Guernsey State Park - A Walk In The Park

Yesterday we took the Knight Mountain Trail in the park. It starts in the Upper Spotted Tail campground, leads east for a quarter mile before turning north (left) down through a creek bottom.

Walking east from Upper Spotted Tail

 

Then the fun begins, the winding trail leads up a good grade on a surprisingly well marked trail.

Up the trail we go

 

 It goes up over the top of Knight Mountain then on down into Fish Canyon. (we didn't go that far) 

About 2/3 of the way up

 

We turned around before we took the final steps up to the very top. This point in the trail affords a spectacular view of the lake, Brimmer Point and everything to the west.

Nice view from here

 

Eagle's eye view of Sitting Bull

 

Brimmer Point across the way

The top part of the trail appeared to need some actual climbing, not just our normal hiking.  Maybe we will try to go on up, and over, later this spring.

Looking east (the other way)

 

Seven in the evening and heading down (that's the Laramie Range in the west)

This is one of the original Civilian Conservation Corps trails and one those young men must have had a blast building. 

This one isn't for everyone, as it is not, just a walk in the park, but last evening a coupe of old retired seniors made it okay.

Almost forgot my weekly Dam Road update.  Here it is . . . . .

Not Yet!

 

 

 

 

Guernsey Dam - Another Dam Update

The crews are still hard at work on the dam project and here is my new dam update. Hard to tell what is going on, but appears that most of the big work is in the tunnel.

The water level is up, I believe a boat could be put in at the main boat dock.

Not sure anyone would try as there is still some ice up in the narrows and in some very shaded areas of the lake. These guys seemed to enjoy the cold water.

But spring is here and summer, if I remember my Geography, should be soon to follow.

Here is a view of the sandy Beach area taken from Wendover Road, a couple of miles away. Lake looks full from this view.

Guernsey Dam Update 3-17

All kind of rumors as to when the road over the dam will be open, latest is that it could be Memorial Day weekend.

The ice is gone

They have poured quite a bit of cement since last weekend.  I took all of these photos Sunday and, to me, it looks like they are moving along pretty fast now.  Maybe they were far enough behind they need to get it going now.

Lots of new concrete

View from the east

May have to move this before letting water through
 

Speaking of interesting rumors, also heard the dam will be filled above what it has been the past few years, even when it was full. Not sure, but there is a lot of snow pack.

Geese On Ice

Warmer weather but there is still a lot of ice on the Lake.  I took these photos last weekend. looks like the Geese don't care if they are on ice or water.

 

 

Fun to see them take off from the ice, not nearly as smooth as they are from water.

 

But I did see the old time sign of spring !

 

 

Time For A Dam Update

Made it out to take a look at the dam construction yesterday. Looks better than last time but still seems to be a ways to go. Take a look and see what you think.

Guernsey Wyoming Sunset and a Road to Nowhere

Yesterday was my birthday, so thought I would post a road to nowhere, not sure what that means but ... Love this, only in the west photo.

                                                    Taken 12 miles west of Guernsey.

 

 

And did you catch the sunset last evening-spectacular.

 Photo from, up the hill west of town.

 

Still trying to get out to the park to check on the dam construction project, weather and road have not been cooperating as of late.

Wyoming Spring

I Love Wyoming in the spring when the snow starts to melt, you never know what might show up. Maybe a, melting snow, field full of Canada Geese

 

 

 or a nice pair of Great Blue Heron in a roadside ditch.

 

I will be heading out to the park later today or early tomorrow to check progress on the dam project. I will post my findings in a couple of days.

 

 Enjoy this great Wyoming weather. On my southeast facing deck it's too hot to set for long and I love it.

I still find it funny every time I refer to the dam project!

Guernsey State Park and Happy Birthday Yellowstone

Happy Birthday to the greatest park on earth, Yellowstone, who turns 142 today, certainly doesn’t look it.  

Much of the Civilian Conservation Corps work at Guernsey State Park is a reflection of the Parkitecture movement so prevalent in Yellowstone. Parkitecture was the movement sometimes called, rustic architecture, where natural settings blend into the buildings.

Here is a recent picture of Sitting Bull Shelter at Guernsey State Park – a great example of Parkitecture.

Obviously the centerpiece of the movement in the park is the Museum. I took this photo two weeks ago. See how well nature and construction can blend?