Natural Skyscrapers of Rocky Mountain National Park

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Rocky Mountain has an incredible amount to offer. Some of the best features of the parks are: • Bear Lake. This is an easy ¾ mile hike around the cleanest, purest lake I have ever seen. The mountains soar in the background and dark green evergreens blanket the area. This is a must-see for families and is even handicap accessible. • Alpine Visitors Center. This serves as a museum, viewing area, cafeteria, and gift shop. Perched at nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Alpine visitor center looks down a picturesque valley. The exquisite views along with the alpine museum, not to mention its prime location in the park, makes the Alpine Visitors Center a great place to buy a souvenir/snack, learn about ...Read More

Rocky Mountain has an incredible amount to offer. Some of the best features of the parks are: • Bear Lake. This is an easy ¾ mile hike around the cleanest, purest lake I have ever seen. The mountains soar in the background and dark green evergreens blanket the area. This is a must-see for families and is even handicap accessible. • Alpine Visitors Center. This serves as a museum, viewing area, cafeteria, and gift shop. Perched at nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Alpine visitor center looks down a picturesque valley. The exquisite views along with the alpine museum, not to mention its prime location in the park, makes the Alpine Visitors Center a great place to buy a souvenir/snack, learn about the alpine, and of course, gawk at the incredible and awe inspiring Rockies. • Sheep Lakes. Sheep Lakes and Meadows sit in a valley and offer a chance to see the popular Big Horn Sheep (you have to get lucky though, I sat there for a while and never saw anything). Located in an evergreen laden valley, this is an optimal spot for a picnic, whether or not you are lucky enough to see the prestigious Big Horns. Remember, this is called Rocky Mountain National Park, named after the renowned Rocky Mountains. This park is situated to take in every aspect of the glorious natural skyscrapers, and takes your breath away in the process. Touching upon the diverse sup-alpine region, abundant with animals of all sorts; elk, big-horns, moose, eagles, to name a few, and then rising to the pinnacle of the park, bearing into the alpine region via Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the nation. Here you can take in the remarkable alpine terrain and stunning views. Furthermore, the Trail Ridge Road crosses North America’s continental divide, the watershed, and then runs parallel to the humble beginnings of the mighty Colorado River. Needless to say, this park has it all. I have only touched the surface. Waterfalls and alpine creeks are always waiting to be discovered along the miles of hiking trails, which vary in difficulty. For the ultimate hike, trek up Longs peak, the parks highest point and one of Colorado’s fabled "fourteeners" at 14 thousand + feet. This park encompasses every aspect that a national park should, and is the optimal place to touch the rare uninjured wilderness of America.

Quick Tips:

If you plan to rent a car, you may want to consider a four wheel drive SUV. One of the park’s most interesting roads is Old Fall River Road, a dirt road that ascends all the way into the alpine. It has several pull offs for short hikes and waterfalls. Be patient if you choose to follow this road because frequently people ahead of you will stop to take a picture of the glacier covered mountain tops or an elk crossing the road. Usually if they stop, there is something for you to see as well. (The park is opposed to people stopping on the roads, especially for animals, so pull off the road if you can.)

Best Way To Get Around:

A free bus shuttle system is offered to bring you to the major sights such as Bear and Sprague lakes. Entrance fee for the park varies on what vehicle you are in, so refer to the website www.nps.gov. Also, if you plan to visit the park in a few days purchase the week long pass and get the most out of it as you can. Read Less

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Holzwarth Historic Site

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Driving along the lower, Kawuneeche Valley, we past several trailheads, before we stumbled upon one which held bathrooms, which we were searching for. Across the parking lot was a small log cabin facing across the valley. On the porch sat a ranger who informed us that a short hike would take us to the Holzwarth Historic District. So we figured, why not check it out? Headed from the log cabin, you head into marshy area, which signs say is a moose favorite. Typically in the late afternoon you can spot one drinking from the river, if you’re lucky. Proceeding along the flat graveled path, you are lead into the cent of the valley, where you are completely encompassed by the Rockies. Just a little further d...Read More

