Checking out the west side of RMNP

The switchback filled, but paved Trail Ridge Road long ago replaced the Fall River Road for most traffic through the park.  They still maintain (mostly) the old gravel road so we head out that way to check out the view earlier visitors might have seen.  The road is carved into steep hillsides with spectacular views, hair raising drop-offs, and tight switchbacks.  We stop to check out Chasm Falls.  We spot a bull elk calmly grazing the upper meadows just as we approach the Alpine Visitor Center from the back drive.

We make a quick stop at the VC and spy this high altitude moose: we know how he feels.  We had to have this T-shirt.

We continue on over the top on Trail Ridge Road heading for the Kawuneeche Valley, the banks of the Colorado River, and the west gateway town, Grand Lake.  It is a beautiful day and we take our time.  Just feet from the road in the half shelter of the pines a group of elk and their calves are having breakfast.

We drop lower. The valley is much wetter.  The Colorado meanders among broad wetlands with lots of beaver ponds.  We are on the watch for moose.  No luck.

We pass by town and head out toward Shadow Mountain Lake.  There are nesting osprey to watch.  While we are out on a lake shore trail (1 mile on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail) we spot a fox carrying his lunch.  At the dam, fish are struggling to get upstream through a discharge pipe.  We see a lot of bounce-back.  What hard working creatures!

We check out the town of Grand Lake.  It is a tourist town with a hint of a western theme including a wooden boardwalk lined with shops and cafes.  We grab lunch, local pizza and a pretty good Washington apple salad.  Better head back to our cozy spot on the east side.

Bonus, we spot a cow moose and her calf noshing away at the beaver meadow turn off. They are gangly and awkward looking both as adults and young.  Great to watch.