But before we began the uphill drive ... a stop at the Alluvial Fan.
These kids love a mountain stream. They built dams and diverted water and had a blast!
Grandma and Grandpa watched the kiddos while Dad and Matt and I hiked higher.
There's a lake 7 miles from the trailhead feeding this crazy gorgeous powerful waterfall/stream. We would love to go see it one day -
It took a bit of scrambling for Dad and I to get up here -
Mom and Dad and Luke - all in sun hats!
After a bit more water play we decided to head higher! There is an old one-way dirt road that is only open late in the summer (after most snow melts). Plenty of switchbacks, no guard rails, limited capacity and absolutely gorgeous.
{check out this view from the rear window!}
Before we got to the top we decided to stop for lunch. This was about 10,000 feet (I think) and not technically a picnic spot, but just a wide place in the road for parking and a trailhead. So we grabbed lunch and huffed uphill.
Dad got to be the lucky "carrier of the cooler"!
And the spot we found was enjoyable.
and the hike back down to the car easier than the hike into the picnic spot. thin air plus uphill walking makes it tough!
We loaded up for a short drive to the very top. At this point over 12,000 feet! Super high. Above the tree line and above snow patches (in July!) and just beautiful in every direction.
once at the visitors center Dad and Matt and I did the final walk up to the highest spot! crazy to look down on the tops of so many mountains!
and some great family photos too.
Then on the drive down (the paved road this time) we spotted elk. and more elk.
and some of them were VERY close to the trail!
A great day - and great memories with the grandparents... all FOUR of them!
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