Mimi and Maumau, Martine and DD Return! Or the Denver-Denver Loop of the 4 Friends (page 2 of 17)

Tundra Communities Trail. Once again, no trouble parking the car near a building right by the road. We bundle up warmly (above 3,500 m, it's best to be prepared, even with the beautiful sunshine we had) and start the little walk that takes us across the tundra to a small cluster of rocks.

The paved trail, a bit steeper at the start, quickly levels out into a gentle slope. Barely underway, a marmot pops up to say hello. We come across informational signs regularly, but our school-level English lets us down again—we don’t linger to read them properly. Discovering this tundra, where nothing grows except a dense "lawn" and tiny wildflowers, delights us. Despite the harsh climate, nature still puts on a stunning show of colors—white, red, yellow. With the blue sky and gray rocks, it’s a feast for the eyes.



After a leisurely 800 m walk, we reach the end of the trail at the foot of the rock. DD and I head up first—it’s super easy to climb—and Mimi and Maumau quickly join us at the viewpoint to admire the fantastic 360° view of the Rocky Mountains and the road winding peacefully below.





It’s so beautiful!!! But we can’t stay—we need to make room for other hikers who want to capture the moment too. The descent is just as easy, with a quick stop at the Mushrooms rocks, just a few dozen meters off the main trail.

Luckily, none of us felt the effects of the altitude (3,754 m) or the lack of oxygen, though some people might struggle with it. We pick up the car and continue our descent toward Estes Park. Rock Cut OVL

Forest Canyon

The landscape is still pretty barren—just a few scattered pine trees giving us a touch of green. Rainbow Curve To the left of the road, it’s hilarious—right here, this pile of rocks looks like it was tossed by a giant playing a game, while just a few meters away, there’s a breathtaking view of the moraines and little lakes below.



After this viewpoint, the vegetation gets denser, and the road now winds through the pine trees. Many Parks Curve

Hidden Valley Given the time, we settle into the Hidden Valley picnic area for a bite. Disaster—we’re swarmed by a cloud of bees, forcing us to pack up quickly and make a run for it. Our empty stomachs will have to wait.

Beaver Ponds gives us another view of the moraines and the winding Fall River. At Deer Ridge Junction, we turn right and finally have our meal on the benches at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. Wildlife adventure over!!!

With the charming little houses of Estes Park, we’re back in civilization. We follow forests of conifers and a small river filled with suspended boulders and rocks moved by floods, then Loveland and finally Cheyenne, where we stop to photograph some giant boots.





Take a tour of Wrangler, the huge store packed with boots, hats, and Western outfits in an irresistible leather scent.





Our guys try their hand at playing cowboys.



We soon have to hit the road again since there’s still over an hour before we reach our hotel in Wheatland. The drive takes us through a desert-like, monotonous plain with no trees, where a few scrawny herds of cows and horses graze, scattered here and there. After the town of Chugwater, even though the prairies are greener, it still feels even poorer and gloomier with some gray buttes. We’re happy to get back to our hotel. It’s almost time for dinner, and we’ll head to Guadalajara, right next to the hotel, to enjoy some excellent Mexican food. Since no one wants to join me (what lazy bums these youngsters are!), I’ll relax in the hot tub alone. What an amazing day!!! Moose, chipmunks, a marmot, breathtaking landscapes!!! We walked through the tundra, on a road that almost touches the sky, across prairies, fir trees, glacial valleys surrounded by mountain lakes and snow-capped peaks!!! I can tell this trip is going to be as beautiful as the last one!!!!

Oh boy!!!!! I’ve got a frozen butt and I’ve packed my suitcase with sweaters, technical t-shirts, a heavy-duty parka, plus gloves and a wool hat!

Hey Martine,

You might actually need all that in Yellowstone NP ;) You’ll be arriving in the park on September 11th. In mid-August, evenings and early mornings weren’t warm at all. I was wearing a sweatshirt and a windbreaker. Some tourists had thick jackets, like puffers.

Loved ones, a full belly, a cozy bed, a river lulling us to sleep right beside us (I even got up to open the window just to hear it better), and an amazing trip ahead—isn’t life great?!!!!

Amazing! What more could you ask for?

We drove the "Trail Ridge Road" in the opposite direction. We saw some moose just before arriving at Grand Lake (in a TV report, I learned there are quite a few in this area): a female and her calf, but they were at the edge of the forest. The ones you saw were closer, and on top of that, you were lucky enough to have one of them cross the road right in front of you! 😏

I really love the photos—they turned out great.

