08-15-24
We spent a day driving and hiking in Rocky Mtn Natl park. The vistas are breathtaking and awe inspiring. Rocky Mtn Park covers 265,897 acres with over 300 miles of hiking trails.
We drove the 50 mile Trail Ridge Road from Estes Park to Grand Lake and back. We hiked a variety of trails, as high as 12,000 ft and stood on the Continental Divide.
We’ve been at high elevations (over 5000 ft) for over a month now, our bodies had acclimated and we did not experience any effects when hiking at 12,000 ft!
Heading up to Rocky Mtn 
Estes Park – entrance to Rocky Mtn Natl Park 
This fire is on the edge of the entrance road to the park 
Tree debris cleanup from the fire 
Originally the only road over the Rockies. It’s a 9 mile one way, uneven dirt road. Speed limit 15mph. Winds steeply up the mountain with hairpin turns and steep drop-offs 
The road got so narrow, it felt like you might slide off the edge 
Large male elk 
The Continental Divide cuts right through the Park 
Elevation 12,306 ft 
Mama and baby elk 