We had heard of this drive but never had a chance to do it on our last visit. A very easy drive for a passenger car; the 9-mile one-way (up hill) road has lots of switchbacks but is smooth and well-maintained. It was a bit tougher to make the switchbacks in our truck (22ft long, road limit is 25ft). We had to back up a few times to make the turns.
Unfortunately, the Chasm Falls Trail was closed for trail maintenance, but do make sure you stop to see this, which is said to be the best falls on the east side of RMNP. Fall River Road / Chasm Falls
Fantastic views and dramatic change from valley floor to top of the continental divide.This makes a great scenic loop, from Estes going up Fall River Rd and down Trail Ridge Road back into Estes.
Pics from Fall River Road - Trail Ridge Road
2012-09-24 RMNP - Bear Lake and Alberta Falls
We've hiked up to Dream Lake, Nymph Lake, Emerald Lake before, plus we also did the hike from Bear Lake over to Cub Lake / Moraine Park last time we were here. This day we just strolled around Bear Lake and then went up to Alberta Falls / Glacier Gorge. We were heading up towards Mills Lake but the sky was getting dark so we headed back.
I remembered the fantastic aspen grove on Alberta Falls trail from 2 years ago, so this was a must see in the fall. A really good choice for fall colors!
pics from RMNP Alberta Falls - fall colors!
I remembered the fantastic aspen grove on Alberta Falls trail from 2 years ago, so this was a must see in the fall. A really good choice for fall colors!
pics from RMNP Alberta Falls - fall colors!
2012-09-23 Estes Park Autumn Gold Festival
This free festival was pretty good, really enjoyed Cowboy Brad Fitch (does a lot of John Denver tunes) and the Wendy Woo band. info on the Autumn Gold festival The park downtown is a easy walk down the river from our lodge, nice to avoid the traffic and parking mess (which is always the case on weekends).
Pics from festival, around Estes
Pics from festival, around Estes
2012-09-20 Rocky Mtn - Wild Basin hike
We asked some locals where they recommended for good fall color, and they sent us to Wild Basin area. RMNP - Wild Basin info This is back on the Peak to Peak Highway about 8 miles or so south of Estes Valley. It is part of the national park, thus requires fee or pass, same as the primary park area. We hiked the Ouzel Falls trail, including other falls and cascades along the way. So glad we took this hike - the colors were beautiful and the hike very pleasant. The waters in the creeks, cascades and waterfalls were all very low, due to the drought. This is a popular area so trailhead parking fills up early!
We saw a mule deer on the road in, but the ranger told us there were two moose there earlier in the morning....darn it, we missed them!
pics from Wild Basin - Ouzel Falls Trail
We saw a mule deer on the road in, but the ranger told us there were two moose there earlier in the morning....darn it, we missed them!
pics from Wild Basin - Ouzel Falls Trail
2012-09-18 CO Rocky Mtn NP, Estes Elk
We took a drive into Rocky Mountain National Park. It was unbelievably brown and dry compared to our last visit 2 years ago. Still, great to see the fall colors starting to show.
Then we stopped at Estes Lake to walk the trail and perhaps see some elk. Turns out they're not kidding, the elk really do live down here in the fall. Big herds and constant bugling. It was quite entertaining to watch the big bull elk, never a moment to rest...round up the girls, chase off the boys...woops, now round up the girls again....
Some pics from RMNP and Estes Park
Then we stopped at Estes Lake to walk the trail and perhaps see some elk. Turns out they're not kidding, the elk really do live down here in the fall. Big herds and constant bugling. It was quite entertaining to watch the big bull elk, never a moment to rest...round up the girls, chase off the boys...woops, now round up the girls again....
Some pics from RMNP and Estes Park
2012-09-16 Estes Park - Crags Lodge
We lucked out and found a "free" place to stay. Using our Diamond Resorts timeshare, the Historic Crags Lodge in Estes Park had a week open for us in a 1-bedroom unit, and RV parking! So we will hunker down here while we decide on a fall / winter location...
Upon entering Estes Park, the welcoming committee came out to say hello. Right there at the turn onto the main drag - there was a 10-point bull elk! And I'm not talking about the statue. (I heard elk regularly walk through town here.)
Our lodge was built by the "father of Rocky Mountain National Park", Enoch "Joe" Mills, in 1914. They just remodeled the pool area and put in a hot tub....nice! The staff has been very helpful, and it's a good jumping off point to explore RMNP.
http://www.cragslodge.com/generalinfo.html
Pics on the way into Estes Park
Upon entering Estes Park, the welcoming committee came out to say hello. Right there at the turn onto the main drag - there was a 10-point bull elk! And I'm not talking about the statue. (I heard elk regularly walk through town here.)
Our lodge was built by the "father of Rocky Mountain National Park", Enoch "Joe" Mills, in 1914. They just remodeled the pool area and put in a hot tub....nice! The staff has been very helpful, and it's a good jumping off point to explore RMNP.
http://www.cragslodge.com/generalinfo.html
Pics on the way into Estes Park
2012-09-14 Two Days in the Valley
On our way to Estes Park, we stopped for 2 nights in Peaceful Valley. Info on Peaceful Valley Wow, the fall colors are really coming on strong! A nice little campground, leads into Camp Dick which is much larger (and slightly less peaceful) - lots of 4-wheelers, it can be noisy and hectic.Info on Camp Dick This is a very popular spot because of the 4-wheel drive roads and the great hiking trails (some of which can be hazardous - I believe two people have died on the trails from Camp Dick this summer). It was a easy one-mile stroll up the Buchanan Pass trail from Peaceful Valley to Camp Dick, which I walked the evening we arrived. Info on Buchanan Pass Trail
Surprised to learn they have not spotted a bear in Camp Dick since June. Where are all the bears??? According to the news, they are down in the suburbs of Boulder and Golden where the eatin's good, which can be very unfortunate for the bears. bears visiting Golden, bear in Boulder
We really enjoyed our 2 night stay, hiked up to Timberline Falls, and enjoyed an evening around the campfire with fellow hosts Miles and Adina who are taking over these two campgrounds starting Monday through the end of October (in addition to Rainbow Lakes which they have been managing all summer).
pics from Peaceful Valley
Surprised to learn they have not spotted a bear in Camp Dick since June. Where are all the bears??? According to the news, they are down in the suburbs of Boulder and Golden where the eatin's good, which can be very unfortunate for the bears. bears visiting Golden, bear in Boulder
We really enjoyed our 2 night stay, hiked up to Timberline Falls, and enjoyed an evening around the campfire with fellow hosts Miles and Adina who are taking over these two campgrounds starting Monday through the end of October (in addition to Rainbow Lakes which they have been managing all summer).
pics from Peaceful Valley
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