See you soon,

Christine

Fortunately, none of us four felt the effects of the altitude (3,754 m) or the lack of oxygen, but some people just can’t go there.

Back in 2013, we also visited Rocky Mountain NP at the very start of our trip. I’m not used to high altitudes. I had a headache when we arrived at that part of the "Trail Ridge Road," and it started raining 😕 So, I only walked a few meters on the Tundra Communities Trail, while my husband carried on alone. I settled for taking a few photos of pikas www.nps.gov/...arn/nature/pikas.htm that were near the path.

After that, we went to the Alpine Visitor Center. I took a pill and had a hot drink. Afterward, I felt much better 😏

See you soon!

Christine

Those boots in Cheyenne are really gorgeous—true works of art! This year, we stopped in the city at the end of our trip. The next morning, we had fun hunting for all the boots; it’s a fun walking route that let us explore part of the city.

On the other hand, we didn’t think to visit Wrangler. The hats will fit André and Maurice perfectly soon.

Have a great rest of the afternoon!

See you soon!

Christine

Hi Martine, What a great day! I would’ve loved it too 😉 Like Christine, I also think hats really suit guys 🙂

Hi Christine, Still so helpful on the forum😉 Our 2016 and 2018 road trips are packed with the references you suggested while we were planning them. The 2019 project, which turned into the 2020 one, isn’t lacking them either. Thanks, Yves

Hi Yves,

Hello Christine Still so helpful on the forum😉 Our 2016 and 2018 road trips are packed with your suggestions from when we were planning them. The 2019 project, which turned into the 2020 one, isn’t lacking them either. Thanks Yves

Thank you, that’s really kind of you Your message means a lot to me.

Have a great evening!

Christine

Hi Peggy,

It was reading one of your travel journals that gave me the idea to go to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in the late afternoon until sunset. We loved it 😏

In the morning, we admired "Observation Point" (in Zion NP) by coming from the East (East Mesa Trail) 😉 From the other side, because of the elevation gain, it seemed difficult to reach the viewpoint (I have breathing problems), and anyway, the usual path was closed due to a rockslide that happened before our trip.

Thank you so much, and I hope you have a great evening.

Christine

Hey friends! 🙂 Christine, thank goodness my suitcase was full of warm clothes—they came in really handy a bit later. I remember you telling me about how you felt unwell in the high altitudes of Trail Ridge Road! Peggy, our guys look so good in their hats, don’t they?!!!! We make them wear them on their heads over and over again!!!!! Yves, Christine is *such* a reference on the forums—she always replies quickly to posts, with so much kindness, and her knowledge is invaluable!!!! Have a great day, everyone! Martine 🙂

Hi Peggy, I got the idea to go to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in the late afternoon until sunset after reading one of your travel journals. We loved it 😏 Christine

Another suggestion from the forum that we took up in 2018 between Bryce and Sedona...😕nostalgia...

Yves

Day 3 . September 4 Wheatland - Custer Rocket motel Custer 118 € with breakfast (2 people) A charming red-and-white motel right in the town center on Custer’s main road, 6 km from the west entrance of the park. Quiet but with restaurants and Dakotamart nearby. Nice room with a fridge and microwave. Friendly welcome. Hot drinks and pastries for breakfast in the tiny reception area.

We’ve got a lot of kilometers planned for today since we’d like to start visiting Custer State Park this afternoon.

Oregon Trail Ruts: 658 miles. Guernsey (for GPS)



In the mid-1800s, thousands of heavy emigrant wagons heading west along the Oregon Trail left deep ruts in the rock. Well-maintained and easy to access, the site is deeply moving. We had no trouble imagining ourselves in the shoes of those pioneers traveling through these inhospitable regions, especially after visiting Fort Bluff on our last road trip—even though the Oregon Trail route is different from the Mormon trail in Bluff. We think about how many wagons it must have taken to leave such scars in the stone!!! What were they seeking in these distant lands? Escape, gold, or simply the hope of a better life... We’re wandering this quiet little spot with just an elderly lady and her son, and they seem as moved as we are.

Historic Fort Laramie Bridge

Just before the fort, a quick photo stop at the old historic bridge built in 1875, spanning the peaceful Platte River.

