Besides RMNP, Estes Park also has the world famous Stanley Hotel. This hotel was opened in 1909 and is an absolute marvel, well, you can see that. Beyond being a wonderful tourist stop it is also a movie icon. Do you remember the movie "The Shinning", story written by Stephen King? The hotel was the center point of the movie. Click here to see more about the >>> Stanley Hotel.
Now let us proceed into Rocky Mountain National Park.....after waiting in line of course. RMNP is one of the most visited parks in the country and there is always a line to get in.
We hadn't been in long before we were in another line, waiting at a wild animal crossing. These are minotaurs, half horse, half human. If you thought minotaurs were mythical, just take a careful look around almost any national park, where they are a protected species.
Trail Ridge Road runs through the park, exiting to Grand Lake. During the drive you reach altitudes above 12,000 feet. Much of the drive is above treeline in the alpine tundra. The drive is a scenic marvel.
I have driven across Trail Ridge Road at least 20 times over the last 35 years. This is the first time that I have seen elk herds lounging alongside the road. They all had their photogenic side pointed in my direction.
Enlarge this picture and look carefully at the left most standing elk. She has on a collar. Many of the elk in the park are tagged or collared by the naturalist rangers so that they can be tracked and studied.
Here is just scenery, in its most magnificent form. A mountain landscape above treeline. There is an alpine lake just left of center. If you can't see it, then enlarge the picture by clicking on it.
Hope you enjoyed the elk, I enjoyed being there to take their pictures for you. If you would like to know more, follow this link to >>> Rocky Mountain National Park.
1 comment:
Warren, thanks for sharing, the pics were beautiful. We have "mountains" in PA too, but this is spectacular.
PTL, PMA, Rick
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