Rocky Mountain National Park

I had a little time Saturday afternoon so I decided to drive up to Rocky Mountain National Park to check it out. It's only about an hour's drive and I have the National Park Pass, so I thought it would be a quick little trip. I should have known something was up as traffic was horrible getting into Estes Park, which is the town just east of RMNP. I go to show my pass at the entrance station, and she told me that today is national park day and is free to everyone. After getting my bearings, I headed to the Bear Lake trailhead, which had signs everywhere saying parking is full. I tried anyways and scored a parking spot. I decided to do a little 4 mile out and back hike to Bierstadt Lake. 

Along the drive to RMNP. 

The mountains above Estes Park, just east of RMNP. 

Bear Lake, start of trail to Bierstadt Lake, RMNP. 

The trail to Bierstadt Lake. 

Bierstadt Lake, a beautiful spot to relax. 

The trail back to Bear Lake. 

After getting back to the car and heading back home, I stopped along the side of the road to take a couple pictures of the Aspen's changing colors. 

Fall is here. 

Then I hit the worse traffic ever, barely moving for nearly two hours. The views were amazing though, and I was able to watch the sun set over the continental divide with a few elk grazing in the foreground. Couldn't really get pictures to come out though, as I was looking directly west into the sun. 

On my way out of the park I learned what the traffic hold up was; hundreds of elk grazing feet from the road, right at the entrance/exit of the park.