PIKE NATIONAL FOREST - LODGEPOLE (June 10, 2007)

We went to a campground off US 285 near Jefferson, Colorado named Lodgepole. It is a small campground with only one loop and 34 sites. There were more pop-up and tent campers there than trailers. We were in site 24, and again, after reviewing the entire site, we liked 24 the best.

 

The kids whine every time I insist we get a campground sign photo.

 

Just because we are camping without hook-ups doesn't mean the necessities of life are foregone as well. Here is Melea making her cafe latte on the stove.

 

The Colorado Trail passes by Lodgepole. Here we are, ready to go hiking.

 

We encountered this cool bridge during our hike.

 

Never before have we encountered snow when camping in the Summer. There was enough snow in places to allow the kids to ski down the slopes.

 

Kendal takes a turn skiing down the snow.

 

And there is Courtney, wearing Capri pants and short-sleeves, skiing down the slope.

 

Two miles from the Lodgepole, Aspen, and Jefferson Creek campgrounds is Jefferson Lake. This lake is usually the first to freeze over in the winter and the last to thaw in the spring. The parking lot had a huge pile of snow still melting. Jefferson Lake is stocked by the State of Colorado with rainbow trout. Motorboats are permitted, but no wakes allowed. We did not bring our Porta-bote on this trip, but we will when we return to camp at Jefferson Creek (the closest campground to the lake).

 

Dad and Courtney hanging out by the lake. We even saw some fish swimming over the boat ramp.

 

Randy grills a good-looking rib-eye steak that he would eventually share with Melea. Randy's grill is a Weber-Q 200 model, and so far the results have been great.

 

The kids wanted to roast some hot dogs for dinner. Look closely and you can see them toasting their hotdog buns as well.

 

Hanging out next to the fire. Melea was successful (again) in starting the fire without the help of Girl Scout water.

 

Melea enjoys a perfectly cooked steak (of course!), Caesar salad, and a glass of wine for dinner. We eat well when we camp. Carly is in the background wondering where her steak is.

 

The kids insist on a family board game during every camping trip. This time we played Sorry! We also played Hearts and Spades.

 

Lodgepole is a great little campground despite having 3 miles of dirt roads to get there. We will be back, probably camping at nearby Jefferson Creek and Porta-boting on Jefferson Lake.

 

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