Marina in the Mountains

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Travel

MARINA in the MOUNTAINS

Photo by todd powell.

It’s got snow-capped peaks, a storybook Main Street and miles of shoreline wrapped around a pristine alpine lake. Could the tiny town of Frisco be Colorado’s ultimate summertime playground?

Boats of all sizes dot the surface of the 3,233-acre Dillon Reservoir each summer, when the Frisco Bay Marina (and nearby Dillon Marina) offer boat and slip rentals and scenic tours. Summertime regattas, like the annual New Belgium Timberline Cruiser Regatta (on Saturday, June 25, this year), offer opportunities for experienced sailors to prove their mettle—and for landlubbers to take part in the fun from the shore.

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CLOCKWISE FROM FACING PAGE, TOP LEFT: Dillon Reservoir offers world-class sailing at an elevation of more than 9,000 feet above sea level. The Continental Divide, Buffalo Mountain, Red Peak and the Tenmile Range provide a dramatic backdrop for the sparkling waters. Situated at the east end of town, the Frisco Bay Marina offers boat and paddle-sport rentals, a sandy beach and waterside dining. The Dillon Dam, shown under construction in a photo taken on August 30, 1960, diverts water from the Blue River Basin to the east side of the Continental Divide.

COME JUNE, WHEN THE LAST LAYER OF ICE MELTS INTO THE NAVY BLUE WATERS OF DILLON RESERVOIR,

On the Water Dillon Reservoir’s lofty elevation and unpredictable weather make the boating season relatively short, typically running from early June to mid-September. The FRISCO BAY MARINA (townoffrisco.com/play/frisco-bay-marina) is where the locals moor their boats, and it’s also home base for just about any water activity imaginable. There are pontoons, runabouts and fishing boats for rent (the reservoir is one of just two spots in the lower 48 where you’ll catch Arctic char), plus muscle-powered craft ranging from canoes and kayaks to stand-up paddleboards. A classic boat tour reveals the lake’s best secret spots, while the LAKE DILLON WATER TAXI (lakedillonwater taxi.com) offers a relaxing ride over to the nearby Dillon Marina. Like your water a little rougher? Through July, the FRISCO KAYAK PARK on Ten Mile Creek offers a class-3 creek section (with a manmade water feature) that ends at the lake; class-4 and 5 sections are located just above the park. Visit TEN MILE CREEK KAYAKS (tenmilecreekkayaks.com) for gear and more info. >>

Story by CHRISTINE DEORIO

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Photos, this spread, by todd powell. historic photo at right courtesy denver water, 2016.

the Frisco Bay Marina comes alive.

Situated nearly 2 miles above sea level and surrounded by mountain peaks, it’s the launch point for some of the most scenic flatwater adventures in the West, from power boating and sailing to fishing and paddling. It also bookends the town’s charming Main Street (10,500-foot Mount Royal is at the other end), where the on-shore fun ranges from beer tasting to glassblowing.

A little history Dillon Reservoir, also known as Lake Dillon, may look like one of Mother Nature’s most inspired creations, but it’s not. Most of the 3,233 acres it covers was dry land until 1963, when the Denver Water Board finished construction of a dam that diverts high mountain water from the Blue River Basin—via a 23-mile tunnel under the Continental Divide—to the South Platte River Basin and eventually on to Denver Water customers, who currently number some 1.3 million. The reservoir draws thousands of tourists each summer who come to boat, fish and explore the 18-mile bike path that encircles the lake.

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TOP TO BOTTOM: Gatherhouse Glassblowing Studio + Gallery serves as a retail store, classroom and working studio for glass artist John Hudnut. Luthier Bevan Frost creates modern steel-string guitars with classic details from his small studio, Big Hollow Guitars, in Frisco.

Beloved by locals and tourists, Butterhorn Bakery & Café is famous for its indulgent breakfasts and made-from-scratch baked goods.

MORE ASHORE In Frisco, there’s plenty of adventure to be had on dry land too. Here’s what to do when you’re not on the water:

explore the FRISCO HISTORIC PARK & MUSEUM’s 11 original structures, including a schoolhouse and the town’s first jail. Pick up the pace by biking or hiking the 8-mile PEAKS TRAIL from Frisco to Breckenridge’s Peak 7, or just kick back with a cup of tea, slice of fresh-baked pound cake and a good book at NEXT PAGE BOOKS & NOSH, one of Summit County’s last independent bookstores (nextpagebooks.com).

Eat Beat the crowds to BUTTERHORN for oversized helpings of Eggy Bread (butterhornbakery.com); rethink strip-mall dining after a gourmet reuben sandwich at FOOD HEDZ (foodhedz cafe.com); toast with Bavarian and Belgian beers and sausages at PROST (prostfinebeers.com); and satisfy your sweet tooth with homemade fudge and retro candies at FOOTE’S REST SWEET SHOPPE (footesrest.com).

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MAKE Create a one-of-a-kind work of art with help from Frisco’s world-class craftspeople: Make an appointment to visit BIG HOLLOW GUITARS for gorgeous, custom-built acoustic steelstring guitars by luthier Bevan Frost (bighollowguitars.com). Stop by DIANE HARTY MILLINERY and browse sculptural Derby-worthy toppers, sun hats and everything in between, all constructed on an antique straw machine (dianeharty. com). Or sign up for a hands-on class at GATHERHOUSE GLASSBLOWING STUDIO + GALLERY and learn the trade from artist John Hudnut while creating a piece to take home (gatherhouse.com). o

Photos, from top: courtesy gatherhouse, todd powell, shutterstock

DO Set aside plenty of time to