Rocky Mountain National Park – Take Two

A view in the park…below the alpine ridgeline.

I had the opportunity to go to Colorado for a week to help take care of my two adorable two grandchildren who live there. Their mother went to her sister’s wedding while my son and their two children stayed behind. So I gladly offered my assistance.

On top of the world.

While there, my son and grandkids and I took a day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. Our son’s new home in Colorado is about an hour from the park. My husband and I visited the park when we drove out to Colorado in late April so this was my second trip to the park within six months.

The beginning of the Old Fall River Road, and the beginning of snow (late April).

In April, the Old Fall River Road was closed to vehicles. It is only open for traffic July through September so Gary and I decided to hike along the popular, historic road to Chasm Falls, a couple miles up the road.

Old Fall River Road – hairpin turn in late April.

As we started hiking… it started snowing… so we had a peaceful hike up and back down the hairpin-curved road, with snow-globe style snowflakes gently falling.

The beginning of the Old Fall River Road in RMNP, in August.

In August, the Old Fall River Road is open to traffic so my son slowly drove along the winding, nine-mile dirt road to the Alpine Visitor Center, one of the highest points you can drive to in the park.

I love this photo of Ezra…he is color coordinated with the colors surrounding him in nature. Photo by TB.

We parked the car at the Alpine Center and continued hiking up a trail to the top – 12,005’.

Climbing up the trail to 12,005′.

It was a beautiful day and the vistas were fantastic, at the top and all the way up the mountain.

My son near the sign designating the altitudle.

We drove down the mountain on the Trail Ridge Road since the Old Fall River Road is one-way only.

A postcard I bought in the center.

The Trail Ridge Road is a wonderful smooth, paved road that crosses through the park. We stopped for a picnic supper part way down and continued to enjoy the beauty surrounding us. 

A colorful wildflower in bloom, the Indian Paintbrush.

During both visits to the park, in April and in August, we saw elk.

Elk in August (RMNP).
Elk in late April (RMNP).

I’m grateful I was able to be in RMNP with my son and my grandchildren. I’m grateful to have a senior pass that gets me, and the passengers in the vehicle I’m in, free admittance to national parks. I’m grateful we have so many national parks in the US to explore.

6 thoughts on “Rocky Mountain National Park – Take Two”

    1. Ha – I hadn’t noticed the flip-flops. We drove to the Alpine Center and from there it is a short hike on paved trails to the top at 12,000′. So we didn’t need our hiking boots obviously.

  2. Wow, Valerie. Beautiful views, especially with those dear people of yours in the photos! How great for you, also, to be able to spend time with you grandkids and your son!

  3. How wonderful Valerie. The pictures are beautiful and your time with family brings smiles to my heart as I remember the joys of doing that with our grandchildren in Colorado.

    1. I thought of you Lori, as we drove from Estes Park to Loveland…I wanted to show Tim that beautiful drive.

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