In the 18 seventies, English adventurer Isabella Bird visited this part of the Rockies and was moved to write, I have found a dream of beauty at which one might look at all one's life and sigh.

150 years later, that dream continues, preserved within a 415 square mile national park just 70 miles from Denver.

Welcome to a dream where wildlife roams free amid cool meadows and forests of For a dream, where chains of sub alpine lakes for mirrored steps into the sky and Alpine Tundras lift over 60 granite peaks 12,000 ft into the heavens.

Okay, today, this dream could be experienced by visitors of all ages and abilities, via 350 miles of hiking trails and on two of the highest scenic roads in the U.

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Most visitors begin their Rocky Mountain adventure at the eastern entrance just outside Estes Park.

In summertime, traffic can be a headache, so leave your car at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and take the free shuttles to and from the park's popular eastern trailheads just seven miles into the park.

Hop off at Spring Lake, named after the enterprising Abner E Spray, who ran a dude ranch and fishing lodge here at the turn of the 20th century.

Today, the lake is still a favorite with trout fisherman and with a short, hard packed loop trail, the lake is ideal for families and folks with limited mobility.

For another easy hike, take the short loop around Bear Lake, which passes through a magical shoreline of spruce, aspen and lodge pole pine Yeah, from Bear Lake.

Follow the trail up Tyndall Gorge, paused by the lilies of Nim Flake and gaze into the mirror perfection of Dream Lake before arriving at one of the park's easiest to reach sub alpine jewels, Emerald Lake.

For a longer and more challenging hike, Tighten up your boot laces, pack a few layers and hit the 10 mile out in back trail to Sky Pond After an easy first mile stop for a snack by the thundering waters of Alberta Falls, named after Abner Sprague's wife from the false, the trail climbs to the rugged shores of the loch, a lake guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye of any visiting Scottish Highlander.

From here, the trail steepens traversing fields of wildflowers and grazing elk before arriving at the imposing wall of water and granite.

At Timber Line Falls.

From the base of the Falls, the trail climbs a 100 ft shoot.

And while not overly difficulty, if it looks like rain or snow, it's best to turn back here.

After 2 to 3 hours of hiking, climbing and rock hopping theme, treeline finally thins to reveal the stark beauty of Glass Lake.

Just a few steps beyond trail ends at Sky Pond, a glacial basin cradled by a citadel of granite cliffs and shark tooth spires.

As you look back down the valley, give thanks to Enos Mills, who tirelessly lectured coast to coast, planting the seeds of the Rockies importance into the nation's consciousness.

In 1909 the man they call the father of Rocky Mountain National Park shared his dream in the years to come.

When I am asleep beneath the pines, thousands of families will find rest and hope in this park, and in the decades since million's have walked these trails after giving your calves and camera work out on the park's eastern trails.

Grab your car keys or join a tour and head north into the parks.

High country Pull into Horseshoe Park Ah, Wetland Sanctuary.

Who's rich soils and perfect U shaped valley were a gift of a passing glacier around 15,000 years ago.

To trace the journey of that glacier had west up old Fall River Road, a one way uphill gravel road that follows a Native American hunting trail.

The road is strictly seasonal, passable two cars Onley in summer but enjoyed by snowshoers and cross country skiers.

When winter closes in okay, the road's hairpin bends require slow speeds and steady nerves, but you'll find plenty of safe pullovers to take in the valley.

Views scent of Ponderosa and the hypnotic rhythms of snow melt.

After emerging into the sparse Alpine tundra, the road nears its end at the Fall River Cirque.

This is the birthplace of the glacier that bulldozed its way down to Horseshoe Valley, nine miles away, perched on the northern rim of the Fall River, Cirque is the Alpine Visitors Center, the highest visitor center in the entire U.

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system After learning Maura about the Alpine tundra and the peoples who first traversed these mountains and valleys, take the half mile hike up.

The Alpine Ridge Trail Trail across the tundra may be short, but it's known as Hoofers Hill for good reason.

After catching your breath in the thin Alpine air, enjoy the views which stretch away across space and time.

From the Alpine Visitors Center, Old Fall River Rhode emerges onto the halfway point of Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuously paved road in the U.

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From here, turn left and head back towards the parks eastern side and enjoy the expansive views from the many outlooks and rest areas, or turn right to explore the parks.

Southwestern side.

Be sure to stop at Milner Pass, which marks the Continental Divide, the line at which the Rockies waters flow either west to the Pacific or east toward the Atlantic.

While you're there, stretch your legs on the Ute or Mount Ida trails to experience some of the best high Alpine hiking on the divide.

And as with all higher altitude hikes in this region, start out early and pack warm clothes as storms roll in quickly, particularly in the afternoons from Milner Pass Trail Ridge Road gradually descends to Grand Lake, where you'll find some of the park's most enchanting landscapes from the East.

In the trailhead, take the easy one mile hike to Adams Falls, then continue on through forests and meadows straight from a Children's picture book.

Venture deeper into the forest on North Inlet Trail for 3.5 mile hike to Cascade falls For those yearning even longer journeys.

The trail here forms part of the 3100 mile Continental Divide Scenic Trail.

Just turn right for Canada or left for Mexico and keep walking.

But for most of us, Rocky Mountain National Park holds more than enough adventure to fulfill all our wildest longings, from the ever present songs of its snowmelt to the cool, fragrant embrace of its Alpine air.

Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park is a dream that awakens all the senses.

It's a dream that opens every eye and ear to the miracles of nature.