DFT18 - Rocky Mountain National Park

We have pretty much decided that Rocky Mountain National Park hates us. 

Let me describe Rocky Mountain for you.  It is very similar to the Great Smoky Mountains.  It is very large. On the East Side of the Park is a town called Estes Park.  The west side is a town called Grand Lake.  It is 48 miles from one town to the other, but because you have to drive across the mountains is takes about 1.5 hours.  A nice couple we met today described the two towns like this: Estes Park is like Gatlinburg - super busy and tons of people.  Grand Lake is like Townsend - slower pace and more relaxed.  At the top is Alpine Visitors Center it would be like Clingmans Dome in the Smokies. 

So here is a quick recap of our last trip to RMNP five years ago.  First, we went to Estes Park, crazy town.  Second, we were staying in a KOA and got the worst campsite in the world.  It was right beside the highway.  I swear our tent shook as cars drove by.  Third, since it was right after Memorial Day snow was still on the ground everywhere.  The road that runs across the park wasn't even open from one side to the other because of the snow.  When we arrived in the park, Daniel as quickly shot down by a ranger and told we would not be doing the hike he had planned, so we picked another one. When we woke up that morning, it was raining.  It finally cleared up and we went to hike and while we were hiking it started snowing on us, so we turned around. 

So for this trip we decided that we would go to the west side - Grand Lake.  We were going to take it easy and do some moderate hiking on the west side with EG.  And then on day two drive across the park and do the hike we never got to do from the first trip. 

Wednesday we arrive in Grand Lake around 5pm.  EG is getting a little antsy because she has been in the car for a while.  We get to the cabin we have rented, unpack the car, and head to down to town to pick up a pizza to bring back to the cabin.  

We got up Thursday for our first day in the park.  We were enjoying our cabin, EG really liked not crawling on rocks and dirt, and finally left around 8:30.  We did decide to take the cooler and the half gallon of milk just in case we didn't make it back for the third milk feeding of the day.  

Our first stop of the day was the Alpine Visitors Center which is at the very top of the park.  It is cold and windy.  Neither of us thought that we would be spending a whole lot of time up there, so we didn't take pants or socks for EG.  She did have on a jacket.  Since we then decided our first hike of the day would be up there, we had to run into the gift shop and purchase some leggings and socks.  

It was a really pretty hike with lots of wild flowers. 

After we hiked about three miles, we left Alpine and drove back down to Grand Lake.  The Ranger had suggested a hike over near the East Inlet Trailhead.  The first .3 mile takes you by a water fall - Daniel said it was disappointing and more of a cascade, than a waterfall.  But if you keep hiking in there are several meadows.  In the first meadow we saw a Mama Moose and her Calf.

We continued to hike up this trail till we hit the two mile mark. At one point we past a couple, who stopped us and asked if we were camping.  When we told them No, they said "Oh good there is a fire and it wouldn't be good to sleep outside with your baby." The man proceeded to tell me if we got up the trail high enough we would be able to see it, but it was far enough away that it wouldn't be an issue or bother anything.  

We never saw the fire while we were hiking, but we saw it as soon as we got back to the trailhead across Grand Lake.  But from where we were standing it looked as if it was to the left of where our cabin was located.  As we drove through town I got online and started trying to search just to see what was going on....When I found this Tweet From Denver Channel 7. 

And where is the house we are staying in located - RIGHT BESIDE THE GOLF COURSE.  We immediately drive over to see if we can get up the road and we are of course stopped.  So after I panic and cry for about five mins.  I call the lady who owns the place to let her know what is going on.  We had planned to go to Grand Lake Lodge for dinner, so we just drove on over there to eat and wait out to see what happened next.  When we got there, they had just been evacuated and all the power to the facility had been cut off by the fire department.  

So we decided that best thing to do was to get out of town.  We drove all the way across the mountain to Estes Park - all while making a list of what we had inside the cabin in case it burned.  However, as we drove across we did see two big Bull Moose feeding in a meadow.  I got some great pics but they are on the big camera, not our phones. We get to Estes Park with nothing - only EG has a change of clothes and pjs in her bag because I always carry those around.  Neither Daniel or I have any clothes.  We have no toiletries.  We had three diapers in the car and had to stop to buy more.  We literally had all our camping and hiking gear, plus the cooler with milk - which I guess is the most important anyway. 

