Annual Sweetwater Colorado Fishing Trip

Annual Sweetwater Colorado Fishing Trip Traditional annually fishing trip at Sweetwater Lake Resort, Gypsum, Colorado by invite only. View the history on Sweetwater or the Dude Ranch once called.

Sweetwater Lake Resort is on the edge of the Flat Tops Wilderness, 7,700 feet up, in the grandeur of the White River National Forest in Gypsum, Colorado. The annual fishing trip to Sweetwater Lake Resort has been a tradition for over 45 years. Two old cabins built in the 1800s are used as the primary place to stay while others may stay in camper vans and pop-up trailers. The memorial annual fishin

g trip consists of 4 days of fishing on Sweetwater Lake that includes "who can catch the biggest fish" with a fishing derby, hikes to the Cave via the Ute Indian Trail, campfires every night, poker games, movie watching, and the annual ribs dinner along with other pot luck items from those that come. The special ribs dinner is cooked up on Saturday of every year during this annual event and is currently arranged by Mike Switzer who also arranges the cabins and reservations for this annual event. The area was once called the "Dude Ranch" by Diamond Jack, a historical figure that once owned the area. Check out the history under the photo section. NOTE: The resort was has been closed since 2018. Recently in October 2021, the State of Colorado in partnership with the US Forest Service has announced that the area will be a Colorado State Park. See the posts for further information on when they will have it opened for use, otherwise, you can still go to Sweetwater Campground that is next to and along Sweetwater Lake. (This site was originally developed on 20 May 2011 and maintained by James T. Flanagan Jr)

Information from the A.J. Brink Outfitters at Sweetwater Lake Resort website.
03/20/2022

Information from the A.J. Brink Outfitters at Sweetwater Lake Resort website.

03/20/2022

Hey Sweetwater clan and guests, I just caught up today on posting some photos and additional historical information. Hopefully, the timeline is unknown, but I plan on checking into it, Sweetwater Resort will be open in the future. I believe at least the boating docks will be fixed up and/or available this summer. Not sure what the State of Colorado plans are for the buildings, but hopefully they won't tear down the historical cabins, but they could fix them up a bit. I'll post any new information as I receive it.

Various photo's and information on the location for the annual Sweetwater Fishing Trip, Sweetwater Lake and Cabins. The...
03/20/2022

Various photo's and information on the location for the annual Sweetwater Fishing Trip, Sweetwater Lake and Cabins. The location has a lot of history on Louis "Two Gun" Alterie or also known as "Diamond Jack Alterie", a famous gang leader. Louis Alterie bought the ranch at Sweetwater Lake in business with his brother on 4 June 1927. The purpose: to welcome wealthy types looking for the cowboy experience. Enjoy the history provided by James Flanagan, one of the Annual Sweetwater Fishing Trip participants from various sources with a good source of information at: http://www.myalcaponemuseum.com/id204.htm and a Youtube video: Legends and Oddities - A Kingdom For a Star https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA86qz7lYjI

Another historical photo of the main cabin at Sweetwater Lake Resort, then Sweetwater Lake Ranch, courtesy of Historic M...
03/20/2022

Another historical photo of the main cabin at Sweetwater Lake Resort, then Sweetwater Lake Ranch, courtesy of Historic Modern Denver, Denver Public Library.

A older map of Sweetwater Lake Ranch from about 1927, courtesy of Historic Modern Denver, Denver Public Library.
03/20/2022

A older map of Sweetwater Lake Ranch from about 1927, courtesy of Historic Modern Denver, Denver Public Library.

Although already known by many, here is Governor Polis announcement video (October 2021) and partnership to manage Sweet...
03/20/2022

Although already known by many, here is Governor Polis announcement video (October 2021) and partnership to manage Sweetwater Lake area as the newest Colorado State Park. Apparently, this partnership is a first of its kind in the nation between the State of Colorado and the U.S. Forest Service, White River National Forest.

Here is the official announcement video at:

Governor Jared Polis announced a partnership among Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the U.S. Forest Service (White River National Forest), and Eagle Valley Land ...

