Day 3 – Into the Rocky Mountain National Park
So I go from waking up in a castle to waking up in a haunted inn. And this time, we were out of the hotel by 4:15am. Yes, 4:15am.
Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) has a timed entry requirement. I got online the 30 days in advance, 1 hour after the tickets were available for this day – and already noon was the earliest available – NOON. But, there is a loophole. If you get into the park before 7a (the time that ticketed entire was allowed) or before 5a (the time ticketed entry available for Bear Lake Corridor) … so we got there by 4:30a and we found a parking spot easily.
Bear Lake – a very popular hike for RMNP. My son and I did this in 2015, but then, the entire region was under a new layer of 10 inches of snow. Quite a hike. This was different for it was dark. We got to use our new headlamps. They were a great investment.
There is something about watching the sunrise over the mountains as we circumnavigated the lake. Few people were there. (We had hundreds arrived before we ended the hike here – three bus loads of 150+ teens unloaded by 6a.)
We did Bear Lake and then we continued up the path to Nymph Lake. Wow. The colors of the sky. The reflection of the mountains in the lakes. The stillness and splendor all shouting at us.
And a new item – Nymph Lake had water Lillies and they were in bloom. Blooming Lillies only happens in the month of July. We caught a great moment in time. This picture is one of my favorites of this trip.
Something new happened …
My wife took the lead. She loved the lake – she loved the hike – she even wants to get a new license plate of ‘LIL HIKR’. This transformation is a miracle. My wife normally thinks getting back to nature is watching the National Geographic Channel.
Finishing that trek, we headed to Sprague Lake – another lake in the Bear Lake Corridor. This was less visited, but still had a well maintained trail. With the mountains in the background, this continued the majesty of nature … something photos just don’t do justice.
While on the Sprague Lake trail, I took a tumble – ouch. Ripped my knee and the pants leg up some. I twisted my ankle some. Worried my spouse, And mostly, completely embarrassed myself. Mostly I just rolled on my back and then back to my knees.
For those that seem vexed here – realize, I am okay. Bruised ego, but physically fine.
From here, we headed up to the Alpine Center, following the Trail Ridge Road – Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States, cresting at an elevation of 12,183 feet above sea level.
We had lunch at the Alpine Center and then headed to the Ute Trail and the Continental Divide.
The entirety of RMNP just oozes with God’s glory and splendor. And unlike the older, smoother Blue Ridge Mountains, RMNP range gives a greater appreciation to the aspect of having the rocks and trees crying out praises to God.
We saw animals. My wife can spot ‘em. She saw a black bear, deer, caribou, mule deers, elk and more.
We returned to The Stanley for a rest and a great meal at their fine dining establishment, the Cascades. She ate a meatloaf of elk, bison and boar. I married a carnivore. You would not know it considering all the salads she orders everywhere else.
Lesson – Beauty and Majesty of God is seen in the huge things (mountains) and in the little things (Lillies) – we have a role – PRAISE HIM in it all. Are you?
Muddy Shoes by Todd 
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