Rocky Mountain National Park II

We spent several more days traveling through Rocky Mtn. NP, shopping in Estes Park and completed the trip in Denver.

Sprague Lake - beautiful setting with the snow-capped mountains in the background! 

Roaring River from Lawn Lake which sits below Mummy Mountain @ 13,425 ft.

Chasm Falls off Old Fall River Road

Upstream from the falls

Lunch break downstream from the falls

Elk pasturing Sheep Lake area

Mountain Goats eating and drinking in the meadow 

Too many people, I'm going back up the mountain

Young moose running through the area

The deer followed us to our campground

The deer were bashful visiting our campground, guest they owned the area before the campground was built! 

US 34 (Trail Ridge Road) was not open when we first arrived at Estes Park.  This road connects the east and west sides of the park and has a high point of 12, 183 ft of elevation.  It opened so we had to drive part of it.  We made it to the Alpine Visitor Center.

Looking into Hidden Valley

Tundra Communications Trailhead

Marmot (just left of center) out looking for food! 

Brave biker pedaling up the mountain 

Just a little white stuff at the top

Grand opening of the road for the season, look who's holding the ribbon on the right!

 I headed to Lumpy Ridge Trailhead, part of the National Park but located east of Estes Park, to hike to Gem Lake.

Another view of Estes Lake going up the trail

Shoe Rock

Gem Lake

An interesting sculpture out in the forest! 

The Needles at 10,000 ft.

 We finished our Denver area trip back in Denver where we spent time with Theresa, Erik & Gus.  Homeowners always have projects and the below picture was a project completed by Erik & Larry.  Also managed to attend a Rockies baseball game, a few dinners and a great performance by Cirque Du Soleil downtown Denver.  Thank you Theresa and Erik for a great week of celebrating our birthdays!