Rocky Mountain National Park

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 10 people | Log in to rate

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Our Favorite Place in Colorado

I am a traveler. I'm always planning the next trip, even if things don't always fall into place so that I can actually go. Living in the Deep South, a road trip out West always fell into the "planning to go, but never actually going" category; that is, until my 17 year old daughter persuaded me to allow her enroll at Colorado State University at Fort Collins, Colorado.

Paying that out-of-state tuition and setting her up in a condo was a financial stretch for us; however, I'm able to rationalize the expense a little bit by telling myself that it opened up a part of the country that we wouldn't have seen if she had stayed near home. In the three years that she has been living there, we have been to Colorado many times and used Fort Collins as a home base to visit the Badlands, Mount Rushmore and Deadwood in South Dakota. We have seen Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. We have been to the top of Pike's Peak. Those are just a few of the high points.

All of those places are treasured memories for us and I hope to revisit all of them one day, but our favorite place out West is one that I had never heard much about before I visited it - Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park is located near the town of Estes Park, Colorado, about an hour's drive from Ft. Collins. We have been there many times and enjoy each trip as much as the first one.

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Wildlife is Abundant 

It is not unusual to see deer, elk, and bighorn sheep within seconds after entering the park. Pull-overs are located every few miles or less, so it is safe and easy to stop and watch the animals for awhile. I have to tell myself every so often that these are wild animals I'm watching, so don't continue moving towards them for a closer photo, until they either run away or chase me back to my car.

We have watched young coyotes playing. We have watched a fox cross the road, then stop and turn it's head to check us out. Magpies have followed our car peeking through our rear window for quite some distance - why I don't know. Marmots are fun to watch, crawling over the rocks of the tundra.

Black bears, moose, mountain lions and bobcats live in the park, but we have yet to see any.

If you have never seen elk and want to see a lot of them, then Rocky Mountain National Park should be on your list of places to visit. I would venture a guess that there is no better place in the world to spot elk. They are everywhere - especially in the cold weather months.

The environment moves from from wooded forests to mountain tundra and back again, depending on altitude.

Trail Ridge Road 

Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved highway in the United States. During the snowiest part of the winter, access to Trail Ridge Road is limited. As the snow melts in the spring, more of the trail road opens until finally you can travel all the way across the Continental Divide until you get to Grand Lake, a distance of 48 miles from beginning to end. Eleven miles of Trail Ridge Road is above treeline with an elevation of close to 11,500 feet. The scenery is so spectacular that when I first saw it, it was hard to imagine anything being that beautiful - even though I just saw it with my own eyes

Well Worth Returning Again and Again 

The second most popular destination in the park is Bear Lake. Bear Lake sets beneath the Continental Divide. Hiking around the lake is popular and there are several hiking trails that begin here.

Activities that many visitors enjoy in the park are fishing, camping, rock and mountain climbing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

We have visited the park in every season. My favorite time to visit is late spring when the snow still covers many areas, but flowers are blooming where the snow has melted. That is one of the most beautiful sights that I have ever seen. I also like winter. More wildlife is spotted during winter than any other season. Visit in winter and you will have the park almost to yourself.

Summer is nice too, but it is my least favorite time to visit because of the crowds. There are less animal sightings also.

Rocky Mountain National Park is well worth going out of your way to visit. We plan on going back at every opportunity.

Rocky Mountain National Park on Flickr 

Glassy mountain brook by theseanster93

Glassy mountain broo...

The view at our final destination by theseanster93

The view at our fina...

Glassy mountain stream by theseanster93

Glassy mountain stre...

up close and personal by l . e . o

up close and persona...

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trail ridge road, rocky mountain national park by l . e . o

trail ridge road, ro...

valley from the tundra by l . e . o

valley from the tund...

we are definitely inside a thunderstorm by l . e . o

we are definitely in...

fellas taking shelter from the wind by Ms. Herr

fellas taking shelte...

Rocky Mountain National Park by Ms. Herr

Rocky Mountain Natio...

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Visit Denver Colorado 

Denver Colorado Tourist Guide
Whether you live here and are looking for something new to do, or are coming here for a vacation, this website will give you the insider's view of Denver, Colorado..

Books at Amazon 

Rocky Mountain National Park: The Complete Hiking Guide

Amazon Price: $18.45 (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

It Happened in Rocky Mountain National Park (It Happened In Series)

Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

Rocky Mountain National Park Pocket Guide (Falcon Guide)

Amazon Price: $9.87 (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

Best Easy Day Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park (Best Easy Day Hikes Series)

Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

Reader Feedback 

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    Ramkitten Ramkitten Oct 7, 2009 @ 11:00 pm
    We're thinking of going to RMNP and the surrounding area next year, so I was looking for information and found your lens. I'm putting together a lens about places we're considering going on vacation, so I'll be featuring this there. Really well done!
  • Reply
    high-country high-country Jul 17, 2009 @ 7:52 pm
    Love Rocky Mountain National Park...thanks!
  • Reply
    DougP DougP May 3, 2009 @ 9:01 pm
    The US northwest is such a beautiful part of the world, I've never been to RMNP but this lens has given me ideas.

    I was very glad to read that your wife decided to settle for the rug (ha ha), sounds like you have a great marriage!
  • Reply
    cschneid cschneid Dec 14, 2008 @ 7:26 pm
    Rocky Mountain National Park is a great place. Everybody owes it to themselves to go up to the top of Trail Ridge Road and hike up.
  • Reply
    marsha32 marsha32 Nov 12, 2008 @ 10:07 pm
    awesome...thanks so much for sharing.
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