Rocky Mountain National Park Trip Planner 2011 Volume 14, GUIDE Number 1 A PARK HIGH AND WILD ncompassing 415 square miles of Erock‐ribbed wildness, Rocky Mountain National Park is a land of superlatives. Here, more than 110 of the peaks that soar above 10,000 feet elevation have names, such as Cirrus, Chiefs Head, Isolation, Little Matterhorn, Mummy and Storm. A few high points remain name‐ less, perhaps awaiting their turn. Seventy‐two mountains exceed 12,000 feet, topping off at 14,259 feet on the expansive summit of Longs Peak. The mountains provide Rocky Mountain National Park with its sense of wonder and inspiration. These great peaks con‐ tribute mightily to the “wild, fantastic views” that thrilled noted British visitor Isabella Bird more than a century ago. Today, Rocky Mountain’s sky‐scrap‐ ing summits overlook cities and towns experiencing surging population growth. Rocky Mountain National Park is a hiker’s paradise with access to stunning scenery and amazing wildlife viewing. (Lisa Thompson) Each year, approximately three million people visit the park, many driving its Stands of ponderosa pine, People, too, are a part of the Rocky valley floors. The park is a wild roads and hiking a trail system that if Douglas‐fir, lodgepole pine, aspen, Mountain National Park wilderness. preserve where people – in their own linked together would extend from subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce Hikers walk trails used by Indian special ways – experience nature in all Denver almost to Santa Fe. Despite the adorn the mountainsides. The forests hunting parties many centuries ago. its splendor. Rocky Mountain is a place changes around and within, Rocky are interspersed with mountain mead‐ Fishermen stalk trout in streams where where families enjoy short strolls down Mountain National Park is a bastion of ows that fill with colorful wildflowers trappers once sought beaver. The failed a hiking trail and picnics at the water’s preservation. And there’s more to this during the brief high country summer. efforts of prospectors are remembered edge. It’s also a park where daring park than mountains. This magnificent mountain country at Lulu City, an abandoned mining mountaineers pit their skills against More than 100 square miles of the is roamed by an amazing array of town on the park’s west side. The vertical cliffs of granite. park are alpine tundra, a land above the wildlife. Rocky Mountain ranks as one Moraine Park Visitor Center and the This high, wild national park offers trees. Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River of America’s premier wildlife watching Holzwarth Historic Site recall the early abundant outdoor opportunities. And Road offer easy summer access to this destinations, showcasing majestic elk, days of tourism. those “wild, fantastic views” are out wide‐open, windswept ecosystem where sure‐footed bighorn sheep, hardy But nature reigns supreme here, there, awaiting discovery. n the startling views seem to span forever. ptarmigan and soaring birds of prey. from the highest summits to the lowest The Continental Divide runs north‐ west to southeast through the park on its Planning, Preparation Essential For Park Visits course from Alaska. Snowmelt and rain‐ water to the west of the Great Divide o matter what the season, visits to the stunning including those recommended in the book icons appearing flow toward the Pacific Ocean; runoff to Nwilderness of Rocky Mountain National Park require on some of the following pages – are particularly helpful in the east is bound for the distant Gulf of planning and preparation. A few tips: preparing for a trip to the park. Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. ð Most visitors arrive during the summer months. Expect ð Upon arrival, stop by a park visitor center for current Rocky Mountain also is home to lots of company on roads, along popular trails and in information on everything from road and weather condi‐ lakes, about 150 of them. Some occupy parking areas, especially between Memorial Day and Labor tions to hiking trails, camping and ranger‐led programs. serene forested settings. Others are Day, when camping reservations inside the park and ð For further information, visit the park’s official website at perched on almost inaccessible shelves lodging reservations outside the park are imperative. nps.gov/romo or call the Rocky Mountain National Park high in the park’s wilderness, remaining ð Don’t push your physical limits in this region located Information Office (970‐586‐1206). n frozen most of the year. above 8,000 feet. Altitude sickness symptoms include short‐ Throughout Rocky Mountain ness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat National Park, the unforgettable sound of and insomnia. If symptoms persist, go to lower elevations. rushing mountain waters breaks the ð Beware of falling trees. Increasing numbers of dead trees wilderness silence. The high country creates an