Grand Lake, Colorado

Like many people I spend a lot of time researching & planing my trips. This trip to Colorado was no different. I had planned what I thought was a perfect itinerary until Mother Nature had different plains. Areas of Colorado got so much rain it caused major flooding to some of the areas we were heading to so quick changes had to be made. The town of Estes Park which is located at one of the entrances to Rocky National Park sadly got hit very bad, along with Boulder, and many other communities all north of Denver. The state has never seen such flooding thousands have lost there homes. 

 I really wanted to see Rocky National Park and in doing a bit more searching decided on Grand Lake which is on the western side of Rocky National Park. I found a great townhouse on lake Granby with gorgeous views of Shadow Mountain. 

    The town of Grand Lakes is a beautiful little western town right on the lake with the Rockies in its back yard. Town is small but everything you need is right there, restaurants, shopping, a saloon, and many lodging choices. 

 Unfortunately we have not been able to enter into Rocky National Park yet. It has been closed due to all the rangers helping the towns on the Eastern side of the park.  There are a few trails open on the out skirts of the park and we have found some Elk & Moose on them.  

Today we took a 5 mile trail around Monarch Lake part of the Arapaho National Forest & Indian Peaks wilderness.  We did not see much wild life but it was very pretty & so peaceful. It surprised me just how quiet it was on some area of the trail. We were told by some  hikers that a Moose was walking the trail about 5 minutes ahead of us but all we saw was the hoof prints. 

   The sun is finally out now hopefully the rains will stop along with the flooding. Crossing my fingers the park opens tomorrow.