Fodor's Expert Review Alluvial Fan
Rocky Mountain National Park
Nature Sight
Editor's Note: This property is currently undergoing renovations.
In 1982, the 79-year-old dam at Lawn Lake burst, and 220 million gallons of water roared into Estes Park, killing three people and causing millions of dollars in damage to the town. Within the park, the flood created the alluvial fan, a pile of glacial and streambed debris up to 44 feet deep on the north side of Horseshoe Park. A ½-mile trail gets you close enough to explore the area. You also can view it from the Rainbow Curve lookout on Trail Ridge Road.
