2021 August RMNP Backpack Trip

I took a three night, four day backpack trip in Rocky Mountain National Park August 21,22,23, and 24. Originally the trip was supposed to start a day earlier, but Trail Ridge Road was closed due to wind, blowing snow, and ice! The next day conditions had cleared up and I was able to cross to the west side of the park, where my trailhead is. Here are a few pictures.

The route I took.

A pretty cirque. Note that quite a few of the trees are dead, from bark beetles.

As I got above tree line, the wind really picked up. It must have been blowing at 50 to 70 MPH!

More photos from above tree line.

A huge bull elk was grazing in the meadow behind Haynach campsite. Also, it seems that every campsite has a doe that hangs around. They are not at all intimidated by humans!

The camp sites in RMNP are all excellent, with plenty of flat space for a tent and easy access to water. It's fun to drop the pack and pad around in camp shoes!

The East Troublesome Fire burned much of this area last year. Here are some pictures from burned areas, but it's hard to convey the scale and devastation of the fire.