Kooky JwcMMttain NATIONAL PARK . . . GcUcvuida UNITED STATES Historic Events DEPARTMENT OF THE 1820 Maj. Stephen H. Long, commanding ROCKY an exploring party sent out by Presi­ INTERIOR dent Madison in 181°, first sighted- Harold L. Ickes, Secretary Longs Peak. MOUNTAIN 1843 Rufus B. Sage, another explorer, visited the area. NATIONAL PARK

1859 Joel Estes, the first white settler, en­ COLORADO 19 41 tered park, building first cabin a year later. OPEN ALL YEAR 1868 First ascent of Longs Peak by NATIONAL PARK SERVICE William N. Byers, Maj. J. W. Powell, and five other men. Rocky Mountain Newton B. Drury, Director NOTCHTOP MOUNTAIN Jim, adventurer and frontiersman, FROM OUTLET OF ODESSA LAKE. C Oj\TEiV\rS settled in area. 1869 Earl of Dunravcn, famous English OCKY MOUNTAIN National stalwart beauty, there is no mountain Fern Lake with Flattop and sportsman, first visited this area. Park includes within its boun­ group to excel the company of snow­ Little Matterhorn in the 1871-73 The Hayden Geographical Survey, R daries 405 square miles, or capped veterans of all the ages which distance Cover under Dr. E. V. Hayden, worked 259,416 acres, of the Front Range of the stands at everlasting parade behind its Land of Lofty Mountains . 3 here. First pictures this section of Rockies in north-central Colorado, grim, helmeted captain, Longs Peak. Rockies taken by pioneer photogra­ about 68 miles northwest of Denver. It Romantic Lakes 5 pher, W. H. Jackson. There is probably no other scenic was established by act of Congress on neighborhood of the first order which Fauna and Flora 5 1874 First stage between Longmont and January 26, 1915, and its boundaries combines mountain outline so bold with Estes Park established. Albert Bier- were adjusted by acts approved Febru­ Evidence of Glacial Action . 7 stadt, famous artist, first visited a quality of beauty so intimate and re­ ary 14, 1917; June 9, 1926; and June Automobile Trips .... 7 region. fined. To live in the valley in the ever- 21, 1930. The eastern gateway is the changing presence of these carved and 1875 Abner Sprague, northern Colorado village of Estes Park, from which easy Trail Trips 10 pioneer, settled in Moraine Park. tinted peaks is in itself satisfaction. and comfortable access is had to the This national park reaches lofty Fishing 12 1878 First hotel built by Earl of Dunravcn. noblest heights and the most picturesque heights. The summer visitors who live recesses of the mountains. Winter Sports 12 1888 Enos A. Mills, pioneer of nature- at the base of the great mountains guiding idea, settled at cast base of Rocky Mountain National Park is are 8,000 feet above sea level, while the Administration and Longs Peak. one of the most accessible of our west­ mountains themselves tower precipitous­ Park Season 12 1907-09 Automobile stage lines established ern national parks, being comparatively ly a mile or more above the base level. Estes Park to Loveland and Lyons. close to large centers of population in Naturalist Service .... 12 Longs Peak, the highest of them all, 1915 Rocky Mountain National Park estab­ the East and Middle West. rises 14,255 feet above sea level, and Free Public Campgrounds . 13 lished. LAND OF LOFTY MOUNTAINS most of the other mountains in the park are more than 12,000 feet high. Accommodations and 1920 Fall River Road over Continental For many years the Front Range Divide completed. of the Rockies has been the mecca of Sixty-five named mountains within the Expenses 14 the mountain lovers of this country. park reach altitudes of over 10,000 feet. 1927 Bear Lake Road completed. How to Reach the Park . . 14 The name conjures up ideas of Amer­ Over 14,000 feet 1 1932 Trail Ridge Road opened. ican mountain grandeur. In nobility, Between 13,000 and 14,000 feet... 14 Trail Trips 15 in calm dignity, in the sheer glory of Between 12,000 and 13,000 feet 27

