Tag Archives: #rockymountainhigh

Destination, Nature, Photography, Travel

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – SPRAGUE LAKE #COLORADO #RMNP

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – SPRAGUE LAKE

Sprague Lake is a scenic lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, located on the south side of Glacier Creek, about two miles south of the Hollowell turnoff. The half-mile walk around the lake is wheelchair accessible and features boardwalks and bridges with views of Flattop Mountain and Hallet Peak. The lake is popular for Brook trout fishing.

The area is named after Abner Sprague, who started a homestead there in 1874.  Later, he opened a lodge for dude ranching, hunting, and fishing. To improve the fishing, he dammed the far end of the lake. The area became part of Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915 and continued to serve guests as the Sprague Hotel. In 1919, guests paid $6.00 per room with a private bath, and $1.00 for regular meals. The hotel, which no longer exists, stood near the present-day parking lot.
~Wikipedia

Sprague Lake Loop – rockymountainhikingtrails.com

Panorama of Sprague Lake
2020 CO Wildfire Map

Our recent visit in September 2020 was not typically.  Wildfires were burning in several areas across Colorado; including in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).  We were in Denver a few days prior waiting on the snow storm to roll in an hopefully dampen the fire some.  I think it helped, but no near enough.  We were not entirely sure we would be able to enter the park as result.

My wife and I really enjoy our visits to Colorado.  We are fond of RMNP and the Sprague Lake area.  Since being married here in 2013, we make every effort to return whenever in the area.  This last trip wasn’t all that different than the November day in 2013 when we both said “I do.”  There was more snow this time and the

lake wasn’t frozen over.  The trail around the lake is very easy to navigate and the views are beautiful; even with the clouds obscuring the view of the mountains.

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Destination, iPhoneography, Photography, Travel

TRAIL RIDGE ROAD – RMNP – #rockymountains

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TRAIL RIDGE ROAD

Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park’s heavily traveled highway to the sky.  It inspired awe before the first motorist ever traveled it. “It is hard to describe what a sensation this new road is going to make,” predicted Horace Albright, director of the National Park Service, in 1931 during the road’s construction. “You will have the whole sweep of the Rockies before you in all directions.” ~National Park Service

We were in Denver for a family reunion in August 2017.  Afterward we set out to visit a few favorite location around Colorado.  Cyndie and I had the privilege once again to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in August 2017.

[Past trip photos: September 2016 RMNP Trip]

One can never tire of the views on this road to the sky.  I revel in every opportunity to spend time peering out over these mountain-scapes. I am grateful for each opportunity to add more photos of this extraordinarily beautiful place to my collection.

Mountain Plants

Forest Canyon Overlook

Lucy Loo

Our amazing little lovable bundle of energy, Lucy, accompanied us on this trip.  She did well with the altitude and all the excitement.  She appeared to be very thrilled with being compared in size to a Marmot.

EXTRA

 

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Destination, Photography, Travel

COLORADO RIVER – RMNP – #rockymountains

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COLORADO RIVER

The mighty Colorado River that carved the Grand Canyon has its headwaters on the west side of the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park.  The route begins at Grand Lake, western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.  It ends on a gravel road through spectacular Gore Canyon.

This scenic byway follows the magnificent Colorado River through Colorado as it begins its journey west through the Grand Canyon and flows to the Pacific.  The byway passes mountain valleys, canyons, lakes, historical ranch lands and high-country communities.

In the Park about 9.5 miles north of Grand Lake, you can get closer to the source by hiking from the Colorado River Headwaters trailhead.  Lulu City, an 1880’s gold mining camp sited along the banks of the Colorado, is now just a green meadow next to a stream in the Park. You can hike or backpack to the site of Lulu City.

We did not make the hike to Lulu City on this trip.  It is definitely on the to do list for a return trip.  The trail is a little over 7 miles round trip with very little elevation gain (350 ft.).  I really enjoy the meadows on the western side of the park.  I have read that there is a good chance of seeing moose in this particular area.

On this particular trip, we used a pull-off alongside the road, and stretched our legs a bit.  An unnamed trail along the Colorado yielded some amazing views.  The bright blue skies and crystal clear water went on endlessly.  The smell of fragrant pines surrounded you.  I could have sat by the river for hours.