03/20/2022
Additional news article....
10/21/2021

Additional news article....

A 488-acre parcel of land adjacent to the Flat Tops Wilderness Area that includes one of the state’s largest natural lakes will be Colorado’s 43rd state park.

Looks like Sweetwater will survive! We haven't used the resort area for years due to it being shut down and various bus...
10/21/2021

Looks like Sweetwater will survive! We haven't used the resort area for years due to it being shut down and various businesses trying to buy and develop the area, but now it's Colorado's newest, 43rd State Park. Shout out to my Brother Corey for sharing the news. Now we'll have to see what the future Sweetwater Fishing trip will look like.

Colorado’s new state park Sweetwater Lake in Garfield County will be the first in the nation on Forest Service land.

08/27/2020

Sweetwater remains on indefinite hold. We have not been there as a group since about 2017. With the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the world, we definitely didn't get to do a "Sweetwater Redux 2" - or a mini-Sweetwater with just a few of us. Of course not at the cabins as they remain closed and unavailable for renting, but using the Sweetwater Campground that is directly next to Sweetwater resort. Mike, Brad, and Jimmy did do a trip in 2019 at the Sweetwater Campground and did some hiking, fishing, good cooking, and some kayaking, mainly to get to the good fishing spots, but not totally the same, but we had fun. Although REALLY late. A few photos from 2019 will be posted soon. No word on any trip for 2021 or if a new trip location will be determined. According to the Sweetwater Resort website, it still states "The cabins, our private campground, and Diamond Jack's Western Restaurant will be closed down. Our outfitting business will still be fully operational." This was as of 2018 and appears to still be the case.

It has been a while...Still don't know the future of Sweetwater, but we know it is not only a historical site but a lot ...
02/09/2020

It has been a while...Still don't know the future of Sweetwater, but we know it is not only a historical site but a lot of folks love to go there for fishing, hiking, camping, you name it. I just hope that it is all worked out and Sweetwater remains the same. Here are a few videos on Sweetwater:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMU5jP5bzf8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KOHb10iamo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU-kVs4uk64

Sweetwater, Colorado is a place with a rich history, and a pioneer spirit , where people live, work and rely on themselves each other and the land. Producer:...

11/09/2019

Ok, ok, ok, so Sweetwater 2019 didn't happen due to the Sweetwater Resort still closed and/or under contract to be sold, but Mike, Brad and I did do our own "modified" Sweetwater 2019 from the local Sweetwater Lake Campground, White National River Forest that took place in May of 2019. Some pictures will be posted soon! (Edit: only took me until 2022 to do it). There were a few fish caught, by Mike, Brad and I just wished I got a fish 😎

Address

3406 Sweetwater Road
Gypsum, CO
81637

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Our Story

Sweetwater Lake Resort is on the edge of the Flat Tops Wilderness, 7,700 feet up, in the grandeur of the White River National Forest in Gypsum, Colorado. The annual fishing trip to Sweetwater Lake Resort has been a tradition for over 45-years for only those veterans to the annual event and those invited. Two old cabins built in the 1800's, with a history (see the history in the photo gallery) are used as the primary place to stay while others may stay in camper van's, pop up trailers, trailers and even tents. The memorial annual fishing trip consists normally of 4-days of fishing on Sweetwater Lake that includes "who can catch the biggest fish" with a fishing derby. This is dedicated to Bill “Billy Boy” Wendt who passed away in December 2010. The annual event also includes hikes to the Cave via the Ute Indian Trail, camp fires every night, poker games, movie watching, and the annual ribs dinner along with other pot luck items from those that come. The special ribs dinner is cooked up on Saturday of every year during this annual event, and was previously arranged by Mike Switzer, now Justin Stillman who arranges the cabins and reservations for this annual event. The area was once called the "Dude Ranch" by Diamond Jack, a historical figure that once owned there area. Check out the history under the photo section.

Our Sweetwater story provided by James T. Flanagan Jr, and the Sweetwater Facebook site was originally developed on 20 May 2011 to share the fun of the outdoors, fishing and good friends. Enjoy!