A Day in Rocky Mountain National Park
 

While returning home to Colorado for Memorial Day weekend, I spent a day in Rocky Mountain National Park. They just opened Trail Ridge Road for the 2007 season and I took a drive up to the summit.

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Just outside the Beaver Meadows park entrance, looking towards Long's Peak.

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A waterfall near Sheep Lakes.

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Some elk grazing near the edge of the trees.

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A small beaver dam in the stream.

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Looking up to the higher elevations.

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Starting the climb up Trail Ridge, Long's Peak off in the distance.

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Closer shot of Longs Peak. The only mountain in the park above 14,000ft (A Colorado Fourteener)

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The treeline at approximately 11,500ft. Above that conditions are too harsh for trees to grow.

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A chipmunk.

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A great lookout over the park.

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Looking down at the glacier carved valley below.

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Near the top of Trail Ridge Road, the Lava Cliffs.

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Three peaks north of Trail Ridge

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Looks a little barren at the top. Nothing but alpine tundra at this altitude.

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An interesting sight, a high altitude lake at the treeline.

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The peaks are beginning to fade into the afternoon clouds.

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Back down to the lower elevations, where I found a herd of elk.

Right near my home shooting grounds. lol. If ever you get the chance to get up super early and catch sunrise in the park, its worth it, especially in the Fall. Makes the lighting conditions so much better for shooting its amazing.

Next time you are in the area you should head south out of Estes Park on Highway 7. Theres some beautiful places to see along there, and it drops you into Lyons. If you are heading toward Denver take highway 7 to highway 72, and stay on 72. Thats a great drive.

nice shots.

Can't wait, another month and a half/two months and that tundra will be blooming with beautiful flowers!

Thanks for sharing!

RMNP's so awesome! I'm going to Estes Park in August, I'll be sure to take some pics.

And it's great to see so many fellow Coloradans here.:)