BajaNomad

Rocky Mountain National Park

DianaT - 11-15-2015 at 07:38 PM

One of the 5 National Parks we visited on this last trip was the Rocky Mountain National Park. We have been in that area a number of times, but the Trail Ridge Road though the park has been closed! It is a narrow, windy road that goes up over 12000 feet.

This time we got lucky --- it was open! However, since we were not very happy with the scenic pictures we took, we wanted to return to the top the next day, but the snows came and closed it down!

It is dificult to capture the massive and magnificent vistas, and the turnouts are few--- so it really is something one must see in person. Since we could not return, here are a couple of pictures we took the first day.

The road




Above the tree line




Just some of the magnificent views




A tiny resident




A few flying residents.










The grand masters of rocky terrain










And it was almost the end of the rut

Quite a harem this guy collected




Lost part of an antler, but oh well, it will all fall off anyway




Nasty little bugs!




And back down in Estes Park, there were hundreds of Elk on the golf course --- several groups that seemed to be co-existing at this time. This young guy thought he might do one last seasonal challenge to another male, but he was ignored---- I love the sound of the elk bugle




This mom was rather annoyed ---- she kept moving away as she was obviously trying to wean this big baby




And while we watch cows and other animals have no problem with birds landing on them, this lady did not want to be bothered by this magpie




Thanks for looking and we highly reccomend this park. We will return --- maybe as we just keep finding too many places we have not visited.



Maron - 11-15-2015 at 08:22 PM

WOW, super photos. Thanks for sharing.

DianaT - 11-16-2015 at 11:43 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Maron  
WOW, super photos. Thanks for sharing.


Thank you --:saint::saint:

wessongroup - 11-16-2015 at 12:41 PM

How'd the little one take it all ... one traveling dog .. WOOF !!

we used to travel with our's too :):)

[Edited on 11-16-2015 by wessongroup]

DianaT - 11-16-2015 at 02:16 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wessongroup  
How'd the little one take it all ... one traveling dog .. WOOF !!

we used to travel with our's too :):)

[Edited on 11-16-2015 by wessongroup]


Tommy Dog enjoys the travel and the camping. We have to help him up and down the camper steps and in and out of the truck. While he really can't hear the squirrels any more and his eye sight is going, he sure can smell them and loves to camp around the squirrels. He will be 14 in a couple of weeks and we just wish we could turn back the clock. He is still our fur baby.

Mexitron - 11-16-2015 at 03:39 PM

Beautiful! I imagine those are Bristlecones or Limber Pines at treeline?

DianaT - 11-16-2015 at 06:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Mexitron  
Beautiful! I imagine those are Bristlecones or Limber Pines at treeline?


Thanks
I don't know about the Limber Pines, but from what I read, I don't think there are any Bristlecones. The road that climbs up there has few turnouts for looking closely and we did not too any hiking --- really cold, windy and weather was comining in.

DawnPatrol - 11-17-2015 at 01:02 PM

Diana T;
Love the pictures. For years we spent 2 weeks every summer at the in-laws cabin in Estes Park..
Brings back many memories of when our kids were young.
Elk walking through town, etc etc

They have a great hiking trail system also... culminating in the Longs Peak hike.... to 14,000 plus feet !!

Thanks for bringing back good memories
Alan From San Diego

Natalie Ann - 11-17-2015 at 05:15 PM

Great trip pix, Diana.
My favorites are the mud pots, maybe because they are also my favorites in real life.
Thanks for sharing.

Nena

DianaT - 11-17-2015 at 08:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Natalie Ann  
Great trip pix, Diana.
My favorites are the mud pots, maybe because they are also my favorites in real life.
Thanks for sharing.

Nena


So good to see you around here! Thanks, and yes, the mud pots are just neat.

D

DianaT - 11-17-2015 at 08:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Natalie Ann  
Great trip pix, Diana.
My favorites are the mud pots, maybe because they are also my favorites in real life.
Thanks for sharing.

Nena


So good to see you around here! Thanks, and yes, the mud pots are just neat.

D

Skipjack Joe - 11-17-2015 at 11:22 PM

It looks as though they could use some apex predators.