Snowy RMNP

Carie and I hosted a few friends from out of town for the weekend. When our plans to go on an overnight backpacking excursion in RMNP fell through due to a big incoming snow storm, we headed to the east side of the divide for an alternate adventure. 

We left Denver in the morning, drove through Boulder, and arrived in RMNP via Estes Park around noon. We found a spot in the campground and decided to go on a hike up to Ypsilon Lake.

Lots of people out for the color change and bugling elk,

Some serious flow was needed to carve this ravine,

About a quarter of the way up it started to snow… and then it thundered… so we turned around 😦

We got back in the car and drove up Trail Ridge Road as far as it was open,

We saw some elk,

We went into town and imbibed at the brewery and winery, then got some dinner. We drove back to the campsite, sat in the car and drank tall boys, then went to bed.

It started snowing in the middle of the night, and we woke up to a winter wonderland,

Carie was less than thrilled for the temperature, but made due,

A harem of elk,

The snow made for some very dramatic scenes,

We drove up to Bear Lake before leaving the park,