Rocky Mountain National Park -- All the way to Grand Lake!

Lush green grass of the Montane and perfect blue skies await us
as we enter park!

We leave Estes Park after breakfast and head into Rocky Mountain National Park on a perfect summer day, two visitors among over a million people who pour into this park during its six-week summer period. 

In fact, it was recently reported that in 2015, 4.15 million people visited this park, a new record making it the third most visited national park behind only the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Tennessee/North Carolina border and the Grand Canyon.  More people visited Rocky Mountain  National Park than Yosemite National Park and Yellowstone.  

Although a perfect blue-sky sunny day, we know that what is warm in Estes Park at an elevation of 7,522 feet will vary greatly as we rise in elevation so we have packed our requisite water bottles, sunscreen and several options in gear, including sweatshirts, fleece and down jackets--complete with gloves!

Gentle readers, some of you might remember a blog post I wrote some time ago about another trip into the park when we reached the Alpine Visitor's Center (11,796 feet).  Today we will again travel on that exhilarating Trail Ridge Road, that is the highest paved highway in the country, leaving the Montane (below 9,000 feet) to drive through the Subalpine (9,000-11,400 feet) to reach the Alpine (above 11,400 feet) on our way to Grand Lake (8,367 feet). 

As we drive up, we can see where the tree line ends.

We have never taken this drive in mid-season.  When we entered the park in May, the snow had yet to be cleared past Rainbow Curve.  The goal every year is to have Trail Ridge Road opened by Memorial Day. Depending on the amount of snow, sometimes that is a more difficult challenge than other years.

Continuing, we are soon above the tree line.

The stick poles along the edges of the road are markers for snow removal crews.


Summer here is six weeks long.  It's an amazingly fragile world, but one surprisingly very much alive.

The tundra has extremely thin soil, strong ultraviolet light, drying winds and bitter cold.
The small plants hug the ground to survive.

Nearing Rock Cut, one is reminded to be cautious as there is a steep
drop on the other side of the road.

As we approach Rock Cut we near the highest point on the road at 12,183 feet.

Just beyond that is the Alpine Visitor Center at 11,796 feet.

It is my favorite stop because one has the most astonishing views of "peaks, lakes, snowfields, canyons, forests and meadows spread over 400 square miles." (Thank you Rocky Mountain National Park brochure!)


This is such a remarkable visitor's center.  More than two miles above sea level it has no utility or phone lines connecting it to the outside world.  A diesel generator supplies its power.  Water is from a snowmelt collection center and treated for use.  Sewage is hauled away daily.  And, each fall all pipes must be drained and all systems shut down for a seven-month "hibernation."  

At the Alpine Visitor's Center are trails for the stalwart of heart to
climb to see vistas of unmatched beauty.

On this visit we were glad for our fleece jackets with tall collars to protect our necks from the cold winds. 

We had great empathy for those who were dressed for a Florida beach and didn't realize that such a drop in temperature would await them at "the top."

On this day, it was mid-80s when we departed Estes Park and low 50s at the Alpine Visitor's Center--with gusty winds.

Medicine Bow Curve is the first curve taking us from the
Alpine Visitor's Center onward to Grand Lake.

Because we departed from Estes Park, we have time to continue on Trail Ridge Road down the other side, over the Continental Divide (10,758 feet), past Fairview Curve and past the Colorado River Trailhead.  

The Kawuneeche Valley is lush and green compared to the barren beauty of the alpine tundra--and much warmer, too.

Shades of green are a welcome surprise after the barren beauty
of the tundra.

It is a beautiful drive to Grand Lake, 8,367 feet. Thanks to an informative sign we learned that Grand Lake is the largest natural lake in Colorado, formed 30,000 years ago by glaciers.  It is the headwaters of the Colorado River with an estimated depth of 265 feet.

We learned Grand Lake was also called "Spirit Lake" by the Native Americans who camped along the shore.

A soccer ball is passed on the library green in the middle of the main street.  

Grand Lake, although teeming with visitors, wind surfers, sailors, campers and guests, is really a small community of less than 500 people, according to the 2000 census.

 Established in 1881, the town is now a popular tourist destination--including us on this stunning day in July.