Trail Ridge Road - July 18, 2009

Prades.net HomeClick on any photo to see a larger version
We try to visit Trail Ridge Road every season, ususlly by motorcycle. This trip we were slummin' it in our convertible. We drove up from Denver and came in the park from the west side at Grand Lake. This is looking back toward the west. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continous paved road in United States with over 8 miles above 11,000 feet in elevation. The tree line in Colorado is somewhere between 10,000 and 11,000 feet. In this picture you can see the tree line. At the Alpine Visitors center we ran into a group of male elk. This time of year they feed early in the day and rest in the afternoons. Relaxed and friendly, this group of bachelors will change significantly in the fall as rutting season begins. A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center A Park Ranger has to keep people in check. Approaching these elk too closely is very dangerous. A Park Ranger has to keep people in check. Approaching these elk too closely is very dangerous. The road is clogged with people stopping to observe the elk. A bachelor group of elk near the Alpine Visitors Center This rider had a couple of poodles in the back. He says he has traveled over 10,000 miles with them. This rider had a couple of poodles in the back. He says he has traveled over 10,000 miles with them. View from the Alpine Visitors Center.