Hike to Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park

The beginnings of this hike were not too promising because we took the WRONG TRAIL. We were with my cousin Rick and his family and all started going up this very NARROW trail that was VERY steep. ALso, we didn't hear any water. Finally it dawned on us that it was not right! I felt bad, but Rick and Fran were very positive about it they were like, well, at least we saw something pretty. So, we had to get one shot together...

So, unfortunately Rick and his family had to leave and catch their flight back to Calfornia, but we decided to still look for the right hike. We found it and started up the trail, baby and kiddos in tow.

Let's go Daddy!
Action shot
These were the lower falls, called Copeland Falls. Since it was a pretty short hike up to these, we decided to keep going and make it the higher ones. The weather was so nice and everywhere we looked there were more beautiful things to see. It was also fun to meet other hikers on the way, some from exotic places like New Jersey. Another couple came up to us and had very strong British accents. Jack was like, "So, where are you from?" I looked at him like, "Are you kidding me? Did you hear them talk??" Then, they said, in their lovely British voices, "Oh, we're from Texas."

SO pretty

Getting close with nature.
Dad's idea--what a mastermind photographer he is.
This bridge was great to play Poo Sticks on--of course Jack decided to use a LOG instead of a stick, which totally beat all of our sticks. But the theory didn't hold true the next time, when Angie tried the same thing. So, I have yet to learn the way to find a perfect Poo Stick.

Here we are when we finally made it to the bigger falls, or cascades. Most of the way we all cheerfully kept trecking along on this hike, but I must admit that toward the end there was one member of the fam (she will remain nameless, but her name starts with an S and ends with the center of the universe) who was having some trouble being, well, full of her namesake. Anyhow, we finally relented and told her that we would do a five minute break IF she promised not to complain anymore. That seemed to appease her and she kept her end of the deal. Now, before you start to think we are horrible slave driving parents, let me explain that this hike was barely 2 miles long. Yes, it was a bit uphill but it really wasn't too bad. AND, once we got to the top EVERYONE was happy we had done it. It was BEAUTIFUL, and the nice spray of water felt SO GOOD. The hike back was great, being all down hill.
Ella was amazed at it all......
And she obviously wore herself out with that little two mile trail.It was a great way to end our fun vacation, and we now officially want to live in the Rocky Mountain National Park, in the summer that is.