Comments:dougalbutler@yahoo.com

"Rocky Mountain National Park Dayhiker's Guide" by Jerome Malitz

Published by Johnson Books in Boulder

Alberta Falls

Distance: 0.6 miles one way

Elevation Change:    160 feet

Elevation at destination:    9,400 feet

The walk from Glacier Gorge Junction to Alberta Falls may be the most popular in the park - in part because the trail is short and easy. - but mainly because it's beautiful and varied.  Alberta Falls is one of the most impressive falls in the park, and along the trail you see scenic Glacier Creek and walk along along the rim of glacier gorge.

June 30, 2003

While I enjoyed the change from desert to proper mountain scenery, this is hardly a good representation of the hikes to be found in Rocky Mountain National Park.  I thought that I would start out with this easy hike to see how the altitude would affect me and it turned out to be a breeze so I continued on to Mills Lake.  What disturbed me most about this hike was the appalling lack of trail etiquette from the people on the trail.  Here are some of the trail rules that were broken in a short 2.5 mile hike:

1. When traveling with a group, move over to the right to allow people from both directions to pass when they appear.
2. Always move to the right for oncoming hikers and when passed.
3. Downhill hikers always yield to uphill hikers.
4. Don't hang around the premium picture sights preventing other people from taking pictures of the view.
5. Shut the f*@k up.  You're in the middle of wilderness talking to your friend less than two feet away, not to a cell phone with a crappy connection.
6. Strollers are not acceptable on the trail, especially the ones designed for 2 kids side by side and are nearly the width of the trail.

Here's the pics (Click on the picture to see full size):

These are low res pictures.  I can send you higher quality pictures if you want them