Posted by Jim Casteel on April 21, 2009 at 3:45 PM
I think I saw a post a week ago or so which showed the lake mostly thawed. Is Sprague Lake thawed out already? Thinking of heading up to the park this weekend for some partly cloudy goodness.
Thanks
Posted by Joshua Hardin on April 21, 2009 at 4:29 PM
I saw those reports too that the lake was partially thawed. That is why I chose to go there on Sunday morning for sunrise after the latest snowstorm. However, that morning I could barely even get to the edge of the lake with snowshoes on (and you know how close to the parking lot the lake is). I couldn't get anywhere around the lake to a better vantage point of the peaks to the west because the snow was so deep. There was between 2 to 4 feet of snow in that area of RMNP and the lake was completely frozen over again. Some of that will melt by this weekend, but it will be hard to say how much. I would give it a chance, but perhaps have a backup plan (like shooting Bear Lake) in case there hasn't been enough meltoff to hike around the Sprague area.
Posted by Todd Caudle on April 21, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Keep in mind we're in for a spate of fairly warm weather until this weekend, so I'll bet that ice you saw, and much of the snow, will be gone. What an awesome storm this was!
Posted by Grant Collier on April 21, 2009 at 7:39 PM
I can't answer this but am wondering if anyone knows the conditions of Bear Lake. I'd like to get there when it is partially thawed...half ice, half water. I can't make it for a couple of weeks so I'm guessing I may be too late. But I'm also guessing Bear thaws later than Sprague.
Posted the image from Sprauge about 12 days ago (before the big snow). It was opening up in sections, but was still mostly covered with thin ice. From the parking lot bridge to lake edge it was clear and flowing nicely. Path on the north side was basically clear. Water levels were up with the spring melt.
I had to go to Estes this afternoon and so I visited Sprauge checking out the conditions of the area. Plenty of snow up at Bear, but the lake is showing signs of clearing. Could hear the ice fracture at times.
Sprauge as well as the inlet was clear of ice. There were still some drifts on the south side under the pine trees. Otherwise patchy snow around the lake and a clear trail all around. The green algea in the water is getting going in the shallows as well and the grass is turning green in the sunny locations along the edge.
Discussion
5 repliesThanks
Posted the image from Sprauge about 12 days ago (before the big snow). It was opening up in sections, but was still mostly covered with thin ice. From the parking lot bridge to lake edge it was clear and flowing nicely. Path on the north side was basically clear. Water levels were up with the spring melt.
I had to go to Estes this afternoon and so I visited Sprauge checking out the conditions of the area. Plenty of snow up at Bear, but the lake is showing signs of clearing. Could hear the ice fracture at times.
Sprauge as well as the inlet was clear of ice. There were still some drifts on the south side under the pine trees. Otherwise patchy snow around the lake and a clear trail all around. The green algea in the water is getting going in the shallows as well and the grass is turning green in the sunny locations along the edge.