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RMNP - vacation 06

BJohnson

BJohnson

Well-Known Member
Just got back from a family vacation at Rocky Mountain National Park. What awesome country. Below are a few photos of the family. The last morning I hastily got up early and went back up on Trail Ridge Road on the Continental Divide to see some more elk. Anyway, I saw one group on SIX bulls within 50 yards of the road. One huge 6x7, one big 6x6 and the rest 5x5's.
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I couldn't believe my luck until I realized I left the digital back at the lodge with my sleeping family.
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It was an awesome sight and an incredible photo opportunity but I guess you appreciate what luck passes your way. My six year old twins were real "troopers" as they called themselves. I can't wait to return in a few years when they are ready for some more challenging hikes - I just hope I am still ready.
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Chapin Pass near the Continental Divide at about 11,000 ft. We were watching one cow and two calf elk feed within about 50 yards on this spot where I shot this photo of the kids. The elk are extremely tolerable of humans within the park since no hunting is allowed.

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my wife Laurie and I at Dream Lake - Hallett Peak in the background @ 12,500 ft. We could see the trout swimming in this lake from shore.

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family photo with Longs Peak in the background - 14,000+ - highest peak in RMNP

The photos just don't even come close to being there but at least give some perspective.
 
Those are beautiful shot. Great family photo as well. We need to make the RMNP our next family trip. You sold me!
 
Great photos! I got married by a lake in RMNP a few years ago. It was Sept. and the elk were bugling and the aspens were turning gold.
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Man, great pics. The Rockies are a wonderful place to take the family. Everything up there is clean, crisp,and cool. I love it there, I would move out there but my wife says no. Oh well I live in the hills in Iowa so I can't complain.
 
I was out there at the end of June. Saw lot's of elk, one bunch of 10 or so bulls stopped and stood just off the road near the vistors center and let the crowd take pictures. They are pretty much tame critters.

I also managed to climb Long's Peak. Talk about an adventure, not for the out of shape or people scared of heights. Heights don't normally bother me, but some parts of the climb were close to reaching my pucker factor limit. Truly some beautiful country.

-Bugs
 
Great pics and a beautiful area to visit. Our family spent several days there 2 years ago and it was probably our best overall vacation. I highly recommend it for those that have not been there.
 
Bugs,

Your a better man than I am. What time did you have to start that climb for Long's or did you camp out and do it in two days. I was reading something like starting time for that climb was 3:00 AM
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When I get back out there I think I'll start my summits with one of the shorter hikes like Flat Top Mountain or maybe Twin Sisters (both still above 12,000+).
 
Looks like a great vacation. We go out to Colorado every year, sometimes I wonder why I ever come back to Iowa...oh, that's right...BIG BUCKS!
 
We hiked up to Big Meadow, wish I had the moose pics on digi to show you. My wife stayed in the timber
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while I took seat on a large boulder in the meadow. Had some beautiful bulls feed within 20 yards of me.
 
What a fantastic place to visit!! Looks like a good time with your family. I haven't been there since Christmas '89 with my family ... BEAUTIFUL!!!
-Longspurs-
 
Bagging Long's was something I wanted to do for a long time. You might try just hiking to the Keyhole on Long's,it's all trail except for the Boulder Field, really spectacular view looking through the Keyhole.

I hit the trail at 4:31 am, summitted at 11:30. I had a real tough time at the Trough, I ran out of gas and had to take a long break. Coming back down, it started to snow at the Narrows, nothing serious, just some big flakes. I took 2 liters of H2O and ran out on the way down with 3.5 miles to go. Reached the parking lot at 5:30 pm. I was drinking a cold one in the hot tub by 7. All in all, I got lucky and had really good weather for the climb.

A couple days later I hiked to the Devil's Causeway in the Flattops. Piece of cake campared to Long's. Saw a herd of 100+ elk grazing out on the tops NE of the Causeway. There were elk over towards Flattop Mtn. also.

-Bugs
 
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