Sunday, October 11, 2020

Steamboat Lake, Hahns Peak and the Sleeping Giant



One of the places we like to visit when we drive to Steamboat Springs is Steamboat Lake ParkThe 2,820-acre (1,140 ha) park, established west of Hahns Peak in 1967, includes a 1,101 acres (446 ha) reservoir.  Park facilities include a visitor center, marina, boat ramps, campsites, cabins, picnic sites, and 5.5 miles (8.9 km) of hiking trails.

The reflections of the autumn trees in the water were beautiful!



Imposing Hahn's Peak is located east of the lake.  The peak has an elevation of 10,774 feet (3,284 m)/
Hahns Peak was named after Joseph Hahn, a gold miner who, with companions William Doyle and George Wray came to the area in the 1860s. Once a thriving gold mining camp, the town of Hahns Peak is the oldest permanent settlement in northwest Colorado’s Routt County and served as the county seat from 1877 to 1912.


Please click on the photo to enlarge it to read.

This placard tells how this area was a favorite hunting ground for the Native American Utes. They were nomadic hunters and found the valleys here full of elk, deer, bison, and beaver.  Sadly, most of the Utes were moved to a reservation in southwestern Colorado and Utah after the Meeker Massacre that took place in 1879.  I'll show you more about that in my next post.

Even though we made our visit to this part of Colorado about a week after peak autumn color, in early October, there was still much to be seen and enjoyed.

There are quite a few old and abandoned structures in the area that are interesting to photograph.



It takes a bit of imagination but do you see the Steamboat Springs "Sleeping Giant"? It's also known as Elk Mountain.

According to Steamboat Magazine

"As the legend goes, a long, long time ago, a gentle giant protected the Yampa Valley. He was to live forever, as long as he never harmed another living thing. One day, an evil ogre attacked the people of the valley. To protect them, the giant lured the ogre to Steamboat Lake, and tricked him into falling into the quicksand. The valley’s inhabitants were saved, but the giant had broken his one rule by killing the ogre, and the punishment was eternal sleep. When he was laid to rest, everyone came to pay their respects and surrounded the giant’s resting spot with rattlesnakes to keep him from being disturbed. Still today, these snakes protect the giant’s slumber. Some say this giant created the 'Yampa Valley Curse,' which draws people to return to the valley."
I'd say the Sleeping Giant has certainly worked his magic on us and has lured us back to Steamboat Springs many times! 


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45 comments:

handmade by amalia said...

Each photo is like a postcard. Gorgeous.
Amalia
xo

Angie said...

Pat - most of our aspens are already bare; it is wonderful to see this color from your neck of the woods! I have been to Steamboat, but somehow missed this beautiful lake. I can definitely see the Sleeping Giant! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.

Gillena Cox said...

Beautiful shots: clear and sharp. Happy Mosaic Monday

(✿◠‿◠)

much love...

Little Wandering Wren said...

I always literally see your posts as a beautiful breath of fresh air Pat :) It is so lovely to take a wander with you through your beautiful Colorado countryside. Have a happy week.
Wren x

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

Beautiful views of the park and the Sleeping Giant. The colors and trees are looking so pretty. I love the view of Hahn's Peak and the Reservoir. Take care, enjoy your day. Have a great new week!

Elkes Lebensglück said...

this is an interesting report with wonderful photos. This nature is wonderful!
Have a good day, Elke

JanCT said...

I loved seeing your photos. Gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your images and for also sharing some background information.
Jan
Laughter and Consistency

Joanne said...

What beautiful photos!! I love those reflections.

NCSue said...

We're just beginning to get fall color here. Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-fungus-is-among-us-mushrooms.html

Lisa said...

What beautiful scenery, I'd love to see that myself. I saw the sleeping giant right off!

ellen b. said...

Glad you could return to a favorite. Such clear crisp photos!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

every one of your photos is like a postcard

Vee said...

I think I see the sleeping giant if he is in repose from right to left with his profile on the right side of the photo and his chest on the left side. Otherwise, I am just making it up. 🙂 The blues and golds in Colorado's autumn are exquisite.

Rain said...

Oh yes, those reflections are breath-taking! What a beautiful area!

Ruth Hiebert said...

You captured some amazing beauty. Love the reflections.

stevebethere said...

Your photos are fantabulosa great scenery too :-)

Have a scenictastic safe week 😷😷😷

LV said...


Thank you for a grant tour of one of favorite places to go. Probably want ever see it in person again at my age. Thanks for the trip through your lens.

Lydia C. Lee said...

Those reflections are stunning. Like glass - truly!

Barb said...

You photographed some lovely fall colors at Steamboat, Pat. Our son and family like to go camping there (but not this summer). We got snow yesterday - so thankful for the bit of moisture!

Lorrie said...

What stunning autumn scenery. Those lake reflections are simply magnificent!

kwarkito said...

Thanks for the views, the wonderful pictures and the guided visit

XmasDolly said...

Oh my gosh, thank you for sharing. It was like almost being there. It's beautiful. Be safe and if you're out there guess you don't need a mask do ya! Have a great day! hugs

Fun60 said...

The autumn colours and their reflections are just beautiful.

Rostrose said...

These yellow-green landscapes are simply enchanting! It is really sad that no peaceful coexistence between immigrants and native Americans was possible. I would be interested in so much about the way of life of the "Indians", but I'm afraid that most of the knowledge has now been lost. I like the story of the friendly giant. I am not surprised that you are happy to return to the place. We too have just spent a week in a beautiful place in Austria to which we always like to return. But I'll tell you about that soon. (At the moment I am showing a summer review.)
Hugs
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2020/10/summertime-2020-teil-4-august.html

Dawn said...

What gorgeous scenery you shared with us. Wow, the lake reflection is beautiful.
Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

Bill said...

Beautiful autumn scenes and colours. The reflections are absolutely gorgeous.

Tanza Erlambang said...

wonderful images....
Thank you for sharing

Powell River Books said...

The picture of Hahn's Peak is great. - Margy

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I agree...your photos look like postcards! Amazing with the beautiful golden colors! Enjoy your week! We're still seeing green here! lol Hugs!

Himawan Sant said...

Apart from the legend of sleeping mercury that is interesting to listen to, the natural scenery is very enchanting ... Thank you for introducing the location of this former mining.
Greetings from Indonesia.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Just magnificent!! Whew! Took my breath away! Thank you! OH!! The photo of the lake and it's reflection is my favorite! Have a wonderful weekend!

Jeanie said...

If that's a week after peak, I can't even imagine peak! Yes, the postcard reference is so true -- gorgeous!

Rambling Woods said...

Wow...yes postcards...Michelle

Jim said...

Beautiful scenes.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Some great fall color photographs here. I love the legent.

Small City Scenes said...

Beautiful shots---wonderful area. Striking colors
MB

Jidhu Jose said...

awesome clicks

Joyful said...

Fantastic scenery. Just beautiful and your captures are beautiful.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Hahn's Peak looks so pretty, especially with the fall colors. Wonderful post!

Lowcarb team member said...

Lovely post and a great mix of photographs.
The Colorado countryside looks so beautiful.

All the best Jan

Ida said...

Wow this was a wonderful post filled with gorgeous photos.

Lady Fi said...

Wow wow and more wow!

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Steamboat Lake? Glorious!

Michelle said...

I do envy you a bit with your road trips. Colorado is such a beautiful state! Thanks for linking up and stay well!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

That has to be the best curse anybody ever was given! What a beautiful area , how could you not want to go back again and again! So interesting, such lovely views and still some Fall color, you picked a perfect time!