Lathrop State Park, Walsenburg CO



View from our site at Lathrop State Park
Snow at the top of Wolf Creek Pass
Saturday we left Durango and headed East. Our destination was Lathrop State Park near Walsenburg CO.  On this route there is one big obstacle, Wolf Creek Pass, its summit is 10,857 ft with significant 7-8% grades. This is the highest pass we have yet to tow on. The truck now has a high performance transmission and an exhaust brake all installed to help us with just such places. So it was time to see how the truck would do. It definitely tested the truck but using 2nd gear and on the steeper parts just slowing down made everything run smoothly. One cool thing that came with the Banks system is a monitor that monitors just about everything on the engine. One of the things John watches is the exhaust gas temperatures(EGT). When it get too hot it beeps at you and lets you know to let up on the throttle. It did beep at us a couple times and just made us aware it was time to slow down. The truck has plenty of horse power so it would be easy to go faster but this way we know when it is a good time to back off. We took a little break at the top in a parking area across from Wolf Creek Ski Area. I remember this spot from the times we came and skied this are of the state. This is the most snow we have seen all year. The decent went very smoothly and soon the most challenging part of the trip was over. There is one more pass but it was a piece of cake.
Another view from our site.
We arrived at Lathrop Park mid-afternoon and there were still plenty of places open. All the sites are non-reservable until May. Since it was the weekend most of the sites with the best views were taken but the one we found was pretty good. The park is on a Horseshoe Lake and there is a walking/biking path all the way around the lake, a little over 2.5 miles around. I think we would have liked to have stayed longer but I made reservations in Colorado Springs so two nights were all we’d get. This is definitely a park I would come back to and if you find yourself on I-25 in southern Colorado I recommend you make a stop here.
We made the short trip to Colorado Springs and the Garden Of the God’s campground. The site is typical RV Park with close sites and more like a parking lot with hook ups but it is convienient to the things we want to do. It is nice to have FHU for a little while too. There is a bike trail that we can get on and bike or walk to Manitou Springs and we are within walking distance of Garden of the God’s. Its hot today but we are still going to head to the park to do some hiking. We’ll have to take a lot of water with us. 
Tomorrow is John’s birthday; maybe I’ll get him to write something about turning 60. Hard to believe I’m married to such an old man. :)
Happy Trails.........................

Comments

  1. Happy birthday John. You're not old, just another year closer to getting those social security benefits :)

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  2. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN!
    That is quite the hill you climbed. Have you seen the old movie "The Long Long Trailer" with Lucille Ball? I pictured them climbing that mountain as you described your journey. We just watched that movie again the other night. Always makes me laugh... glad we're a little more careful than that.

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  3. I have never been to Colorado and it is a state I really want to see. Love the picture of the beautiful snow-capped mountain. Tomorrow is (hopefully!) a travel day for us so I will wish John a Happy 60th Birthday today. My "OLD man" turned 66 on the 11th.

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  4. Happy Birthday, John! 60 is still YOUNG!

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  5. Love those mountains. Sounds like a great area to be in. Looking forward to hearing about your hike, I am sure you will enjoy it.

    Happy Birthday and a great day tomorrow, John.

    Don't forget to vote for us, aussieexperiences.com/contest/entry/red-centre-kevin-read/

    Kevin and Ruth
    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  6. Happy Birthday John! My wife, Paulette, just turned 60 so I have to say that's "still very, very young"!!

    Nice mountain pics!

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  7. Glad you and your rig made it safely over Wolf Creek Pass. Can't beat having snow-capped mountains right outside your window. Happy birthday to you John! I would call you an old man but mine is a little older than you.

    P.S. Terry says to tell the young guy HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

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  8. Thanks for the info and pics, we have been to Colo. a couple times, can't wait to go back. Happy Bday:)

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