Rocky Mountain National Park, Part 1 - July 19, 2005 (Re-run)

 Rocky Mountain National Park, designated in 1915, includes more than 265,000 acres of mountainous terrain, and is nearly surrounded by National Forest and other public land.  The main entrances to the park are in the towns of Estes Park in the east and Grand Lake in the west.  Trail Ridge Road, the highest through road in North America, runs between the two towns, offering scenic beauty and wildlife viewing opportunities.  The park is known for its many lakes, streams, waterfalls and hiking trails.  In addition to great hiking, people come to enjoy horseback riding, rock climbing and mountaineering.  Before the Covid pandemic, the park was approaching 5 million visitors each year, despite the fact that much of it is closed during Winter.

We made a point of driving Fall River Road, an older, partly unpaved trail that goes high into the mountains before re-joining the main road.

Mount Evans, CO - July 14, 2005 (Re-run)

 In all my years of travel, a day trip to the summit of Mt. Evans is one of the best adventures I've ever experienced.  At 14,264 feet in elevation, Mt. Evans is higher than Pikes Peak, and the paved road to near the summit is the highest road in North America.  Not widely known in 2005, this attraction was easily done without advance planning, although the road is open only during the Summer season due to heavy snowfall.  These days, one must secure advance tickets for a given time slot and pay based on which stops are to be made.

The mountain road begins at Echo Lake at an elevation of 10,600 feet.  There is a beautiful and historic lodge at this point that is also worth a visit.

We were pleased to see prolific wildflowers all along the roadside and well up on the rocky slopes.

A major stop is the Mount Goliath Nature Park, where the rare bristlecone pines can be seen.  A trail winds through the forest of trees ranging up to 1700 years old., not as long-lived as the bristlecones in California and Nevada, which can live up to 4000 years.

Summit Lake isn't actually at the summit, but is close enough to warrant the name.  Again, lots of wildflowers fill the landscape.

 Mt. Evans is known for its wildlife, including marmots, bighorn sheep and mountain goats.  Our favorites were the goats, despite the somewhat scraggly appearance of winter fur, often in the process of shedding.  The young kids were the highlight.

At the summit, ruins of the Crest House can be explored.  This building served as a restaurant, gift shop and tourist attraction from1941 until 1979, when it was partially burned.  There is also an observatory and a trail that covers the last 120 feet to the very peak, where spectacular views can be enjoyed.