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

Guernsey State Park - North Bluff Trail

It was a bit on the cool side when we hiked in the park early this afternoon. Our choice of a trail today started at the Castle as we hiked the North Bluff Trail. With the temperature around 30, we moved pretty fast, for us, the first part of the trail. This hike took just under an hour and a half with the temperature rising to 37, but the wind was coming up by the time we finished.

The Castle looking from the west

This trail has a nice turnaround allowing hikers to go away from the Castle on the lower trail along the river/lake and return through the bluffs on the upper trail. 

Nice view of Laramie Peak along the trail

It could be hiked in less than half the time we do it, but we often spend time looking around, resting and taking photos along the way. I use my camera as an excuse to rest, “Wait a minute, I want to take a few shots of the peak, or deer, turkey, rocks, trees, anything to catch my breath.”  

Less than a quarter of a mile along the trail

This trail follows the high ridge above the lake going west then turns south with the lake about a half mile into the hike. Like most trails in the park, this one offers spectacular views and normally some wildlife along the way. We watched a pair of Bald Eagles and scared up four deer along the way.

Dress warm and give it a try, fresh air and exercise are good for everyone.  

Great Christmas Gift - Read all about the Civilian Conservation Corps

 and the building of Guernsey State Park. Click the link and look at a free sample. 

Lakeshore Drive Looking Good

Work is going well in the park. Lakeshore Drive was open today and I drove to Black Canyon Cove and back. Looks like two major areas of concern, the crumbling road on a very dangerous curve

Great looking fix on this crumbling curve

and a bad culvert.

Nicely rebuilt complete with rock work the men of the CCC would love this fix

I stayed until just before dark waiting for the sunset, it wasn’t spectacular but was pretty nice.

When the moon started peeking through the trees I knew it was time to head for home.

 My newest novel, Commitment, is now available as a book or eBook

Take a look here

http://www.amazon.com/Commitment-Holmes-Western-Mystery-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00ZJ6VKLS/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Commitment is a historical mystery/western, set in and around Fort Laramie and south to Laramie City and Cheyenne. Good old fashioned story, with a bit of mystery, romance, bad guys and one very special good guy – great fun.

And of course, my book on the Building of Guernsey State Park can be found almost anywhere on line and at many local sellers.

Get it here from Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-civilian-conservation-corps-the-building-of-guernsey-state-park-neil-a-waring/1122073800?ean=9780692394885

Or get it here from Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Civilian-Conservation-Corps-Building-Guernsey/dp/0692394885/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Hey, talk about the perfect Christmas gift for everyone that loves the park.

Black Canyon

Saturday we spent some time in and around Black Canyon Cove and the Black Canyon Trail which is across Lakeshore Drive just east of the cove. I never fail to find something new, even after being in some of these areas dozens of times. The sun was warm and it was a beautiful morning. We didn't walk too much, my wife's step counter said a bit over 3,000 steps.

This is a great time of the year to experience the park, not too hot, not a lot of people and a good chance to get out and do something.

Hollow rock

View from the cove

Taken from up on top east of Black Canyon Cove - I like this one

Red twine on the shoreline

The trail less taken - the start of Black Canyon Trail

With much of the smoke cleared away the Peak once again looks spectacular

Forested area on the trail

Died of old age?

Cottonwoods are starting to show fall colors

Still some nice color in the park

Playing fetch - Yellow Lab with a giant stick

The Cove at Black Canyon - Relaxing
This is also the area I am using for my blog photo at the top of this page

From the Top of the Mountain

What a hike! Hard work with some rugged terrain but it was worth it. Five hikers and one dog made it to the top of Guernsey State Park’s Knight Mountain.

View from the top through the Knight Mountain Keyhole

Knight Mountain is the second highest point, after Brimmer Point, in the park.

Brimmer Point seems to be lower than Knight Mountain in this view atop the Mountain

In our hike rating system (a system that is based on nothing other than how tired we are when finished) we gave this one a four for difficulty out of five. Most of the trails in the park are in the two or three range. This is very likely the most difficult trail built in the park by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

The trail down through this deep cut in the rock

This one doesn’t get much activity anymore but it is well worth the two hours plus it takes to get to the top and back. The trailhead is located in the northeast corner of Upper Spotted Tail Campground.

RR and Highway Bridge View

Looks like the silt run has been delayed a few days. Lake should be full again on August 5^th. As of today, there are still quite a few boats on the lake and it appears to be pretty full.

The peak from our view on Knight Mountain

Skyline Drive in Guernsey State Park

Great trip to the park today. We saw more cars in two hours than the total we have seen in the park over the past few weeks. People walking makes me dream of spring. I know its too early yet, but nice day to dream of warm weather to come. For those of you too far away,  here in photos is our Skyline Drive trip today.

Fire Reflection on Ice

Evening Haze Settles over Laramie Peak

The Ice is Melting the Blue Water Returns

Castle in the Setting Sun

Two More Steps and I am Out of Here

Deer On Sunny Hillside

Laramie Peak View from the Park

Nothing brings out snow on the mountain like a warm winter day. I never get tired of looking at Laramie Peak from the park. Took a nice ride along Lakeshore Drive Sunday, took these photos along the way.

Today, Monday, the temperature reached 71 here in Guernsey. Feel bad for all those on the east coast with the bad weather. Here I played golf yesterday, again this morning and will play again tomorrow.

My Favorite Peak in the Park