This was our first time visiting Baby Doe Campground. We were told that the campground did not open on time this year due to snow. Baby Doe was dry, thank goodness, and very wooded. The campsites are all well spaced out, but not all of them looked to be level. The campsites that were nearest to the lakeshore had bowed “driveways” (where you would park your camper) and we were grateful that we didn’t stay at those sites. We had Ruby-crowned Kinglets all around the campsite. I was also awoken to the sound of Hermit Thrushes—one of my favorite bird calls.
The first evening at the lake, despite very strong winds, we caught eight big rainbow trout. The next morning I headed down to the same spot with Daisy (sorry, can’t disclose that secret!) and caught another six before breakfast! The fish were certainly biting. The trout seemed to stop rising around 8:00 a.m. In total we caught 21 rainbow trout using my old Missouri fishing gear!
We planned on hiking up to Timberline Lake to fly fish for green back cutthroat trout. Because of all the snow we were able to hike nearly all the way to the top but where forced to turn back to due to the runoff of a creek over the trail. There was no way we could have made it through safely. The hike was great, and it felt good to stretch our legs in a new area.
On the way back to our campsite we stopped at all the different campgrounds in the area. Lady of the Lake is only a parking lot (literally a parking lot) for fisherman. Father Dyer sites were small and close together—best for tents and small popups. Printer Boy is a group campsite, so we did not look into it. However, the dump station is at the entrance to Printer Boy. You can also find fresh water at the dump station (it took at least 10 minutes to top off our tank—perhaps 15 gallons). The mosquitos where thick around the other sites due to snow melt and standing water.
We ventured into Leadville and found a nice coffee shop for a latte (of course!). City on a Hill makes a wonderful latte and they have a variety of goodies. While we sat outside sipping our java we visited with the town greeter, Jim Duke, and the railroad sherif. They were both very nice and interesting people. If you see them walking up and down the sidewalks, make sure to strike up a conversation. A few years ago we took my parents on a train ride in Leadville during the fall colors. Check out the train ride here.
We made our way to Evergreen Cemetery and walked up and down the rows of plots. The oldest tombstone that we found was from the late 1800’s. It was a very interesting bit of history, and we learned about the Woodmen of the World.
We awoke to cloudy skies on Sunday, and gathered our gear up for a walk around the lake. Our trip was cut short when we realized that we locked two sets of camper keys in the car, and two sets of car keys in the camper. AAA to the rescue! We waited around for about a hour until our hero arrived just in time for lunch and to escape an afternoon downpour. Did you know that AAA now has bicycle service? Pretty cool!
Once the rain cleared we headed for Twin Lakes. We found a few campgrounds around the lakes, and took some notes for future outings. We preferred White Star, it is right on the lake, and some of the sites in the Sage loop where big and open. If you want a high view, Lake View would be good. The sites seemed small to us, and the campground was away from the lake. We also found a first-come, first-served campground that sits up from the lake called Parry Peak Campground. It looks like a great place to go for hiking, biking, and walking around. Parry Peak sits right on the white waters of Lake Creek. The creek was roaring, and you could feel it’s power when you stood next to it. We would love to go back for a visit—it is supposed to be a good fishing spot.
If you follow highway 82 through the town of Twin Lakes it takes you up to Independence Pass. We began our accent with lots of low clouds all around, and they eventually gave way to a slight blizzard. Once we got out at the top of the pass, the snow was blowing so hard that it stung when it hit our faces! Once we returned back to the campsite for the evening, it began to snow. 🙂
Our trip to Turquoise Lake (Baby Doe) was excellent, even if we did get locked out of our car and camper. Next time we visit we will wait until July so we can have more adventures to high alpine lakes!
More Information:
When: Early Summer, 2014
Elevation: 9,800′
Reservation: Baby Doe Campground, CO
Misc: level, water, dump station
Love the pictures! They are beautiful! Living in the Midwest, it is crazy to see snow when camping in June!
Thanks, Kal! We thought it was odd to see a lot of snow in the other campgrounds, too. We were told a week before there was up 3′ of snow in the campgrounds! Sounds like there was a lot of snow fall in the high mountains this past winter. 🙂
We are very happy to hear that you are enjoying the photos!
Sara
Sounds good. Nice to see some reviews of those campgrounds, we have considered them but not stayed in any of the smaller ones. We have stayed at White Star when we’re in the area, since it makes a good base camp. Heading there in less than a month, hope not to encounter a snowstorm!
kitphantom
Kitphantom, I hope the snow if finished by then. I would like to go up to Parry Peak. There was a large site way in the back. A couple near the river look good too. I’ve also heard that there are a lot of good sites on the other side of the pass. Next year!
