While returning home to Colorado for Memorial Day weekend, I spent a day in Rocky Mountain National Park. They just opened Trail Ridge Road for the 2007 season and I took a drive up to the summit.
Just outside the Beaver Meadows park entrance, looking towards Long's Peak.
A waterfall near Sheep Lakes.
Some elk grazing near the edge of the trees.
A small beaver dam in the stream.
Looking up to the higher elevations.
Starting the climb up Trail Ridge, Long's Peak off in the distance.
Closer shot of Longs Peak. The only mountain in the park above 14,000ft (A Colorado Fourteener)
The treeline at approximately 11,500ft. Above that conditions are too harsh for trees to grow.
A chipmunk.
A great lookout over the park.
Looking down at the glacier carved valley below.
Near the top of Trail Ridge Road, the Lava Cliffs.
Three peaks north of Trail Ridge
Looks a little barren at the top. Nothing but alpine tundra at this altitude.
An interesting sight, a high altitude lake at the treeline.
The peaks are beginning to fade into the afternoon clouds.
Back down to the lower elevations, where I found a herd of elk.