Wednesday morning we awoke and finished the drive to Rocky Mountain National Park. We headed to the backcountry office where we picked up our permit for the Mill Creek Basin backcountry site. We drove out to the trailhead in Hollowell Park and loaded our packs and got ready for Zane's first backpacking trip at two months of age.
The trail started in the meadows of Hollowell Park at about 8300 ft. and proceeded west into the forest. We could see brilliant aspen trees contrasted against the green of the pines. Wyatt did a great job walking as we slowly climbed next to Mill Creek. Logging before the establishment of the park created many of the aspen groves we walked through on the trail.
Two hours, 1.6 miles and 700 ft of climbing brought us to our campsite for the night. We set up and let Jen, Colter and Zane take a nap while Wyatt and I walked another 3 miles up to Bierstadt Lake. The winds were roaring up on the lake and Wyatt dictated that we didn't stay there long.
We arrived back at camp and began cooking dinner. While we cooked we listeded to elk bugle in the timber. As it began to grow dark they moved down into the meadow which we were camped next to. We ate dinner and enjoyed being the only people around to watch the rut. Several males locked antlers while we watched.
As it grew even darker we cleaned up and climbed into the tent. The boys quickly fell asleep as we listened to the last of the elk bugles.
Morning brought clear skies and a temperature of 38 degrees. The boys and I got up and cooked breakfast while Jen and Zane slept in. We heard a few elk, but none came out into the meadow. After Jen and Zane ate we cleaned up camp and broke down the tent.
We were treated to more beautiful aspen as we descended back down to Mill Creek. The aspen were a spectacular gold and the sky was a deep blue. We took our time on the way out and arrived back at the trailhead around 1:30. From there we headed over to the YMCA Camp and to our cabin.
Friday was spent exploring the park. We drove up Old Fall Pass Road, climbed "Heart Attack Hill" by the Alpine Visitor Center and spent time down in the Kawuneeche Valley before heading back to the cabin.
Wyatt, Colter, my Dad and I took a horseback ride on Saturday. Afterwards both my parents and the five of us spent the afternoon at Sprague Lake before going elk watching and playing in an aspen grove.
Sunday brought the end of our brief trip and a long drive back to Dimmitt.
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