Visit to Rocky Mountain National Park

We visited RMNP back in September 2011 and wanted to see the park again, this time very different conditions and obviously different time of year.  Our goal was to head to the Alpine Visitor's Center located along the Trail Ridge Road and sits at over 11,000 feet.  When we entered the park through the east entrance near Estes Park, we were told by the ranger that the road was still closed and we could not get to Alpine.  Did not know when the road would open, it was sitting in 20 feet high snow drifts.  Bummer.

The drive through Big Thompson Canyon on way to Estes Park

Just entered RMNP and view of mountains in distance

The bighorn sheep must have called to tell them they wanted to cross there

Elk sharing the meadow with the sheep

Herds of elk everywhere you looked

Sky did not look promising

Wedding photos going on

Okay, still wanted to travel and see what we could, but within 500 feet of passing through the entrance we were stopped by a herd of elk as well as the bighorn sheep crossing.  Lots of elk and about a dozen sheep.  Pretty cool.  Last time we did not see sheep at all but did see elk in the distance.  Today would be quite different.

Hike along Bear Lake

Snowing on those mountains ahead

Stellar Blue Jay

Snow everywhere.  We traveled to Bear Lake to see if we could do a quick hike, got one of the last parking spots, hordes of people.  I have not seen so many rangers and volunteers in one place - since many hikes and locations were closed, they congregated there since most of the people were there.  And, snow covered in places but was doable to a point - got pretty icy and treacherous so we turned around.  We met a couple with a young daughter who just sang the entire time, she was so happy.  They told us that at noon that day (it was now about 1:30 pm) the Trail Ridge Road opened and we could head to Alpine Visitor's Center. Yippee!!

Quite deep snow drifts

We were to ciimb up to top of that mountain ahead (visitor's center there)

Stopped to walk the Tundra Communities Trail - too deep in snow

Marmot on rock - Alan! 

While at visitor's center, got snowed on

Stupid people

Visitor's Center buried in snow 20 feet deep

The walk and sights were totally different than in 2011.  In the distance it looked like one of the mountains was getting snow.  Wonderful views.  Off we went along the Trail Ridge Road, snow got deeper and deeper.  Some folks were so scared of driving along the road that they road in the middle until a oncoming car came by and then swerved over.  Stupid.

Closed

The snow drifts were incredible.  And the views ditto.  Stopped at the Tundra Community Trail that we hiked last and it was very snow covered.  Amazing that so many people where already on it - the road was only open a meer 3 hours before.  Did not go far - the altitude there was over 12,000 and we really felt it.  Too deep of snow also.  Got back to car, drove to the visitor's center which was still closed because it was buried in snow drifts, had brought a lunch, snacked and then headed back.

Had to be cold - see her face, how happy? Passenger guy is
picking his nose, wonderful

Amazing the amount of animals we saw.  Bighorn Sheep, herds and herds of elk, marmots, chipmunks, squirrels, red fox, Steller Blue Jay, and this was all in the park.  On our drive back to the campground which we had to drive through Estes Park, bighorn sheep and elk grazing along the road.  Had to be very careful.  Heard this saying while in Estes Park - 
the mountains are taller and the lakes are smaller here, out east the lakes are bigger and the mountains smaller.  Good analogy.

Had to dodge them on the way home, right along road