Stapp Lakes, also known as Stapp's Lake is a body of water near the town of Ward, Boulder County, Colorado, at the base of Mount Audubon. The lakes were the central feature of the Stapp Lakes Lodge, one of the original dude ranches in Colorado. Today, the Stapp Lakes are on private property with no public access.[1]
| Stapp Lakes | |
|---|---|
 Stapp's Lake | |
  Stapp Lakes Location of Boulder County, Colorado, US  Stapp Lakes Stapp Lakes (the United States) | |
| Location | 3305 County Road 96 Ward, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 40°7′4.21″N 105°32′42.96″W / 40.1178361°N 105.5452667°W |
| Type | Lake |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 320 acres (130 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 9,390 feet (2,860 m) |
History
editStapp Lakes is an area of natural beauty and historical significance. Situated amidst picturesque mountainous surroundings, Stapp Lakes offers a serene and scenic environment. The lakes themselves are a highlight, providing opportunities for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. The lakes are named after Isaac S. Stapp, who discovered the region in 1893. After the railroad reached Ward, Colorado in 1898, guests had easier access to the resort. Stapp went on to file a homestead claim on 160 acres (65 ha) and establish the Stapp Lakes Ranch. He was granted a homestead patent to his entry at Stapp's lake in March 1899.[2]
In April 1899, Stapp undertook the task of introducing 50,000 trout from a Wyoming hatchery into Stapp Lake. Additionally, he constructed a charming mountain retreat that featured a spacious dining room capable of accommodating up to 70 individuals simultaneously. Accessible via the Northwestern road, the resort was located eight miles away and could be conveniently reached by stagecoach.[3][4] The ranch held historical significance as it originally became Colorado's inaugural dude ranch and even hosted notable figures like Teddy Roosevelt and Georgia O'Keeffe were amongst its guests said to have stayed there.[5][6]
In 1910, in a Colorado Supreme Court case Fuller v. Stapp, was filed that plaintiffs purchased from defendants, Isaac S. Stapp and Mattie Stapp, the Stapp Lakes property. At that time the lakes were stocked with three varieties of trout. The judgement found that no fraud had been committed by the defendants.[7]
Nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers were once drawn to Stapp Lakes for its hiking trails, camping spots, and opportunities to see the beauty of the surrounding wilderness. There is diverse flora and fauna in the region. Beaver Creek Trail passes through the Beaver Creek to the so-called Stapp Lakes Trail. The Stapp Lakes Trail comes onto a four-wheel-drive road connecting Coney Flats with Beaver Reservoir.[8]
In 1935, The Rocky Mountain Round Table had one of their regional conferences of social workers at the Stapp Lakes.[9]
David R. Sellers bought the property in 1996. He sold the 328-acre estate for $22.5 million (equivalent to $30,474,852 in 2023) in 2011.[10][11] The ownership of the property subsequently transferred once again, and a decision was made to remove the hillside that concealed the underground house. The Stapp Lakes are on private property with no public access.[12][13]
Gallery
edit-
Stapp's Lakes, Ward, Colorado -
View of Stapp Lakes Lodge with snow on the ground. Log cabins, two small four-wheeled wagons and a truck visible beneath a ridge -
Stapp's Lake next to the Underground House
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "South Saint Vrain". Forest Service USDA. Ward, Colorado. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ "Local Briefs". The Ward Miner. 7 (15). Ward, Colorado. March 17, 1899. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ "Local News". Boulder Daily Camera. 10 (15). Boulder, Colorado. April 12, 1900. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ "Trout for Boulder Creek". Boulder Daily Camera. 9 (28). Boulder, Colorado. April 27, 1899. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ "The Pacific Reporter". West Publishing Company. 168. 1918. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
- ^ "Photograph of Stapp Lakes Lodge". Boulder Public Library, Carnegie Library. Boulder, Colorado. 1920. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
- ^ "Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of Colorado". Colorado Supreme Court, W. H. Courtright Publishing Company. 63: 543. 1920. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
- ^ Dannen, Kent (June 19, 2012). Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park Including Indian Peaks Wilderness. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9780762786138. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ "Public Forum". The Austin American. Austin, Texas. August 29, 1935. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ "Stapp Lakes Lodge". Boulder Public Library. Boulder, Colorado. 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ "Sellers, David R." Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. November 6, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ "Underground Home". Daily Camera. Boulder, Colorado. July 4, 1988. Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ "Ashram bring light to retreat". The Mountain-Ear. 12 (1). Nederland, Colorado. October 13, 1988. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
