Hike and Shop

Will arrived last week, and we promised him an easy, but rewarding hike. We drove about 45 minutes into the park, to the Milner pass trailhead.At 10,758 feet, Milner Pass is a lowpoint on the Continental Divide. The divide separates river drainage to the Atlantic Ocean from drainage to the Pacific. From the trailhead, which begins at a sweet lake,

we are heading to the Rocky Mountain Visitor's center, halfway between Grand Lake and Estes Park, the two entrances to RMNP. The Visitor's center is at an altitude of 11,800 feet, so we have an initial gain of about 1,ooo feet, and a distance of about 4 miles. The trail is fairly steep at the beginning, but quickly reaches the tree line, where the path levels off, and winds through a forest of 5 to 6 foot high spruce and firs trees, feeling a bit like a Christmas tree farm.

The trail had a small turn off to a clearing with a spectacular view of the Never Summer mountains, and as we stopped, two gray jays flew right at us. We were not quite sure if they were being aggressive or friendly, so I dropped a raisin on the ground, and watched one of the jays quickly pick it up. I then put a raisin in my hand, and the jay, ever so lightly, landed, and took the raisin right from my palm.

We continued over the tundra, for about 3 more miles, and ended at the Visitor's center, where we had lunch.

The center has an extensive collection of books, and maps, as well as very high end pottery and crafts made by Colorado artisans. We then headed back down the tundra trail, oohing and aahing at the unbelievable views.