As I wrote in my last blog post, at the end of September, my husband and I stayed for the first time in a lodge at the YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch, in Granby, Colorado.
We had a glorious view from our room's back porch, with golden fall colored aspens all around and the mighty Rocky Mountains in the distance.
Since we arrived in the early afternoon, we drove to Rocky Mountain National Park to enter through the West entrance. The park has timed entry during the busiest times of the year, but everyone with a pass can enter after 2 PM, and my husband and I have lifetime senior passes that allow us to visit any US National Park for free!
We passed ranches along the half-hour drive to the park...
...with many cattle grazing alongside the road.
As we passed Lake Granby, which is usually the third-largest body of water in Colorado. We could see how low it was due to the prolonged drought Colorado has been experiencing this year.
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As we drove further into the park, the forest returned to normal and the views were beautiful!
The weather was changing--we could see rain in the distance--but we stopped to walk a trail that led to the Colorado River. This 1,450-mile-long (2,330 km) river, the Fifth-longest in the United States, drains an expansive, arid watershed that encompasses parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states. You can see a short video I took of the river at this link on YouTube.
We drove up Trail Ridge Road toward the Never Summer Mountains viewpoint. They are a small volcanic range along the western edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, and we enjoyed the views. The elevation at the Never Summer Mountain viewpoint is approximately 12,520 feet (6858 meters). This viewpoint offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, including the diverse terrains of the Never Summer Wilderness.
As the hour was getting late, we decided to drive back toward Snow Mountain Ranch.
Some beautiful mountain views...
...as we drove back down to the Kawuneeche Valley.
The Holzwarth Historic Site is located here, but we have visited in the past, so we did not stop again this time.
We did stop to visit the Kawuneeche Visitor Center, one of many visitor centers within the park. It has information and maps, backcountry camping permits, exhibits, a Rocky Mountain Conservancy bookstore, park films, and ranger-led activities.
Please click on this photo x 2 to enlarge it to read the information.
I found this placard with information about the difference between the east and west sides of the portion of the Continental Divide located in the park.
We drove back to the lodge at Snow Mountain Ranch, where we had dinner in the cafeteria for a small fee. The food was good and plentiful, and it was "all-you-can-eat" "home-cooking" style cuisine. We really enjoyed the assortment of salad fixings and the main entree. We looked forward to the next day, when we would explore the area--my next post.
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16 comments:
Oh, I wished I could be there. This nature looks grandios. I read with great pleasure. Await the next Post about.
Thank you for sharing at MosaicMonday
Greetings by Heidrun
Hello Pat,
Beautiful visits of the park! It is nice stay close or in the park.
The views of the trees and mountains are beautiful.
Hubby and I have stayed in Granby, I have photos of the Lake Granby, your post brings back memories of our visit.
I like seeing the ranches and cattle too. The skies are looking gorgeous. Great post and trip report. Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.
Gorgeous photography of an amazing park! #MMBC
Loved seeing the layers of mountains and the beautiful golden hues of Autumn. Cute photo of the two of you with that amazing backdrop!
Wow, you can really see the drought conditions when looking at the lake. So many gorgeous views though.
I can always count on you, Pat, to share the most beautiful scenes from Colorado. Whenever it comes out in conversation here in Florida that I came here from Colorado, people usually comment, "Colorado is so beautiful -- why did you leave?" And they are right! However, as life progresses, sometimes the beauty of a location becomes (of necessity) less of a priority. I am thankful for all the beauty here in Florida and I always enjoy what you share with us from Colorado.
While it's so sad that wildfires did such damage in the past, those views are so stunning! My husband and I are in the North Shore of Lake Superior right now and the aspens are peaking in all their glory! My husband commented earlier today that it reminded him of Colorado and I can definitely see that through your lovely photos! Thanks for sharing this beautiful area with us all!
What pretty scenery, Pat! Those golden aspens against the mountains are stunning. Lovely pic of you both, too.
Wonderful scenery! It's so sad to see the burned trees though.
The lifetime senior passes to get in to all the National Parks for free sounds like a great idea! I'd definitely sign up for one if I was in the States!
So beautiful. Fall is popping out everywhere. Beautiful.
Seniors have paid enough and should be allowed to enjoy Mother Nature for free.
Thank you for joining the Happy Tuesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Happy Tuesday, Pat. Hugs. ♥
You are killing me with your photos of the mountains with the aspens, pines, firs, spruce and other trees. So beautiful.
And the burn scars. Yes that's bad but they will seed over and grow back.
Ohhhh..the fires took so much yet the fall color pushes through
What gorgeous autumn views you enjoyed on your trip. The mountains are stunning. A lifetime pass sounds like a great idea!
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥
More incredible views, even with the drought.
Amalia
xo
I love seeing the two of you! He's going to have to come to Florida with those shorts though! But you sure saw some amazing sights in this early Fall weather! Hugs!
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