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Estes Park, Colorado
By PK | July 29, 2008
Estes Park is located in Larimer County, east of Steamboat Springs, along the Thompson River. It’s about a three hour drive from Steamboat, over the Rocky Mountains Trail Ridge Road and from Denver it’s about an hour and a half. A trip worthy of making despite the price of gasoline. Estes Park from the east is the gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park.
My first visit to Estes Park was in early May of this year. Trail Ridge Road was still buried under mountainous feet of snow, the aspens were still bare, and the only greenery to be found was on the Colorado pine trees, but I was awe-struck by the beauty.
Coming from the rolling, gentle hills of West Tennessee where I lived most of my adult life and was born, I was simply amazed by the mountains, the cliffs, and the fast-rolling rivers and creeks.
This was not only my first trip to Estes Park, it was the first time ever visiting Colorado. Now you’re probably thinking…’oh, she’s just a hillbilly from Tennessee who’d never seen the outside world’. But I’m far from that statement. Ever since I can remember, my daddy always loved to take long drives throughout the country, sometimes ending up in the next state. We took yearly vacations and some of the most memorable were Niagara Falls on the Canadian side, Pensacola Beach, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama, with yearly visits to Pennsylvania where he finally retired and to Memphis, Tennessee to visit family. To date, I’ve visited 39 continental states, lived in five from Pennsylvania to Arizona.
But here I was, in the most scenic state I’d ever been, surrounded by nature in a way that is almost indescribable. Only pictures can touch the surface of what is to be seen in the state of Colorado, and even then, you are being deprived. No wonder thousands of people every year flock here to visit. Having been here and seen for myself, I truly understand. For more information about activities and accommodations, click here.
As I gawked, my camera laid lifeless beside me. My eyes darted from one vision to another, anxious to see everything that was offered. I did manage to take some pictures after I snapped myself together. *smile
One of the most awesome experiences I had while visiting Estes Park, were the Elk. They were coming down out of the mountains in search of greener pastures, as spring was approaching. They were everywhere - in people’s yards, walking along the highway in and surrounding Estes Park, on the golf course, which I thought was hilarious with the grounds littered with their dookie, and that’s when I learned about Colorado fences. They are built to keep critters out, not in.
Some Elk have tracking devices which help track their movements and hopefully, help protect herds from contagious diseases. This Elk cow wasn’t at all disturbed that I was taking her picture. The Elk in Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park are accustomed to seeing people taking their pictures. That doesn’t mean you can approach them and may kick or attack if felt threatened.
Bull elk in September, when their rut or mating season begins, are very protective of their harem. Always keep a safe distance, even with elk that are protected from hunters and are accustomed to people. They will attack. You can click on this link, Field and Stream, to see photos of elk false charging and attacking people. This fall, while keeping a safe distance, Dalton and I will be bugling to bull elks during their rutting season so I can photograph. Make sure you bookmark me for my September article on Elks in Rut.
We left Estes Park via Hwy 34 through Big Thompson Canyon. The 32-mile drive from Estes Park to Loveland is one of the most beautiful drives in Colorado. Keep your eyes open during this journey for Big Horn Sheep. They scale the sharp, dramatic cliffs with ease. We stopped for this photo and so did a few others. I think they thought we seen some sheep, but I only wanted to capture the ruggedness of this canyon.
During the road’s early years, the road was narrow as the Loveland - Estes Park Stage Coach made its way through the steep walls of granite. The stage had the right of way in either direction. Opposing traffic had to unhitch their teem of horses, unload their wagon, and with wheels removed, tip the wagon up on its side to allow the passage of the coach.
The towns of Drake and Glen Haven catered to travelers who stopped and rested a spell. Along this route is a unique shop where Indians sit outside….well, wooden Indians, anyway. Hmm…squaw not too happy with me, but then again, neither was the he. *grins I was reprimanded by one of my sons when he first saw this picture. I can still hear his voice, “Mother!” Anyway, they have lovely Indian jewelry. Dalton bought me a pair of earrings there that I just love. Sorry, no name…just look for the Indians, you can’t miss them.
If you’d like to continue reading, may I suggest the, “Rocky Mountains“, our drive through the Rocky Mountain National Park on Trail Ridge Road on Memorial Day Weekend.
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Topics: "Post Cards From the West", Colorado, Wildlife and Hunting |
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