Road to Rocky Mountain National Park

Our 200-plus-mile journey from Devils Tower to Glendo, Wyoming took us down Routes 585, 85, and 18, through picturesque scenery. 

Devils Tower still visible from miles away

We made our way across peaks, down valleys, and through open grassy rolling plains. It was interesting to see the topography in this region, and the effect of erosion that has partially revealed the rock in some areas. For the most part, we drove through open, rolling grassland. 

wide open spaces

distant buttes

This area of Wyoming may appear to be remote and uninhabited but it is in fact ranch land. Cattle of every color - black, brown, white and tan - can be seen munching the vast grassy expanse. Pronghorn deer seem to feel quite at home in the pastures with the cattle. Occasionally, we caught sight of horses as well.

cattle country with vast open space 

In the early afternoon we arrived at our RV Park in Glendo to spend the night (and take care of a very full laundry bag - we have been dry camping for more than a week). 
It was a particularly windy afternoon, blowing us about for the final miles to the RV Park. It was also a warm wind, with afternoon temperatures around 86F. 

Glendo Lakeside RV Park, with buttes in the background

The next morning, we were off again, traveling the next 200-plus miles to our destination in Estes Park, Colorado, a quaint town right at the east entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. 
Interstate Route 25 took us through Cheyenne, in the southeast corner of Wyoming. We passed more vast open grassland devoted to ranches, primarily cattle. In the distance, we could see buttes and other rock formations.

We crossed into Colorado, passed Fort Collins and turned west on Route 34 through Loveland. We were heading straight for the Rocky Mountains that suddenly loomed ahead.

Rocky Mountain foothills ahead

The unexpected surprise was suddenly finding ourselves winding our way through the 25-mile Big Thompson Canyon along the Big Thompson River. 
The towering granite walls loomed above us as Alpine slowly turned and twisted along the gradual constant climb towards Estes Park, elevation 7,522 feet.

We arrived at Elk Meadow RV Park, checked in, set up, and went off to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center which is literally around the corner from the RV Park. And just as we were approaching the Visitor Center, a well-endowed bull elk and his harem began crossing the road right in front of us. 
This is elk rutting season and there are several herds that frequent the park. Elk sightings are quite regular here.

Maps in hand, next we headed into the quaint and busy town of Estes Park in search of a grocery store. 
The weather as we arrived was quite windy with rain squalls galloping through. The next several days promise to be sunny and much warmer. We will be here for the next four days to tour and scout out the park attractions in these imposing and immense Rocky Mountains.