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Trip Reports:
Add your own trip Report!
Newly re-released feature. One of the most popular features on Wildernet, trip reports allow you to share your experiences with others.
This is an invaluable resource for determining what to expect on your outdoor adventure, so please participate! To prevent spamming, you must be a registered user of Wildernet in order to submit a trip report
Filed By: Russ Dale
(Denver, CO)
Number of People Encountered: 50+ ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: My first camping expedition in 11 years was this past weekend. I headed to Turquoise Lake, a 1,800-acre reservoir west of Leadville, Colorado at approximately 10,000 feet in altitude. It was named for the semiprecious stone that was mined in the surrounding area. It is beautiful wilderness with fresh pine scent in the clean air, cool breezes and nature galore. Bug repellent is a most precious companion. I battled a bear with my bare hands (not really).
I camped at the Tabor Campground and was lucky to find a spot because there were campers and RVs everywhere. It must have been summertime in Colorado. Luckily I scored spot number 7. As the Colorado dog days of summer were beating down on the Denver, it was 20 degrees cooler in the mountains. I didn’t even need blankets or sleeping bag in my tent. It was so nice to be away from the internet and cell phones and the din of city traffic. It was a delight to be away from barking dogs and emergency sirens and arguing neighbors.
The Rocky Mountain high-country is a beautiful place. There was no city light pollution to reduce stargazing and the stars were striking with the Milky Way spreading across the heavens. I saw several meteors. I set up a telescope and gazed at what first thought was the planet Venus. It was quickly evident, however, when I saw it was really Jupiter and 4 of its moons. You could see faint white and red banding atmosphere of the mighty planet. It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen and it makes you realize how small you really are in the vast cosmos.
Fish in Turquoise Lake includes Mackinaw trout, rainbow trout and brook trout. A gaggle of trout. I fished and fished and fished. I caught nothing. I fished around Tabor: nothing. I fished at sunset and at dawn: nothing. People to the left and right of me were catching fish. I heard jubilant cries of joy as even little kids, some in strollers, were reeling in the fish. The shouts of fish-catching pleasure echoing across the lake made me fish on with more fervor and determination. I fished at Abe Lee: nothing. I fished at May Queen: nothing. I performed a fish-catching ritual: nothing. I fished near Sugar Loaf Dam: nothing. I fished in surrounding streams: nothing. Not catching any fish did not deter me from fishing. I may currently be an “Angler of Failure,” but I don’t mind. When I do catch that first fish, it will be a sweet moment worth singing about and writing epic poems about. It was the vast expanse of the wild that made me happy. It was the miles of National Forest that made me contemplate my existence. It was being one with Mother Nature and The Great Spirit that made me at peace.
Fire danger was low in the area. The campfire was a real treat, providing a smoky goodness to the surrounding ambience, another signal that I were camping. I cooked chicken, zucchini and corn-on-the-cob over the fire. I cooked coffee and breakfast burritos (potatoes, eggs, jalapenos, white onion, green peppers, mushrooms, garden-fresh tomatoes, center-cut bacon, cheddar cheese, tortilla) on a small camp stove. I made sammiches of corned beef and ham to take on fishing adventures. I had hot apple pie. I drank beer and scotch and partook in s'mores. There is nothing like the taste of roasted marshmallow and a slab of chocolate all sandwiched between two pieces of tasty graham cracker-delish! S’mores are a camping staple. The fresh air makes them taste better than other non-camping s’mores moments. August 10th was National S'mores Day.
My iPod and portable speakers provided constant background music from jazz to classical to techno to oldies to tuvan throat chants to U2 to opera to country to disturbing staticy goodness to top 40.
My camping expedition was a fulfilling amalgum of relaxtion, emlightenment, adventure, fun and, of course, the outdoors.
Filed By: Steve Jones
(Allen Texas, Tx)
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: I am writing this report primarily because I stummbled on it accidentally. My family and I used to to fish Turquoise lake every summer from 1959 through probably 1967. Just before the fryingpan project began. I have some pictures of this lake before the project and development. We happened on this place quite by accident in 1959.There was a Lodge and about 8 cabins if I recollect, a barn, corral and a couple of travel trailors. The place was run by a man and his wife named the Setliffs or Settler if I remember. Nice family and just wonderful people. His name was Burl and he actually showed my family how to fish for trout. To this day the cowbells and lures still work. Memories of those experiences and years as a kid are immeasurable. I drove by there once in 1974 and could hardly recognise the place. The water and development had wiped out most of the original landmarks I remember as a kid. One thing I do remember was the fishing was the best I had then or now ever experienced The scenery and fishing were then and in 1974 were breathtaking.. Haven't been back in 30 years but would like to go again.
Filed By: Brynn
(Englewood, CO)
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: BEAUTIFUL! The campground (The Belle of Colorado) was gorgeous and Turquoise Lake was absolutely breathtaking! The capsite was a little hard to find because there arent many signs to it on the way! Be sure to know EXACTLY where you are going. The rangers were a little tough if you are looking to have some fun. Just try to be quiet I guess! Other that that it was gorgeous and I highly recommend it!
Filed By: JW
(Denver, CO)
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: I camped at Turquoise Lake in the Molly Brown campsite. The sites are very well maintained. The host met me when I drove up and offered assistance and provided me with regional weather, fish, and wildlife information. The hosts, a couple from Texas were outstanding and regularily monitored the whole area. The latrine facilities were the cleanest I have seen and did not have that typical latrine smell, they didn't smell at all, very unusual. The fishing by the dam was great for Laker Trout I caught and released 11 Lake Trout on worms ranging from 17 to 29 inches. Half way between the dam and the northeast boat ramp I caught rainbow, and brown trout from about 11:00am till 6:00pm every day for 6 days. Sizes ranged from 11" to 16" and I caught twice the limit every day but one on worms. I only kept limit though so they are still there. I was there from May 29 through June 4. Had a great time and again cudos to the great job the hosts do there at Turquoise
Filed By: Jim
(Aurora, CO)
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: Boating and fishing on the weekend of 6/15/02. Boat ramps are just in the water. Because lake is low, when the afternoon winds come up they create sand storms around the shores. Watch for rocks at the west end. Fishing good with worms or dead minnows. Fair trolling with your favorite lure.
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