Estes Park Getaway, Part II

Day 4 - Wednesday, June 6

Today we explored Rocky Mountain National Park (my third year in the park, Chris's tenth or something like that). We drove up Trail Ridge Road to the Alpine Visitor's Center.

Fun fact #1 that I learned this year:  Did you know that RMNP is the highest national park in elevation?? The elevation of the park ranges from 7,860 feet to 14,259 (Long's Peak). Seventy-four peaks meet or exceed 12,000 feet elevation.
Fun fact #2:  Trail Ridge Road is the highest in elevation paved road in the U.S. that doesn't come to a dead end. It reaches 12,183 feet and continues onto the other side of the Continental Divide into Grand Lake, CO. Because the elevation is so high, the continuous stretch of Trail Ridge Road is only open for 3-4 months out of the year.

12,183 feet - the highest point on road!
Long's Peak in distance

A sharp cliff off the road - not a drive for the faint ones

The Raasch Five at Rainbow Curve in RMNP

Rainbow Curve looking down on the winding Trail Ridge Road

Rock Cut on Trail Ridge Road at about 12,000 feet

Our 3 girls inside Alpine Visitor's Center

Wearing coats at Alpine Visitor's Center - 11,796 feet; 54 degrees

Driving back down Trail Ridge Road above tree line

Later in the evening after dinner, Chris's dad, Big A, Little A, Chris and I hiked up Old Man Mountain. This is one hike that is located right off the property of Streamside Cabins where we stayed. So it is hiked frequently by at least part of our clan. At age four, Little A made her first hike to the top which is definitely not an easy hike!! She is slightly too brave for my liking sometimes!

Grandpa R mid hike

Summit of Old Man Mtn looking down on our cabin

Sunset (sort of), cloudy/stormy view from the summit of Old Man Mtn

A & A at the summit of Old Man Mtn (view of Long's to the right)
Big A's third hike to the top and Little A's first. She was sooo proud!

A quick picture before a storm/rain gets the best of us!