OCR Text |
Show Fish Lake District ft-:'.- , . .: i This is one of a series of articles to appear in this newspaper, ponsored by the Salt Lake AdvertisinK Club, associated civic clubs of southern and central Utah, and chambers of commerce; part of a program to point out Utah's resources so that local people will "Know Utah Better". By AMOS JENKINS Two hundred miles directly south of Salt Lake along concrete and improved highways lies Fish lake. Situated 8,900 feet above sea level, this little body of water is nestled near the heart of a series of mountain moun-tain ranges which form one of the most picturesque scenic and pleasure pleas-ure areas in western America. Fish lake itself is a veritable paradise for the trout fisherman, while the territory surrounding it offers the tourist and sight-seer a delightful delight-ful retreat from a hot summer sun. Deer and other game are plentiful in the district, and though the territory in the immediate vicinity of the lake is included in a game preserve, hundreds of hunters each year bag their buckskin in the forests outside the reserve. If you plan to be among the BO, 000 people who will visit Fish lake this season, here are some brief directions on how to get there. Out of Salt Lake take U. S. highway 91 through Provo to Nephi; turn on to U. S. 189 and travel to Gunnison. At Gunnison you get on U. S. highway 89 and follow it to Sigurd, and from there the lake is reached by traveling over State highway 24 to the Plateau reservoir and over State highway 25 from the reservoir to the lake. You will then have traveled an exact distance of 192 miles. The lake stretching out before you is a mile wide, six miles long and as much as 150 feet deep. You'll find that Fish lake is properly named. It is well stocked with six different variety of trout, including eastern brook, rainbow, steelhead, and mackinaw. Some members of the last two families are becoming very large, and you may be lucky enough to experience the thrill of a battle with 10 or 20 pounder that's game every inch. In the spring and fall the trout go up Twin, Doctor, Anderson and Jorgensen creeks for spawning, providing a picturesque sight because of their great numbers. If you're on hand, you might be able to spot the big fellow that "got away" and retrieve your leader or copper line. The Fish lake area is well provided with accommodations. There is a $70,000 lodge at Twin creek and other hotels at Lake Side and Doctor Creek, supplying hotel service, and at all of these places there are housekeeping cabins for rent, with commissaries nearby where food supplies, fishing tackle, etc. are obtainable. On the northwest side of the lake there are many ideal camp grounds, reserved for public use, and in other sections plots may be leased from the Fish Lake National Forest service on which to construct private homes. From Fish lake proper there are a dozen or more trips to make for those who would sight-see and commune with nature unspoiled by civilization's civil-ization's touch. Seven Mile creek is north of Fish lake and meanders through one of the picturesque mountain valleys of the state. It heads on a plateau some 11 miles long and more than 11,000 feet above sea level. This is a haven for large-antlered mule deer and an inspiring retreat for the horseback tourist. Mount Marvin, 11,600 feet in elevation, is east of Seven Mile valley, val-ley, and from its peak on a clear day, a person can see into seven counties of Utah. Within the Fish Lake National forest and in the same general district dis-trict as the lake, are Maple Grove camp grounds, located at the base of Pioneer mountain, 20 miles west of Salina, and Adelaide park, near the mouth of Corn Creek canyon, six miles east of Kanosh. Both places make ideal picnic and outing spots. In the same district is Puffer lake, another haven for fishermen. This lake, 9,000 feet above sea level, is situated 20 miles east of Beaver, near the headwaters of Beaver river. The area around the lake supports sup-ports a good stand of spruce timber and has many beautiful camping places and a cool climate even during the summer months. Campers quite frequently make horseback rids to Mount Holly, Delano and Belknap peaks, from which views of most of central and southern Utah can be had. Delano, with an elevation of 12,162 feet, and Mount Belknap 12,131 feet high, are among the really high peaks of Utah. The Beaver district of the -Fish lake forest is noted for its large herd of mule deer, estimated at more than 7,000. Along the main highway high-way from Beaver to Puffer lake, large numbers of deer can be seen almost every morning and evening except during the open season.- Nearby is Oak Creek canyon, a recreational area four miles east of Oak city, used largely by people residing at Oak city, Leamington, Lyndyll, Delta, Hinckley, and Oasis. Chalk Creek canyon, east of Fillmore; Fill-more; Meadow Creek canyon, east of Meadow, and Maple Hollow east of Holden, are increasing in importance each year as recreational areas. Much credit for the accessibility, preservation and sport value of this great recreational area is due the Fish Lake National Forest service. serv-ice. This organization has supervised and sponsored development of recreation grounds, installation of sanitary garbage disposal facilities and done much to keep the area from becoming too civilized. |