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Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park June 20: Golden, Colorado (just west of Denver). We are in Clear Creek City Park N39° 45.197' W105° 13.193'. The campground is located on the south side of 10th street at the end of the road. Clear Creek City Campground is one of the nicest (location wise) campgrounds you can stay in (our opinion). located on Clear Creek 3-blocks from downtown Golden. They have paved interior roads with small backin sites (mature trees are so wonderful); 50-amps, water and sewer, $28.91 per-night 303-278-1437. There is a 2-week max stay before you have to leave the park and they do not take reservations.
As we near Idaho Springs on I-70 the mine tailings on the south side of the road point to an active mine. Would you look at the canyon that I-70 is squeezing through in this picture.
In order to fit 4-lanes of traffic through this canyon a major road cut had to be dynamited. Can you believe the size of this roadcut? Most of I-70 east of the Eisenhower Tunnel is relentlessly climbing. Here is a short stretch that is dropping. I know the truckers hate to see this knowing they are going to have to give up hard earned elevation.
This sign on I-70 was what we were looking for. We were getting off on US-40. This is a woods rose that grows wild in the Rockies adding a splash of color in the most opportune places.
Joyce and I got a kick out of this sign "Nothing Fancy Just What You Need". From the looks of the store you could be certain there wasn't any thing fancy inside.
Above the treeline on the way to Berthound Pass on US-40.
Berthound Pass at 11,307 is one of those passes that are way up there, one you will remember climbing.
On the left is an alpine cirque while on the right is a very comfortable hairpin.
There is a beautiful valley near Grand Lake that a few fortunate people get to live in.
This is Grand Lake Reservoir near the town of Grand Lake.
There is some beautiful cattle ranching land near Grand Lake as evidenced by this picture. These are woods roses. They grow wild in the Rockies.
These magpies were acting like lovebirds on a picnic table near the small town of Grand Lake out the southwest gate to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Will someone tell us what this is? It looks like a cross between a cow and a yak or it may be a yak.
Joyce spotted this cow moose shortly after we entered the southwest entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Beautiful views of lush valleys and snow capped mountains are around every turn.
This is the second time we have crossed over the Continental Divide today. The first was Berthound Pass. Now we are crossing over Milner Pass at 10,759 feet.
There is still plenty of snow at this altitude.
As we approach the Alpine Visitor Center in Rocky Mountain National Park we are above timberline. The south facing areas are free of snow while the northerly facing areas are spotted with snow.
We finally reach the Alpine Visitor Center & Trail Ridge Store at 11,796 feet.
Some people want to walk to the top, not us. We have difficulty walking at this altitude. Climbing is out of the question.
As we leave the visitor center parking lot we have a decision to make: Return to Golden via Grand Lake (the way we came in) or Estes Park. Joyce pointed toward Estes Park.
It may be mid-June but there is still plenty of snow at higher altitudes. There is water in the basin of this cirque.
This was one heck of a road cut, amen!
We spotted this coyote foraging for food in a meadow near Estes Park.
Even coyotes need a good yawn now and then.
This is the foothills of the Rockies between Boulder and Golden on SR-93. Near Golden is this classic hogback with a thick layer of hard lava rock protecting softer sandstones. When the lava was flowing it was most likely flowing down a valley. Now that same lava instead of being in a valley is the highest point around, all because of erosion. This has been a wonderful day, we have to wonder if it gets any better. Click here for some Colorado travellogsUntil next time remember how good life is. More Colorado AdventuresAdventures by State ** More 2006 Travel Adventures
Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
We would love to hear from you......just put "info" in the place of "FAKE" in this address: FAKE@travellogs.us Until next time remember how good life is.
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