A Come Back

 I am going to make a comeback with this blog. I gave it up a couple of years ago thinking that it was not getting enough readers. Right now I am thinking about a once or twice a month post. 

Love this great park. 

Guernsey State Park - Davis Bay Trail

Along the Davis Bay to Brimmer Point Trail.

A few days ago we hiked the east Davis Bay Trail to the Bridge on Brimmer Point Trail. The two Davis Bay Trails start up the hill south of the Parking/camping road loop in Davis Bay.

Davis Bay

 This is a nice, well-marked, hike of only about a mile and a half. It is a one-way trail, (my term for a trail we walk, turn around, and walk back).

This trail can be looped at a little more than double the distance by walking the Brimmer road, where we turned around, up the mountain road west, and then following the west Davis Bay Trail back to the parking area. If anyone wants to try this loop, I would suggest that both the Davis Bay trails be one-wayed first as the west trail is not marked where it crosses the road. Don’t worry, it is picturesque and fun to hike both ways. 

The west trail is longer and a bit more strenuous than the east, but a terrific example of how the Civilian Conservation Corps laid out and built trails.

Not sure where Jan and I will hike this week, we are debating doing a trail or one of the old CCC roads.

This is one of the best times of the year to get out and enjoy the park.

Hiking – Suitable for all who are interested in feeling better physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Also likely better than Aspirin or Tylenol for what ails you.

The CCC loved building trails with terrific views.

For those who have asked, Thanks! Here is the link to my book about Guernsey State Park. It can also be purchased locally at Register Cliff Pharmacy, the Park Museum, and in other places around the area. 

Enjoy the rest of the week! 

Hiking Red Cliff Trail - Guernsey State Park

Last week was too hot to get in much hiking, but we did get out twice. The Red Cliff Trail, the first built by CCC Camp-9 is well shaded, and an excellent choice for too hot days. This is a trail we have walked more than any other in the park and often the only trail many people have walked in Guernsey State Park. No matter how many times we walk this terrific CCC path, it never fails to be an enjoyable hour, or a bit more.

The trail starts here - 50 yards northwest of the huge Spillway gate

This trail has the longest run of stairs of any in the park, from the top, overlooking the spillway (running fast) and the huge Stony Gate there are 77 steps, a few inclines, and not much flat trail, to the bottom. Sounds tough, but it isn’t.

If an old duffer like me can make it, just about anyone can!

The trail is well marked, and the steps are an excellent example of Civilian Conservation Corps work in the 1930s. Red Cliff Trail winds from the bottom back up to an outstanding view of the area below the dam and the North Platte River winding toward Guernsey. 

The original trail ended, up on top, at CCC Camp-9, but hikers can catch a branch of the path going, North, Northeast, that connects to the golf course road to loop back.  

View from the trail

A Hike in Guernsey State Park

Today's photos are from Brimmer Point trail, which starts just west of the parking lot on the point, winds around and down to the CCC walk bridge below Powell Mountain, and then returns to the top.

View from Brimmer Point

 Wonderfully laid out Civilian Conservation Corps built trail with some great views. This year's wet spring left the trail a bit overgrown in spots, but it is hikeable (not sure that is a real word, but I am on a roll and too lazy to look it up), for this pair of septuagenarians. The trail measures about a mile and a half and took us a bit over an hour with multiple stops for rest, photos, a quick drink (water) or to simply scan the surroundings and watch nature in action.

Sage Wren along the way

        After some health setbacks and quite a bit of procrastination, we are back hiking in the park. I must admit my wife has been better about getting in her steps than I have. After more than a year of doing not much writing, not much hiking, and not taking many photos I'm giving it another try. I will post as we explore the park.

Walking through the iconic Pass-Through Rock on the trail

        Want to find out more about Guernsey State Park? Here is the link to my book on Amazon, available as an eBook or in softcover. I am partial to the softcover as it cannot move photos around like the eBook.  The book is also available, signed, from many local, and around the state, booksellers.

View along the way

Winter in the Park

Bald Eagle Relaxing on the Ice

I have not done much with this blog since the readership started to dry up two years ago. I am still around and still spending much time, maybe too much in the park. Thought I would share some of my photos from last week in Guernsey State Park.

From Mae West Hill

Twisted Cedar at Spotted Tail Campground

Frozen Lake from Sitting Bull Shelter

Newell Bay

Guernsey State Park and Happy Independence Day

Happy Independence Day to all. Please have a safe day with family and friends. We plan to watch the local parade then drive to Fort Laramie to take in some of their old-fashioned 4th of July events. Later a traditional cookout on the propane grill, just like our founding fathers. We may take a sunset drive up to the Castle on the North Bluff, to see how full the park is, then home, sit outside, and watch fireworks, not ours, just whatever happens to fill the sky.

Note -  Guernsey Lake will be drawing down after today, and soon will be unusable for boats, looks like this years annual silt-run will only last a couple of weeks, with the lake full again the last week of July.

Enjoy the day and all of our great American freedoms.

June in Guernsey State Park

   

It has been a spell - my last post here was in March. But that does not mean we have not been active in the park. We are still walking, and hiking, as long as the temperatures behave themselves - when they do not, we go for evening drives in the park. 

June in the Park - Thought I would post a few photos of the park, all taken this June. 

If you have not been in the park for a while now is a great time of year to check it out. Too often people forget that the park was also built for enjoying from your vehicle.

Lakeshore Drive, from the Dam to Hartville, and Skyline Drive, up to the North Bluff and back, are a great way to spend some non-stressful time in the park.

Reminder - My book on the park is still available and seems to be picking up steam as summer is here - take a look here - on Amazon. - The Civilian Conservation Corps and the building of Guernsey State Park 

Not sure I mentioned my newest book on this site - all about getting a bit older - On Turning 70, click the link and take a look.

Get out and enjoy the park and all of Wyoming's terrific state park's and historical sites.