Breakfast of champions, a scenic drive to a hike, and then a drive through RMNP

We started the day off at Daylight Donuts.

Headed past Dillon Reservoir towards Rocky Mountain National Park.  We came up with this plan so we could avoid the drive down I-70 into the inevitable construction traffic.

I guess we wore the cousins out or woke them up too early in the morning!

 

Arrived at our hike (Cascade Falls) by Grand Lake.  This pretty falls was right by the North Inlet Trailhead.

The kids always want to know how far we are going and refuse to read the signs so I told them we were doing Bear Lake!

The first part of the hike starts out through private property.  

Then we passed this pretty stream.  It was so clear you could see the fishing swimming around.

We were walking along trying to freak J out about mountain lions when J spotted these three moose taking a break in the woods.

Of course this made the hike for me!

At another break spot we saw these marks on some trees.  Poppa informed us that they were from a bear marking his territory.

The falls were actually less than inspiring as far as falls go for me.  It was also hard to get a decent shot of them without a lot of scrambling on rocks.  The sky started getting grey fast and the lowlanders didn't have rain coats so we left quickly....

but not before we grabbed a quick bite to eat.

We passed this small falls on the way.

That would be a headless deer...just kidding!  We did see the moose again on the way back but they were pretty far away so I didn't bother taking anymore pics.

The marmot turned right before I took the picture so it doesn't look like much....I need a telephoto lens!

After our hike we headed 'officially' into the park.

Along Trail Ridge Road (more on the Grand Lake side) we saw another moose!

Pretty views:

Lots of elk at the top:

Hike: Cascade Falls
Trails Used: North Inlet Trail

Distance: 7.53 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Overall average: 2.3 mph
Overall Time: 3 hr, 19 min
Total Ascent: 953 ft.

Temple of Sinawava & the Emerald Pool

On the Temple of Sinawava trail we saw a fair amount of wildlife.  Deer (impressive that they were down in this canyon),

water bugs,

and many beggar squirrels

by this pretty pool of water.

The kids were carried across the river to the other side 

 by Daddy.

Hike: Temple of Sinawava
Trails Used: Riverside Walk

Distance:  3.15 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Overall average: 3.3 mph
Overall Time: 57 min
Total Ascent: 5 ft.

The Emerald Pool hike was underwhelming but pleasant.  It was a busy trail and didn't have very much water in the waterfall. It was nice to get out and stretch the legs after being in the car all day.

Hike: Emerald Pool
Trails Used: Emerald Pool to the Grotto

Distance:  4.32 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Overall average: 2.6 mph
Overall Time: 1 hr, 40 min
Total Ascent: 109 ft.

Bear Lake

The family went camping in Rocky Mountain National Park for the weekend.  We did a couple of hikes up at Bear Lake before we set up camp (Moraine Park Campground).  

The road out there is undergoing some major construction so we needed to take a bus to the trail head. 

Saw some wildlife out the window on the way:

Bear Lake:

Snacking and resting on the way to Alberta Falls.  Did you check out that hiking outfit?

Yup, that's a hole in her tights (that was there when she put them on this morning.)

Alberta Falls:

Reminds me of a 70's hotel painting:

Couldn't resist the rainbow:

The camping party:

Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins

Took a dusk wildlife walk and saw many elk!

Wall flower:

These hummingbirds were noisy and dive bombing bugs all around us.  Not a great pic but a great memory!

Finally, rest and relaxation.

(Notice-no little people in sight!) 

:)

Hike: Bear Lake to Glacier Gorge

Trails Used: Bear Lake, Alberta Falls, Glacier Gorge

Distance: 2.91 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Overall average: 1.6 mph

Overall Time: 1 hrs, 45 min

Total Ascent: 313 ft.