The name of this cache leads to several connections about this site within Staunton State Park. It highlights the major effort to reconstruct the nearby Davis Ponds for fishing as described below. It is also intended to make you think of a natural fisher that may be seen nearby. This cache involves a mechanism that you must use to access the cache, so please treat it gently and return it to the original position.
The Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) is a very distinctive bird that can be found in this area year-round, but needs open water, either ponds or creeks from which to get its food. It eats fish, and gets them by plunge-diving headfirst into the water, often after hovering above the surface. Look especially for the white belt around its throat. The most common way to see this brightly colored blue and white, 13” long bird (Photo of female shown at left by Teddy Llovet from Wikipedia) is when it perches on branches near the water, and flies back and forth relatively low trying to spot fish. It nests in excavated holes in mud banks. It can also be heard making a territorial unsteady chattering sound, or a shorter, more musical trill. The sound can be heard at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher/sounds
The adjacent site was previously a set of three farm ponds along Black Mountain Creek that was part of the Davis Ranch. This property was acquired from the private owner in 2006 as part of a 1000-acre parcel using a Greater Outdoors Colorado Legacy Grant. While the original farm ponds were suitable for private ranch use, they did not meet the current 100-year flood standards for dams suitable for public access. Therefore, a year-long project was undertaken, shortly after Staunton State Park opened to the public in May 2013, to rebuild two dams to recreate the lower two ponds, while creating a creek bed where the upper pond had been located. Additional amenities including a fishing pier, vault toilet, and covered picnic area are available at the ponds for family enjoyment. (Update as of April 2015 - The pond dams have been completed, and they are full of water. Some fish have been stocked, and the ponds are open for fishing, but be sure you are following Colorado rules, and have a license if 16 or older.)
This cache is located within Staunton State Park, which has one public entrance along S. Elk Creek Road, six miles west of Conifer, about 1.5 miles off U.S. Highway 285. Parking along either side of S. Elk Creek Road and Upper Ranch Road adjacent to the park boundary is prohibited, so although this location appears near the road, the permissible access is from the Davis Ponds trail within the Park. All vehicles entering the park must have a daily park pass ($7) or a CO state park annual or special pass.
Hours of operation vary by season, and no overnight parking is currently permitted. A walk-in campground is planned to open in summer 2018. During summer weekends, the park may reach capacity, and cars are allowed to enter only if a parking space is available. Horse trailers are admitted if space is available for parking trailers. Information about the park can be found at http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/staunton
All visitors must follow park rules and regulations. These include dogs on leash at all times, clean up after pets, travel on developed trails to the extent feasible, no fires away from the developed area, leave no trace, respect areas closed for resource management, and be careful around wildlife (especially mountain lions, coyotes, and black bears). No motorized vehicles are allowed on trails within the Park. Pack your own trash out of the back country, and trash receptacles are located near the parking areas. Also, be prepared for changing weather, bring adequate water and footwear, and trails may be snow-covered or icy in winter
Additional Waypoints
GT5QWP7 - Upper Davis Ponds Trailhead
N 39° 29.997 W 105° 22.787
Note: Davis Ponds Trailhead near Group Picnic Area (Currently available and near upper parking lots)
MT5QWP7 - Lower Davis Ponds Trailhead
N 39° 29.890 W 105° 22.892
Note: Davis Ponds Trailhead near Visitor's Center (unavailable until Visitor Center construction complete in Summer 2018)
Fly Fisher
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