A few lucky people will get to see Dillon by the cut of her jib on Monday and Tuesday when they join a pontoon tour of Dillon Reservoir, often called Lake Dillon.
Both days have a waiting list, which surprises marina manager Bob Evans, who didn’t anticipate such an enthusiastic response. He is considering adding pontoon tours to the September schedule, weather permitting.
“On our first day, the tour was canceled because it was snowing,” Evans said.
During the “Explore Lake Dillon” cruises, a Summit County Historical Society member will offer a perspective of the drowned original town that gave Dillon its name, of Summit County’s mining history and of local railroad history.
There is also a bit of history on Dillon Reservoir itself, including why Denver Water — not Summit County — owns it, a sore point that, decades after the deal was done, still rankles many high-country residents.
This is the first year for “Explore Lake Dillon.” The tours begin at 9:45 a.m. and end before noon. Cost is $7 per person, cheaper than Lake Dillon Water Taxi & Charters, which charges $10 one way and $18 round-trip to carry passengers between the Frisco and Dillon marinas.
If you didn’t make the boat but are intrigued by the idea of seeing Colorado mountains from a sailor’s perspective, the Dillon marina rents pontoon boats, small speedboats and sailboats.
Be warned: Dillon Reservoir has a well-earned reputation among sailors as being a challenging body of water, thanks to changing winds and weather. For more information, call the marina at 970-468-5100. — Claire Martin, The Denver Post
