Flying Monkey Travels : Rocky Mountain National Park

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Rocky Mountain National Park

First Stop - Strawberry Hot Springs

I have never been so excited to get to the mountains! After 3 weeks in the sweaty, dusty deserts of Utah, it was spectacular to finally see snow-capped peaks again as we crossed the border into Colorado.

Since we weren't technically in a hurry to get anywhere (the joy of unemployment), we took the scenic route from Arches National Park in Utah to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado through the ski town of Steamboat Springs.

OK there are very few towns where the second I arrive I know I could live there, but Steamboat Springs was one of those towns. It is adorable with breweries, runners, cyclists, hikers, and great restaurants everywhere.

However, the best thing there is the Strawberry Hot Springs just outside of town. We stayed in a little rustic cabin for like $60 a night (see that photo above on the left), which included our entrance to the natural hot springs pools. The place is clothing optional, which I endorse given the really in-shape status of the residents of Steamboat Springs.

Sorry for the gratuitous bikini shot but I had to get a pic of our (completely legal) cabin graffiti.

Second Stop - Rocky Mountain National Park

OK why does all of Texas invade Colorado? Is it because there isn't anything cool there? Once we waded through the crowds (remember the 90%-of-people-won't-hike-more-than-one-mile rule), Rocky Mountain seemed endless and crowdless. It actually reminded me a lot of Tahoe.

We camped for three nights at Glacier Basin within the park. Keep in mind that there are no showers anywhere in the park, which gets scary after 4 days in a tent with your spouse. Further, a lot of the campsites are completely exposed due to tree removal from extensive beetle kill. Shade is limited and the days are hot in the summer, be prepared.