Cooling off in Lake City

Wanting to escape the Texas HEAT, we recently took a trip to one of my favorite states, Colorado. Lake City is nested at the edge of Uncompahgre National Forest, surrounded by the soaring San Juan Mountain peaks, and skirted by crystal-clear Henson Creek.

Like so many towns in Colorado, Lake City began as a mining town, hitting its boom in the late 1800s. Remnants of old mines can be seen on the mountainsides as you drive the scenic roadways. We took a tour of the Hard Tack Mine and it helped me understand the grueling work required to get the ore (whether gold, silver, or copper) out of the earth and transport it to the mill for processing. Mining still goes on today and we saw several trucks loaded with sacks of ore heading out of town.

Lake City has a colorful history. On one of the town’s tours and at the museum you will learn about murders, hangings, stagecoach robberies, mining accidents, and even the Red-light District. You won’t want to miss the tales of Alferd Piker.

Whatever you like to do on vacation, Lake City probably has it: Fishing, four-wheeling, horseback riding, camping, sightseeing, mountain biking, hiking, camping, theater performances, shopping, or just sitting back and relaxing. You will find that many of the people visiting Lake City are from Texas, so you will feel right at home. Texans own many of the businesses in Lake City, including Southern Vittles restaurant.

Summer is their busiest season, so I would recommend making reservations at one of the motels, rental cabins, B&Bs, or campgrounds. If you want to camp within walking distance of town, I would recommend Henson Creek RV Park or Elkhorn RV Resort and Cabins; both have full hookups. Deer wander all around town, so they will probably be in your campsite at some point. You might even see a bear . . . but don’t feed them!

We drove from Creede to Lake City via the Slumgullion Pass and found it quiet nerve wracking. As you descend the pass, the grade is steep (7%) and there are many switchbacks. It is easy to burn out your brakes, especially if you are in a motor home or towing a trailer. Although a bit longer, it’s easier to drive south from Gunnison.

Whatever your adventure is . . . don’t forget your camera!

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Barbara is a Texas author who returns to writing travel pieces for the Record following a brief absence. Her suspense novels Cruise into Darkness, The Dark Place and The Hiding Place can be purchased through amazon.com