I don't think I will ever finish doing blog posts from our June trip out west... Counting this one, I have done 25 different posts from that trip ---and there's still more to come!!!!! What a fabulous trip that was... That is one trip we'll be talking about for years and years to come.
Today, we're going back to the gorgeous Rocky Mountain National Park. As I think I mentioned in a previous blog, we entered the park on June 25th from the north entrance (north and west of Estes Park). We first visited the Sheep Lake/Meadow area. Then we stopped at the Alluvial Fan area to hike to Horseshoe Falls... Our elevation here was 8.800 feet. This waterfall, believe it or not, is VERY high, probably about 1000 feet... BUT--from this area, we could only see about 300 feet of it total... Even that was awesome --especially for us waterfall lovers!
On July 15, 1982, Lawn Lake Dam (14 miles north of the national park) broke. This dam which flowed into Cascade Lake caused huge flooding in the park and also in the town of Estes Park nearby. Two hundred and twenty million gallons of water flowed south into that area. Three people died ---and this flood caused over 31 million dollars of damage to Estes Park.
After that flood, Horseshoe Falls was buried under rocks and mud. It is now a very steep waterfall, cascading down the scars of the flood.... Here are some of our pictures from Horseshoe Falls. The one above showed our view of the falls once we hiked to the little bridge crossing the falls... As I said, there is MUCH more of this waterfall above our vantage point.
Here is a very happy girl standing there admiring this waterfall from the bridge.
We hiked up to the steep part (I'll call it the crook)---if you look back at the first picture above. We hiked up on the rocks to get some closer shots. George took this one... Nice, huh?
George was as happy as I was --to be here. He wandered around all over those rocks taking pictures.... What JOY!!!!
This picture was taken from the bridge where we were standing... You can also see the bridge below (which is where the cars pass over the cascades). Now--remember these three things: car bridge, hiking bridge, and the crook... You'll see why soon!
This is another picture showing the mountain (which we went to later that day)... You can also get a better view of the car bridge in this picture!!!!!
Here ----from way up on the mountain (shown above) is a great long-distance photo George took of Horseshoe Falls.... I marked the things I wanted you to remember... The crook is what I showed in picture 3. The hiking bridge is where we were in picture 1,2, and 5. AND ---you can see the road and the 'car bridge'.... Isn't this just awesome to see a waterfall up close (or at least part of it) and then from far up on the mountain!!!!!!
Hope you enjoyed seeing our photos of Horseshoe Falls in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Have a glorious weekend and I'll see you on Monday.
Hugs,
Betsy
48 comments:
That looks like some very swift moving water. You and George must have some powerful leg muscles, to be able to do all the hiking you two do!
Spectacular photos and details. You're obviously putting a lot of time into the organization and documentation of them--of this whole trip. It's wonderful to be able to view the result and I'm just a blogger friend. Your giving your grandkids a great part of you that they'll always have. :>)
I sure did enjoy that post. The scenery is awesome and the shots of the falls are terrific. I can see why you were both so happy. Bad news about the dam breaking.
Hello Betsy, I just love the closeup picture of the water. And I enjoy the joyful smiles of the happy girl and happy boy!
Thanks for the excellent trip! Traveling with you and George is really fun. All the leg-work has been taken out of it and I don't wind up gasping for breath - while taking in some breath-taking views of mountains, streams, and waterfalls! Loved this post.
Very impressive Falls here!
That is a gorgeous area Betsy.
I had no idea about the dam breaking way back when....so sad that lives were lost.
Have a great weekend!
really pretty and i like the long distance shot that shows the whole thing. i am glad you always put you and George in the photos, it gives it a personal touch.
Wonderful post complete with gorgeous pictures! You and George really DO look happy to be there! Thanks for letting us tag along on your trip!
Just beautiful, Betsy.
Wonderful. I am running out of adjectives to describe your photos. I love the ones from the bridge, you both look so happy. Have a great fall weekend and if you run out of leaves, come down and we will share. LOL Peace
Magnifico Betsy.
Sad about the flood tho and all its damage.
Thanks again for sharing this wonderful trip with us. Great pictures.
What a beautiful place and waterfall! Keep those photos coming Betsy; I'll never get tired of admiring them!
just gorgeous! i can see why you were happy to be there!
Beautiful! I can just imagine hearing the rushing water! Keep these posts coming, sweetie. Hubby and I are going to do a "wandering" trip out west in the next couple of years too!
Hi Betsy! I always love your waterfall posts and this one is amazing. Wow! I'm in awe of your hiking abilities, not sure my ankle would hold me up that long. I always love to see yours and George's photos in your trip posts, too. You should have a book made of your blog posts, especially the posts of your trips. (You've probably already thought of this) Your children and grandchildren will treasure these photos someday! Thanks for sharing this part of your trip, I love seeing where you've been! Have a wonderful weekend!
