Tag: Old Fall River Road

Comfortable?

We have returned from a road trip to Colorado, to visit our youngest son and his family. We had a great time and good weather (hot but dry). 

We were happy to watch the kids while our son and his wife took off for a few days. The first day of our time alone with the grandkids, we planned to go to Rocky Mountain National Park. Because of COVID-19 one has to make reservations to drive into the park, which we did long before we left for Colorado. This made the park less crowded than normal. What a perk!

The Rocky Mountains

Our time for entering the park was 10 am (with a grace period). It would take an hour from our son’s home to get to Estes Park, the entrance to RMNP. That morning, we were on our own to get the kids ready. After packing a picnic lunch, finding jackets, getting shoes and sunscreen, loading up the car and getting the kids settled in their car seats, our first stop was at the neighborhood gas station. We pulled up to the pump and stopped. After the busy morning I turned to the kids in the back seat and asked, “OK, how are you guys doing? Are you comfortable?”

Zoey (5) said, “yes” and Ezra (4) said – in all seriousness – “yes, but I’d be more comfortable with a donut!” It made us laugh out loud and we went into the station and bought some donuts!

The Old Fall River Road…one-way, gravel, narrow, along the edge, nine miles long.

The day went well. It was sunny with spectacular views. We drove on the Old Fall River Road, a one-way, gravel road which twists and turns its way up through the mountains.

At 12,005′

At the top we stopped at the visitor’s center and hiked the remaining Alpine Ridge Trail to 12,005’. We had brought some children’s binoculars for the kids and they were a big hit. 

Zoey looking through the binoculars.

On our way down the mountain we drove along the Trail Ridge Road, a two-way, paved road. We stopped for lunch in a picnic area, and hiked on another trail along a river.

Forging a creek on a hike.

We had a lot of fun playing in Rocky Mountain National Park with our grandchildren.

Snow on the Rocky Mountains.

It was a “comfortable” sort of day.

A cute marmot

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.