Today was the first anniversary of my husband coming home from the hospital after undergoing open-heart bypass surgery. Thankfully, he recovered quickly and has remained in good health. When I went through my Google Photos this morning to post a photo of him, I realized I never edited an entire album of photos I took from a trip we took to Rocky Mountain National Park in early September--see that post here, where I shared the beautiful autumn views in the park. We spent three days driving and hiking around the park on that trip, and I now want to show an area that we hiked for the first time, called the Alluvial Fan and Horseshow Falls.Please click on the photo collage to enlarge it for easier viewing.Information from the RMNP web site:"Located off the road to Endovalley, the Alluvial Fan is a beautiful cascade of water flowing down through a boulder field. Reconstructed in 2020, the trail to the Alluvial Fan was designed to be fully accessible. From the west, this path meanders up to a 56-foot bridge crossing the Roaring River, offering access to the east side of the Alluvial Fan. Hikers of all abilities can enjoy breathtaking views of the Mummy Range, Horseshoe Falls, and Endovalley."
There is a lot of information about the definition of an Alluvial Fan on this National Geographic website.
Please click on the photo to enlarge it to read the information.
The Alluvial Fan in Rocky Mountain National Park was created on July 15, 1982, when the earthen Lawn Lake Dam above the area gave way, flooding the Park and the nearby town of Estes Park with more than 200 million gallons of water. Enormous boulders were displaced, and trees and earth were ripped from the ground. Researchers are studying the success and composition of species in this area of the park as life returns to the previously barren land.
The remaining rock sediments and the boulder field are examples of the devastating event. Now, the Roaring River cascades over the boulder fields, creating Horseshoe Falls.
The Alluvial Fan trail bridge crosses over a portion of the boulder field.
A short video view of the Roaring River from the bridge.
The trail continues 0.3 miles with about a 250-foot elevation gain.
As it was fall when I took these photos, the river flow was milder than I'm sure it is in spring when there is significant snowmelt from the surrounding mountains!
We hiked up towards the Alluvial Fan summit at 8,900 feet (2712.72 meters) to see Horseshoe Falls.
Horseshoe Falls
A short video clip above, so that you can hear the waterfall flow.
Although this is a popular and easy hike, it was a quiet and peaceful place on our visit as we did the hike very early in the morning.
Soon, the rising sun began to light up the falls, and we decided to continue on our way around the park.
We took an opposite path on the way down and saw a large boulder field and a debris pile, which were a reminder of the powerful force of water.
We saw a tour bus parked at the trailhead parking lot when we returned to our car.
When I opened my car door, a branch from a nearby aspen tree fell on my seat!
I left this little gift of nature on our car's front windshield for the rest of the trip!
Rocky Mountain National Park is so beautiful!
We are grateful to be able to visit it often, and in all seasons.
Blogs I link with:
Nature Notes, Home Matters Linky Party, Ducks in a Row, Monday Morning Blog Club, Good Random Fun, Senior Salon Pit Stop, Talk About It Tuesday, The Happy Now Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday 2, Wednesday My Corner of the World, Wonderful Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Skywatch Friday, Fantastic Friday, Farmhouse Friday, Crazy Little Lovebirds Friday Link Up, Dare to Share, Saturday Sparks, Saturday Critters,
I am so grateful that your husband has had a full and wonderful recovery from the surgery. That's a huge big deal and very scary, and I know it must have been a challenging time for you both. The park is gorgeous. And your photos, which are always wonderful, really show it off to the best. Isn't it fun to "rediscover" older photos?
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful! And happy healthy heart day!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found these photos; they're too beautiful to forget. I always enjoy your adventures and all your wonderful photos. #MMBC
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! Thanks so much for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2026/01/featuring-forrest.html
ReplyDeleteSo pleased that your husband has made an excellent recovery from his surgery.
ReplyDeleteLovely photographs and videos you've shared.
Good wishes for 2026.
All the best Jan
Oh wow; these photos are just incredible! I love that one of the bridge over the boulder field with all the mountains in the background in all those pretty blue shades.
ReplyDeleteYour area affords you so many delightful places to visit and enjoy. Good for the two of you in getting out and about and doing those drives and hikes! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe gift of nature, the aspen branch, is a poetically beautiful idea. Another walk through inimitable nature.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, I warmly congratulate your husband on his birthday and understand very well [from experience] that it is celebrated consistently.
Thank you very much for sharing at MosaicMonday ☃️
Hello Pat,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of the park and your hike to the waterfalls.
It is good to get outside and enjoy nature.
Take care, have a great day!
So thankful for your husband's health after his cardiac event! These pictures are magnificent and what a blessing to enjoy the beauty of the mountains so close to you!
ReplyDeleteMarking your husband’s recovery alongside the resilient beauty of the Alluvial Fan feels especially meaningful, where both personal and natural landscapes speak to survival, renewal, and enduring strength
ReplyDeleteYou guys are in such great shape to do those hikes! I am impressed. The pictures are stunning- you are very fortunate to live near such beauty. I have only been to RMNP two times. I loved both occasions. Our area in Ohio is quite flat and there´s something so special about seeing sites that we normally don´t get to see. Your husband´s recovery is remarkable!
ReplyDeleteWonderful views.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Wow, what a wonderful time you had with your husband at this park. The views are just gorgeous and thanks for taking us along with you. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and videos. Congratulations to your husband. Keep on hikin'!!
ReplyDeleteSo happy your husband is doing well -- I've been away from blogland for a long time due to technical and other problems and had missed previous posts about that surgery and recovery. ... thanks for the beautifully pictured and written memories of RMNP (mine are too long ago now). Thanks for finding me at our new location and have a wonderful week.
ReplyDelete...Pat, there is a photo op around turn out there!
ReplyDeleteGlad Vinnie is doing well and that you are able to enjoy RMNP. You live in such a beautiful area. Thank you for linking up.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots.
ReplyDeleteFantastic news that your husband is doing so well a year on from surgery.
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning area to visit and explore, it looks magical. I like that nature left you a gift in the car.
So glad that your husband had recovered from the surgery and is doing well.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
Waterfalls are such beautiful highlights in the landscape. Your time visiting the Alluvial Fan area looks lovely. I'm so glad that your husband is doing well after his surgery. Aspens are one of my favourite trees. I love the whispers they make when the wind blows through.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a nice, sustainable trail in an interesting area. When dams and such fail it can cause a lot of chaos and it takes a long time for the scar to heal.
ReplyDeleteSo happy that you and he can still do the things you love
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear your husband is healthy. I love your photos! They showcase such beautiful views. I will feature your post at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party tomorrow.
ReplyDelete