Colorado - Yampa River and Rocky Mtn. National Park.

When we left Grand Tetons we knew where our next destination was but we had not yet formulated how we were going to get there. So we discussed options. We both like the idea of going through Thermopolis, Wyoming but in order to do that we would need to first drive north in Yellowstone in order to get to the best route to go through there. Because we were on at tight schedule we opted to go down through Jackson an on to Flaming Gorge. We had gone through the area in 2002 when we came back from Glacier National Park and had said at that time that the area needed more exploring.
 We traveled down Hwy 191 to Rock Spring where after a short jaunt on the Interstate to Green River and Hwy 530. Down Hwy 530 to Buckboard Crossing and we were home for the night. Buckboard crossing was nice but was in an area where in the afternoon the wind just howls. There were metal wind breaks by the picnic tables but we stayed in the trailer. The area was nice and was right by the lake but was not what we had remembered from the last time. We found out the next day that we stopped 20 miles short of where the nice rock formations were. So the next time we will remember and try that.
 We awoke the next morning to a nice sunrise, no wind, and a herd of Pronghorn antelope grazing in the campground. There were nighthawks circling the air it was a thoroughly delightful place.

A Nighthawk in the early morning light. I really should have had a tripod. The light was too dim for hand held.

  A Pronghorn buck in the campground. Americans fastest mammal these guys can attain speeds of at least 55 mph. The are build for speed not jumping. They will go under a fence before they will jump.

  They didn't like Pata and me bothering them so they slowly made their way out into the sage brush. They weren't scared just didn't want to be around us.

Off they go.

 

 

 In the morning we continued south on Hwy 530 into Utah where we turned on US 40 for the route into Colorado and on to Grand Lake. US 40 is one of the original coast to coast highways beginning in Atlantic City New Jersey and terminating in San Francisco California. The section running through Utah and Colorado is one of the most scenic routes in the country. By the Flaming Gorge the roads original route was altered to go around the dam that created the lake. The road winds and climbs through the canyon and up the pass. We stopped at one overlook and admired the views and collected some geodes that we in the hillside where they cut the road. 

 
 The lake at Flaming Gorge the water level is at approximately 6000' of elevation. The Green river was dammed to make the reservoir.

The colors of the rocks are striking. We were still under the haze of the forest fires so they look muted here.

 

 

After a short driving day we pulled into Yampa River State Park early in the afternoon and securing a spot for the night. We made an early stop to get some laundry done. The park had a laundromat so that was one of the reasons for stopping there. It was a nice spot on the Yampa river and in the vicinity of some wildlife refuges. We did the laundry then went back to Craig Colorado to let someone else cook dinner for a change. After that we went to Elkhead Reservoir State Park to look for wildlife as the ranger at Yampa river had said there was a lot to see there. 

Rainbow Cottonwood at our campsite. The ranger came and checked it and said it was chalk and would wash off. He said he would leave it for us to enjoy since it didn't bother us.

Dragonfly seen while waiting for clothes drying

Redtailed hawk circling above Yampa river state park

Milkweed

I haven't had this guy identified yet. On a milkweed plant.

 

There were several herds of deer on the road leading to Elkhead reservoir state park. Lots of fawns.

Sunset at Elkhead reservoir

Sandhill cranes going to their roost for the night. 

 

 The next morning I took Pata for a walk down by the river. In the early morning light we came upon a doe crossing the river. As we walked we saw more wildlife. It was a great morning. We finally got up close to a couple of  Bald eagles high in the Cottonwood trees along the river.

 A doe crossing the Yampa river. We first saw her in the campground a few minutes before this.

Milkweed blossom

Northern Flicker

I caught the eagles coming in to the cottonwoods.

 

 Eagle 1

 

Eagle 2

 They finally spooked and flew off.

 

 

 

We hitched up and got on the road fairly early as we wanted to get a place near to Rocky Mountain National Park and needed to get there early in the day. We settled on a campground at Lake Granby called Stillwater. It's near the park but far enough away that no reservations were required. We got a spot for 2 nights leaving before the weekend when sites were reserved. It was a great spot. I backed the trailer up and we were perched on the edge of the hillside with 360' views of the surrounding mountains. It was breathtakingly beautiful. We were just a short ways from the lake and I took Pata there a couple of times so that she could get some time out of the trailer. Dogs aren't allowed on the trails in National Parks so she had to stay home while we went to the park.
While I'm talking about animals I should mention the cats. Ziggy and Peanut got left in the trailer for a week and a half when we were at Liv's cabin. After we left there they were all over us. Prior to that time Ziggy would usually spend some time lying at Denise's feet when we were traveling. Now both of them spent all the time next to us on the center consul. Ziggy would stick his head into our arms and snuggle. I think they really missed us and felt bad that we had abandoned them even though I did spend time with them each day. Not the same quality time as they were used to plus we weren't there at night. 
 We didn't have much time and Rocky Mountain National Park is a big park. Denise and I went there early the next morning and saw as much as we could in a days time. Trail ridge is the road that traverses the park and it is the highest contiguous road in the US reaching 12,183 feet in elevation near Fall River Pass. Trail Ridge Road is the name for a stretch of U.S. Highway 34 that traverses Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes Park, Colorado in the east to Grand Lake, Colorado in the west. The road is also known as Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow National Scenic Byway .
 We also went up Fall river road. Fall river road was the first road built in the park but with grades as steep as 16% . It's a single lane one way road that climbs up to the visitor center. We have taken the motorcycles up it in the past. Not a road for the faint hearted. It has some awesome views.  I wanted to revisit bear lake but it's popular and they said the parking lot was full so you needed to take a shuttle bus. No thanks. It wouldn't be that great with mobs of people so we passed on that one.

  Arctic Gentian - Gentiana algida

  Alpine Bistort - Bistorta vivipara

  Western Indian Paintbrush - Castilleja occidentalis

  Lanceleaf Stonecrop - Sedum lanceolatum ssp. lanceolatum

  Milbert's Tortoiseshell - Aglais milberti

 Subtribe Carduinae - Needs further ID

  American Pika - Ochotona princeps  Always on the move they spend very little time above ground

 American Pika - Ochotona princeps

  Marmots Genus - Marmota

 Elk - Cervus canadensis

  Black-eyed Susan - Rudbeckia hirta

  Smooth Blue Aster - Symphyotrichum laeve

Some of the shots from along the roads.

Even in August there was snow in many spots where the elevation was above 10,000 feet.

Looking back on Fall River Road - About halfway to the top.

 At 11,000 feet near the top of Fall River Rd.

I will note here that you must visit this park during the spring summer or early fall. Around mid-October snow begins to fly and within a short amount of time the road becomes impassable. 

• Trail Ridge Road: Open from Memorial Day Weekend through mid/late October (depending on first snowfall). In the winter the road is open up to Many Parks Curve.
• Old Fall River Road: Open from early July to late September

There is no best time to visit this park for animal sighting but for us late September was always the best for the Elk. At that time they are down from the high country and the bulls are bugling and fighting. Quite a show is put on. It's cold then and winter clothing is a must but the aspens are changing color and the whole park is beautiful.

Squirrel eating a pinecone

 Colorado river near the headwaters

American white pelicans - Some of these winter in the waters around us in south Texas

 

 Sundown from our spot in Stillwater campground. The night before we left to go to El Paso County.

 We left on the morning of the 9th of August. Heading towards El Paso county where we lived for 10 years.