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Top 10 Amazing Facts about the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
The Rocky Mountain National Park has existed since its establishment on January 26, 1915. The park is among America’s national parks. It forms part of the Rocky Mountains within the Front Range of the Rockies.
The park on its east side borders Estes Park town and the west side is Grand Lake town. Situated in north-central Colorado the Rocky Mountain National Park is only 55 miles or 89kilometeres from Denver’s northwest.
Rocky Mountain National Park is mapped out as a wilderness with a variety of adventures. Alpine lakes, wildlife, and mountains are among the park’s gripping features. Get to know 10 of the most astounding truths of the Rocky Mountain National Park in these listings.
1. It stands high among the United States national parks
The park ranks among the highest national parks in the country. It boasts of elevations starting over 7000 feet. Elevations go as high as over 14000 feet. Rocky Mountain National Park has a record of highs such as the Longs Peak. It is the park’s highest peak.
The Trail Ridge Road is another high for the park. The road is on a 12,183 foot or 3,713 m elevation. This makes it the country’s number one highest paved road.
The Rocky Mountain National Park has over sixty mountain peaks. All peaks are over 12000 feet or 3,658 meters which offers scenic views. The Mummy Range found on the north side of the park has an array of peaks.
Among the peaks are Mummy Mountain, Hagues Peak, and Ypsilon Mountain. The Fairchild Mountain and Mount Chiquita are also inclusive. Some of the high mountain cirques contain permanent snowfields and small glaciers.
Rocky Mountain national park is large. It occupies federal land of 265461 acres of land or 415square miles in estimation. It also extends 253,059 acres of the U.S. Forest Service land part that adjoins its boundaries.
2. Rocky Mountain national park activities go beyond mountaineering
The park’s trails network has well-paved paths that all visitors can access. This includes those with disabilities. It is the easy trailing option. But for experienced hikers, there are strenuous trails. They even have off-trail routes that backcountry hikers can explore.
The trails lead to over 100 camping sites designated in the wilderness. The Continental Divide Trail is a good consideration for backpackers. You can hike 45miles or 72kilometeres along the divide starting from the trailheads of Bear and Grand Lakes.
Most trails allow horseback riding. Trailing of some paths is only allowed in summer as winter may pose dangers due to the weather.
Mountaineering and rock climbing are famous activities at Rocky Mountain national park. The opportunity for climbers can be explored on Longs Peak-the park’s highest peak. Other options are Halley Peak and Lumpy ridge which can be accessed using Keyhole which is the easiest route.
The Diamond area on the east side of the park has big wall rock climbing routes. Chaos Canyon and Emerald Lake areas are known for bouldering.
Many of the park’s lakes and streams allow for fishing. Some of the fish species in the park are cutthroat, rainbow, German brown trout, and brook.
3. Winter is magical at Rocky Mountain national park
Rocky Mountain National Park during winter Photo by National Park Service Digital Image Archives-Wikimedia
The park enjoys high visits during summer. But winter has activities that can be explored as well.
Though the Trail Ridge Road for most of the winter is closed due to snow, motorists can access the park from its edges. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are the major possibilities during winter. Both Grand Lake and Estes Park entrances give opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
The park’s east side near Estes Park off Bear Lake Road has snowshoeing and skiing trails. The trail spots are Bierstadt Lake, Bear Lake, and Sprague Lake. Hidden valley is a good trails network and also its slopes offer an opportunity for sledding.
The area around Grand lake allows for snowshoeing trails on the west side of the park. After avalanche danger declines in the late snow periods, snowboarding and backcountry skiing can be enjoyed. Technical climbing is a possibility but the experience will differ from what happens during summer.
4. Rocky Mountain national park has seven visitor centers
Alpine Visitor Center at Rocky Mountain National Park Photo by inkknife-Wikimedia
The park has seven visitor centers within its vicinity. The center offers information and helpful resources to ensure you enjoy the adventure the park offers. Operating hours vary in each center and during different seasons.
Alpine Visitor Center is the park’s highest visitor center at 11,796 feet. You find it along Trail Ridge Road and it opens in late May through mid-October months.
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is near Estes Park on the west of U.S. Highway 36. The visitor center building houses the Mountain Conservancy Nature Store. Another is The Fall River center on U.S. Highway 34 west of Estes Park.
Holzwarth historic site is a visitor center that allows a feel of 1920s tourism and homesteading. As a visitor, you are treated to a view of the building’s exteriors as well as the grounds.
Kawuneeche visitor center is located on U.S. Highway 34 north of Grand Lake. Moraine Park Discovery Center is a historical building that opens during summer and fall only.
Sheep Lakes Information Station completes our seven lists of visitor centers. Here you get a chance to view wildlife, especially the bighorn sheep that dominate this specific environment.
5. The ecosystem of the park can be classified under four categories
Rocky mountain national park’s ecosystem can be classified into four groups. They are Montane, Subalpine, Alpine, and Glaciers. The Montane ecosystem is a region between 5600-and 9500 feet. The area supports a majority of the park’s life. Its characterized by large meadow valleys and slopes.
The Subalpine ecosystem lies between 9000 and 11000 feet. This environment is chilly and consists of evergreen forests and mountain lakes. The forests and lakes support life.
Alpine Tundra represents all environment surrounding found 11000feet and above. This region experiences cold temperatures and strong winds.
Glaciers conclude the ecosystem list that is found in the Rocky Mountain and Park. The park’s valley slopes have experienced a history of ice flows. This has resulted in bowl-shaped basins that extend into the valleys.
6. The park has about 355 miles of hiking trails
Rocky Mountain National Park hiking trails are estimated to be 355miles. You can take easy lakeside strolls or steep mountain peak climbs. To know what is a good fit, ask rangers at the visitor centers. They can advise on the suitable fit according to your experience and fitness level.
7. Rocky Mountain National Park was established by U.S. President Wilson
Woodrow Wilson signed the park’s act on 26 January 1915. This established the boundaries of the park and was meant to preserve the park for the future.
8. The park was among the first designated Biosphere Reserves in the world
UNESCO 1976 designated the Rocky Mountain National Park as a Biosphere Reserve.
9. The museums in the park are packed with information
The Rocky Mountain National Park has several museums you can walk to and get to learn about the park. Some of the museums are Moraine Park Museum and the Old Gallery Allen Spark. To complement the list are also White Elk’s Visions in Glass and the Eagle Plume Trading Post.
10. National Forest Lands encircle the park
Rocky Mountain National Park is surrounded by National Forests lands from all sides. The north and east sides have Roosevelt National Forest. The north and west region lies the Routt National Forest. The West and south side is surrounded by the Arapaho National Forest.
Rocky Mountain National Park has a mother. Isabella Bird an author and traveler is referred to by the park’s rangers as the mother of the region. Her 1873 ascend of Longs Peak exposed the area to a large audience.
Her book, A Lady Life in the Rocky Mountains described Estes Park as a dream come true site for her. Bird’s book sold like hotcakes in Britain and the eastern United States. That put the park in the eyes of a large audience. The park on average has over 4 million visitors annually.
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