It’s Up…than Down…than Up…

Not too far away from the campground, there’s a Hotel and lake nestled high up in the mountains at about 4000 ft elevation. Its the highest fresh water lake this side of the Mississippi. Discovered back in 1751, settled in 1829, cabins built starting in 1857, and developed with the current sandstone Hotel built in 1936, it was the Mecca for the rich & famous back in the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. The history of the lake carries it through many cycles with its ups and downs. Every so many years the lake completely drains, than refills. Currently it’s on the fill up swing… here’s some photos of full vs empty that were taken over the years. The lake is spring fed and is dependant on snow & rain levels to feed the lake, which runs a very unique cycle.

Very dramatic changes… In August of 2006 the lake was full… but August of 2008, empty. Than by August 2009 it was on the raise again… and still even now, just a remnant of what was.

amazing to me…

almost unbelievable…

same spot… different times…

Simply amazing to me… and Thanks to R.Cobb for the great photos of the lake.

We get to see for ourselves this Sunday just how the lake looks now. Anniversary dinner at this special hotel… more to follow later… don’t want to give too much away… it’s a surprise for Shelly.

Update… now that we have been there…

here’s a few photos…

News articles reported that this has happen several times over the last 4500 years. Didn’t say when the last drainage occurred, but it must have been prior to 1751. Bet it came as a shock when it all drained away. The once bustling boats docks lay sunken to the lake bed and the reforming lake is a good 400-500 yards away.