Loveland, CO to Estes Park, CO

Monday was a short ride but it was so beautiful. In the beginning we rode towards the mountains and saw some great views of them. 

Rockies in the distance. 

Saw some great views. 

Then we entered the up hill but it was a very steady climb. 

Rode along a river for parts of it. 

At the end of our ride we had a very steep climb for about one mile. It was very tiring but the top was beautiful. 

Estes park and mountains in the distance. 

When we got to the top we all celebrated and took a bunch of pictures. Most of us met up at that point and had lunch together. 

Elevation sign. 

Other side of the sign. 

After lunch instead of heading to the host we went to the visitors center to find a good hike. We took a shuttle bus up to Bear Lake and went to Emerald lake. The entire bus ride and hike was so beautiful, it looked fake at some points. I took a bunch of pictures and had a great time. 

Red roof is of a hotel that is inspired by The Shining and Dumb and Dumber was shot in. 

Nymph lake. 

Dream lake. 

Emerald lake where we took ice baths. 

Bear lake. 

After the hike our group got split up and I missed the shuttle that three others got on to get back to Estes park. My friend and I asked a couple of old ladies of they were driving back in that direction and they said yes and offered us a ride. My friend Yudi and I ended up getting back down before the other three so it worked out well. When I got back to the host a bunch of people had DM'd dinner which was great and then we went out to see the sunset. We climbed up on these huge rocks and watched the sun go down behind the mountains. It was probably one of my favorite days of this trip so far.