Part 2 of our Rocky Mountain Park day will have lots more pictures! And more hiking! On our way down the Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake, we saw deer crossing the street, a young or female (or both) big horned ram, and a big group of elk. And we crossed the Continental Divide!
A big horned sheep...I kind of thought they would be fluffy!
A group of elk eating beside the road.
Our first hike of the day was to a meadow. The park ranger said that we were too late to get a parking spot at Bear Lake, where we wanted to go, so he recommended this hike. It wasn't hiking upward, but rather fairly flat. No wildlife on the trail, but the view at the end was incredible!
The meadow at the end of the trail. The mountains looked like they were full of lavender because so many trees were dead and had a purplish tint to them.
Grand Lake was more of resort town than Estes Park. Lots of water sports and there were ski resorts nearby. We walked around a little and then headed back across the Rockies on the Trail Ridge Road.
Our second Trifecta activity was to go to Bear Lake. Although the park ranger said the lot was full, we took a chance that since it was later in the day, some people would have left. And our gamble paid off!
Bear Lake
Nathan and Camden at Bear Lake
Our last thing to do for our Trifecta was to hike to Alberta Falls. We were getting tired, but it was only about a mile and a half. More uphill than our other hike, but with a great waterfall at the end!
More chipmunks...and Nathan talking to one!
The view of the river from the top of the trail.
Alberta Falls
After a long day in the great outdoors, we showered at the hotel, ate dinner at a Mexican restaurant, looked around Estes Parka and headed back to the hotel for our last night in the hotel. The next day was our drive back to Denver to catch our plane for home. The last picture of the trip was the famous blue Demonic Horse at the Denver airport. I had read about it and was glad we got to see it before we flew out of town! It was a great trip spending time with the family and enjoying God's creation!!
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