Rocky Mountain National Park

As we entered the park it was 51 degrees and cloudy.

We were shocked to find the devastation that the
pine beetles had caused.

Climbing higher into the park it began to rain
and then flurry.

At about 10,000 feet the rain turned to sleet-like snow.

Some mountain flora.

Snow started to accumulate on the spruce.

We reached the elevation where we found the
Alpine Tundra.

Here is a view of the road winding through this
Alpine Tundra.

This is a newly constructed visitor center,
close to 12,000 feet.

Here I am with last year's snow behind me.

"What you see from here"
Not too much as we were in the midst
of a snow squall at over 12,000 feet.

Another view of the Alpine Tundra.
Notice the lack of trees or any large vegetation.

Here is a line of traffic being slowed by the snow squall.

Winter comes early at these high altitudes.

We continue to descend to about 9,000 feet.

At about 7,000 feet there is sufficient food
for animals like these mule deer.

Adolescent bull elk. He was with six or seven cow elk
but because of his lack of size and antlers, he will
probably lose his harem of females to a stronger bull.

Cow elk.

Here you see a mature bull elk.