Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
*Reposted from the original coffee blog: Expedition Cafelier*
There is a spot in Colorado where you can submerge yourself into the bliss of nature and every direction you look you are guaranteed to have your breath taken away by stunning mountain views, alpine lakes, and wildlife. Where is this place you may ask? Our very own Rocky Mountains. If you go into Rocky Mountain National Park you are bound to be delighted by the endless trails that spin you off into wild adventures. If you aren’t looking to get down and dirty but still want the views, you can opt for Trail Ridge road which will carry you up 11,796 ft. to its summit before dropping you down into Grand Lake. Every twist and turn of the road presents a new view and if you can stomach the cliff drops you drive along, it’s well worth the drive. As you are driving keep your eye out for the large sticks placed to stand strong on either side of the road, these rods tell the story of the mountain’s long winters and the plow drivers who clear the road for passengers like you. At the top of the pass you will find a visitor center with rangers who are more than happy to answer your questions and the iconic Trail Ridge Store & Café.
Being an almost Colorado native, I have gone up and over Trail Ridge more times than I can remember. There were so many days that started as hiking, transitioned into watching the elk bugle while sipping hot chocolate and ended at the top of Trail Ridge. If you want a spot to watch the sunset or sunrise where you will feel like you’re on top of the world, this is your place.
As a child, every time we traveled to the top we would stop at the store and wander through it taking in the Native American pottery, hand carved bowls and tables, and wild-flower jewelry. If my sister and I had been particularly good, we could scamper to the candy corner and pick out a handful of honey sticks to enjoy on the ride back down. Over time it became tradition to go in the store at the top and there was never a time we journeyed up the steep slopes without stopping.
This past time I was on top of Trail Ridge I was sitting outside on a bench enjoying the thunder that trembled along the mountain tops while stroking the dog that sat shivering in my lap. I knew I needed to head back to the car but I couldn’t draw myself away from the angered clouds that so beautifully accented my surroundings. As I finally stood to head to the car, my sister came flying out of the store, excitedly telling me about the coffee shop inside. Apparently in all my times within the store, I had never wandered far enough into the café to find Trail Ridge’s very own coffee bar. We both knew I had to try the coffee, so I left my pup with the rest of my family and we scurried back inside. Weaving through the people, we made our way to the back of the shop where I stopped and took in Café in the Clouds for the first time.
There was a small counter with a few workers scurrying around behind it and pictures of clouds were hung to envelope the circular light structure that had been hung above. A sign for the shop left the name curved elegantly through clouds above the doorway that led deeper into the café. The shop sported that their beverages were inline with The Rainforest Alliance. Grabbing a cup I traveled over to the side and filled it up. Bouncing giddily I brought it to my lips and stopped short. Biting my cheeks, I handed it to my sister to try before busting out laughing. Taking it back from her as her face twisted into a scowl I went against every coffee belief I have and began pouring cream and sugar into it. I tell you now, I love Trail Ridge, I love the store, I love the idea of Café in the Cloudsbut it was probably the most bitter coffee I have ever had. Unless you are in desperate need of coffee, want a cup of jo to hold as you travel or merely want o say you got coffee at almost 12,000 ft, above sea level, this is a place you should go to for the view, not the coffee.
If you do decide to get the coffee though, make sure you to travel up the trail behind the store and ‘enjoy it’ at the view 12,005 ft. and a bit of hard work boasts. It’ll take your breath away.
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