Pawnee Campground in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, close to Ward Colorado, is going to be closed for the 2011 season for culvert repair and new water system installation. At least that is what is posted on the Forest Service website. Well, shoot!
The wife and I spent a few days up there and it was wonderful. We were planning on going back, God willing, with our two sons summer 2011. Was wondering if some of you local Colorado folks would be kind enough to share your opinion of a substitute campground being as it looks like Pawnee is not going to be an option. I know there are lots of wonderful spots out there so this may not be an easy request. At best this is very subjective.
But, for example, we could go back to Bear Lake campground near Yampa. But to tell you the truth, would rather go someplace new.
This Georgia Boy has lots of Colorado maps, and guide books to help plan for next year. I use Colorado Campgrounds by Gil Folsom, U.S. National Forest Campground Guide, Rocky Mountain Region, by Fred and Suzanne Dow, the Colorado Atlas & Gazetteer by DeLORME, also their computer software to get 3D images, and of course I keep Google Satellites in business..
- I need all the help I can get doing this from a chair in Georgia!
and will have at it as time permits.
But you know,
there is absolutely no substitute for on the ground, local knowledge.
In trying to sum up what made this campground so special I came up with several factors. Elevation, mountain views, distance from major roads and cities, (not too close) available trails, lakes and streams, the ability to reserve sites. Pawnee has it all. Should be even better with the improvements being planned. I suppose I will pull out the Gazetteer and follow along the continental divide to start my research. But, once again, there is no substitute for local on the ground knowledge to lift the fog of not knowing. Please, fire off a PM if you wish, and Thank You for your suggestions!
Happy Camping!