Cathy and Joe R. Take a 4-day R&R to Estes Park and <br>RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park)<br>May 15-19, 2023

Cathy and Joe R. Take a 4-day R&R to Estes Park and
RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park)
May 15-19, 2023

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Introduction

On May 15, 2023, we left on a 2.5 hour drive to visit our favorite place in Colorado, RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park). We rented a fabulous AirBnB just outside the town of Estes Park and just 3 miles from RMNP. This AirBnB had all the necessities and luxuries we needed for a 4 day R & R. The view of the mountains from the back patio was stunning and the open space was a favorite place for various wildlife.

Obviously, RMNP did not disappoint and the full day we spent there was wonderful. To our surprise, many of the people visiting were from other foreign Nations and what a delight to talk with them .

We decided to drive home through Thompson River Canyon. As always, it was an exciting drive with stunning scenery.

Also, be sure to view the >>> 2 VIDEOS <<<

Cathy & Joe R.

Click to enlarge 1. Road Map Colorado Springs to Estes Park	Click to enlarge 2. Road Map AirBnB Estes Park & RMNP	Click to enlarge 3. Terrain Map AirBnB Estes Park & RMNP
Click to enlarge 4_Area_Map	Click to enlarge 5. RMNP Map	Click to enlarge 6. RMNP Map Zoomed

Click on an image to start a Slide Show with that image.

#1 - May 15, 2023 - After our 130 mile 2 1/2 hour+ drive from our home in Colorado Springs, we arrive just above the Town of Estes Park, where we will stay in an AirBnB

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#3 - May 16, 2023 - The view out the back of our AirBnB just outside the Town of Estes Park on our first leisurely morning

#4 - May 16, 2023 - The back patio of our AirBnB just outside the Town of Estes Park

#5 - May 16, 2023 - The view looking Northwest towards RMNP from the back patio of our AirBnB just outside the Town of Estes Park. The area in the foreground is a designated Green space.

#6 - May 16, 2023 - A zoomed view looking Northwest at the mountains in RMNP from the back patio of our AirBnB just outside Estes Park.

#7 - May 16, 2023 - A zoomed view looking Northwest at the mountains in RMNP from the back patio of our AirBnB just outside Estes Park.

#8 - May 16, 2023 - A zoomed view looking Northwest at the mountains in RMNP from the back patio of our AirBnB just outside Estes Park.

#9 - May 16, 2023 - A zoomed view looking West at the mountains in RMNP from the back patio of our AirBnB just outside Estes Park.

#10 - May 16, 2023 - A small herd of young Elk visiting the Green Space behind our AirBnB just outside Estes Park

#11 - May 16, 2023 - A small herd of young Elk visiting the Green Space behind our AirBnB just outside Estes Park

#12 - May 16, 2023 - On our second day staying at the AirBnB just outside Estes Park, we decided to take a short ride just down Mary's Lake Rd. a couple of miles to view Mary's Lake the nameske of the road. That is a hydroelectric power plant on the right.

#13 - May 16, 2023 - On our second day staying at the AirBnB just outside Estes Park, we decided to take a short ride just down Mary's Lake Rd. a couple of miles to view Mary's Lake the nameske of the road. That is water gushing from the hydroelectric power plant on the right.

#14 - May 16, 2023 - A panoramic view of Mary's Lake. That is a hydroelectric power plant on the right.

#15 - May 16, 2023 - A view of Mary's Lake.

#16 - May 16, 2023 - The evening sunset view out the back of our AirBnB.

#17 - May 17, 2023 - On our third day, we take the short drive to RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park) at the Beaver Meadows Entrance.

#18 - May 17, 2023 - A panoramic view looking South from the road after the Beaver Meadows Entrance in RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park). That is Longs Peak on the left, the highest peak in RMNP.

#19 - May 17, 2023 - A view looking South from the road in RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park) after the Beaver Meadows Entrance. That is Longs Peak on the left, the highest peak in RMNP.

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#21 - May 17, 2023 - Also off the side of the road as we drive up Trail Ridge Road in RMNP.

