Our second day began early, since we were both eager to explore the area. Justin looked at the map and planned out a long loop through the heart of the park. We first took a little gravel road called Old Fall River Road up to the alpine visitor center. The road was mostly wooded as we steadily climbed in elevation to over 12,000 feet. Brief glimpses through the tree gave us a hint to the views that awaited us at the top. When we finally cleared the treeline, it was almost like entering another world. The forests gave way to vast meadows that afforded unobstructed views of the still-snowy crags in the distance. We marveled at the view from the visitor's center for a while before heading back to the campsite on Trail Ridge Road. Trail Ridge turned out to be, quite possibly, the most beautiful road that either of us have ever traveled. It winds through the mountains above the treeline for several miles before beginning its slow descent to the valley floor, and it seemed that every vista we passed along the way was more spectacular than the last. We took our time on the way back, stopping at nearly every pull-off to marvel at the view. We made it back to the valley floor in time for a late lunch beside a crystal clear river, followed by a lazy afternoon in the hammocks.
The Alluvial Fan - A series of waterfalls and rapids as a river exited the mountains onto the valley floor
Craggy peaks along Old Fall River Road
A spruce-lined mountain brook
A marmot - with a view!
Justin getting a panoramic shot
The view along Trail Ridge Road
Our lunch spot!
A hungry visitor.
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