My Favorite Places in my Favorite Place (Part 1, Landscapes)

My favorite place is Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park. But what are my favorite places in the park? Let’s look at them…

In no particular order:

• Alluvial Fan
• Sprague Lake
• Moraine Park
• Many Parks Curve
• Hidden Valley
• Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park (new)
• Trail Ridge Road
• Inkwell and Brew
• Trailhead Restaurant
• Twin Owls Steakhouse

Alluvial Fan

Alluvial fan is a spot in the park with a lot of recent history. It first emerged as a result of the lawn lake flood. In 1982, the dam at Lawn Lake failed. The ensuing flood created an alluvial fan where the Roaring River meets the valley below.

If that wasn’t enough, in 2013, another flood further shaped the area.

Sprague Lake

We didn’t make it to Sprague this year, partly because of my injury. But this lake has the best spectacular view/difficulty ratio. Super easy, and amazing, especially at dawn.

At dawn, before the wind starts, it is a mirror.

Moraine Park

Maybe my favorite place. This vantage has everything from montane to alpine tundra. While there, you can see all sorts of wildlife, or just sit by the river.

Many Parks Curve

Another one we skipped. Just too many people and we were peopled out. But this stop on Trail Ridge Road has such wonderful vistas.

These are just a few