The four-wheel-drive road less traveled in Rocky Mountain National Park

Sometimes the best things to experience aren’t the easiest ones to reach

Rocky Mountain’s main attractions consist of spectacular views of glacier-carved meadows rich with wildlife (the elk were everywhere when we visited in the mornings and evenings, clogging the meadow areas near the campgrounds as they got ready for the fall rut) and an hours-long, stunning drive from the valley floor to the Alpine Visitor Center at Fall River Pass, a route that rises a total of 12,450 feet in elevation with mostly unobstructed views in every direction.

An easy, accessible attraction for most visitors is the open area carved by glaciers near one of the small lakes.  Bear Lake, that sweet gorgeous reflective gem, has a lovely, handicap-accessible path around the edge. We walked the Bear Lake “stroll” with other tourists and enjoyed its lovely views, each seemingly framed on purpose in artful arrangement of boulders and boughs.

Mike in front of Bear Lake, Rocky Mtn. NP

Back at the car, Mike opened the park map and pointed a gnarled finger at an alternate route to the top of …