Timed reservations are needed to get into Rocky Mountain National Park because of COVID. Once you’re in the park you can stay as long as you want and go wherever you want. Jason was able to get one for today, entry time 6-8am. Yup, it was another early day, RMNP is about one hour from Boulder.
We decided on a hike last night – it had to be rated as easy (the previous ones we’ve done were hard and moderate) so we knew right where we wanted to park to pickup the trailhead. Unfortunately at 7:30 the lot was already full. We didn’t want to take one of the shuttles even if they limited the number to 15. Nope, wasn’t going to happen. Luckily Jason spotted a few parking spots down the road. It would add 1/2 mile to our hike but we were all ok with that.
I mentioned before that we like mountain lakes. This hike included 4 – we overachieved! The entire hike was beautiful, we followed a river most of the time. There was only 695 ft elevation gain. It was also the most well maintained trail, so not a lot of climbing over rocks. We all appreciated that!
After the hike we decided to try Trail Ridge Road – a mountain pass that takes you to over 12,000 ft. We tried it years before when we were in RMNP but a snowstorm forced us to turn around. This time we made it to the highest elevation but turned around because a thunderstorm was approaching. We did not want to be up there above the tree line when it was lightening. Maybe next time we’ll make it all the way across. Although I’m not sure the views are going to be any better than what we saw today. Spectacular!
Funny Stories from the Trail…
All this hiking can make you tired and unable to think clearly. One day after a long hike Jon was in a bit of a panic, I can’t find my shorts! I’m not sure how long he was looking for them when he says to me, I’m wearing them!
Like father, like son… At the house in Boulder, we were getting ready to leave but Jason was taking forever in the kitchen so Jon went to see what was going on. He was attempting to turn off the kitchen lights but couldn’t find the switch to one of them. Turns out it was a skylight, there was no switch 🙂
On the trail 
Selfie time 
These guys were very friendly 
Nymph Lake 
This is the exact same spot we took Jason’s graduation portrait
Dream Lake 
Showing the parking lot, and Nymph Lake as seen from the trail 
This guy has begging down 
My favorite flower out west-Indian Paintbrush 
Climbing Trail Ridge Road
Love the detail in this tree 
Jason had a lunchtime visitor 
Of course we’re playing the license plate game. We fond Hawaii at 12,000’ on Trail Ridge Road!
Halfway Round the Planet, Part 2 