We have had a great time since our last post. We met up with Taylor last night to find a campsite in Rocky Mtn N.P. After picking up groceries in Estes Park, all campsites in RMNP were full. Oh ya, it was already about 8:30 by this point and starting to get a little dark. Maybe should have gotten started a little sooner. Taylor's friend had told her about some free campsites in the nearby National Forest. Taylor wasn't all that convincing that we'd find these campsites, but our only other option at this point was to sleep in the cars, so we decided to go for it. About 45 minutes and a half-dozen stops later (because we were convinced we were lost), we found the campsites - such a relief. I never would have heard an end to the whining if Steph had to sleep in the car. It was pitch black by the time we started setting up camp, but I happened to find a pile of firewood that some other campers had left behind. So stinkin lucky. So we had a nice fire, everyone slept pretty good, and Steph didnt see any bears. All good.
First thing this morning Steph and I secured a campsite in RMNP, and we set off on the 9 mile round-trip hike to Sky Pond. One of Taylor's buddies from camp assured us that this was a "flat" hike with "no hills." Well I dont know what he was smoking, because the entire 4.5 or so miles up to the Pond was ONE BIG HILL. Nevertheless, it was an incredible hike. We hiked through meadows and forests, along river gorges, through snow, even up a waterfall. There was great view after great view, plus the weather was perfect yet again. In all we saw three mountain lakes, all of them stunning. The water was crystal clear and full of cutthroat trout. Our lunch spot on the side of Sky Pond was very dramatic (see pics), with marmots and little chipmunks periodically checking us for leftovers. I will say, the one good thing about the hike up to the pond is that the entire way back was all downhill - we got back in about half the time it took us to get there.
Tonight we're eating dinner in Estes Park, taking a drive along what is apparently the highest elevation road in the US (or something like that) at sunset, and attending a seminar on wildflowers put on by the park service. We should sleep well tonight.
FYI I'm putting all the pictures we've taken so far on our Picasa account - so check the link on the right if you want to see those.
lunch spot - Sky Pond
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