Rocky Mountain National Park

This was the second time for us to visit Rocky Mountain National Park and we were saddened  to see all of the damage to the forest caused by the Beetle Kill.   The temperature dropped to 62 degrees as we reached an elevation of 12,132 feet. 

Trail Ridge Road covering the 48 miles between Estes Park on the east side of the park and Grand Lake on the west side of the park is heavily traveled and known as the highway to the sky.  Eleven miles of this highway  travel above the tree line.  There were several places to pull off the highway and enjoy the different views. 

Words cannot describe the stunning views in the park.  Hopefully sharing these pictures will give one a glimpse of this magnificent park.

Our first sighting of wildlife in the park.

Beetle kill damage to the forest

Veering off Trail Ridge Road to see the Colorado River.

The wildflowers as small as they were made a big contribution to spectacular scenes in the park.

The meadow at the end of Coyote Trail shows just how many of the trees have died during the catastrophic beetle kill. 

I ask Terry to give me a count of the damaged trees.  Of course he gave me a number but I highly doubt it was correct.

As we were leaving the Coyote Trail area this moose and her little one came walking across the road in front of the jeep.



As these animals become accustomed to humans they lose their natural fear and can become aggressive.

We walked around the snow on the trail to Lake Irene.  The reflection of the trees and clouds in the water doubled the lake's beauty.  A perfect place for a picnic.

Yes he hit me with the snowball.



We stopped at Milner Pass to throw a few snowballs.

Snow bank on the side of Trail Ridge Road

Snow melt rushing from underneath the snow bank.



Seeing the wildlife in the park was exciting.

Rocky  Mountain National Park had 4.1 million visitors last year

As you look out across this range your state of being is peaceful.

Being in the top of  these mountains the connection between nature and yourself is calming.

These elk do not show any fear to humans or the automobiles.

Trying to capture the depth of the valleys with my camera is no comparison to what you actually see and feel as you look down.

Tracker on this elk.

These type sights and the feeling of tranquility in the park are the reasons so many visitors return each year.