A rainbow with its foot at the base of the mountain arched to the right toward the highest peaks. As I watched, it continued to move in its arc until it touched the ground. Immediately a second rainbow appeared just above the first, moving again from left to right until it reached the ground, completing a perfect double rainbow. But the dark clouds instantly lowered and it was gone, as if mere mortals were permitted but the slightest glimpse of heaven. Private development in the SNRA is closely controlled, but not prohibited.
Much property is still in private hands.
Remember that this is not a national park where the objective is to eliminate private ownership following the creation of the park. Americans who have traveled in Britain will recognize that the American NRA is similar in concept to the British national park. Most people camp, albeit in waterproof shells. There are more tents around Redfish Lake than elsewhere, suggesting that there is less rain there. Redfish Lake Lodge is comfortable, log-built, providing all the services that even the most fastidious vacationer might require, from restaurant and lounge to horseback riding and boating.