#22 - May 17, 2023 - Another view looking South from the road in RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park). That is Longs Peak on the left, the highest peak in RMNP.

#23 - May 17, 2023 - A view overlooking Moraine Park looking South from the road in RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park). That is Longs Peak in the center, the highest peak in RMNP.

#24 - June 14, 1994 - Joe R., Joe A. and Cathy 29 years ago at the same spot - same rocks and tree on the right, but the sign is gone.

#25 - May 17, 2023 - A zoomed view of Longs Peak looking South from the road in RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park).

#26 - May 17, 2023 - A selfie and view of Longs Peak looking South and overlooking Moraine Park from the road in RMNP .

#27 - May 17, 2023 - A view of Longs Peak looking South and overlooking Moraine Park from the road in RMNP.

#28 - May 17, 2023 - A panoramic view looking South from the road in RMNP. That is Longs Peak on the right in the background, the highest peak in RMNP.

#29 - May 17, 2023 - A chipmonk off the side of the road as we drive up Trail Ridge Road in RMNP.

#30 - May 17, 2023 - A panoramic view from Rainbow Curve on Trail Ridge Road in RMNP with the Alluvial Fan Area to the left, West Horseshoe Park and Sheep Lakes to the right.

#31 - May 17, 2023 - A view from Rainbow Curve on Trail Ridge Road in RMNP.

#32 - May 17, 2023 - Us at Rainbow Curve on Trail Ridge Road in RMNP.

#33 - May 17, 2023 - Cathy relaxing on the wall at Rainbow Curve on Trail Ridge Road in RMNP. The road was closed at this point (due to being snow blocked). So, we could not drive to the summit.

#34 - May 17, 2023 - A view from Rainbow Curve on Trail Ridge Road in RMNP looking down onto the Alluvial Fan Area to which we are headed.

#35 - May 17, 2023 - At Rainbow Curve on Trail Ridge Road in RMNP. The road was closed at this point (due to being snow blocked). So, we could not drive to the summit.

#36 - May 17, 2023 - A selfie and view from Rainbow Curve on Trail Ridge Road in RMNP looking down onto the Alluvial Fan Area to which we are headed.

#37 - May 17, 2023 - A view as we head down Trail Ridge Road in RMNP with the Alluvial Fan Area to the left (where we are now heading), West Horseshoe Park and Sheep Lakes to the right.

#38 - May 17, 2023 - More snow as we head down Trail Ridge Road in RMNP.

#39 - May 17, 2023 - More snow as we head down Trail Ridge Road in RMNP.

#40 - May 17, 2023 - More snow as we head down Trail Ridge Road in RMNP.

#41 - May 17, 2023 - Driving along Moraine Park on the left in RMNP as we head to the Alluvial Fan Area ahead on the right.

#42 - May 17, 2023 - Driving along Moraine Park on the left in RMNP as we head to the Alluvial Fan Area ahead on the right.

#43 - May 17, 2023 - As we are driving along Moraine Park, on the left we spot what remains of a tree that we (Cathy, Joe R. and Joe A.) witnessed from the Moraine Park Discovery Center (about 1/2 mile away) being hit by lightning.and splitting 29 years ago on June 19, 1994 (see photo #47) when we were vacationing in RMNP from our then home in Central New York! Cathy and Joe R. also saw it 5 years later on Sept. 29, 1999 (see photo #46).

#44 - May 17, 2023 - As we are driving along Moraine Park, on the left we spot what remains of a tree that we (Cathy, Joe R. and Joe A.) witnessed from the Moraine Park Discovery Center (about 1/2 mile away) being hit by lightning.and splitting 29 years ago on June 19, 1994 (see photo #47) when we were vacationing in RMNP from our then home in Central New York! Cathy and Joe R. also saw it 5 years later on Sept. 29, 1999 (see photo #46).

