It may be October, but I’m going to jump back 4 months and share a bunch of photos from our summer vacation to Colorado back in early June!
For the second year in a row, we spent a week in/around Rocky Mountain National Park and stayed at YMCA of the Rockies. I can totally see this being a trip we do every year or two for a good long while. We love the area, and there’s so much to explore. We do A LOT, but it never feels like too much. It’s all fun!
We were able to do 3 decent hikes this year! Not super far or strenuous, but more than last year. As the girls continue to get bigger, I’m looking forward to doing more hiking.
For the benefit of my future trip-planning self, here’s a rundown of what we did this year:
Day 1 – Flew to Denver, drove up to Estes Park.
Day 2 – Hung out around the YMCA and Estes Park. Hit the grocery store, then did the Escape room cabin and spent time in the craft cabin. Played bingo at 6:00 then had dinner in the dining hall.
Day 3 – Drove up Bear Lake Road, walked around Sprague Lake, and ate a picnic lunch. Did the 1-hour Deer Meadows afternoon horseback ride from the YMCA stables. Went back to the craft cabin for a bit, then went to the family cookout & campfire.
Day 4 – Did a guided hike through the YMCA to Arch Rocks and The Pool from the Fern Lake trailhead. Had ice cream in Estes Park, then more time at the craft cabin. Wandered down to bird banding and the girls got to hold a hummingbird! Played bingo, then had dinner at The Rock Inn.
Day 5 – Drove up Bear Lake Road again and hiked up to Nymph Lake. (Next year — keep going to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake!) I took the girls to the pool while Jose did laundry. We did a family archery session followed by mini golf, and had dinner at Ed’s Cantina.
Day 6 – Drove Trail Ridge Road to the Alpine Visitor’s Center, and included a stop at Hidden Valley and the Junior Ranger station. Had a late lunch at Notchtop Cafe, then more craft cabin. Spent an hour at the YMCA library, then played (and won!) trivia.
Day 7 – Walked around Lily Lake, then hiked to Copeland Falls from the Wild Basin trailhead. Stopped at the Beaver Meadows visitor center, then — you guessed it — more time at the craft cabin. Walked over to the YMCA museum, then played games and bingo. Had dinner at Ed’s Cantina again.
Day 8 – Drove back to Denver and flew home, whomp whomp.
Time for the photo dump!
Love Estes Park! Holding a hummingbird would be so cool!!!! Looks like a great trip.
Looks like a lot of fun! Emma has gotten so tall! I have only been to RMNP once and it was amazing. I drove up with a coworker from the south and came out at Estes Park. Such a gorgeous drive! I’ll have to keep that area in mind for future vacations for us, too. I think Forest would like CO.
You all would probably enjoy the YMCA as well! Right next to the park, and lots of fun family activities.