2 Rocky Mountain National Par/{ * Colorado Rocky Mountain National Par\ * Colorado 3 peaks, magnificent canyons penetrate plunging downward again until solid the precipices of the Divide, and beauti­ footing is reached. Bands are frequent­ ful streams rush down the mountain ly seen at Sheep Lake, especially late in slopes to the river. the season. Throughout the summer ROMANTIC LAKES they may be glimpsed working about Grand Lake, at the southwestern en­ among the volcanic rocks of Specimen trance to the park, is the deepest lake Mountain. After several years of de­ in this region and one of the largest cline these magnificent animals now in Colorado. The North and East In­ appear to be holding their own. lets are the two principal rivers en­ The beaver, whose dams and other tering Grand Lake. Each flows from works are found along almost every cirques under the Continental Divide. drainage in the park, are easily seen Lakes Nokoni and Nanita, among the in the early evening hours by the pa­ most romantic of the park, are reach­ tient observer. Elk and deer, which ed from a trail connecting with both are rather numerous, are often observ­ sides of the park by the Flattop Trail. ed. Coyotes and black bears are pres­ Lake Verna and her unnamed sisters ent in limited numbers, while moun­ are the sources of the East Inlet and tain lions and bobcats are rare and are reached by trail. infrequently seen because of their wary Gregg Photo. nature. LOOKING TOWARD BLACK CANYON FROM ESTES PARK. FAUNA AND FLORA The national park is a sanctuary for The more common small mammals wildlife. Animals and birds are pro­ are chipmunks and Say's ground squir­ Between 11,000 and 12,000 feet ....13 In the northeast corner lies a spur tected from hunting. Living trees may rels which abound at every parking Between 10,000 and 11,000 feet.... 10 from the Continental Divide, the Mum­ not be cut or injured. Flowers may area; Wyoming ground squirrels, or The valleys on both sides of the my Range, a tumbled majestic moun­ not be picked. The cooperation of visi­ picket pins; marmots, or woodchucks; Front Range and those which pene­ tain mass which includes some of the tors is requested, in order that the wild­ the Fremont squirrel, or chickaree; and trate into its recesses are dotted with loftiest peaks and one of the finest life of the park may be protected, that the cony, a noisy, busy rodent of the parklike glades clothed in a profusion glaciers. the flowers may continue in their pres­ rocky high slopes. of colorful wild flowers and watered In Wild Basin, to the south of Longs ent abundance, and that the forests of BIRDS.—The most common species in with streams from the mountain snows Peak, the country grows even wilder. the park may not suffer injury from fire the lower altitudes of the park are the and glaciers. Forests of evergreens and The range is a succession of noble snow- or other cause. western robin and the beautiful moun­ silver-stemmed aspen separate them. covered peaks. MAMMALS.—The park is the natural tain bluebird. The mountain chickadee The range lies, roughly speaking, The west side, gentler in its slopes home of the famous Rocky Mountain and the grayheaded junco are abundant north and south. On the east side the and less majestic in its mountain mass- bighorn or mountain sheep. This at middle elevations. Above timber line descent from the Continental Divide ings, is a region of loveliness and wild- animal is much larger than the domes­ the pipit and the brown-capped leu- is precipitous in the extreme. Sheer ness diversified by splendid mountains, tic sheep, and is remarkably powerful costicte, or rosy finch, are plentiful. The drops of two or three thousand feet into innumerable streams, and lakes of great and agile, surpassing the celebrated hermit thrush and the Townsend soli­ rock-bound gorges carpeted with snow charm. The Continental Divide, bent Swiss chamois in size, grace, and hand­ taire, among the finest songbirds in the patches and wild flowers are common. from the north and called the "Never someness. The bighorn is capable of world, are both fairly common in suit­ Seen from the east-side valleys this Summer Mountains," rises from the descending seemingly impassable slopes, able localities. Other songsters include range rises in daring relief, craggy in western side of the Colorado River. On breaking the fall from ledge to ledge the purple finch, ruby-crowned kinglet, outline, snow spattered, awe inspiring. every side the mountains lift bald by landing lightly on all fours, and western meadowlark, and the rock and