Fort Laramie 965 Gray Rocks Road Built near the Platte and Laramie Rivers by two trappers in 1834, this former fur-trading post served as a mail relay before becoming a military outpost to protect pioneer caravans heading to Oregon, allowing them to rest and stop over.

Around a large central grassy square are restored barracks filled with furniture and everyday objects (donations) that immerse us in the daily life of those who lived here—especially the cavalry quarters (soldiers and officers) and the homes of officers and their families.



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This journey through time is impressive, especially since we were lucky enough to meet a ranger who’s a fan of our beautiful country and its people. He gave us a private tour in the cavalry quarters, taking us into rooms usually locked and only visible behind glass. Thanks to him for his kindness!!! 11:25!!!! Time to leave Fort Laramie!!!!

Fort Laramie Built near the Platte and Laramie rivers by two trappers in 1834, this former fur trading post served as a mail relay before becoming a military outpost to protect pioneers' wagon trains heading to Oregon from Native American threats, allowing them to rest and make a stop.

A total immersion in the place, steeped in history it’s true, but appreciated by few "forumers." Bravo! And now we’ll make the detour between Cheyenne and Scottsbluff 😎 Lots of great photos... Yves

We leave Wyoming to head to South Dakota via an endless road through the green desert. We pass through very few towns. From the start, we drive through hectares of pastures as far as the eye can see: water, green buttes with gray rocks emerging.

Lots of horses and a few herds of cows with no shade to shelter from the sun, then very quickly the water sources seem to disappear too!!! Yellow, yellow, and more yellow!!! Poor herds, they have to look for trees!!!





33 °C!! If we want to have lunch, we need to find a shady spot!!! Edgemont!!! There must be a place with tables in this little village. At the entrance, the fire station offers a big tree in lush green grass. We’ll be like kings there!!! We open the trunk to take out the bags and the cooler. One mosquito, two mosquitoes, ten mosquitoes!!!!! They’re landing on us!! Ugh!!! There are hundreds swarming around us!!! Quick, we pack everything back up!!! Off to the town center!! A bench near the church!! Before unpacking everything, I go on a scouting mission!! What’s up with this village!!!! They’re coming from all sides!! There are as many as near the fire station!!! They must be really hungry to swarm like this as soon as someone sticks their nose outside!!! It’s 2:20 PM, our stomachs are growling!!! But no way we’re serving as lunch for these vampires—we’ll eat in the car!!! We leave the town without seeing anyone!!! Between the heat and the mosquitoes, it’s no wonder there’s not a soul outside!!! After Edgemont, the road becomes hilly again, and soon we enter the Black Hills National Forest with its pines and wooded hills. Just before Custer, we start seeing rocks through the pine trees—everything is green, with little houses near the river!! All this greenery is so relaxing!! We drive past our motel without stopping.

We go through Custer and its humorous bison!!



Some are magnificent!!!

At 3:10 PM, we enter Custer National Park heading toward Needles Highway

I’ll be following your trip with pleasure—it overlaps a lot with what we did two months before you, in late June and early July... It brings back wonderful memories, and I’m discovering some places (like Fort Laramie) that we skipped for others. I can’t wait to see the rest—I really loved Custer State Park. :-)

Hi Martine, We also visited Fort Laramie a few years ago; we met a French woman married to a ranger there; she told us about her life in the USA. We also saw the Oregon Trail Ruts in Guernsey. Noëlle

It's not just Mimi and co who've been to the US—others didn't take notes but went too. Personally, I've had around twenty trips all over the USA, but not a single trip report!

Hello! 🙂

To Yves and Noëlle: It's true that we really enjoyed Oregon Ruts and Fort Laramie, and I'm thrilled that our travel journal is giving Yves the urge to go there. We would've loved to spend a bit more time wandering around there.

To Katia, I also love reading travelers' accounts to revisit the places we enjoyed.

To Marie Françoise, as we already discussed in PM, I’ll say it again: it’s thanks to reading so many travel journals that our two trips were such a success. Without them, we would’ve missed out on some truly beautiful spots. You can discover places that aren’t too well-known, and reading them raises questions that we get answers to directly from those who’ve already made the trip.

Voyage Forum is an exchange forum!!! That’s what it’s for!!

Plus, reliving the trip by writing about it is really enjoyable, and the last advantage is that memories fade over time, and these journals are a great way to keep them intact and bring them back to life.

Have a great day, everyone! Martine 🙂

For my many trips to the US, I prefer paper guides over forum reviews