Day 200 – Rocky Mountain Ramble

Beth Bankhead

15 years ago

Day 200 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

I went to bed with a deer outside my window and woke up to an elk just a few campsites away. He was enormous! Little did I know that at the visitors’ center situated just before the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, I’d find a whole herd of elk, including babies. What a way to start the morning!

East Side of Rocky Mountain National Park

I chose to explore the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park this morning and turned south on Bear Lake Road just after passing through the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station. The paved two-lane road descended into Moraine Park, a stream cut meadow blanketed in wildflowers, before it began its ascent past a variety of trailheads nestled in the pine forest. VANilla carried us past the park and ride where motor homes and trailers were required to stop as the road hugged the mountainside as it zig-zagged to a dead-end at Bear Lake Trailhead.

Bear Lake Trailhead

Bear Lake Trailhead led to a variety of hikes from a mile in length and beyond. I chose a two mile walk past Nymph Lake to Dream Lake. I followed the paved path, slowly sloping upward past boulders and in the shade of tall pines, many of which have succumbed to the Rocky Mountain Pine beetle, to first reach Nymph Lake. Its crystal waters reflected towering peaks crowned in snow.

After rounding Nymph Lake, I climbed the trail up to a rock overlooking the lake. The path continued along a lovely creek as it slowly became covered by snow, at first just patches, until I crossed the bridge to spend the final hundred yards trying to stay upright. Two different paths crossed the snowy hill. The dirtier one, which seemed most traveled, arced over the small crest while the cleaner path, mostly flat, followed below the hill and led to a few footholds chipped into the snowpack. I took the less traveled, flat path as it seemed like I had a greater chance of staying on two feet rather than cooling my rear.

Dream Lake

The view of Dream Lake was simply breathtaking, and sliding across the snow to see it was worth it. I’m certain I’m not the only one who thinks so given the image can be found on the Colorado Quarter. I returned the way I came as I watched a family of four return via the arced path. Just as soon as the mother set foot on the slope, I heard a shrill shriek, a bunch of laughter, and saw the stout lady dressed in blue jeans and red T-shirt slide on her backside down to flat ground!

Alberta Falls

After conquering the snow, I skipped down the path almost to the trailhead where I turned to the right to follow a path to Alberta Falls. The first half mile descended toward the creek and gorge through groves of aspen, while the second half mile followed up the creek through pines until it reached the falls that tumbled so hard over the massive stones that only white water appeared.

Rocky Mountain National Park

I only stopped at the falls briefly as Petey was not allowed on the trails and was patiently awaiting my return to VANilla. He and I spent the rest of the morning driving around the park enjoying spectacular views of more than 70 peaks that soar higher than 12,000 feet. After lunch, we returned to Estes Park and took advantage of 3G service while thunderstorms came through in waves.

Estes Park

When the storms subsided, I took Petey for a stroll along a dog friendly walk/bike path which led from the Estes Park Visitor Center, along the river, past a nine-hole golf course complete with geese and golfers dressed in tie-dye T-shirts and cowboy hats, through a bird sanctuary, and around Lake Estes. Shortly after returning to VANilla, the skies unleashed again. I aimed VANilla toward our campsite where I spent another night. ETB