ever‐present hazard for park visitors. Trees can INSIDE gives rise to small streams and great fall without warning, especially on windy days or after a Park Map 2 Popular Hikes 7 rivers, notably the Colorado, the Cache la snowstorm, when branches are laden with snow. Poudre and the Big Thompson. ð Staying well‐hydrated is very important while visiting Answer Page 3 Wildlife 8 Several of the park’s more than 450 the park, but there is limited drinking water available. Suggested Activities 4 Quiet Times 9 miles of streams tumble down water‐ Please bring your own reusable water containers and refill Scenic Drives 5 Park’s West Side 9 falls that bear such names as Alberta, them at park visitor centers. Hiking & Climbing 6 Bookstore 10-11 Ouzel, Timberline and Thunder. ð Order trip planning materials from pages 10 and 11 of this publication. Products featured in the 2011 Guide – Longs Peak 6 Calendar 12 Park Map WYOMING NEBRASKA NEBRASKA 25 76 ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Denver 70 70 25 KANSAS UTAH Lulu City Fall River Pass Site Gore Range Chapin Creek Trailhead Alpine OKLAHOMA Overlook NEW MEXICO Visitor (Closed in winter) Center O ld (one-way up only)Fa Poudre Lake ll Riv Tundra er Road Lumpy Ridge Milner Pass Communities Lawn Lake Trailhead Alluvial Fan Fall River Endovalley Trailhead Rock Cut Entrance Station Lumpy Ridge C Rainbow Curve Trailhead Colorado River Trailhead O Timber Lake Trailhead N Forest Canyon Aspenglen Fall River T f Farview IN Overlook 34 Campground Visitor Center E Curve N oad Deer Mtn. T R 34 A T MacGregor Ave. L ra e Many Parks Trailhead il Ridg 34 TO LOVELAND Timber Creek D Hidden Valley f IV (Closed in winter) Curve AND I-25 Campground IDE 36 Upper Beaver Beaver Meadows ESTES Entrance Station PARK 36 TO LYONS, Holzwarth Historic Site Meadows Trailhead f BOULDER AND DENVER K Moraine Park Campground f Beaver Meadows A Hermit Park W Bowen-Baker Trailhead Moraine Visitor Center Open Space Fern Lake Park U Cub Lake Trailhead Visitor Center NE Trailhead Coyote Valley Trailhead 7 Bierstadt Lake TrailheadHollowell Park E T r C a Park & Ride d H i l a R o E Glacier Basin Campground id R f g e e ak L V R ear Sprague A o Onahu Trailhead B L a Bear Lake Lake L d E Lily Lake Green Mountain Trailhead Bear Lake Y Trailhead Glacier Gorge Twin Sisters Trailhead Trailhead 34 Longs Peak f Trailhead & Campground Grand Lake Entrance Station Kawuneeche Visitor Center 7 Tonahutu/North Inlet Trailheads Longs Peak East Shore Trailhead GRAND LAKE GRAND LAKE East Inlet Trailhead Meeker Park Sandbeach Lake Trailhead SHADOW MTN. Wild Basin Entrance Station LAKE Wild Basin Olive Ridge Trailhead Finch Lake f Campground (USFS) f Trailhead 34 Green Ridge Campground (USFS) Allenspark TO GRANBY AND I-70 TO BLACK HAWK AND I-70, & Lyons, Boulder and Denver Bear Lake Road & Hiker Shuttle Services The Bear Lake Road corridor is served by two shuttle routes: Bear Lake Route Moraine Park Route The shuttle is free to park visitors. Rocky Mountain National Park and the Town of Estes Park operate a Hiker Shuttle connecting the town’s visitor center, the park’s Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and the Park & Ride shuttle bus parking area on Bear Lake Road. The shuttle is free, but a park pass (available in automated fee machines at the Estes Park and Beaver Meadows visitor centers) is required. Please call 970‐586‐1206 or visit nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/shuttle_bus_route.htm for the 2011 shuttle schedules. 2011 Shuttle Bus Operations Bear Lake Shuttle Routes Hiker Shuttle (Bear Lake and Moraine Park) (express route between Estes Park Visitor Center – Beaver Meadows VC – Park & Ride) May 28, 29 and 30 June 25 – September 5 daily service June 4 and 5 Then weekends only through October 2 June 11 – October 2 daily service Trail Ridge Road Tours: TBD 2 See pages 10-11 for trip planning publications Answer Page WEATHER Food & Water 2011 CAMPGROUND INFORMATION Rocky Mountain National Park In summer, the only place to pur‐ ASPENGLEN weather always is changeable, some‐ chase food and beverages in the park Campsites available May 25‐Sept. 25. Reservations recommended times extreme. Temperatures drop and is the Trail Ridge Store, adjacent to the (call 877‐444‐6777 or visit recreation.gov). Camping fee $20 a night. precipitation increases as elevation is Alpine Visitor Center. When shuttle Located in a pine forest near Fall River. gained, so be prepared for chilly condi‐ buses are operating, bottled water is tions – especially at higher altitudes – GLACIER BASIN sold at the Park & Ride. The park year‐round. Bring appropriate Campsites available May 25‐Sept. 11. The A and B loops are first‐come, first‐served. encourages limiting the use of plastic footwear and clothing for each season, Reservations recommended for the C, D and group loops (call 877‐444‐6777 or visit water bottles by refilling reusable including rainwear for summer storms recreation.gov).