Our first visit to "Rocky"
Even though we've been to Colorado at least a dozen times over the past years to visit family, we had never been to Rocky Mountain National Park. And ever since Tim was unable to finish Angel's Landing in 2018, our goal was to return to Zion and have him complete the hike. I started mapping our route out early 2023, and instead of making this a 12 day trip like we did in 2018, we had the luxury of more time and decided to squeeze in as many National Parks as we could along our route and of course RMNP would be the first destination. Once I was done with planning, I was able to get seven parks in a doable 24 day, 3500 mile trip. I'm still a bit disappointed that I couldn't work in Capital Reef, but we'll get there eventually.
Our first day of travel took us southwest from home to get onto I90 going west, with our first stop in Valentine, NE. We ended up at Fishberry Campground, the same place as our first stop was five years prior. It's a quiet park, and we stayed hooked up, enjoyed a quick meal and a wonderful sunset.
Our second day of travel brought us south from Valentine to connect on to I70 West, and landed in Fort Morgan, CO, allowing us a short days drive to Estes Park the next day. We recognized a trailer and the couple in it we saw near us at Fishberry. I asked where they were heading, and she said Rocky Mountain National Park! Where are you staying? Her response was Elk Meadow - the same park we had reserved!
Driving to Estes took us along highway 34, with the last 30 miles in the Big Thompson Canyon, with towering cliffs and the Big Thompson river running along side the road. The photos using my phone from the passenger seat did not do it justice.
An early afternoon check in at Elk Meadow allowed us plenty of time to take a short hike to Gem Lake. At only 3.4 miles out and back not a super strenuous trail but the climb up was mostly in the sun. An enjoyable first day in the park!
By the time we returned to the truck we were ready for a cold one. We stopped in at Rockcut Brewing and Estes Park Brewery, which are about a block apart.
Our second day we took the popular trail to the Emerald Lake Trail. It was much more crowded but that's because it is one of the better known trails yet still accessible. The trail starting out as an easy trail to Nymph Lake, gradually more challenging to Dream Lake and then on to Emerald Lake. We tacked on a diversion to Lake Haiyaha, total of 5.7 well-earned miles, another visually rewarding day. The timed entry and shuttle buses are amazing.
For Saturday's hike we wanted to explore a different section of the park, with the target of Ouzel Falls. This is on the SE side of the park, with great views along the drive to the entrance. Even though we had a timed entry pass and this is a more remote area of the park, there was still a (short) line to get in. We logged 5.72 miles along North St. Vrain Creek with about 1000 feet of elevation gained (and given back). About 90 minutes up, about an hour down. Worst pit toilet I've ever been to. We finished the day off at Lumpy Ridge Brewery on the south side of Estes Park.
Our last hike was longest one yet on this trip, the Sky Pond Trail proved to be quite a challenge. Just about 10 miles, 1800+ foot elevation gain. This is considered the 'best' hike in RMNP and we could certainly see why. This one blends waterfalls, expansive views of the valley, lakes, and at the 8.5 mile mark, a scramble up a waterfall to two more lakes. I tried, I really did, but after about 1/4 of the rock scramble my legs were shaking so badly (mostly from fear), so I sat, rested, took a lot of photos, and Tim went on alone to enjoy Sky Pond. Our timed entry for this day was 5-7am, we were on the trail by 615, and it was a good thing as it started raining right as we got on the shuttle back to the parking lot, about 1230.
Our time in Estes Park was wonderful, the weather amazing and the hiking glorious. The only rain came after we left the trails or in the evening at our campsite. We even enjoyed a spectacular rainbow!
Next up, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, near Montrose, CO.
Have you been to Rocky Mountain National Park or Estes Park? Leave your comments below! Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.
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