Today’s hike features the Slocum Cabin tucked behind a ranger station on the south shore of Chatfield Reservoir. Today was a beautiful sunny 60-degree day outside, perfect for NOT watching Taylor Swift’s Chiefs beat out Lamar Jackson’s Ravens for the AFC Super Bowl nod. If you stayed indoors for that, too bad for you.
According to the Colorado Parks & Wildlife site, here:
Slocum Cabin, built along the South Platte in 1852, stands as a testament to the 19th century fur trade. It is recognized as one of the oldest structures in the Denver area.
Featuring 2 doors, 2 windows, hand-hewn joints, a sod roof, and a stone fireplace, this 10×12 space accommodated 5 people. That’s right, you heard me: Five. The Slocums were trappers, and their rustic cabin predated Chatfield Reservoir by over a century.
With no big screen TV, my guess is that on cold winter days they gathered round the hearth and played Parcheesi rather than watching the NFL playoffs – but that’s just a guess. My other guess is that if they were smart, they spent their summer days as far apart as possible in the great out-of-doors. That’s where I’d be. In fact, that’s where I WAS today, even though it’s still January – go figure. And thank G*d for the fur trade. Also, for global warming.
Well, as one of our daughters lives in Overland Park, KS, that family of six are quite happy with the Chief’s victory. But the family is also something of a Broncos club since Elizabeth grew up in Colorado. There you have it. But your hike today and the photos are lovely to see. Thank you.
I Would guess its been restored some.