The parks, part 3

We did the Rockies in two parts. The first, driving the scenic byway through the park from one entrance to another as we made our way from UT. The second, through indulging in a short (but steep) hike to a lake.

It was dusk when we reached the southwestern entrance and we stopped alongside a series of parked cars and folks gawking at a meadow. They had spotted a sleeping moose. A camera wouldn't have done it justice, but it was beautiful to see a couple of ginormous antlers sticking out of the grass and the body heaving with sleeping breathing--it kind of reminded me of this movie scene (sans dino).

We didn't want to squander our light so we headed up the road, stopping to catch some grazing elk and then taking a quick (and cold) uphill journey to a viewpoint where we saw some marmosets hanging out.

You are being tracked

Some dudes

Marmoset

The road through the mountains

The best was the elk roadblock as we descended into the northeastern park entrance. Some of my favorite moments from the whole trip. I think it took a good 10 minutes to skirt out of there. Joe was driving at this point and he hung his head out the window to capture these fabulous shots--the next three are his favorite--just a buck chillin' across the road.

This one, however is my favorite.

We declined the elk burger in town that night (opting for buffalo instead) and enjoyed a proper beer.

The next morning we rose early and re-entered the park to hit a hiking trail. I love the national parks and I especially love that people from all over the world come to enjoy them, yet I never cease to be amazed at either (a) what is deemed a "hike" and/or (b) if a strenuous hike, what measures other folks have taken to be prepared. In this case we found ourselves amused by the cigarette and big gulp prep of a few folks at the trail head.

This was not a popular hike (at least from the direction we came from--likely due to the rapid and unforgiving elevation change in full sun), so we had the lake mostly to ourselves. Us and some dragonflies. oh yeah.

Then off we went for a long stretch of road, the end of which was filled with 'no vacancy.' So we covered a bit more ground and had severely diminished dinner choices.