#rockymountainnp

[naturetechfam]

When clouds create shadows on the #mountains, my heart leaps. #rockymountainNP #parkchat #RMNP #FindYourPark #NationalParks #nationalparkgeek #colorado #nationalparkfamily #naturetechfam #familytravel #adventure #choosemountains #travel #instatravel #photooftheday (at Rocky Mountain National Park)

[naturetechfam]

The boys' club at 12,500 ft! #elk #rockymountainNP #RMNP #parkchat #FindYourPark #NationalParks #nationalparkgeek #colorado #nationalparkfamily #naturetechfam #familytravel #wildlife (at Rocky Mountain National Park Alpine Visitor Center)

[mspilker]

A good view of the Keyboard Of The Winds https://martinspilker.com/product/keyboard-winds-gloria/ #keyboardofthewinds #rockymountainnp (at Rocky Mountain National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0QpZ0dpPNj/?igshid=13qwralyg880x

[naturetechfam]

Flashback to (slightly) warmer days. #rockymountainNP in June. #colorado #parkchat #findyourpark #NationalParks #nationalparkgeek #nationalparkfamily #travel #lightroom #instatravel #familytravel #mountains #choosemountains #naturetechfam (at Rocky Mountain National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqTrVPunZ5X/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1muyuwf557bq0

[naturetechfam]

Some of Nature's #fireworks for #IndependenceDay. Alpine #wildflowers in #rockymountainNP. Happy #4thofjuly! #RMNP #parkchat #FindYourPark #NationalParks #nationalparkgeek #colorado #nationalparkfamily #naturetechfam #travel #publiclands #mypubliclands #mountains #flowers (at Rocky Mountain National Park)

[in78weeks-blog]

June 30, 2018

Today was the day. For the last couple of months, people have been asking me if I had gone to Rocky Mountain National Park yet, to which I sadly replied - No. Today, I would finally make it out to RMNP.

I wanted to do something solo today since I haven’t had any alone time in awhile. I like doing outdoor activities on my own because 1. it gives me the opportunity to reflect on any thoughts I may have pushed aside during my busy schedule, 2. I can push myself harder on physical activities that I otherwise wouldn’t do with friends, and 3. gives me the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.

The mountains make me happy. It really hasn’t been until recently that I discovered my love for the mountains and the outdoors though.

After graduating college, I found myself leading a mundane life. I was transitioning out of many things, including my friend group. I was looking for a way to make new friends and begin my active lifestyle, so I decided to take on a new hobby - hiking.

The more I wandered into the mountains, the more I got to see God’s work firsthand. The furrter away from civilization I got, the more I realized how precious these places were and how lucky I was to have the resources to see them. Sitting indoors and experience the world through a screen made me feel guilty for not taking advantages of the able body God had granted me.

So today’s destination was Sky Pond. Starting at the Bear Lake Trailhead at 7am, I was on my 8.0 mile round trip journey into the mountains. One of the benefits of hiking early in the morning is that the wildlife haven’t been scared off quite yet. On the way there, I got to see a family of elk, and several marmots. 

Sky Pond was breathtaking. I heard a couple climber calls from the spires above the pond but couldn’t quite see them. I didn’t realize that you could rope climb out here, I’ll definitely have to come back out here for that!

Bonus: Here’s a brave and adorable little marmot that came to say hello to all of the hikers on their way.

One mile back from Sky Pond, I passed a sign for another destination - Andrew’s Glacier. It was only 11am and I still had some energy left so I made the spontaneous decision to go and explore this trail. It was only a mile detour, so why not? As I reached the top, a kind couple warned me that a storm was imminent and encouraged me to head back soon so I wouldn’t get caught in it.

They were right.

The last three miles back to the car ended up being a little bit of a trail run. I heard the thunder and saw some lightning in the distance and felt droplets of thick Colorado rain hit my face as I hurried toward my car.

I ended up hiking a total of 13.5 miles. I was sore - the good kind of sore, and decided to rest for the remaining hours of the day. And now, I can say that I have been to Rocky Mountain National Park and loved every minute of it.

[naturetechfam]

Siblings. #familytravel #outfam #outdoorfamilies #nationalparkfamily #naturetechfam #travel #RMNP #rockymountainNP #parkchat #FindYourPark #NationalParks (at Rocky Mountain National Park)

[naturetechfam]

This is the view from the lower patio in the backyard of our rental cabin. Not shabby. #RMNP #rockymountainNP #EstesPark #parkchat #FindYourPark #NationalParks #naturetechfam #nationalparkfamily #familytravel #colorado #visitcolorado #NTFRockies (at Estes Park, Colorado)