Destination West!
  • Home Page
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Nevada
    • Las Vegas
  • New Mexico
  • Oregon
  • South Dakota
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wyoming
  • Route 66
  • About
  • Get In Touch
  • Landscape Gallery I
    • Landscape Gallery II
  • Macro Gallery
  • Street Gallery
  • Wildlife Gallery I
    • Wildlife Gallery II
    • Wildlife Gallery III
  • Archive Albums
DestinationWest.Org

A western tourism resource featuring majestic destinations and lesser known places!   

Cowdrey Lake State Wildlife Area ~ Colorado

9/3/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Cowdrey Lake State Wildlife Area ~ Colorado

Jackson County definitely is the place to be in Colorado if you are into migrational birding and wildlife viewing. The vast meadows stretch out forever in this region where the high plains meet the towering mountains. The spring snow melt and seasonal rains feed the headwaters of several rivers, so plenty of life giving water can be found in the valleys of this high desert sagebrush environment. Natural ponds and wetlands dot the big valley where the town of Walden is located, which also is known as the moose capitol of the world. The Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge and several Colorado State Wildlife Areas are located along Highway 125 and each offers a unique experience. One of the most interesting is the Cowdrey Lake State Wildlife Area, which is completely hidden from view when traveling on the main road. 

Just like with many man made reservoirs, the Cowdrey Lake State Wildlife Area is primarily a fishing destination that offers basic facilities and a light craft boat launch. The Cowdrey Reservoir was originally created for ranching in the region back in the mid 1900s, so this pond is not large by standards and only 15 acres along the shoreline was set aside as a recreation area. Even though Cowdrey Lake looks like a day use area, camping actually is allowed on site, so it is possible to land some fresh panfish for breakfast.

Unfortunately, man made reservoir lakes do not always attract large numbers of migratory birds, especially when natural migratory path water resources are located nearby. Ease of food availability is the main reason why, along with the lack of natural cover for the nesting season. I have been to Cowdrey Lake a few times and only have spotted a few waterfowl, while the neighboring Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge had so much wildlife activity that it looked like an overcrowded zoo. Basically, this spot is more of an easy going fishing destination, however, landscape artists will be pleased to known that Cowdrey Lake is a great spot to capture dramatic images of mountain peak and cloud reflections on the glass smooth water early in the day. All it takes is one early morning view to see why the Cowdrey Lake State Wildlife Area is such a cozy little fishing spot!
  
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Leave no trace!

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020

    Donations help the Destinaton West project continue into the future! 
    Go Fund Me!

    This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies.

    Opt Out of Cookies
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home Page
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Nevada
    • Las Vegas
  • New Mexico
  • Oregon
  • South Dakota
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wyoming
  • Route 66
  • About
  • Get In Touch
  • Landscape Gallery I
    • Landscape Gallery II
  • Macro Gallery
  • Street Gallery
  • Wildlife Gallery I
    • Wildlife Gallery II
    • Wildlife Gallery III
  • Archive Albums