Visiting Rocky Mtn. National Park (with pics)

**MacMillans son** · 11th September 12, 05:15 PM

After our time at the Longs Peak games in Estes Park Colorado, Connie and I took advantage of the opportunity to tour the beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park. We combined car touring the first day with a 4 mile round trip hike the second day. Here is the requisite "Me in my kilt" photo to get things started, Connie thought the Fall colors set off the weathered tartan very nicely!

There are numerous pull outs along the road to allow tourist like us the opportunity to photograph the splendor:

The top of the route between Estes Park and Grand Lake, on the other side of the range, sits at aprox. 12,100 Ft above sea level (well over two miles). From that point there is a paved trail up to the top of the mountain which provides access to various rock out cropings like these, formed when the softer lower rock is eroded below the upper rock:

Up on top of another outcropping is this bronze plaque type deal that has the specific altitude at this very point 12,340 ft (I think) with raised lines on the perimiter indicating the direction and elevation of other peaks viewable in the area and in neighboring states.

A bit breezy up there it was, though no match for 8 yrds of 16oz wool !!

More to come!....

**MacMillans son** · 11th September 12, 05:23 PM

On our way over we crossed one point of the Continental Divide. For those not from these parts, the Continental Divide is a zig zaging path that roughly divides the western states from the East by way of watershed. Those areas on the east of the Divide drain to the Atlantic Ocean and those on the West side draining to the Pacific Ocean....usually

.

There were a few wildlife sightings along the way as well. Here is a photo of your basic Chipmunk that are quite common here:

And we were blessed with the presence of this fine fellow, American Elk, making his way across the side hill towards us:

More to come!...

**Downunder Kilt** · 11th September 12, 05:29 PM

Those 2 pics of you in the wind on the cliff are just superb.

**MacMillans son** · 11th September 12, 05:30 PM

The periodic splashes of Fall color were quite stunning against the dark brown or green backdrop of the pine forests:

Long, glacier carved valleys abound, along with stunning vistas:

More to come...

**MacMillans son** · 11th September 12, 05:40 PM

On to the town and location of Grand Lake where we came across this lovely park on the edge of the lake:

Looking towards the park and lake, on the other side of the road, is this gaggle of benches:

As we got closer we noticed that benches had dedication plaques placed on them, and thought this one in particular would bring a smile to some of our members here:

Day two still to come...

**MacMillans son** · 11th September 12, 05:59 PM

Day two had us up early in order to make the Bear Lake Road access before the road construction began for the day. As we were flying out that evening, we kept our hiking to a 4 mile round trip to see a small chain of lakes and surrounding area.

For those of you unaware, there is a horrible blight of Pine Beetles devastating the Pine forests of Colorado and, to a lesser degree, other states in the western U.S.. The greyish brown trees in the accompanying photos are mostly those killed by these beetles. A close up of their work:

One of the remedies that that park service uses to reduce potential forest fire fuel is to cut and control burn dead areas near the road ways. These piles will be put to the match after the first snow falls:

More to come...

**MacMillans son** · 11th September 12, 06:01 PM

This is a photo of a far happier trail

Well that's all folks, thanks for joining us, and we encourage everyone to get out and enjoy YOUR national parks!

Best regards,
Brooke

**JRB** · 11th September 12, 06:42 PM

Fantastic photos. That's one of my favorite places in the world. Thanks for sharing.

**LitTrog** · 11th September 12, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan's son

After our time at the Longs Peak games in Estes Park Colorado, Connie and I took advantage of the opportunity to tour the beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park. We combined car touring the first day with a 4 mile round trip hike the second day. Here is the requisite "Me in my kilt" photo to get things started, Connie thought the Fall colors set off the weathered tartan very nicely!

Wow. That's very...autumnal.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I haven't been into RMNP in a couple years. That's some beautiful country and you did a fanschmabulous job getting it onto your memory card. (Can't really say "on film" anymore)

It's a big park. I think you need to come back and see more of it!