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

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.

A Year in Photos

Today I thought that I would post a few photos, from different times of the year, in 2017. I get asked quite a few questions about my photos and tell everyone the same thing - "If you take enough, some are bound to look pretty good."

North Platte River below the Castle during the Silt Run in July

 I snapped a bit more than 12,000 photos last year, in six different states, down from 11 states the year before. 

Long Canyon

Skyline

   But, Nothing beats Guernsey State Park. We spent a lot of time in the park, hiking when we can, and at other times merely enjoying a drive. But, at no time do I visit the park without one of my cameras. This year, so far, I took photos in the park a total of 125 days.
   We also made more than a dozen trips into the Laramie Range to take photos, and five trips to Fort Laramie. Love Wyoming, it can at times, make an old picture taker like me look good.
  Enjoy!

Main Boat Dock

Parking Lot Near Main Boat Dock

Fish Canyon area

Newell Bay Trail

Brimmer Point Trail

Newell Bay

Red Cliff Trail

Along Skyline Drive

Fish Canyon

Museum Drive

Below Dam

From Long Canyon

Guernsey State Park - Fall Hiking

The years have slowed us down but not kept us down

It has been a while – too long since I posted on this site. Jan and I continue enjoying the park with one of the longest and most beautiful falls ever. All of today’s photos were taken in the past week on our outings in the park.

Through the rocks on Brimmer Point Trail

We are seeing a few people out and about in the park. Maybe others are finding some of the great walking trails.

Some heavy cross traffic near the park headquarters

Today for the first time we drove to a place to hike and there was a vehicle already parked there – we went somewhere else. I love it when others are enjoying what too often we take for granted.

Nice Mule Deer Buck

It’s a great time to get out and enjoy the park.

Loon on the Lake

In other news, I am getting close to releasing my tenth book. This one is a reflective and humorous look at turning 70, and the process of aging.

 From Our Hike on top of Fish Canyon

Christmas - Now as we get into the Christmas season my book of Christmas stories, released last year, is starting to sell quite a few copies. You can read the first of the 14 Christmas stories here, for free.  The book is available as an eBook or as a Christmas gift soft cover. Enjoy.

View from atop Round Top Mountain behind the Museum

Now get outside and enjoy the Wyoming fresh air, and along with that some great exercise. 

View of the lake and Laramie Peak from near the west boat ramp