Spring 2011 - More Snow and Roaring Rapids

We continued to enjoy the snow and its resulting fast moving rivers. A drive up Trail Ridge Road (TRR) did not disappoint even though it was still closed, unusually late for June 2.

We weren't the only tourists mesmerized by all the snow! (Hope he wasn't from Texas too!)

One of my favorite views from TRR - and look how full the Sheep Lakes are! In fact, I'd never really noticed there was more than one swampy body of water. These are so blue and clear and gorgeous!

Stopping by Moraine Park to figure out the new fencing proved to be the most beautiful scenery of the day!  So much snow on the mountains and such full and fast streams running through the Park! We found the fencing as expected; it is there to keep the elk out, not the humans! Very important to know since hiking to Moraine Park is a Number One activity for our Highlander Clan!

A drive into town (Estes Park, that is!) provided even more exciting views of water. Look at the Big Thompson!  It was roaring through town!

It made our Poppy's pizza right by the river even more enjoyable. (It wasn't necessary, though, as this was my favorite pizza I've ever eaten! The caramelized onions are to die for!)

The Big Thompson was so high with much more snow to melt that there were predictions of flooding.  Thankfully, they did not materialize.  (We certainly remembered the problems caused by the previous year's flood.) Merchants along the River Walk were prepared though.

BMS (Bear Lake, Moraine Park, Sprague Lake)

BMS!  We never tire of them.  Rocky Mountain National Park's (RMNP) glorious destinations are perfectly suited to the Highlander Clan's  6 babes, all 3 and under.  And, no matter how many times we visit, we always find something new.  Take this, for example: 

Now, of course, we didn't just find the RMNP Shuttle, but we did find ourselves riding it for the first time ever!  I'd always felt sorry for the poor folks circling the Bear Lake parking lot, thinking someone should have told them that one needs to be there at least by 10 am in July in order to get a parking place.  Well, this summer, we were the poor folks!  And, you know, it wasn't bad at all parking in the shuttle lot and hitching a ride to Bear Lake!  It was actually a fun adventure and, thankfully, the babes didn't seem to mind the extra travel time.  These pictures from Bear Lake are courtesy of emily large Photography since I forgot my camera.

Bear's Clues are always important stops along the trail around Bear Lake.

Snack stops are even more important!

This pointe is always a big favorite, walking out on the big rock  .....

and actually getting to reach into the water of Bear Lake.

The Highlander Clan's visit to Moraine Park offered new experiences also!  Of course, there are always the flowers for little princesses .....

   

and the many large boulders to climb .....

but never before have we stopped on the edge of the park, picnicking at a picnic table instead of going deep into park and spreading our picnic in the meadow.  We were unusually tired, though, and the weather was threatening, so ...... a new experience hiking to Moraine Park!

My favorite new find, however, was this deer on the Y grounds as we hiked back to the car.  Our large clan allowed me many shots of the deer who was happy as a lark to have me hovering nearby.  I look forward to finding him again as we hike to and from Moraine Park in 2011.  Since he has a big scar I'll be able to spot him, but, then, I should name him.  Any ideas?

Sprague Lake is handicap accessible and even has a nearby accessible camp site

which makes it very stroller friendly!

Sadly, Sprague's lodge pole pines need this hug Molly is giving!  The pine bark beetle is in full attack there!

The new finds at Sprague Lake were this rapid overflow from the Lake and many more than normal beautiful wildflowers.  Both of these finds can be attributed to the later and heavier that normal snows that RMNP received this Spring.

BMS (Bear, Moraine, and Sprague)

Hiking continued throughout the week following Memorial Day.  Three wonderful hikes were Bear Lake, Moraine Park from the Y, and Sprague Lake.  With six grandchildren ages 3 and under, these have become our favorite hikes!  First, we visited Bear Lake.  We bravely tackled the ice and snow but were not able to go completely around the lake.  One would never have guessed the conditions, given our dress!  But... Once a princess, always a princess!

Bear Lake not only provides appropriate terrain and hiking length for young children, it also offers many huge boulders that beg to be climbed!

And for the parents, Bear Lake offers many gorgeous views.  This is the Keyboard of the Winds, one of my favorite.

Hiking from the Y into Moraine Park is a treat because it requires little or no travel in the car.  Young children especially appreciate this!  Also, there is no concern about full parking lots.  The Big Thompson streams wind through Moraine Park and were especially full this year!

Moraine Park doesn't have many big boulders on which to climb, but there are small rocks which cry out, "Throw me, throw me," and into the rapidly flowing Big Thompson streams they go!  This provides much entertainment!

A highlight of any hike is the snack and this little babe is sure to get hers!

Snack time again!  This time at Sprague Lake.  On a beautiful old fallen tree.

Sprague Lake was built by Abner Sprague who wanted to create excellent fishing with incomparable views of the Continental Divide for the guests at his lodge.  Think he succeeded?  Huh?  These are Otis Peak, Hallett Peak, and Flattop Mt.

...and Hallett Peak and Flattop Mt with Tyndall Glacier in between.

Who Knew? Golfing in Moraine Park?!

Richard Hahn posted this entry in Rocky Mountain National Park Forums on July 10, 2009. The Forums are a huge wealth of information about RMNP.

No one has golfed in Moraine Park for 46 years, but the outline of the old nine-hole course stood out, weeds against native grass.  Last fall, park crews began lowering the abandoned greens and trees to their natural grade as part of a plan to restore native wetlands and grasses.  Today, park crews continued their restoration process by placing native grass plants in the restored soils at the natural grade.  This was a very good thing to see.  Thanks park crews for your good work.

Incidentally, Richard Hahn is an awesome photographer and has a gallery in Estes Park.  Several of his photographs are on my "must have" list.

2009: Year of Many Hikes to Moraine Park, Part 2

So, the Whole Family

(minus one fisherman)

Hikes to Moraine Park!

The river is an instant magnet, especially for our champion rock thrower!

Aunts, Uncles, Cousins all join in, throwing rocks and looking for fish.

Snack Time! A Hike is not a Hike without a Snack! Notice Everyone looking Down? Remember Why? The Sun is Bright!!!

Time to Rest .....

and enjoy the Beauty .....

2009: Year of Many Hikes to Moraine Park, Part 1

What fun it is to be able to hike from the Y into Rocky Mountain National Park!

We sent our Scouts to blaze the trail.

They went well prepared, taking CamelBaks to insure hydration

and discovered a winding river, deep green grass, and majestic mountains.

Our Scouts then summoned the Entire Family for Multiple Journeys back to Moraine Park.