Driving along the lower, Kawuneeche Valley, we past several trailheads, before we stumbled upon one which held bathrooms, which we were searching for. Across the parking lot was a small log cabin facing across the valley. On the porch sat a ranger who informed us that a short hike would take us to the Holzwarth Historic District. So we figured, why not check it out? Headed from the log cabin, you head into marshy area, which signs say is a moose favorite. Typically in the late afternoon you can spot one drinking from the river, if you’re lucky. Proceeding along the flat graveled path, you are lead into the cent of the valley, where you are completely encompassed by the Rockies. Just a little further down the trail you find what seems like a mere stream, but it actually is the headwaters of the Colorado River, infamous for its carving of Bryce, Zion, and of course, Grand Canyon National parks down stream. Right now, however, it’s calm enough to wade across. Finally, after a short walk, half a mile at the most, you reach the historic district, which is composed of several log cabins. Obviously the largest and the one right up front is Mama’s Cabin. As we approached it, another ranger asked if we would like a tour. We agreed and were lead through the cabin, being informed of the history of the cabin and its owners, simply known as Ma and Pa. This small village was created before the formation of the park, and was a main draw for tourists in late 1800s. The tourist pull to this hunting village may have been enough for the region to be noticed by the National Parks Service, resulting in its formation. After the tour, take time to explore the other cabins, each open to the public, some still in tact with actual artifacts, exactly the way they were 100 plus years ago. There are also actors, such as Blacksmiths and Seamstresses recreating the scene, and it is all done very well. In a much quieter part of the park, this area goes unnoticed by the typical passerby, but is an interesting diversion. This is one of the few places in the park that really gives you a history of the park, with examples and real-life visuals to enhance the experience. With a short, but beautiful walk, this is a great diversion that doesn’t consume a whole day but is worth the trip. Read Less

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 1, 2007

Holzwarth Historic Site

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

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Alberta Falls

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Situated in a prime location within Rocky Mountain National Park, Alberta Falls is the perfect, convenient hike for any traveler to the park, especially families. Right near the popular Bear Lake, you two choices for parking a car; the Bear Lake trailhead or Glacier Gorge trailhead. Expect a mile roundtrip from the Bear Lake trailhead, slightly less from Glacier Gorge. I parked in the Glacier Gorge parking lot and headed off. The trail promptly follows a wide stone gravel pass and briskly crosses a roaring river and then parallels the river for a quarter mile. Bear left at the fork and follow the path. From here, the trail becomes much more interesting. Only a quarter-mile from the fork is my favorite...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 2, 2007

Alberta Falls

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

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Tundra Communities Trailhead

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Attraction

The Rocks Photo - Tundra Communities Trailhead, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

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Located along one of the highest points along Trail Ridge Road, the Tundra Communities trail is a short, informative and beautiful hike all in one. At the bottom of the trail, you’ll find a bathroom, the primary reason why most people stop here. Unfortunately, they hurriedly brush on and don’t take the time to explore the trail. A wide graveled path takes you from the parking lot up a short incline before leveling off. All along this short, half mile hike are boards explaining the complex alpine tundra and constantly telling you to stay on the trail. I can’t begin to say how many times a read the sign saying “Your foot-prints can damage the tundra for up to five years,” but upon reading up it becomes ...Read More

Located along one of the highest points along Trail Ridge Road, the Tundra Communities trail is a short, informative and beautiful hike all in one. At the bottom of the trail, you’ll find a bathroom, the primary reason why most people stop here. Unfortunately, they hurriedly brush on and don’t take the time to explore the trail. A wide graveled path takes you from the parking lot up a short incline before leveling off. All along this short, half mile hike are boards explaining the complex alpine tundra and constantly telling you to stay on the trail. I can’t begin to say how many times a read the sign saying “Your foot-prints can damage the tundra for up to five years,” but upon reading up it becomes evident why. Although seemingly barren, the ecosystem at 12,000+ feet is very complex. The plants, rising only an inch above the ground do so in order to protect themselves from the high winds and as a result, grow up to five feet into the ground instead. The process of plant’s formation takes approximately five years, and when you simply place your foot on them, the plant dies, the soil is exposed, and the plant may never fertilize there again. Pressing on, the path follows on up the path until you reach two massive boulders. Cautiously climb up them to find one of the most spectacular views in the park. There are no trees to block your views, so every where you look, as far as they eyes can see, the magnificent Rocky Mountains. On top on of the boulders is a unique hidden gem, a massive compass. Although not a compass, it’s a large iron disk bolted on like a mini-table, pointing to locations around the world. For example, it points in one direction say the Statue of Liberty is … miles away. Or so many miles to the Sydney Opera house. An amusing little find all adding to the experience. I hiked this trail at noon on a Sunday of a beautiful day in August. This means that the park should be at its full capacity, and was probably the worst time to be there, by means of dealing with the crowds. However, there were very few people on the trail and most of all it was isolated and peaceful. From here, there is a perfect 360 degree view of the mountains, completely unobstructed by trees, the hum of a car engine but most of all people. Only a half a mile, informative, and easy hike with such proximity to the Trail Ridge Road, this is a hike that should not be missed by anyone traveling to the park. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 2, 2007

