and the Building of Guernsey State Park – With Folktales andStories of the Park, and entertain questions about the park.

Sit and Relax - Enjoy Nature near the Museum

After the forty minutes, to an hour, in the Museum we will be going on a short hike. The hike will catch the Red Cliff Loop Trail at the Museum, wander over to the old CCC golf course road, walk the Museum road to the Evergreen Glade Trail and follow it back to the Museum. If there is interest, we will also have a shorter trail for those who want less than the 35-40 minute planned hike.

Tried It Out Today

Never needing much of an excuse, actually none at all, we walked the trail today.

Take time as you hike, and discover a long ago CCC Treasure but,
Remember to leave all artifacts lie.
They are an important part of park history and protected by law.

It started out a gorgeous day with temperatures in the mid-60s and only the slightest of breezes. Halfway through the cloud cover showed up, and the breeze picked up, still a pleasant day to walk in the park.

Like all Trails in the Park - Great Views Abound

Time to Spend Time in the Park

The lake is full, overfull a little, wildflowers are coming, and everything is greening up. This is always my favorite time of year. Guernsey State Park is a beautiful place to walk or hike. If you have not used the extensive hiking trail system in this park, give it a try. What a spectacular way to lose the troubles of the world for a few minutes or a few hours.

Wildflower Season is off to a Great Start

We Can Build it Better Than You Can

Creating the Civilian Conservation Corps

When Franklin Roosevelt pushed through the New Deal legislation that created the Civilian Conservation Corps, no one knew what would become of it. Other than to plant trees and help conserve some of America’s natural resources, the direction it was to take was made up as they went along. It worked, it worked well.

One method used by camps to get the men to take pride in the job and their work was to create competitions. When the men were building Guernsey State Park, there were two camps, making competition between them natural. Camp Br-9 on the east side started first and was followed by Camp BR-10 on the west side.

A Museum and a Castle

Camp-9 built the Museum, the centerpiece of the park and one of the finest examples of CCC work in the country. Not to be outdone the men on the west side wanted something to rival the Museum, they built the North Bluff Castle that is often referred to as the most spectacular picnic shelter in America.

Looking Into the South Wing of the Museum

When the men of Camp-9 started to build Sitting Bull shelter with its incredible lake view

Looking South from Sitting Bull Shelter

 the Camp-10 workers began building the massive stone restroom, near the Castle that would be soon tagged, the Million Dollar Biffy.

The North Bluff Castle

The Million Dollar Biffy

Parkitecture

Using massive stone and huge timber construction, the CCC started what soon would be called, Parkitecture, easily recognized today as work of the fine men of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

One of the Terrific Spots to View the Park from the Castle

I will be talking more about Parkitecture in a future post – stay tuned.

In Places, the CCC Left a Few Reminders of Their Time Here

Guernsey State Park on a Cool Day

The lake is full, maybe overfull it looks great, but also looks cold.

White Caps on the Lake

Looking west from the lower parking lot at the Museum

With a storm front moving in it was a cloudy and windy day in the park. Hoped to see some animals about but think the wind kept them tucked away.

Looking South from just above Dead Man's Cove

Looks like the pair of ospreys have moved back to the nest near the park. That has to be a sign of impending warm weather. I hope.

The huge raptors eat mostly fish but we watched this one grab a small rodent

Not sure why some cloudy day  make for better photos than bright sunny days. Might be that the added layer of texture gives more of a feeling of being there.

The North Bluff Castle - Cloudy day photo from Long Canyon Boat Ramp