2010-07-11 39 -105

Location

Just off the shore of Cheesman Reservoir in Pike National Forest.

Plans

Headed to the reservoir tomorrow afternoon for a hike and perhaps for a swim. Girlfriend and dogs in tow. Join us!

Participants

Ralph, Erin, Tanna and Hendrix

Expedition

Drove an hour to the national forest (through a sketchy 15% downgrade windy dirt road for a few miles) only to arrive and find that the reservoir was closed. They were doing some repairs to the road leading towards the dam, but methinks the reservoir was closed mostly to allow the forest to continue its recovery. Quite a bit was gone due to the [Hayman Fire] back in 2002. Pretty crazy.

We hiked in on the off chance that the reservoir was indeed open since a few other cars were around. The trail led us up, over, and down a ridge, giving us some beautiful vistas and the dogs a chance to run about. It ended at the bottom of the dam, where the South Platte River starts its journey again down towards Denver. Trivia: When the Cheesman Dam was created in 1905, it was the tallest dam in the world, at 211 feet above the river below.

The river at the bottom of the dam was beautiful. The dogs got a dip and drink, but as storm clouds were headed our way, we thought better of jumping in ourselves. It was also a bit too rapid-y for the leisurely swim we had imagined in the lake above. The trail continued up around the lake on the opposite bank, but paths to it and closer towards the dam were closed. Foiled! After meandering a bit more and saying hello to the lone fisherman, we hiked a half hour back to the car. Bonus points were received for not getting in an accident on the way home when the car in front of us slammed on its brakes to allow momma and six ducklings across the road. Pretty darn cute.

Hash fail, day win.