After packing our lunch and getting breakfast, we went back to the park. We went in the Fall River Visitors Center. They had a lot of the wildlife found in the park on display. I really enjoyed the taxidermied badger. Don’t think I had ever seen one before except for the kid’s book with Frances the badger.
Next we headed to Bear Lake which is one of the most photographed places in the park. This alpine lake sits below Flat Mountain and Hallet Peak. Armed with our trekking poles we walked around Bear Lake and then took the trail that leads to Nymph Lake, Dream Lake and on to Emerald Lake. All told round trip it was about three and a half miles but with the elevation gain of 605 ft. we were very glad we had our poles. The lakes were beautiful and different, so we stopped for a while at each one.
We stopped in a picnic area for lunch. I tried to get a picture of a Stellar Jay, which is a much larger version of our blue jays. Once again, this bird would not cooperate, so no picture. That jay was beautiful to watch but very illusive!
On the way to the Trail Ridge Road to our next stop, we saw lots of cars stopped along side of the road. “Frank, stop the car. There must be wildlife.” Sure enough, down by a creek was a large bull elk with the biggest rack I have even seen. He was munching away on the branches of a tree. For a good bit of time all I could see was the branches swaying and horns. A lot of female and younger elk were behind him.
Our next adventure was driving the Old Fall River Road. This one-way dirt road is over 100 years old, 14 feet wide, does not have guard rails, and goes for eleven miles before ending at the Alpine Visitor’s Center. Frank was agreeable to take the challenge, so off we went. Our first stop was to view Chasm Falls.
When we finally reached the top our Jeep Grand Cherokee was covered with dust and so were we. It was sunny so the views from the visitors center were awesome. We also climbed the path to the summit. I felt slightly nauseated from the high elevation, but I was determined to make it to the top. I took several breaks and I am happy to report that I made it! Of course as usual, Frank felt fine.
By this time it was almost five so we headed to the west entrance to the park. We were staying in Grand Lake, a small town with a population of 471 in the 2010 census. There is a huge lake there and a small town with restaurants and shops. We had quite a time getting around since the Main Street was closed due to construction. We found a place to eat called Sagebrush Saloon which had quite the western flair complete with peanut shells all over the floor.
The next morning we went to check out the lake for which the town was named, Grand Lake.
After our exploring by the the lake, we went back into the park through the western entrance. We stopped at the Grand Lake Lodge which was established in 1920. It sits on the hillside overlooking Grand Lake. From this viewpoint you could really see how “grand” Grand Lake really is! There were two antique cars sitting right in front of the main lodge; the red one was a fire engine.
Next we stopped at the Kawuneeche Visitor’s Center. I wanted to hike a little on the Continental Divide Trail which daughter Kate had thru-hiked in 2013. I knew that it went through the park. The ranger showed us where to find the trail that would intersect the CDT. It was only four miles from the visitor’s center. So off we drove to the Onahu Trailhead in search of the Continental Divide Trail. We took lots of pictures to document our historic trek. Once on the trail we walked to a stream with a bridge and a meadow hoping to see some wildlife. While the ranger had said he often saw moose there, we did not. But at least we can say we hiked ON the CDT!
After our exhausting hike, we ate our packed lunch in the park before heading south. Our next stop is Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, to the south and west almost 6 hours driving time from RMNP. We were on the road by 1 and got to Montrose, CO by suppertime. Can’t wait to see Black Canyon tomorrow!
Looks like you’re getting your steps in every day!! Beautiful pictures! Looking forward to tomorrow!!