One of the things that we wanted to do while we were in Colorado was to visit Rocky Mountain National park; nowhere else in the United States can a visitor see so much alpine country with such ease. A mere two-hour drive from Denver, Trail Ridge Road takes visitors into the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, traversing a ridge above 11,000 feet (3,353 meters) for 10 miles (16 kilometers). Along the way, tiny tundra flowers and other wild blooms contrast with sweeping vistas of towering summits; 78 of them exceed 12,000 feet (3,656 meters). Alpine lakes reflect the grandeur.
Yes, amazing is the operative word for the park. That being said, we didn't think we'd be able to work it into our schedules. SIGH
Then my colleague Jane, who had been to the park last weekend, showed me her photos. I knew instantly that this was an excursion for us and somehow we'd make it happen. Yesterday, after an early morning start requiring a wake up call, we headed out from Denver and drove through this amazing park.
Rock as old as that at the bottom of the Grand Canyon—nearly two billion years—caps the Rockies' summits. Within the last million years, glaciers, grinding boulders beneath them, carved deep canyons. Erosion later scoured the more jagged summits into their present profiles.
Rocky Mountain, though only about an eighth the size of Yellowstone, accommodates as many visitors—three million or so a year. Overcrowding worries park officials and conservationists, who cite distressed animals, trodden plants, and eroded trails (the traffic certainly got backed up in spots along Trail Ridge Road - can`t imagine what it would be like on a weekend!). Condominium development is crowding the park's borders also, shrinking the habitats of elk and other wildlife and threatening to turn the park into an island of nature.
Here are some shots from our visit:
Gorgeous! I'm glad you were able to make it there!
Posted by: sandrac | July 17, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Me too - I can't believe what a gorgeous park this was - thank goodness we didn't miss it!
Posted by: JDeQ | July 19, 2011 at 08:39 AM
Hi Jerry, this is a beautiful photo collection. Colorado is on my must see USA lists :), I hope to make it there and to this park someday.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Posted by: Kathy (Trekcapri) | July 25, 2011 at 10:46 AM