Tag 17: Rocky Mountains Nationalpark -Fall the River Area

We start at 8 a.m. so that we can see a lot. We quickly pass the entrance to the national park and drive part of yesterday's route. The Grand Lake is at an altitude of 2,550 meters and now it goes steeply uphill to 3,595 meters. There is an information center there. First we take the 200 steps uphill and enjoy the view of the great landscape. There is still some snow on the peaks. The sun is shining, but it is cool at this altitude.
We spot another marmot and then continue the tour. The highest part of the pass road is another 200 meters higher. We want to hike in the "Fall River Area" and choose the 2 km route to a waterfall. After a snack, we set off and discover that the path no longer exists, all paths lead to nowhere. The bridge is very rotten and trees are lying on the path. Either we choose the wrong path or the path is no longer usable. We stop and a few kilometers away is the Alluvial Fan, a type of waterfall. It is only a few meters from the parking lot. In 1982, a dam on the lake broke and flooded this area. 3 people died. Afterwards, we try our luck 15 kilometers away for another hike. We start in an area with meadows and forest. There are several options and we start walking. We quickly realize that the weather is changing and dark clouds are gathering, so we take the short 1.5 kilometer hike and end up back at the car. Today is just not meant to be. The short journey to Estes Park takes us out of the park and back to a visitor center. There we get some information for tomorrow. Estes Park is a typical tourist town with lots of shops, hotels and restaurants. We need a few groceries for the last few days and we still need to fill up with gas. Meanwhile, a thunderstorm is moving over the town. Our place for tonight is outside the town in the forest. We retreat early, it is too cold outside and it keeps raining.