Guernsey State Park - Happy Birthday CCC

The Civilian Conservation Corps was created on this day, March, 31, in 1933. A week later they were up and running and by May of 1934 the CCC began the building of Guernsey State Park. 

CCC Worker Statue and the CCC Museum

The first camp at Guernsey was Camp RS-1, which soon was titled Camp BR-9, the first North Platte River Project Camp in Wyoming. The camp was established on May 21, 1934, during the third of the CCCs six-month enrollment periods. 

The Castle on the North Bluff

The camp at Guernsey was a multiple joint project among the Bureau of Reclamation, The National Park Service and the Corps.

Stoney Gate and Spillway built
by the Bureau of Reclamation

When the corps came to Guernsey the dam was seven years old and had no recreational offerings.

Sitting Bull Picnic Shelter

By 1936 the Civilian Conservation Corps reached its high point employing more than 600,000 people across the United States. 

Inside the Museum

Want to read more about the Civilian Conservation Corps and the building of Guernsey State Park? Take a look at my book on Amazon here. The book is also available in many Wyoming bookstores and can be checked out at several local libraries.

The view from the CCC built Brimmer Point - atop Powell Mountain

Available as this nice looking, lay on your coffee table
book, or as an eBook

You can take a look at all of my books here

On a cool day in front of the Museum

Guernsey State Park - Waking Up From a Long Winter

Wonderful weather and much time in the park the past week.

Animals are moving about, and the first of the wildflowers are showing.

Looks like the work continues on the original Stoney Gate on the north side of the dam.

We hiked to the top of Skyline Mountain Saturday discovered this great view and took a few photos.

We have also continued our hikes in different places looking at the dry lake, both disappointing and fascinating. Disappointing because I love the look of the park when the lake is full, fascinating because most lakes are never empty and never reveal themselves.

This time of year is also interesting to see things left behind from last summer.

Unofficially it still looks like the road across the dam (Lakeshore Drive ) will be open in May when the work on the dam is complete. 

Taking a break at the North Bluff Castle - what a weekend.

A Windy Drive In The Park

We still are out and about in the park most every day but seem to be spending more time in the pickup than on the trails. The wind, day after day, is too much for us to walk much.

Still, I have been able to get some interesting photos.

Golden Eagle High in a Tree on Sandy Beach

These Photos Were Shot With Great Back Light From the Setting Sun

We spend most of our time on the west side as it is easier to get to then the east, through Hartville. We do try, each week, to go through Hartville and drive Lakeshore Drive.  The road to the dam is still blocked at the main boat ramp parking lot as work continues on the big Stoney Gate. This means that it is a turn around here and a trip back along Lakeshore Drive to Hartville, which is never a bad deal.

End of the Drive - at Least for a Few More Weeks

Photo From October as We Hiked Red Cliff Trail

Looks like there is a lot of interest in the solar eclipse coming this August. Along with the big eclipse, there were be plenty of other activities to entice tourists to come early or stay late.

Not an Eclipse but Sunsets in the Park are Often Fabulous - That's Laramie Peak in Center of shot

With the state of Wyoming’s economy, more tourist numbers will be great and needed.  

Where's the Food? 16 Mule Deer Waiting for Picnic at Lakeshore Drive Camping Area