Surrounded by Mountains for as far as the eye can see, Rocky Mountain National Park is a land of epic adventure and endless possibilities.
It has been over 15 years since I was last in the Rocky Mountains, and while the Mountains have stayed the same, I’ve changed considerably. From the blissful early days of skiing here, to the difficult pre-teen years of backpacking here, to finally now arriving here at age 27, it’s crazy to think about all the twists and turns that have taken place in my life.
Looking at the mountains now in reverence, I can fondly remember cursing under my breath for three solid days as a 12-year old on a backpacking trip, swearing to never come back to this unforgiving terrain. I was stubborn then and I’m stubborn now, but my focus has shifted from seeing the mountains as a distraction blocking an uncertain future to now as a key component to living a fulfilled life.
The mountains have become a home away from home and I plan to spend many more years hiking and photographing them. With that in mind, for today’s post, I’m merely going to highlight a few places I visited in Rocky Mountain National Park. If anyone wants specific recommendations on where to go, let me know in the comments (although honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of the trails here)!
The top of Trail Ridge Road at 12,000 feet.
The storm begins to roll in!
The Trail Ridge Road is a long winding road that cuts through the center of the Park and reaches a altitude of 12,183 feet!
There are an abundance of reflecting lakes and ponds in RMNT, but this one (Nymph Lake) is my favorite!
The mighty Alberta Falls!
The sun fights to stay alive above the storm!
Thankfully there was very little snow on the Rockys during this time of the year, but a few of the higher peaks in the distance still showed traces of winter.
The park was stunningly green during this time of year!
From one of the viewpoints right near the start of the Trail Ridge Road
That’s all for now- I’m off to Great Sand Dunes National Park, so long!
-MB