4 Rocky Mountain National Park * Colorado Rocky Mountain National Park * Colorado 5 prevailing tree of middle elevations; grand circuit of Colorado's beauties that and the ponderosa pine, a large, spread­ offers one of the most attractive and ing tree with reddish-brown trunk, impressive of the scenic automobile occurring in open stands in the lower trips of our continent. elevations. Limber pine is frequent in The trip starts from Denver, crosses high rocky places, assuming picturesque the Continental Divide at Milner Pass forms at timber line, and Douglas fir, in Rocky Mountain National Park, or false hemlock, is widely distributed reaches Grand Lake, crosses the Con­ at lower elevations. Colorado blue tinental Divide again at Berthoud Pass, spruce shows conspicuously along moist traverses the Denver Mountain Parks, stream banks at the eastern edge of and returns to Denver, having com­ the park. Rocky Mountain red cedar pleted without any duplication 240 is present along the eastern slopes. In miles of comfortable travel through addition to the coniferous trees, there magnificent country. are three species of poplar, the most The Trail Ridge Road is the highest abundant and colorful of which is the continuous automobile road in Amer­ aspen. ica. Its 4-mile section, over 12,000 feet EVIDENCE OF GLACIAL ACTION in altitude, is probably the longest One of the remarkable features of stretch of continuous highway ever Rocky Mountain National Park is the built at such a height. The trip to legibility of the record left by the Grand Lake on this road is an experi­ ence never to be forgotten. The road glaciers during the ages when America ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK FAWN. climbs to the very crest of the range was in the making. The evidences of and then follows the ridge. glacial action, in all their variety, make To the south an unexcelled panorama canyon wrens. The graceful violet- for the brilliance of certain species themselves apparent to even the most of the most rugged portion of the Front green swallow is abundant, and the found in moist glades of the subalpine casual eye. Range is spread out, while to the north, crested jay, magpie, and nutcracker are zone. Striking examples of the latter There are several remnants of these the view is dominated by the majestic conspicuous for their handsome appear­ are the tall blue larkspur and monks­ mighty ice masses which can be seen hood of many vivid hues, and the Mummy Range. Over a 350-foot cliff ance and vigorous flight. Among the at the present time. Three of the larg­ curiously formed little red elephant. one may look into fascinating Iceberg birds possessed of curious and unusual est ice fields, Andrews, Rowe, and Tyn- Lake, a rock-bound crystal pool on habits are the broadtailed humming­ Conspicuous and characteristic flow­ dall Glaciers, are visited by many peo­ which float blocks of ice. Just beyond bird, water ouzel, camp robber, nut­ ers of the lower altitudes are the mari- ple each year, while the smaller glaciers, the lake the highest point on the route hatch, nighthawk, red-shafted flicker, posa lily, iris, wallflower, gaillardia, such as Taylor and Spragues, are also —12,183 feet above sea level—is reach­ and the ptarmigan. Birds of prey seen and numerous species of cinquefoil, interesting. One enormous moraine ed; the road then descends to Fall during the summer include the golden pentstemon, and evening primrose. built up by an ancient glacier and ris­ River Pass, with its commanding view eagle, red-tailed hawk, sparrow hawk, Among the less common groups, sev­ ing with sloping sides nearly a thou­ of streams, valleys, forested slopes, and duck hawk, and Cooper's hawk. eral delicate species of orchid, pyrola, sand feet above the valley is so promi­ mountains which no longer tower above FLOWERS.—This park is especially no­ violet, and anemone will delight the nent that Moraine Park is named for it. but are now close at hand. Southwest table for the presence of the blue colum­ botanist. AUTOMOBILE TRIPS of Fall River Pass, the highway drops bine and many beautiful flowers of the TREES.—The principal trees are: The Trail Ridge Road, which crosses to Milner Pass, where it crosses the gentian and primrose families, for the Engelmann spruce and alpine fir, which the Continental Divide in Rocky Moun­ Continental Divide and continues to profusion of dwarf alpine plants on form extensive primeval forests in the tain National Park, forms part of a Grand Lake. the meadows above timber line, and subalpine region; lodgepole pine, the Rocky Mountain National Park * Colorado 6 Rocky Mountain National Park * Colorado 7 MAP OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK FOREST CANYON FROM LOFTY TRAIL RIDGE ROAD.

