Rocky

The park, not the movie: Rocky Mt Nat’l Park.  We planned to stop here 3 years ago but got weathered out.  It was mid June, too early for nice weather in elevations of 8-12,000’.  August is fine, has frequent thunderstorms but they don’t last long.

We've seen this group of 5 buck mule deer came browsing through camp twice.  They're not at all fussed about being surrounded by people.  One was 25' away from me this AM when I stepped out of the trailer.  

Bear Lake is a 15 minute drive from our campground, not counting road construction delays.

Above and below are vistas along route 34, the main drag through the Park.

We had to stop for a few minutes on our route 34 drive to let the sheep cross the road.

This guy is having a really baaaaaad hair day.

Why is this roof inside out?

 Maybe to keep the 100 mph winter winds from blowing it away?

It gets down to -50 degrees here in winter, wonder what the wind chill is.

The store and cafe near the Alpine Visitor Center at 11,796' elevation.

We brought a picnic lunch so didn't eat here.

These elk stags hang out across the road and uphill from a herd of about 60 more elk.

Was the larger group all does?  Couldn't stop on the road long enough to find out because the park ranger was waving everybody along, trying to keep the traffic flowing.