The 6 am alarm goes off and we rise at 6.10. We want to be on the road proper by 8 am.
Breakfast had. Car loaded. Petrol and that pesky tyre topped up and we were on our way.
Today we started in – Glenwood Springs, Colorado
We finished in – Estes Park, Colorado
Miles travelled today – 218
Miles so far this trip – 2366
Tonight we are staying at – Blue Door Inn, Estes Park
Towering Rocky Mountains surround us as we head away from Glenwood Springs and cruise towards our next destination. Rocky Mountain National Park will have our full attention for the next few days.
But today it needs our urgent attention, as this is the only park on this trip we must have a timed entry for. Ours was booked at the start of June, and we have to go through the gate between 12midday and 2pm.
We get a mild flavour of the Rockies early into this Road Trip, as the mountains start to envelop us on both sides.
We wind through them with always something to look at. The hour to our first point of interest, Vail, flies by and we are soon getting lost in the twisty one-way turns of this ski town.
The town looks nice enough, but we have no time to explore. It is and always was to be a fleeting visit. We press on east without even getting out of the car.
The roads seem to widen. Pine trees flank us on both sides. Roadworks come and go.
A missed junction thanks to me spending more time looking out the window than at the sat nav (GPS) and a closed next junction sends us on an amazing detour. Before anyone asks, I have the Sat Nav on silent. Music is a big part of the enjoyment of Road Trips, and the mundane Sat Nav voice too frequently interrupts it.
Our first earmarked stop arrives, and we pull into the wonderful town of Grand Lake.
A pretty town, the Main Street has bakeries, cafes and shops.
Paddle-boarders, sailors and people enjoy the lake.
Lunch is had and we jump back in the car and dash to ensure we meet our Timed Entry. On the way, we of course had to stop off and get the obligatory photo of the National Park sign.
The entry was a simple process, as we had expected and hoped, and it isn’t long before we are engulfed in the mountains again. Initial views are stunning with the same mountains and pine trees last we have been enjoying all morning.
We are trailing a single motorcyclist who is content to do 35 in a 45. We share his contentment as we trundle along, enjoying the views.
The road we are enjoying is Trail Ridge Road, one of the highlights of the park, particularly from a driving perspective. 20 miles or so in, and we stop at the Alpine Visitor Centre.
While there, we decide to do something my still slightly injured knee doesn’t quite agree with. A short, steep hike that only just stretches over mile, but seems 10 times longer for my still injured knee.
We reach just over 12,000 feet, and enjoy the views before shuffling back down again.
On the way down though, I stop to read a sign, and the wonder of the seasons really hit home, with the below photos.
The one on the left, is me taking a photo of a photo. The one on the right, is me taking a photo of the mountain before me.
In the left photo, you can just see the roof of the Visitor centre, that is clearly visible in the right photo. It give you a real understanding of how much snow this area can get.
Trail Ridge Road snakes off into the distance, and it is not long before we are back on it, winding our way through the Rocky Mountains, head west as we edge closer to ur next stop in Estes.
We have not travelled far when another roadside pull out grabs our attention.
A short walk this time at the Forest Canyon Overlook, rewards us with these views, but there is nothing else to do there, so it is not long before we are back in the car.
It is now approaching 4pm, and we have just 45 minutes or so before we arrive at our stop for the next two nights Blue Door Inn, Estes Park.
This one has a pool, and we promised Max a go on the Mustang Roller Coaster, and also a swim, so we just enjoy the rest of the scenery from the car.
Dinner is had a a place call Mama Rosa Italian. A relatively upscale place, but very nice as you would expect.
The camera stay in the bags for most of the evening, and we are going to aim for an early night, as we have a 5am start in the morning!! Lots more footage on the YouTube channel, so don’t forget to check that out!
See you tomorrow!
All the Days from our 2024 Rockies Road Trip
Day 1 – London to Denver
Day 2 – Lovedale to Custer
Day 3 – Custer to Lead
Day 4 – Lead to Sheridan
Day 5 – Sheridan to Cody
Day 6 – Cody to Gardiner
Day 7 – Gardiner to Yellowstone’s Canyon Village
Day 8 – Explore Yellowstone
Day 9 – Yellowstone to Grand Teton
Day 10 – Explore Grand Teton
Day 11 – Jackson to Pinedale
Day 12 – Pinedale to Vernal
Day 13 – Vernal to Glenwood Springs
Day 14 – Day Trip to Aspen
Day 15 – Glenwood Springs to Rocky Mountain National Park
Day 16 – Explore Rocky Mountain National Park
Day 17 – Rocky Mountain National Park to Denver
Day 18 and 19 – 48 hours in Denver
Day 20 – Homeward Bound