Thanks for reading the blog 🙂
Sara
This is our first camping trip to Colorado. We have ten days and would like to get your opinion where we should camp.We have a small trailer and would like good places to hike, wooded campground, and do not prefer commerial private campgrounds. What are some good sites at Baby doe? We don’t fish.
Thank You.
Surabhi
We are planing our trip at the end of July.
Greetings! I was looking at the map, and thinking that the sites 14-19 were our favorites. Some of the lakeside sites didn’t look structurally sound to me. One of the things that we try and look for are sites on the outside of the campgrounds, and for us, away from bathrooms (we don’t like the odor).
The sites are wooded, but open. I did think that they had a lot of space around them.
If you go to the USDA site, they list nearby day hikes.
Enjoy your trip to Colorado! You’ve chosen a very nice area to visit 🙂
Sara
Thank You for your prompt reply 🙂
We are inclining toward Sylvan Lake, Silver Bells and Brakenridge (Matterhorn).
Need recommendations for sites at Sylvan Lake.
Love your website and blogs.
Sylvan Lake is a wonderful place to stay. We prefer the outer sites, but the past two years we stayed at one of the inside sites. Also, the campsite is not wooded. I’d recommend sites 4-15. You can just barely see the lake from the sites that are further out. The closer to main road (and entrance) the higher you are in the campsite (the lake sits higher than the sites).
Enjoy your trip! It sounds like you are going to have a lot of fun with all the places that you have chosen to visit.
Sara
We are traveling there in a week. New TT owners; this is our first big trip; I haven’t been camping since I was a late teen though it was every summer up to 15 years old; and we have 2yo & 5mo boys.
Do you think Baby Doe is OK with kids? Did the elevation affect you? How was navigating the mountain roads to get in there?
We live in Toronto, Canada – a whopping 200ft elevation 🙂 and will be arriving via Denver.
Great post!!! I can’t wait to get there!
Fiona, you will LOVE Baby Doe. Did you reserve your site through Recreation.gov? The campground is open and full of trees– if I were a child I know I would wander around for hours playing and exploring. Since you are camping near a lake, there are not a lot of hills around. That, alone, should help you get used to the elevation.
The roads leading to Leadville are not old, winding, roads. They are nice, improved, 1-2 lane roads. Once you get closer to Leadville you will need to pull out the map and navigate the local streets to the site. But, once again, they are easy to get around.
Once you are in the park, make sure to look for the dump station near Printer Boy Campground. There is a hose to fill your TT’s water tanks.
Another tip in regards to elevation: Drink a lot of water (that will help avoid headaches) and bring a large container of lotion (needed due to the extremely low humidity).
Here is some info from Colorado.com:
• Drink plenty of water; replenishing fluids helps to stabilize your body.
• Take it easy; don’t over-exert yourself.
• Experts recommend eating a high carbohydrate diet while at altitude.
• Keep alcohol intake and smoking to a minimum.
• Remember that altitude sickness can affect anybody, even top-flight athletes.
• Most importantly: if you’re not feeling well, let someone know.
Hope you have a marvelous trip to Colorado! 😀 BRING LOTS OF STRONG SUNSCREEN!
Sara
Fantastic. Thanks so much! Great tips. We’re trying to get a blog together. If we do I’ll share our adventure with you 🙂
Fiona,
While in Leadville if you have a 4-wheel drive car, you should go up to the East Mining District. There are some beautiful old mines that you can drive up to. Here are some basic directions.
East Mining District: Go to town of Leadville and take a left on 7th Avenue (coming from Copper/I70 area) to County Road 3. See below for google map of area. You can park by Cty Rd 3 and 3 A and hike around (or possibly drive) to different mines in the area.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Co+Rd+3,+Leadville,+CO+80461/@39.254121,-106.2286366,796m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x876a93c1acf1cfb9:0xa071ec4801974f64!6m1!1e1
I think I’m in love with you guys. Great blog! You guys sound like me and my family – “taking notes, and doing recon on other campsites while you are there.” That’s awesome. And what’s more awesome is you share! And you take wonderful photos!
Anyway… I’m definitely bookmarking this site.
We’re going up to Turquoise this August and happened to come across your post at PopupPortal. One thing I was sure you were going to mention in this blog is the National Hatchery in Leadville. Did you guys miss that?! You guys sound like avid fisher[wo]men – I’m sure you would have appreciated the visit there.
… May the campsite be available and the local attraction be great at your next campground. Happy camping camper!
We totally missed the National Hatchery! Thank goodness we have fellow campers that share info with us. I think we will go back to Turquoise next year, so we will check it out.
We are glad you are enjoying the site, if you have any other places that you think are amazing, let us know. We will check it out and perhaps add it to our schedule.
Cheers!
Sara