We stopped at Forest Canyon, hoping to see some yellow-bellied marmots (as we have seen them here in the past). No luck with the marmots, but there are awesome views of the canyon and tundra from here.
The trail to the overlook is still snow-covered, but that did not deter any of us from walking out to it.
As we were driving past Rock Cut, we saw this coyote cross the road. Check out his thick winter coat! At first we thought he was a wolf (as coyotes on the east coast are much smaller than the ones who live in the Rockies).
Continuing on Trail Ridge Road, our next stop was Lake Irene past the Continental Divide. There is a lovely picnic area here, but the trail to the lake was obscured by snow. I did catch a glimpse the frozen lake though the trees.
Farview Curve is the next overlook along Trail Ridge. Below is the view to the east and, the second, is the view to the west (Never Summer Mountains).
There are multiple trailheads accessible from Trail Ridge Road (Colorado River, Timber Lake, Bowen/Baker Trailhead) from Farview Curve to the Coyote Valley Trailhead. We hiked this .5 mile trail that offered views of the upper Colorado River. We have seen this river in so many states! It was fun to see it near its source in the Rocky Mountains.
It’s just a short walk to the nearby meadows where we saw elk grazing in the distance.
We stopped at Harbison Meadows picnic area to eat lunch.
The first homesteaders here were two sisters (Annie and Kitty Harbison), who began a dairy farm here in 1895 that they operated for 30 years. There were, also, several herds of elk grazing in here.
Past the Grand Lake Entrance Station is Kawuneeche Visitor Center (the fourth visitor center at RMNP). This is our first visit to it (and you know I love visitor centers!)
We checked out the displays inside. One lists the differences in the ecosystem on the east and west side of the Continental Divide that runs through the park. The second one provides information about the Colorado River that drains to the west of the divide.
From the Visitor Center we drove around a portion of Grand Lake to the Adams Falls Trail at East Inlet. It is a short (.3 mile each way) hike to the falls, but several other trailheads are here as well.
These falls are so interesting. The water rushes down the small gorge and then makes a 90-degree left turn. An observation area enables visitors to get a good view of the falls.
While returning to the parking lot, we saw this squirrel eating a dandelion (too cute).
Retracing our route, we made a quick stop at Grand Lake Lodge, the historic hotel located on the lake. Touring cars used at RMNP by the lodge are on display in the parking lot.
The lobby is reminiscent of many other national park structures in the western parks.
The view of Grand Lake was fantastic from the front porch where guests can enjoy the rocking chairs.
We re-entered RMNP at the Grand Lake Entrance and drove straight through to the Beaver Meadows exit and then to our campground (less than a mile from the eastern entrance). If you have the time, it is fun to see the western part of the park. It is really quite different from the eastern side. Both, though, are beautiful. This is one of our favorite National Parks.
For additional information about RMNP, go to www.nps.gov/romo.
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