It is probably hard to imagine that anybody would ever feel the need to go swim in Lake City but on the right day it is a fantastic idea. The temperature is never unpleasant in the shade but some days you work up a sweat playing outside and all you want to do is have some fun cooling down. You may also be covered in mud or dust and need a natural cleanse.
Cooling down may be a bit of an under statement I guess. It is not ice cold in Lake San Cristobal but pretty close. In June when we took this video, we were ready to get back out the moment we hit the water. However, as the lake warms up through summer it becomes more like a cold shower than an ice bath. This same water also feeds the “beach” in Memorial park. You will notice the water is significantly warmer coming out of the lake than out of the Henson.
You may not be into cold plunges but it really will release dopamine, norepinephrine, and endorphins and give you a nice natural sense of being alive. Afterwards you can just dangle your feet in the water and enjoy the views.
As with any activity, make sure you come prepared. This is not the kind of thing you want to do if you have a heart condition or other medical complications. You also need to make sure it is warm enough that you do not get hypothermia or something crazy like that. Also… if you ware pasty white like our family you should bring sunblock. We are closer to the sun up here.
