Fishing and Beyond: Our Second Education/Recreation Friday

Written by Sarah Simko, a Chaffee County Community Corps Member:

Sarah Simko enjoying her surroundings

We started our day at Chalk Lake where we were each given a fishing pole with a fly and a bubble. The bubble slides up and down the line so the fish can’t feel it when he bites the fly. We were told our best luck would be to cast out in the shade, so Dominica, a crew leader, and I splashed through the creek crossing to the other side of the lake right away. She cast off and immediately got a bite. The fish got towed all the way to the shore before finally freeing himself and quickly darting away. Dominica was glad she didn’t have to un-hook him.

After fishing, we hiked to the Agnes Vaille Falls  for lunch. When we were done eating, some of us got so close to the falls that we could feel the chilly spray as the water collided with the rocks, producing a sound-swallowing roar. It was amazing.

The infamous SCC Creamsicle

Christy, the other crew leader, took us up to St. Elmo where we passed through to get on the road to Tincup Pass. The Creamsicle faithfully carried us down into deep potholes, over big bumps, and around awkward rocks as we drove further and further into the woods. Looking out the window, I could see every color of wildflower I have ever seen or imagined: white, yellow, orange, pink, blue, violet, and even a bright magenta. Since wildflowers are my favorite, this was probably the highlight of my day. But it wasn’t the end.

Our arrival at the Continental Divide Trail took my breath away. The trees were tall, the air was fresh, and the flowers were innumerous. Christy took us on a hike up a section of the trail she got to work on last year and brought us all the way to where the work had stopped. We got to see how the trail looked before her crew’s work began, and appreciate the labor they poured into their work. It was incredible to see and I’m learning more and more how much there is to appreciate in nature trails.