 

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Destination, Photography, Travel

TRAIL RIDGE ROAD – RMNP – #rockymountains

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TRAIL RIDGE ROAD

Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park’s heavily traveled highway to the sky.  It inspired awe before the first motorist ever traveled it. “It is hard to describe what a sensation this new road is going to make,” predicted Horace Albright, director of the National Park Service, in 1931 during the road’s construction. “You will have the whole sweep of the Rockies before you in all directions.” ~National Park Service

From Kawuneeche Visitor Center at the park’s Grand Lake Entrance, Trail Ridge Road follows the North Fork of the Colorado River north through the Kawuneeche Valley. There are several trailheads along this section of the road, notably the Colorado River Trailhead, which is the western terminus of the road segment closed during the winter.

The road crosses the Continental Divide at Milner Pass (elev. 10,758 ft or 3,279 m) and reaches a maximum elevation of 12,183 ft (3,713 m), near Fall River Pass (elev. 11,796 ft or 3,595 m). Near the highest point on the road is another pass, Iceberg Pass (elev. 11,827 ft or 3,605 m).

Trail Ridge Road Map

Trail Ridge is a high flat spur range extending east from the main range of the Rockies between Fall River in the North and the Big Thompson River in the South. The road follows Trail Ridge from the Fall River Pass near Alpine Visitor Center to the Deer Ridge Junction. ~wikipedia

Rocky Mountain National Park

The map below indicate the location of where the photos below were taken.  GPS coordinates from you smart phone photos are very handy when you return from a trip.  You can load your smartphone photos into Lightroom and plot out your whole trip.  This is exactly why I try to take a photo with my phone every time we stop.  Even if there really isn’t anything picturesque…it still plots the course.

Trail Ridge Road Photo Map

We entered RMNP from the east at Estes Park.  The photos will flow in order from east to west; A-H.  I have yet to travel Old Fall River Road (see video below); it’s on my list for the next visit to CO and RMNP.

A – Deer Ridge Junction

Deer Ridge Junction

B – Rainbow Curve Overlook

C – Sundance Creek Overlook

D – Forest Canyon Overlook

E – Mushroom Rocks Area

Mushroom Rocks Area

F – Lava Cliffs Overlook

G – Alpine Visitor Center Overlook

H – Lake Irene

EXTRA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3OHi-vNOJ8

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Destination, Photography, Travel

ALBERTA FALLS – RMNP – #rockymountains

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ALBERTA FALLS

Just down the road from Sprague Lake is a short hike and a beautiful waterfall.  At just over eight-tenths of a mile hike in, Alberta Falls is one of the more popular hiking destinations in Rocky Mountain National Park. The scenic 30-foot waterfall thunders down a small gorge on Glacier Creek.  This trail offers hikers an excellent spot to view the waterfall and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

Alberta Falls Map

The waterfall is named after Alberta Sprague.  Alberta was the wife of Abner Sprague, one of the original settlers in the Estes Park area. The Sprague’s began building a homestead in Moraine Park in 1874.  This home eventually become a lodge that was used for hunting, fishing and dude ranching.  The property was sold to James Stead in 1900.  It remained in business as the Stead’s Ranch and Hotel until 1962. In 1910 the Sprague’s built another lodge near the current parking area for Sprague Lake. The National Park Service purchased that property in 1932 and razed it in 1957.

Abner Sprague would go down in Rocky Mountain National Park history once more when he became the first visitor to pay an entrance fee in 1939.

It was a lovely hike to the waterfall in September 2016 in late afternoon.  We were delighted to meet some wildlife along the path as well.  This is such a beautiful place to hike around and explore.

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Destination, Photography, Travel

SPRAGUE LAKE – RMNP – #rockymountains

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Sprague Lake is a scenic lake in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), located on the south side of Glacier Creek, about two miles south of the Hollowell turnoff.  The .9 mile walk around the lake features boardwalks and bridges with views of Flattop Mountain and Hallet Peak.  The area is named after Abner Sprague, who started a homestead there in 1874.  The area became part of Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915.

Sprague Lake is a special location in Colorado’s RMNP for my wife and I.  We were married there November 18th 2013.  Marry me in Colorado made the arrangements very easy.  The setting could not have been more perfect.  The weather was surprisingly nice for November.

The following photos are from our visit in September of 2016.  Sprague Lake Loop is a lovely trail to hike around this picturesque location.  The view of the mountains is truly breathtaking.

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