We stopped at the first restaurant we found to have dinner.  It was called Claire's on Park.  Of course EG was acting crazy because she was so tired.  I had to take her out of the restaurant once because she was getting loud and fussy.  Apparently the man behind me, kept giving us dirty looks but Daniel held his cool and didn't flip out on him (he also didn't tell me about it until today).  

And I am pretty sure we got the last hotel room in Estes Park.  Every hotel had their no vacancy sign on except for this one....I suggested the KOA again ;) but since we didn't have any towels or toiletries we needed to go to a hotel.  The room ended up being pretty nice, it had a king size bed so we could all sleep together, and there was continental breakfast.  Down side to the fact that EG has never really slept in the bed with us, is that she doesn't know how to sleep in an actually bed.  Finally, about 10pm she just flung her little body down on a pillow and passed out.  

We continued to follow the fires and knew there was going to be another press conference at 9am.  We had planned to hike on Estes Park side of the park today, but wasn't feeling up to it.  We felt like we needed to get back over here in case they let us in to get our stuff.  So we still haven't hiked Daniel's original hike from five years ago. 

By the time we got to town they 9am meeting had happened, and they said they would give more information at noon.  So we just walked around town.  I help an owner of a shop figure out how to use his computer and printer together - since he was basically cussing it when we walked in the store.  They had a play ground that we let EG play on for a while - which she really need some time to crawl and stretch her legs.  And then at noon - they said we were still evacuated but they would update again at 6pm. We drove around and asked some of the lodges about vacancies - everyone was super excited to give us the "ONLY" room they had available for the "BEST" price - insert sarcasm.  

EG finally fell asleep for her afternoon nap.  We did drive as far as we could toward the house.  I tried to sweet talk a sheriff's officer.  I played the I have a one year old card.  I tried to tell him that I was out hiking when the evacuation was ordered, so I didn't get anything.  I even told him if he would let me to the house I would get all my stuff and leave Grand Lake and he wouldn't ever see me again.  None of it worked, but he was super nice about it and not a jerk.  Apparently the cabin we are staying in was one of the closest to the fire and in a dangerous area.  So I completely understand why I was not allowed back to the house - but you can't blame me for trying. 

So my suggestion was - EG is asleep - lets drive back up into the park.  Find a shady spot, park the car, roll the windows down, and rest until she wakes up.  Yep she woke up as soon as we turned the car off.  We ended up visiting Holzwarth Historic Site.  It was a neat our Trout Lodge that is located inside of the park.  We met some nice park volunteers that use to be camp hosts at Smokemont. After that we drove back to town to find something to do until 6pm.  

We ended up back at Grand Lake Lodge.  There evacuation had been lifted earlier in the day and the lodge was back open.  I can't brag on their staff enough.  They were so great to let us just hang out on their property.  They offered to let us use any of the facility we needed.  They were even going to let EG and I swim in the pool but unfortunately our swim suits were in the cabin. One girl tried so hard to find us an open room for the night at the lodge.  Another girl remembered me from being the lodge the evening before and asked how we were and what we ended up doing last night.  Seriously some of the best staff ever! I got on FB and rated them already - but I plan to send an email too!

We went inside for dinner about 5:30 and again EG was a crazy person because she hasn't slept good the last two days.  But at 6pm we found out the evacuation had been lifted and we could go back to the cabin!!! Here is EG and I after we found out. 

We finally made it back.  EG immediately took a bath and went to bed, probably the earliest she has been to bed this whole trip.  Mom and Dad ate Ice Cream for Grand Lake Chocolates to celebrate!

#GolfCourseFire -(its trending on twitter if you want to look it up) - It has only burned 20 acres. Which is not good but could be a lot worse.  No structures were damaged in any way shape or form.  And no one has be injured.  The cause is still being investigated.  Some idiot launched a drone over it yesterday while the helicopters were trying to drop water.  It is still an active fire and we are still on high alert tonight at the cabin.  But we are only here tonight and leaving tomorrow for Denver.  

Even though this has been an interesting twist to our trip - we are very grateful that we were all safe and not here when it happened.  

Oh and we have seen a total of 6 moose - so that is always fun!!