Rocky Mountain National Park Day 3

Friday morning we woke up and did a shorter hike that was near our campground. We hiked to Lulu City. This was an almost 4 mile one way hike to an old mining community. We thought we would see ruins of the city (old log cabins and stuff). There was not really much of that. It was a very easy hike and very beautiful.

 We also got to observe a little herd of goats on the way back. The little babies were so cute.

 After the hike we headed to Grand Lake to rest and have lunch. After lunch I hopped on my bike and rode back into the national park. It was just so beautiful I could not resist biking. I wish there had been more time for biking. Colorado is such a gorgeous place. My bike ride was great until the very end. Coming back into town I was cut off by a car. They were turning into a parking spot and because they didn't use their blinker I did not know they were turning. I ended up having to lay my back down to avoid a collision. It was really really scary because I ended up under the car while he turned into the parking space. Luckily I didn't get run over. I was also wearing long pants and a jacket and so I didn't eve get road rash. I did sprain my right wrist and I have some crazy bruises on my legs but I am so grateful the car did not run me over. It was scary but I am grateful it wasn't worse. I can handle a sprain and some bruising.

Amber and I headed to the Bear Lake area of Rocky Mountain National Park for the evening. This is the most popular area in the park and we were able to see why. It is gorgeous. We only had time for one little hike to Emerald Lake but we were treated to some of the best views we saw all week. It was stunning.

On the way to Emerald Lake we walked past Dream Lake. So Pretty.

 It was a really pretty evening!

 

 Getting closer to Emerald Lake.

 The beautiful destination.

It really was an impressive view. We were there in the evening so the temperature was cooler and there were less people.

 A selfie down by the water.

We didn't stay too long we needed to head back because we still had to get to town and find some food. The sun was going down as we finished our hike and it was a beautiful evening.

 We headed to Estes Park and ate at Mc Donald's. Then we snuck into an RV park and took showers. We did not have access to showers in our camp. Normally this would not be a big deal because we could get in the lake or river but there wasn't one of those too close either. By day three we were feeling pretty gross. We took the worlds fastest showers, washed our hair and then got the heck out of there. It was awesome. It felt so good to be clean. We then drove the Trail Ridge road one last time, this time in the dark, as we headed back to camp. Saturday we got up, packed up and headed home. I would love to spend more time in Rocky Mountain National Park. There is an entire section of the park we didn't even make it to. Every section of the park, there are four, has so many hikes to choose from. It is a place that you could explore for a very long time!

Fall River area of Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is HUGE! I always forget how much driving you have to do to get around in a lot of national parks. There are four sections in this park and each section has so much to see and do. WQe started off the morning at the Alpine Visitor Center. This visitor Center is located on the TYrail Ridge Hwy and sits at 11,796ft. It is very popular and so we were lucky to get there right before they opened and beat the all day rush.

While we waited for the visitor center to open we hiked the Alpine Ridge Trail. It was a short paved out and back with lots of steps up to just over 12,000 ft. The views from the scenic spot were amazing.

 I love the mountains!!!!!!!

 I wish I had time to hike them all. They are so grand. I can not hike and not think of Heavenly Father and this beautiful world he created. My thoughts always turn to God at some point while I hike.

 The view from the Alpine Trail was amazing. I had to end the hike down with a selfie.

 The gift shop up here at this visitor center was the best. We bought all our souvenirs here. They had a lot of really cute things and lots of variety, not the case in all national park shops. It was fun to look around.

Most the other hikes from the parking lot were still closed because of the snow. Like Utah Colorado had a very snowy winter and there was still lots of snow. We decided to walk on the Ute Trail until we ran into snow. We made it one mile before there was a snowfield.

 So much snow!

After the Ute trail we hopped in the car and headed to the Lawn Lake trailhead. We ate lunch by our cars before hiking up to Ypsilon Lake. I always like to ask the rangers for advice on which hikes to do. This was one they recommended and it was great. We walked through a beautiful valley. It was not too steep and it was a great workout. It is always a bonus when a lake is the final destination. They are just so pretty.

The hike started by a river. They have a couple of floods in the area and you could see how they have affected the landscape.

 The scenery was amazing.

The majority of the hike was in the forest. there were not a lot of views. The forest is nice because there is shade but you kind of see the same thing over and over. We finally got to a little lake.

I was disapomineted at first because I thought it was Ypsilon Lake and it was pretty tiny. We soon realized we were not quite there yet. Ypsilon was much bigger and so beautiful.

 This area of the park reminded me of the Uintas in Utah. The lakes and trees looked so similar. We stopped and had a snack on the river bank.

 We didn't stay too long and then headed back. The way back was great. The nice thing about a more gentle uphill is that the downhill is also easier on your body. I was loving the blue sky and tall trees. It was a beautiful day.

