Day 21 - Hiking RMNP

We slept in just a little bit.  Then off to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center to see a 23 minute movie about this great park.  After learning about the ecology, wildlife and the establishment of the park, we stopped in at the gift shop – of course – and Carmen purchased an outdoor exploring tool that has 7 uses!  (compass, magnifying glass, mirror, tiny compartment, flashlight and a whistle)  She is all set.

Then we were ready to get outdoors and explore.  The weather has been almost perfect our whole trip so far and today was no exception.  Great hiking weather.  I think this was our biggest hike ever.  We ended up going 5 miles on the Fern Lake Trail.  It was taxing, especially for little Carmen whose legs are about half as long as the rest of ours.  But she hung in there and we all made it 2.5 mi to “The Pool.”  We took photos and had a snack, then went back.  Carmen observed, “Going back is always easier because you know where you are going.”  Indeed.

Today was also wildlife day.  On our hike we saw a little snake and a different kind of ground squirrel.  He was very intent on eating his nut and did not mind us being quite close!

On the drive back to our campsite we saw what we think was a mother and baby coyote, several female elk and the strangest little black squirrel – an Ebert.  Lots of fun identifying these guys!  Sometimes we had to ask rangers for help.

Speaking of rangers – the girls picked up junior ranger books this morning at the visitor’s center and worked through them on our hike.  They took them back in to the rangers and were sworn in as Junior Rangers and even received badges!  Good job girls!

Hiking RMNP