Sprague LakeWe had planned on visiting Bear Lake on this day, but by the time we got to the parking lot it was full, and a ranger said come back later. We turned around and backtracked down Bear Lake Road.  It was a good decision because we spent a very pleasant two hours walking around the lake and down a little used trail. The area got its name from Abner Sprague, who own opened a dude ranch there in 1874. He created the shallow, 13-acre lake by damming a stream. Rocky Mountain National Park acquired the land in 1915, and the dude ranch became the Sprague Hotel.  Signs around the lake describe how the the area looked when it was still a private resort. Sprague enjoyed watching his guests relax and have fun; he was especially pleased that he provided a place where people felt rested when they left, not exhausted. He didn't think much of most resorts where guests buzzed from here to there, wearing themselves out from too much fun. Sprague Lake is a small dose today of what Abner once provided. It is one of the most relaxing areas that we have visited in Rocky Mountain National Park. The walk around the lake is a very easy one mile hike and more flat than hilly. There are benches to sit and watch people fish and canoe. The water is so clear that you can easily see fish.  On the day that we were there we didn't see any large animals near the lake, but we did see a lot of ducks and chipmunks.  After walking around the lake, we took a path to the right of the parking lot. We soon realized that we were walking on an animal trail, used by large hoofed animals like deer and elk. We didn't see any shoe prints. We found a very peaceful place by a stream to rest. Running water was the only sound that we heard. After a few minutes had passed a squirrel decided to check us out. He scurried up and down the stream, stopping numerous times just a few feet from us. I wanted a picture, but he would set still long enough.  Keep Sprague Lake in mind when you need a really relaxing day out. Picnic, fish, hike... or just relax.
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