 It is always fun to hike back and see different things than on the way there.

 Amber and I did better on this trip and actually got a couple of pictures together.

 After our hike (just over 9 miles and up to 10,760ft elevation) we headed into Estes Park and had dinner at McDonald's. It was a nice day with a good amount of hiking. We saw lots of new places, enjoyed amazing views and I continued to fall in love with Colorado.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Amber and I decided to head to Colorado for the 4th of July holiday. She had a little extra time off work so it worked out to go on a little longer trip. I have been to Colorado a few times and it is beautiful and so fun! Rocky Mountain National Park did not disappoint. There are tons of hikes and amazing views everywhere. It was fun to be somewhere new and enjoy the beauty.

We left Provo Tuesday afternoon around 4. I dropped my car off to get the AC fixed while I was away. We drove to Rawlins Wyoming where we stayed the night. We got up the next morning and headed to Estes Park, Colorado where we were hoping to find camping. We did not have reserved camping. We planned the trip late and there was none available. That makes for a stressful trip. So we drove a few hours to Estes Park and then spent quite awhile driving around to campgrounds trying to find a place to sleep. We were striking out! We decided to just got to the Timber Creek campground in the National Park. This campground has 96 sites so we were hoping to snag one, the only downside is no showers. Luckily we got one of the last spots and we were able to relax a little because we had a place to sleep. The campground had gorgeous views so that was a bonus.

From Estes Park to the Timber Creek Campground you drive the Trail Ridge Road. It is the highest highway in Colorado and goes up to 12,183 ft. That is higher than Mt. Timpanogos here in Utah. So Crazy! the views on the drive were absolutely amazing. You get to enjoy views that normally you would have to hike a lot of miles to see.

It was hard to watch the road because there was so much to see.

Finally found a place to camp.

I brought my backpacker tent. It worked great. I also got a new sleeping mat which is the best thing ever. It is so comfortable. The thermorest Mondo King. It was not cheap but it should last forever and it is amazing.

Both our little tents set up.

The first evening we stopped at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center, checked out the city of Grand Lake and did a little hike. Grand Lake is just 10 miles from our campground. It is a little tourist town. We walked through all their shops and ate dinner. Then we headed to the Green Mountain Trailhead and hiked to Big Meadows. This was a easy little hike to a beautiful meadow.

 We got to watch two huge Moose graze in the meadow. They are beautiful animals.

 We thought we would head back to camp but when we drove by the Holzwarth Historic Site there was a herd of Elk grazing and so we decided to stop and get some pictures.

 There were so many Elk. They seemed very unconcerned about all the tourists watching them.

 My dad would have loved watching the Elk. He was always fascinated with animals. He would have enjoyed the Moose too.

The sun went down while we were watching the elk.

 It was a great end to the day. I fell asleep super excited to explore the park more!

Angelee Came to Town

Angelee and family came to Utah to visit. Seriously so FUN!!!!! They stayed at my house for a few nights and I loved hosting them. It was so good hang out. They came into town so her oldest son Josh could go to BYU basketball camp. They arrived on Sunday evening and I was the worst host ever. I had a migraine and I kind of laid on the couch all evening. Luckily it went away in the middle of the night and we were able to play hard after that first night. I didn't take very many pictures but we went to the BYU bookstore and creamery, paddle-boarded at Tibble Fork, swam at the rec center, went to the temple, and went and watched the BYU camp. They did some fun stuff on their own too.

Tuesday Angelee and her kids, Jana and her kids, Erica and her kids and me all went to Tibble Fork. It was fun to hang out. The water was freezing so no one swam. But we all used the paddle boards.

 Charlee paddling Angelee on the lake while she sits backwards.

 We took some group pictures. I sure love these girls! Life isn't easy for any of us and we all have different trials but I love that we have stayed good friends for so long.

 The paddle boards was fun. The only picture I have of Angelee and myself is this selfie she took while I was sleeping. Oh man!

Angelee also came and watched Jana and I get are butts kicked on the basketball court. I love playing but we played a very good team and we did not perform well this particular night. Angelee made Jana and I recreate a picture that we would have taken in high school. We played on Thunderbird court which was our high school mascot.

I felt silly posing for the picture but I am glad I have it. Jana and I still play lots of sports together, which I love, but I am not great at documenting it. So good job Angelee.

My favorite activity was getting up early and meeting these three girls at the Timpanogos Temple so we could do inititories. I loved being in the temple with all three of them and serving. We were all zombies the rest of the day I am sure but it was so fun to be in the temple together.

It was such a fun few days hosting Angelee. I am so glad she asked to stay with me. I loved it!