Colorado Road Trip 2019 | Western Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park

After spending a number of days visiting the eastern side of Rocky Mountain National Park (via the town of Estes Park), we moved over to the western side and stayed at a B&B in Tabernash called Wild Horse Inn.  This is located about 25 miles from the Kawuneeche Visitor Center entrance to the park and a few mile north of the resort of Winter Park where we would soon spend a couple of days in a small condo (Airbnb).

Below are a few images of the park on the western side.  You'll see plenty of snow as the Trail Ridge Road travels some of its distance over 11,000 feet above sea level. Plus there had been record snowfall in May. The roads are not treated with chemicals or salt, so it wasn't actually open for travel until the day before these photos were taken in June

Continental Divide

Continental Divide at Poudre Lake

Trail Ridge Road

The visitor center remained closed due to snow

Selfie opportunity

Farthest away: Longs Peak 14,259'

snow removal equipment

snow removal equipment

Colorado Road Trip 2019 | The Estes Park side of Rocky Mountain National Park

These photos were all taken from the eastern side of the Park over the course of several days.

Longs Peak.  14,000+ feet

(I climbed it in 1977)

Skiers were climbing and skinning to ski down through

trails that were once Hidden Valley Ski Area

(now defunct)

One cold morning at the Cabin

One cold morning at the Cabin

(Actually, it was cold enough to have a fire every morning)

Early morning light

There has to be trout in there!

Reflections of aspens and conifers

Volunteer at one of the main wildlife viewing sites.

My best moose photo

Bull elk

Two males practicing their battle techniques

Magpie

Colorado Road Trip 2019 | Boulder to Estes Park

After a very nice post-wedding breakfast, we headed to Estes Park, one of the eastern gateways to Rocky Mountain National Park.  We rented a log cabin on the Fall River, just a couple of miles from the Park entrance.  The road traveled (routes 72  and 7) from Boulder to Estes Park is called the "Peak to Peak" Highway.

Sawtooth Mountain

Tough little tree

Love the sky and clouds

St. Malo Capel on the Rocks

Allenspark, CO

The cabin at Castle Mountain Lodge

Estes Park, CO

Hail on the deck

Colorado Road Trip 2019 | A few from Boulder

The first leg of the trip was Boulder, where we were for a few days for a wedding and to spend time with family.  Here are a few photos:

Dinner at Mountain Sun

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An evening outdoors at the Hilton Gardens.  No humidity. No bugs.

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The University of Colorado is gorgeous.  It is on one side of Boulder Creek and the town is on the other side. There are pedestrian and auto bridges connecting both, and there is a beautiful walkway along the river.  Next time around, this is where I want to go to college!

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We ate at "The Buff Restaurant" (as in buffalo) every breakfast we could, and Laurie and her sister had a lunch there as well.  I love their tag line: "Eat in the Buff".

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A day trip up Flagstaff mountain. The view north is toward Rocky Mountain National Park.  My best guess is that the white capped mountains are actually in the park.

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From Flagstaff mountain, this is a view of downtown Boulder.

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Boulder has a very active Farmers Market, twice per week.  No jewelry and T-shirts at this Farmers Market.  A craft fair is held on another day each week.  (I think on Thursdays.)

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The Boulder County Court House.