Another trip to over 12,000 feet

September 29, 2009

Rocky Mountain National Park — September 5, 2009

We’re really not much for spending a lot of time in shops or arts and craft shows any more, so after Saturday morning in Estes Park, we decided to head back into the park again — up to Trail Ridge Road by way of the old Fall River Road.

(click on any of the following photos to view a larger image.)

Sure enough, a nice group of elk, bedded down for the day.

One of the many switchbacks on the one-way Fall River Road.

Quite chilly, with 46 d with a 26mph wind speed for a 37 wind chill

Quite chilly, 46°F with a 26mph wind speed for a 37°F wind chill

On the way back down, headed to Estes Park.

Soon after we were in the park, we saw sure signs of wildlife ahead.

Soon after we were in the park, we saw certain indicators of wildlife ahead.

On the way up, we saw much more fall color than just a few days before.

By the time we were at the top, it was starting to spit rain with a little bit of frozen stuff mixed in.

At the top, it was spitting rain with a little bit of frozen stuff mixed in.

Trail Ridge Road at about 12,000 feet above sea level

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Commentary and images from the road

image and information from September 5, 2009

This post is being simultaneously published
on Exit78 and Haw Creek Out ‘n About.

{ 5 comments }

Dot September 30, 2009 at 8:23 AM: Love those elk! Not so much the weather, though.
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XUP September 30, 2009 at 6:09 PM: They’re great photos – so great that they make me giddy just looking at them. I’m not happy travelling in mountains
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Davina September 30, 2009 at 6:22 PM: Hi Mike. I’m afraid of heights and yet the idea of travelling through the mountains excites me. I’ve driven through the Rockies once and loved it!
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Cath Lawson September 30, 2009 at 9:44 PM: OMG Mike – Did you drive up that road/track in the fourth picture? That would terrify me.
Mike Goad October 3, 2009 at 8:59 PM: Dot – we always like the elk and we relish the weather, especially when it’s warm back home.

XUP – Thanks. We have always loved the mountains.

Davina – The mountains are so close to where you live, too. We took the tram to the top of Grouse Mountain when we were there in ’93.

Cath – We drove up that road twice — THIS trip. We’ve actually been up it at least 5 times — and it’s really tame compared to some of the roads we’ve been on…, but Karen won’t let me go on those roads any more with ther in the car.