We plan on hiking somewhere in RMNP today. But I had to stop on the drive through town to take this picture of the huge white clouds rolling over the mountains.
We decided to check out the Moraine Park area of RMNP.
After driving a mile down a dirt road, we found this warning. Chrissy got all excited, she always hopes to see a bear.
We decided to hike along the Fern Lake trail.
It didn't take long to realize...
...this was going to be a colorful hike.
There were dark clouds all around us but the rain held off for now.
After every twist and turn on the trail, there was another explosion of colors.
We were hiking along the Big Thompson River...
...and Chrissy decided this was another good final resting spot for her brother Jeff. She did this in Alaska a few years ago on the Kenai River.
Rest in Peace and beauty, my brother.
More colorful scenes...
...and interesting things we saw along the trail.
Nephew and Uncle on the bridge at the Pool, the confluence of Fern Creek and Big Thompson River.
This relatively flat trail...
...began a short but steep ascent up to Fern Falls.
We sat on the huge rocks next to the falls and had some fruit and Cliff bars.
These chipmunks are everywhere in the park. It was rare that one stood still long enough for a closeup shot.
While resting at Fern Falls, we decided to head back down. Blame it on the light rain that started to fall, blame it on the mile long uphill climb to the lake or more likely, my tired legs from yesterday's hike.
Nephew and Aunt on the bridge.
By now you get the point, this hike was amazing because of the fall colors.
Next stop is Sprague Lake.
Along Bear Lake Road, the NPS has cleaned the forest floor of all the dead ground brush and fallen trees. They built these pyres to burn during winter as a precaution to protect this drought area from fires.
One direction looks like a storm is coming...
Another direction looks like a sunny day.
We hiked around Sprague Lake.
This muskrat swam a long way with this mouthful of grass.
The storm clouds were getting closer and more intense.
But it was sunny over the lake for our hike.
Once again we saw elk on our way out of the park.
This male had a small harem but it looks like he paid a big price to keep them.
Another fun day in Rocky Mountain National Park comes for three flatlanders from the Midwest.
Totally amazing place & the Fall colors are stunning. I am also overjoyed that Chrissy did not see her bear there. Gorgeous photos.
ReplyDelete