Snowshoeing Indian Creek

date: 01/22/2012
activity: snowshoeing
distance: 3 miles
time: 2 hours

A cool, sunny afternoon in January proved to be a perfect time for our first snowshoe trip. We chose a fairly easy trail that was only about 20 minutes from home. We had an elevation change of about 500 feet, topping out at just over 7900 feet. Not much wildlife was out today, but the views were excellent. A longer snowshoe trip is in order if we can ever get a fresh snow...it has snowed less than 3" in over a month! Here are a few of the views we enjoyed today:

Fly Fishing the South Platte River (north of Deckers)

date: 01/17/2012
activity: fly fishing
time: 2 hours

Having recently purchased a fly fishing rod (thanks Chelsi!), reel, and waders, I figured my birthday would be a great time to debut my fly fishing skills. Having read about the South Platte River, I decided the proximity to Castle Rock and the gold medal status of the River, it would be a perfect training spot. It is safe to say after one 2 hour trip, even having caught no fish, I am already "hooked"! The view from the river is absolutely stunning, almost something out of a movie. I only saw a few vehicles all day and although it was a little cold (about 25 degrees) I still had a blast. Here are a couple of the views of the South Platte River I am talking about...

The South Platte River has easy access fishing north of Deckers, CO to just south of the Strontia Springs Resevoir. There are parking/camping spots every half mile or so all along Co Rd 97.


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Unfortunately, I believe it was a little too cold to do any good fly fishing on this day. The eyes on my rod kept freezing up and my dry fly became an icicle as well. I am more than looking forward to coming back to this area in the spring to try again. A couple more views from the river and the drive home...