Guernsey State Park - The Water is High

This time of the year when the snow is melting up high and we are not in the midst of a drought, it is fun to watch the water roar down the North Spillway through the original Bureau of Reclamation gate.

The gate was recently re-done and looks to be good to go for another few decades.

When the night air starts to cool the area, the rushing water creates numerous rainbows. The full lake once again has the small waterfall north of the spillway going again.

At my age, it seems like summers are as much looked forward to as when I was a kid growing up.

Let the fun begin – it’s summer – again.

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

Guernsey State Park Wyoming - 20 Minute Drive

Once again there was some worrisome cross traffic in the park

No time for a hike today so, I settled for a quick drive in the park.

Geese in the air

Well, "Hello There."

Still not much water but with the recent snowfall, many of the low spots have water.

Moving Wyoming Coal

Bald Eagle Ice Hockey

Davis Bay Switchback Trail

Pretty as a picture waking trail

Great hike, in the park, this week.

Steps down  what appears to be a large rock shelf with the trail built through it

 The Davis Bay Switchback Trail. The trail we followed starts at Davis Bay and winds south to the Brimmer Point Road. We went backwards and started on the Brimmer Point Road, followed the trail north to Davis Bay then took the east trail back to the road across from the CCC bridge.

Fun to walk winding trail

After reaching this point, we hiked the half mile, on the road, back to our vehicle.

Always wildlife to watch - Looks like here she is watching us

The trail is nearly impossible to find from Brimmer Point Road until you have hiked it the other way (from Davis Bay) so I would recommend parking at Davis Bay and hiking the trail both ways, east and west before taking the loop starting on the road.

This switchback trail is truly remarkable, great views, some Civilian Conservation Corps steps and a terrific layout for hiking. 

A bit of snow didn;t slow us

Not sure how much longer this good weather will last but we are enjoying our time in the park.

Like most park trails - terrific views

It has always surprised me that the CCC built so many one way trails, I like this one because it can be looped much like the Red Cliff Trail on the east side. 

CCC Steps

Click here to see my book on the CCC and the building of Guernsey State ParkGreat Christmas gift for everyone who loves this specisl parkIt also makes a terrific coffee table or office waiting room book

Moon Over the Park

Spent a bit over an hour trying to get a few good shots of the super blood moon and the eclipse this evening.

A few minutes before the start of the eclipse as the early clouds lifted

Clouds made it tough at times as the moon appeared and disappeared a few times.

Just coming up over the horizon near the Castle

But what a nice evening in the park, great weather and nothing but he sounds of the park.

Nice start to the eclipse 

Nearly full

Town of Guernsey

Almost complete eclipse and a little of the Blood Moon look

We did see three other cars out and about in the park, hope they were enjoying it as much as we did.

Moon over the Gatehouse

Sunset in the Park

Nice picnic and a terrific sunset at the lake.

I hate the fact that wildfires are raging in the west but it does create some incredible sunsets.

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

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?