We visited Rocky Mountain National Park in June, following Janet's SALSA meeting. Day 1 (June 12) was rainy where we were, and snowy higher up, precluding our intent to take the drive up Trail Ridge Road to the highest peaks. Instead, we remained at lower levels, eyeing the elk, whose antlers were in various stages of regrowth and covered with a velvet which they will rub off as they mature. The next day we drove to Bear Lake and hiked from there to Bierstadt Lake, named after the painter (Google images) whose depictions of it called attention to the area's beauty and contributed to the formation of the National Park. Just as we were about to leave the park and head back to Denver an officer removed the closed sign. Trail Ridge Road was now open! Although it was nearly 7 PM, we went for it. At about 8 PM we reached 12,000 feet with snow difts over a meter in height. In spite of the cold, it was exquisitely beautiful. After an excellent dinner at the Cafe Basilico (recommended by our friends Bob and Mereth Meade) we went on to Denver, returning home the next day on insufficient sleep but glad for the chance -- almost missed -- to drive up into the sky.