Lovely shots, I love this area, a 1st visit to the state with my youth group while in high school
It will be so much fun for you all to look at these photos again and again and remember this fantastic vacation! Thanks for sharing them with us! Just beautiful!
What a story about the flooding! The water looks absolutely WILD!!! You and George never look happier than when you are in places like this!
You and George show so many pictures with rocks...do you know how much I like rocks? I always wish I had just one....we are all the time teasing each other about stopping and getting some of the HUGE rocks...ones that would take a crane to lift.
Also, Lorelei loves rocks....Sarah and Jeremy took her to a pumpkin patch...she picked out pumpkins but then got the most excited about a rock...she had to bring it home, too. The guy there just laughed at her!
Yes, i enjoyed your photos very much. What a great trip that was.
Nice to see you and George with big happy smiles. : )
I think it is wonderful that you have these kind of things to share with us. You and George or blessed to be able to go and see the world like this.
Beautiful photos as always dear Betsy!
You and George has a super good weekend!
xo Catherine
That looks to be such a powerful waterfall!! Love love the pics as usual!!
Hope you two are having a blessed weekend!! Love to you both!
Great pictures...I admire you for being so organized with all your photos...something that I need to do!
Gorgeous water pouring over all the rocks...I hope you are keeping a journal of all of this for your kids to look back at someday...These places that you have traveled to are so interesting!
Hugs,
shug
Great pictures...I admire you for being so organized with all your photos...something that I need to do!
Gorgeous water pouring over all the rocks...I hope you are keeping a journal of all of this for your kids to look back at someday...These places that you have traveled to are so interesting!
Hugs,
shug
Great pictures...I admire you for being so organized with all your photos...something that I need to do!
Gorgeous water pouring over all the rocks...I hope you are keeping a journal of all of this for your kids to look back at someday...These places that you have traveled to are so interesting!
Hugs,
shug
Great pictures...I admire you for being so organized with all your photos...something that I need to do!
Gorgeous water pouring over all the rocks...I hope you are keeping a journal of all of this for your kids to look back at someday...These places that you have traveled to are so interesting!
Hugs,
shug
I have decided that not only do you take pictures - you have to be bringing a writing journal and be writing - you are very organized and have every detail - can you remember all that? Beautiful trip thanks for letting me come. sandie
Fantastic pictures. We went through Estes Park shortly after that flood.Actuall some friends of ours were there,helping to rebuild homes,damaged by the flood water.
absolutely beautiful
Wow! Just breathtakingly beautiful! I love them all but my favorite was the 3rd from the bottom up. That is a picture that should be framed and hung on your wall!
Hugs,
Angela
Beautiful! Please keep those posts coming!!
What a beautiful spot, Betsy. You sure had a good holiday!
Hugs
You both look very happy and I can't blame you. This place is gorgeous.
Betsy, i really envy your travels especially when some falls are included in the itinerary. This one is great too, and i love most especially that shot by George with slow shutter. Oh how i wish i have more money and time to chase them too. By the way, you are so diligent in posting, that i can't cope in reading and commenting in all of them, haha!
Hi Betsy, I like the shot of the cascading water with the snow capped mountain in the background. Have a super good Sat. tomorrow!
Very rugged but beautiful. I've never been to Estes Park, it looks a lot like our area. Diane
Wonderful, wonderful shots of this Falls! I am so happy you included the different views and perspectives, and it was so nice seeing both you and George with your happy faces! I LOVE Colorado! Glad you got to go there on the trip and I for one will never tire of the photographs you two took of your time there. Really interesting and beautiful! Keep em coming!
Marie
The shot from atop the mountain really puts it all into perspective. I love your third photo from the bottom showing the force of the water, that is beautiful.
I just looked over at your weather map. It says 34 degrees, brr. We are getting some of that the first of the week.
Have a great weekend!
Thanks for taking us on your vacation through such beautiful photos! that water looks so refreshing. I'll bet it sounded lovely, too.
That water is gorgeous. It is really running quite rapidly, isn't it?!!! Stunningly beautiful.
This blog post was just great. I love all the detail you put into this. You guys really do love the water falls. They are so different in the West from what you see in other parts of the country. Thanks for sharing.
That is a very beautiful area. We went there twice when we were there. The first time we didn't get to look all we wanted to because it was sprinkling so we went back again later.
Excellent post Betsy! I love getting a history lesson to go along with the photos! Hope all is well.
Oh darlin', keep 'em comin' 'cause they are just almost as beautiful as you!
I'm sorry I'm so late in thankin' ya for hoppin' on my blog. I've been down in Brownsville, TX with my Mama. A 'workcation' ya know??? Heeheehhehe!!!
God bless ya and have an amazin' week!!! :o)
Beautiful photos! I think you might even take more trips than I do... Really nice post Betsy!
Post a Comment