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June 13, 2019
Rocky Mountain National Park
So, today I rode up the peak-to-peak highwy on the AT, through Rocky Mountain National Park, and back through Grand Lake, Granby, Winter Park, Empire, etc.
They had some kind of festival going on in Estes Park. I'm not clear why, but they wrapped the trees in knitted scarves, for some reason. I took some photos at the Stanley Hotel, famous from the movie The Shining.
Then, off through Rocky Mountain National Park. RMNP wasn't bad, but they charged me $25. There used to be a discount for motorcycles. Not any more, it seems.
I asked the woman when they opened Trail Ridge Road, she said "Memorial Day weekend" and I was like..."No...not even close."
This says they opened Trail Ridge Road on Wed June 5th at noon. So, it's been open 8 days, apparently.
I stopped near the summit to get some photos of the AT with ridiculous snow.
Then stopped at the visitor center and asked them where we cross the Continental Divide. They said it was a few miles down the road. Sure enough, this time I stopped and got my photo taken at Milner Pass. I don't believe I've ever stopped here before.
This time I managed to get through the park without getting ticketed/towed to Granby.
I looked for the tow company that towed my bike last time, but I couldn't find it. I suspect it's closed.
Once I got out of Granby, there were scattered thunderstorms, and it rained on me some around Granby and Winter Park. When I crossed the Continental Divide the 2nd time (Berthoud Pass), I thought I would lose my hands it was so cold. And I'm wearing ski gloves, not motorcycle gloves.
But once I crossed Berthoud Pass, as I descended, I warmed up and my hands thawed out. My bike said that, at the summit of Berthoud Pass, the air temp was in the 40's.
Then, I went to Evergreen to check on the elk, but I didn't see any elk this evening. Not clear why.
Here's my route today. Looks like I went about 230 miles or so.
Posted by Rob Kiser on June 13, 2019 at 10:14 PM
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