​​In The Shadow of Longs Peak

Banner Lakes

23 April 2021 and 24 April 2021

I had seen Banner Lakes, east of Hudson CO, on the map.  The SWA website said human powered boats were allowed (and not limited to boating in conjunction with fishing) and I wondered if it would be a place to kayak.  It is closed for hunting till mid-February.  The area north of the CO 52 is closed for nesting birds till July 15th.

Since the south side is open, I headed out there, taking CO 52 east thru Ft. Lupton then Hudson and about 10 miles further.  This is a very pretty drive with good parking at the entrance on the south side of the highway.

The south side has 3 lakes, none really big enough for the sea kayak, though the middle one would work if I were really that gong-ho.  I head into the property, passing another visitor who is training her dogs, and turn down to hike between Lakes 3 & 4, crossing the dyke between the two.  Both lakes are high.  There are a couple of Canada geese lazing that scoot off as I approach.  Red Winged black birds are chirping.  Other birds too, but I am not able to identify them. 

Once across the dyke, I turn south (left) and continue to walk.  There are ducks swimming but I cannot get a good enough look to identify them, so continue on, taking photos as I go.  Before long, I am at Lake #2 which is low compared to the other two, and is sporting several birds with long beaks!  I can see they have a reddish/orangish coloring on their heads and a curled beak to boost.  Avocets!  There is another bird, also with a long beak, but it is not curled.  Back at the car, I look in the book and decide they must be rails.

Unknown to me, I drop my hat somewhere along the trail on the way back to the car, so I drive out again on Sunday.  My hat is there on the trail!  Woo-hoo!  I walk down again to Lake #2 and watch the avocets and rails and take more pictures.  Then head home.

Next time I need to see if I can get to Lake #1.