Tundra Communities Trailhead

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

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Estes Park: A Tourist Town

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Honestly, all “gateways” to National Parks are the same. The gateway, or the town, situated at the entrance is always bustling with tourists, streaming through the shops, buying souvenirs, polishing off ice cream, and enjoying all the luxuries that are either overpriced or not available in the park. In Rocky Mountain’s case, that town is Estes Park. The fact that the streets are packed with about 99% tourists and 1% locals isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Sure, the sidewalks are crowed with people trying to eat their hot fudge sundaes or snapping pictures of a hummingbird, and the road is filled with speeding cars driving precariously close to the pedestrians, but all you have to do is look up and see ...Read More

Honestly, all “gateways” to National Parks are the same. The gateway, or the town, situated at the entrance is always bustling with tourists, streaming through the shops, buying souvenirs, polishing off ice cream, and enjoying all the luxuries that are either overpriced or not available in the park. In Rocky Mountain’s case, that town is Estes Park. The fact that the streets are packed with about 99% tourists and 1% locals isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Sure, the sidewalks are crowed with people trying to eat their hot fudge sundaes or snapping pictures of a hummingbird, and the road is filled with speeding cars driving precariously close to the pedestrians, but all you have to do is look up and see the proud faces of the Rocky Mountains. The first thing you need to know about downtown Estes Park is to get off Main Street, that is where the best shops are. Do some window shopping quickly and drop back to the green, an open grass area right along the center of town. Drive behind this and park your car around here. It seems impossible to find a spot in Estes Park, but back here, although a farther walk, you are much more likely to find a spot. There were a few spots in Estes Park that I found to be very secluded and very nice within the bustling town. The first was the trout pond. Near the green, look for a large brown building with a sign hanging saying “TROUT POND”. Upon entering the plaza, you’ll find a bunch of small stores and a courtyard with an atrium in the middle. There are a few restaurants in here and it is very quiet and secluded. I went there at 3pm, just after everyone was leaving the park, and we had the building practically to ourselves. It was a much more relaxed atmosphere to sit down and eat than along main street. Another interesting sight in Estes Park is the Stanley Hotel. This was the setting for Steven King’s movie “The Shining” although filming did not actually take place here. The basis of the movie is a family that gets snowed in at this hotel, high on a mountain in Colorado. The only thing relevant between this and the movie however, is that it is in Colorado. On the other side of main street, you’re sure to find a raging river running parallel with the road. Many restaurants face the river, and many beautiful plazas line it. The best of these plazas is located behind the Subway restaurant. With more stores and shops to pick from and more space with plenty of picnic tables and benches, this plaza offers a little breathing room. I highly recommend this as a place to take a break from shopping since it is just off Main Street but offers a view of something other than cars and people. My favorite find in Estes Park was a short hike to an old building. We parked near the main green, and right nearby was a small field with a rock cliff behind it. An overhang over the field said this was a popular elk destination, and eager to spot some, we followed the path. The path wound around the cliff before returning to the top of it, perched above the field and Estes Park. A stone building, which evidently burned many years ago, still holds it structural support, but now merely looks out over the town. This is by far the best way to take it in. Directly below you is the hustle of the city and above them is the skyscraping Rockies. Estes Park may seem like a turn-off at first, but you really just need to find the quiet spots which truly make the town more interesting. By simply heading away from the main road you can find many diversions, such as the rock cliff, trout pond, or a beautiful plaza in front of a river. But no matter how you look at it, Estes Park is always the same, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. And if you ever feel in doubt, just look up, and take in the beauty that is the Colorado Rockies. Read Less

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