Our 200 mile ride around Rocky Mountain National Park started in Longmont on CO 66. From there we accessed US 36 then switched to US 34 which is called the Trail Ridge Road on the north side of the park. As the road turns south along the west side of the park, it snakes down and up and around several mountain sides. At one point along the road we saw a line of cars pulled onto the berm. I hopped off the bike to see what everyone was viewing and saw this young bull moose unconcernedly browsing in the grass. Since he wasn't alarmed, Duane had time to park and enjoy our first sighting of a moose since our visit to Alaska in 2007.
The road gradually descended as we wound around the mountain sides and along the valleys at the feet of the Never Summer Mountains, with the Colorado River following alongside.
We continued enjoying the park until we exited at Kawuneeche (Arapaho for Coyote River) Visitor Center.
By the time we reached Grand Lake with a view of Shadow Mountain in the distance, we had dropped down to 8367'.
We continued to enjoy beautiful scenery as we passed Shadow Mountain Lake and the Arapaho National Recreation Area. In Granby we connected to US 40 (which runs across the US on and off I70. In addition to US 36, these are two more roads that we have driven extensively when we lived in Ohio. It was interesting to think about that as we rode along the western end of these roads.
After traveling about 10 miles east, we turned north on CO 119 at Idaho Springs. Here the scenic route, called the Casino Parkway,
went up and around another mountain
then descended into Central City and Blackhawk, two very tourist friendly casino towns.
Along another beautiful valley we rode until we were only a few miles from Boulder.
Just when we thought our beautiful views were done, we entered the wonderful Boulder Canyon, 17 beautiful miles of pines, boulders, and the rushing waters of Boulder Creek.
Exiting Boulder Canyon, we crawled along the "canyon walls" of the city of Boulder,
and north of the city until most people peeled off into a suburban residential area.
119 took us the rest of the way home to the Longmont Fairgrounds.
Next we hike.
Louise and Duane
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