Douglas Creek Directions

[golden optimist]

Here you go. The directions to the Flats at Douglas Creek. It looks complicated but there actually is only about one place to go wrong.

First, the big picture.

Laramie, Wyoming

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Hiway 230 is also known as Snowy Range Road. You will see the signs on the I-80 exit. You want to go west unless you want to get supplies in Laramie. There will be no supplies any closer that Laramie other than ice and beer at the WyColo Lodge.

On 230 you will go through Woods Landing, there are about 3 or 4 houses there. The road will make a sweeping left and then you will start climbing. For the next 5 miles or so you will be going up a 6 degree grade. After you get to the top and start flatting out, you have a couple of miles to go before you will see a small sign on the right that says Foxpark. If you miss it, you will start going downhill and about 4 miles later you will see the WYCOLO Lodge on the right. You went to far. It is a good spot to eat though and I plan on at least a meal or two there.

Foxpark turn off

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You will be on a dirt road the rest of the way. As you get into Foxpark, you will have to make a hard left turn. There is a bog gate to go straight and I've never seen it open. After making the left turn, you will see a Forrest Service camp on the left. Keep going straight and you will soon be out of town. There will be a lot of side roads but just stay on the main road.

Platte River Access Road

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Just about the only placer you might go wrong is right after NF504. The Lake Creek Road is well traveled and goes straight where the Platte River Access road makes a hard left. If you went that way it wouldn't be the end of the world but there are some sharp turns the might be a problem with a long trailer. Most of the roads are signed so just follow your progress on the map.

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You are on the final section. You will start going down hill right after the hard left turn at Lake Creek Road. You are in the forrest amoungst trees. As you leave the trees, you should see the flats in front of you.

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The Flats

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There will be in excess of 10 camps grouped around the flats. Look for my camp with a 20' flag pole/antenna pole and flag flying.

My Camp trailer and truck

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[golden optimist]

One thing I'd reccomend is go on Mapquest or Google and actualy "fly" the road in. It's relatively easy and will give you a feel for the roads.
Leonard

[russau]

heck, thats so EZ that even i can follow it!

[golden optimist]

Here's a aerial shot of the flats that must have been taken during dredging season. There's a bunch of trailers there. It says 5 July 2009. If thats the case, the rig at the 6:00 position is mine.

[russau]

if that so, then the white trailer at the 4 oclock position must be my trailer and Gene and i were out with the truck!

[Hoser John]

Thanx GO, now one last dumb question. Since my brothers x stole my propane frig I am relagated to ice for cold. As no mo' dredgn' am reluctant to invest that much $$$$$$$$$$ to buy another sooooooooo the question is-"how close is a store for ice as I can last for about 3-4 days but then need new. I know ya said hamburgers at 12 but ice is my only concern??thanx much-almost packed, truck top carrier loaded,last goods being bought and 100 coming today soooooo looking to the rocky mountain high with some crazy buds-John

[golden optimist]

It's about 10 miles to ice at the Wycolo lodge. Usually there is someone headed there just about every day so ice is no problem. One year when Billbrew was there, we were iceing a keg in a 35 gallon, plastic trash can. We were going through a boatload of ice every day. The beer was great though.

Here's a few pictures to get the juices going.

Part of the crew relaxing

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The kitchen is off to the left under Ed's canopy. Thats one nights wood pile.

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Ed's is the big trailer and my tent trailer.

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Relaxing at the Wycolo lodge.

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The flats from the bottom end of the Beans and Bacon claim.

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The top end of the claim. Actually, the dredge may be on the GPAA claim. The line is somewhere around here.

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Corky at kitchen duty. It looks like some burrito's are being prepared from the onions and jalapeno's being fried up.

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A little Douglas Creek gold!

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Playing in the water.

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Corky watching Ed at work.

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Hope to see you this year.
Leonard

[golden optimist]

Long Island Man to the rescue. Yes ladies, Mountain Man Dave is available.

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[russau]

theyre smiling cause they just checked to see if dave was really wearing something under that....................kilt! only the shadow knows!!

[Hoser John]

Party on down with your ol' badassses now-John