Alberta Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park

   Alberta Falls is one of the most popular destinations in Rocky Mountain National Park. The 100 ft. tall falls are an easy hike from the Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake parking areas on the Bear Lake Road.


  The hike from the Glacier Gorge trailhead (9,240 ft. elevation) to the falls is .9 miles and 1 mile from Bear Lake (9,475). Both trails are pretty easy, with a total elevation change of less than 200 feet. A sign marking the way to several destinations is located at a trail junction .3 miles from the Glacier Gorge trailhead and .4 miles from Bear Lake.

Sign at a trail intersection along the way to Alberta Falls

  
   The path winds through pine forests and stands of aspen. There's a scenic overlook with a view of the river gorge and mountains beyond just before arriving at Alberta Falls.

Aspens on the trail to the falls

   The trail is snow-covered and the falls are frozen much of the year. The first photo on this post is actually the picture on the trail sign. The falls were covered in snow when I visited them in mid April and I wanted to show a photo with running water. I did go back to the area last weekend to get pictures of the falls and trail in a different setting, but after 50+ inches of snow in April and another 14 inches this month, the scene was much the same. Oh, and I missed the trail from Bear Lake to Alberta Falls (which was probably buried in snow) and ended up hiking to Nymph Lake instead, another beautiful spot in the area.

Footbridge on the hike to Alberta Falls

A Steller's Jay at Alberta Falls

View of the creek gorge from the trail near Alberta Falls

The frozen and snow-covered Alberta Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park

The Glacier Gorge parking area and trailhead on Bear Lake Road in RMNP

A Hike to Horsetooth Falls near Fort Collins, Colorado

   Horsetooth Falls are located in the Horsetooth Mountain Open Space west of the reservoir of the same name and the city of Fort Collins, Colorado. A 1.2 mile trail leads from a large parking area, with restrooms, running water, and maps, to a forty foot tall (approx.) waterfall in the foothills. The trail winds up and down gentle hills, over a wooden footbridge, and past a few benches on its way to the falls. Views of snow-capped mountains can be seen to the west and the plains and red rock cliffs can be seen to the east. The Horsetooth Falls Trail is a hiking only trail. Pets are allowed.

PHOTOS - Bighorn Sheep in Colorado

   Yesterday I shared Colorado Life Magazine's close-up photo of a bighorn sheep on Road Dog Travel's Facebook page. The picture was taken in Big Thompson Canyon, east of Rocky Mountain National Park, by a staff photographer heading to the magazine's Estes Park office on Route 34. Since I live close, I decided to take a drive into the canyon and see if I could spot the bighorns myself.

Lily Lake - An Easy, Free Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park

   If you're looking for an accessible, easy, and free hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Lily Lake would be a good choice. The lake is located about five miles south of Estes Park on Highway 7. The parking area, trailhead, restrooms, picnic tables, and a fishing pier are just steps from road at about 9,000 feet above sea level. The one mile long trail hugs the shores of Lily Lake, is well maintained, flat, and wide.

Hiking at the Caribou Ranch Open Space in Colorado

   The Caribou Ranch Open Space is located just north of Nederland, Colorado along the Peak to Peak Scenic Highway 72, about thirty minutes from Boulder. Although you won't find any Caribou at Caribou Ranch, you might see a deer, elk, black bear, or even a moose. More than eighty species of birds inhabit the area and a bird checklist is provided at the trailhead. There are just over three miles of trails at Caribou Ranch. The 1.2 mile DeLonde Trail connects the parking area to the 1.8 mile Blue Bird Loop Trail. Paths wind past a homestead with an interesting history, an abandoned silver mine, and follow an old rail bed where a scenic railway once operated. Both trails are relatively easy with less than 200 feet of elevation change. Trails at the open space are closed to dogs and bikes.