Day 2 - Rocky Mtn. NP 1

We were up at 4:45 AM to get to Bear Lake and go hiking! It was a strenuous hike for us flatlanders. There was a lot of snow on the trail. We were two of only a few people there. I saw a Common Raven and some Clark's Nutcrackers.  The pair of Buffleheads came up rare on eBird. Other birds were Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warblers, many Ruby-crowned Kinglets, American Robins and a couple of unknowns. Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are all over. Nymph Lake at sunrise was beautiful!  

Later we drove the Trail Ridge Road and there was a ton of snow there.  There is an image of me below to show how deep the snow was.  

We saw 3 moose, lots of elk and some Mule Deer today on our drive.  There were Yellow-bellied Marmots perched up on rock croppings. We are hoping to sleep better tonight.  Last night we had trouble sleeping as we usually do on our first night of camping.

I wasn't expecting to see this much snow in June.

It was a beautiful morning to be hiking!

There is nothing quite like morning light to bring the beautiful colors out.

I love snow-capped mountains!  The first time I saw mountains was at 
age 20.  I remember that I was so emotional that I cried. Now I cry when I have to leave.

The view atop the Trail Ridge Road was stunning and a big scary at times.

This range is called the "Never Summer Mountains".  I get it.

Even though there was snow on the ground, it wasn't that cold.

We saw twin moose lying in the grasses near their mother in the beaver dam area.

Brad is checking over the agenda for the day.

Here is our campsite from up the hill behind it.  Look closely and you will see our car and tent on the left.