August 29, 2022
Get to Este Park
Despite being a hilly ride, I'm making good time towards the Wild Basin. The southern most part of Rocky Mountain National Park. With no park rangers are at the entrance, I don't need to show my National Park Pass as I join a dirt road which takes me to a busy trailhead.
There are a few hiking options with a couple of waterfalls to see. It's a nice one way walk through a pine forest, pass some waterfalls which are okay to see but nothing memorable.
Maps.me suggests to get to Estes Park, I have to do a 5 mile climb on the highway but in fact it's a relatively easy climb with some scenic mountains either side of me. Once at the high point, a scenic alpine lake is nice to see but I'm not allowed to cycle around it. Instead as I continue on, I'm quickly descending down the valley with a few switchbacks before a cycle path takes me to the busy Estes Park.
After working out how the shuttle bus work at the visitor centre and collecting some groceries at the Safeway across the road, I begin cycling through a very touristy main street, which has numerous souverner shops. I'm heading to a hostel to stay for a couple of nights as it's easier staying there, than the campgrounds which are all well out of town.
After opening the door using a code, I find a nice space with a decent kitchen and a few beds. A few fellow travellers are here, allowing some nice chats about our respective travel styles. I'm the only cyclist, so I'm able to share my perspective.
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 0 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 0 |