Trail Ridge Road



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We headed up Trail Ridge Road toward the west side to check out the views.


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Big mountains ahead! This road has seriously excellent views.


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A steep hillside plunging down into the canyon below.  I wonder how many people end up tumbling down this from the overlook.

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There were marmots at one overlook having a great time and being completely oblivious to all of the humans taking photos over the railing.


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It’s hard to see but there are a bunch of elk out there.


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Hello marmot!!!


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Heather with our adventure vehicle.  Our Toyota 4runner is a wonderful platform for exploration.

 

The Loch



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In Rocky Mountain National Park, we hiked up to The Loch via the trail along the creek that comes down from the lake.  It is a beautiful ascent.  The photos unfortunately had to be taken in HDR mode on my phone because of how the clouds created trouble with my camera.
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A big waterfall almost directly over top of the water diversion tunnel (several hundred feet below) that brings water from the west side of the continental divide.

20160611_161915_Richtone(HDR)Big mountains in the distance.

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20160611_163552Heading up closer to The Loch.

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20160611_163735_Richtone(HDR)Heather on the hiking trail.

20160611_170327Proof that I was there.

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20160611_171000_Richtone(HDR)Crossing a snow field.

20160611_171240_Richtone(HDR)The Loch appears!



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A stormy lake with afternoon thunderstorms rolling in.

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It was a great hike and I look forward to exploring the higher lakes in this basin someday.