#45 - May 17, 2023 - As we are driving along Moraine Park, on the left we spot what remains of a tree that we (Cathy, Joe R. and Joe A.) witnessed from the Moraine Park Discovery Center (about 1/2 mile away) being hit by lightning.and splitting 29 years ago on June 19, 1994 (see photo #47) when we were vacationing in RMNP from our then home in Central New York! Cathy and Joe R. also saw it 5 years later on Sept. 29, 1999 (see photo #46).

#46 - September 29, 1999 - Same tree 24 years ago!

#47 - June 19, 1994 - Same tree 29 years ago on the day Cathy, Joe R. and Joe A. witnessed it from the Moraine Park Discovery Center (about 1/2 mile away) being hit by lightning and splitting.!

#48 - May 17, 2023 - Another visitor told us we were fortunate to be there on a day the cacti were blooming and pointed out where to find them. They are much smaller than they appear in this closeup photo - see next photo.

#49 - May 17, 2023 - Blooming cactus and fingers for size comparison.

#50 - May 17, 2023 - Blooming cactus.

#51 - May 17, 2023 - Even closer of blooming cactus.

#52 - May 17, 2023 - We stop at a picnic table for a quick snack on our way out of the Moraine Park area. Longs Peak in the background.

#53 - May 17, 2023 - Our favorite posing rock in RMNP on our way to the Alluvial Fan Area in the far distance.

#54 - May 17, 2023 - Our favorite posing rock in RMNP on our way to the Alluvial Fan Area in the far distance.

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#57 - May 17, 2023 - We start up the hiking trail in the Alluvial Fan Area along the headwaters of the Fall River. The rock field was caused by a flood in 1982. Be sure to view the videos on the Video Page.

#58 - May 17, 2023 - We reach the top of the hiking trail in the Alluvial Fan Area along the headwaters of the Fall River. The rock field was caused by a flood in 1982. Be sure to view the videos on the Video Page.

#59 - May 17, 2023 - At the top of the hiking trail in the Alluvial Fan Area along the headwaters of the Fall River. The rock field was caused by a flood in 1982. Be sure to view the videos on the Video Page.

#60 - May 17, 2023 - On our way out of RMNP via the Fall River entrance, we drive by the Sheep Lakes area in West Horseshoe Park and spot some Elk in the meadow.

#61 - May 17, 2023 - On our way out of RMNP via the Fall River entrance, we drive by the Sheep Lakes area in West Horseshoe Park and spot some Elk in the meadow.

#62 - May 17, 2023 - On our way out of RMNP via the Fall River entrance, we drive by the Sheep Lakes area in West Horseshoe Park and spot some Elk in the meadow.

#63 - May 17, 2023 - A zoomed shot of one of the elk in the Sheep Lakes area in West Horseshoe Park.

#64 - May 17, 2023 - Back in our AirBnB we see a beautiful sunset and a herd of Mule Deer in the back yard..

#65 - May 17, 2023 - Back in our AirBnB we see a beautiful sunset and a herd of Mule Deer in the back yard..

#66 - May 17, 2023 - Back in our AirBnB we see a beautiful sunset and a herd of Mule Deer in the back yard..

#67 - May 17, 2023 - Back in our AirBnB we see a beautiful sunset and a herd of Mule Deer in the back yard..

#68 - May 17, 2023 - One of the Mule Deer gets close..

#69 - May 17, 2023 - A zoomed shot of one of the Mule Deer..

#70 - May 19, 2023 - On our drive home from Estes Park, we decided to take the scenic route through the Thompson River Canyon. Unfortunately it was quite foggy, but very beautiful once the fog lifted somewhat. This is one or our favorite drives in Colorado.

#71 - May 19, 2023 - On our drive home from Estes Park, we decided to take the scenic route through the Thompson River Canyon. Unfortunately it was quite foggy, but very beautiful once the fog lifted somewhat. This is one or our favorite drives in Colorado.

#72 - May 19, 2023 - On our drive home from Estes Park, we decided to take the scenic route through the Thompson River Canyon. Unfortunately it was quite foggy, but very beautiful once the fog lifted somewhat. This is one or our favorite drives in Colorado.

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