A 7.6 mile road from Thompson Riv­ Mountain National Park. Visitors er Entrance, southwest of Estes Park, should travel at least a few of the leads to Bear Lake, in the center of trails into the glacial carved gorges and an amphitheater of peaks between canyons and to the myriad lakes there­ which lie steep-walled gorges dotted in. While most of the trails can be with glacial lakes. traveled on horseback, there are a few The old Fall River Road, first trans­ in the more remote regions that are continental divide highway in the park, traversable only on foot. Trips by trail is open for "up" travel only, affording into Loch Vale, Glacier Gorge, Wild a loop trip from Estes Park via Horse­ Basin and to Fern, Odessa, Lawn, shoe and Chasm Falls to Fall River Dream, Haiyaha, and Chasm Lakes of­ Pass, thence back over Trail Ridge fer sights of unusual beauty. For the Road. seasoned trail traveler, trips to Black Short secondary roads reach Wild Lake, Sky Pond, Flattop Mountain, and Basin ranger station and Longs Peak Halletts Peak are recommended. Such campground from State Highway 7, strenuous trips and climbs as the ascent the South St. Vrain Road. of Longs Peak, McHenry Peak, or TRAIL TRIPS Rowe Glacier, or jaunts to remote areas

The trails offer by far the richest should be attempted only by those who Kinchart Photo. are thoroughly experienced. opportunities to see and explore Rocky TROUT FISHING IN THOMPSON RIVER.

10 Roc\y Mountain National Park * Colorado Rocky Mountain National Park * Colorado 11 At Estes Park Village and the small­ ADMINISTRATION AND PARK er settlements nearby, and at Grand SEASON Lake, horses and camping supplies may Rocky Mountain National Park is ad­ he rented. Many of the hotels rent ministered by the National Park Serv­ saddle horses. There are a number of ice, under the immediate supervision competent guides in the vicinity who of the superintendent, whose address is will arrange special trips on foot or by Estes Park, Colo. saddle horse. A list of authorized The post office for the park and guides may be obtained at the chief many hotels and resorts on the east side ranger's office. is Estes Park, Colo. There are post FISHING offices at Aliens Park and Association Fishing is permitted in all streams Camp, but letters addressed to Estes and lakes of the park except as closed Park will be forwarded. The west side by order of the superintendent. In­ post office is at Grand Lake, Colo. formation regarding closed areas may From June 15 to September 20 hotels be obtained at any ranger station. All are open, and daily transportation serv­ of the lower streams and lakes, and ice through the park is available. The many of the lakes in the higher alti­ roads to Estes Park by way of Lyons tudes, are well stocked with trout. The and Big Thompson Canyon remain State of Colorado stocks the park wat­ open throughout the year, and the vil­ ers and a Colorado State license is re­ lage has daily transportation and mail quired for persons over 14 years of service. Some of the hotels in the vil­ GRAND LAKE HIGHEST YACHT ANCHORAGE IN THE WEST. age. This may be purchased in the lage are open all year,- and the national villages of Grand Lake and Estes Park. park is never closed to visitors. Fishing tackle can be purchased or rent­ attention is shown children through FREE PUBLIC CAMPGROUNDS ed from several stores in the village The Trail Ridge Road remains open junior nature school, nature scout, and The National Park Service main­ of Estes Park. to travel until the first heavy snowfall. girl naturalist programs. Illustrated tains six free public campgrounds: This usually occurs in October, and talks and campfire programs are pre­ WINTER SPORTS Glacier Basin Campground, on Bear the road is not passable again before sented at outdoor amphitheatres, camp­ Rocky Mountain National Park of­ Lake Road, 7 miles from Estes Park. June. Lower roads have a longer sea­ grounds, and lodges in the park. fers unusual advantages for winter Aspenglen Campground, on the Fall son, and even in mid-winter one may A natural history museum, with sports. Hotel accommodations are River Road, 5 miles from Estes Park. usually go by automobile for 12 to 14 available throughout the year at the wildlife exhibits, is located near park miles beyond Estes Park Village before Endovalley Campground, on Fall villages of Estes Park and Grand Lake, headquarters at Estes Park Village. finding the roads closed by snow. River Road, 9 miles from Estes Park. which are readily accessible by auto­ Exhibits at Fall River Pass present Longs Peak Campground, at the be­ mobile, and roads are kept open to the NATURALIST SERVICE geologic and alpine wildlife stories. The ginning of the east Longs Peak Trail high country where the heavy snowfall Naturalist services, conducted on principal museum is in Moraine Park near Longs Peak post office. affords excellent skiing on both open regular schedules from early June until where Indian, historic, biologic, and Timber Creek Campground, on slopes and forest trails. Slopes suitable mid-September, include field trips of a geologic displays are housed. Trail Ridge Road, about 10 miles for tobogganing and ashcan lid slides few hours to a day in length, nature Complete schedules of naturalist north of Grand Lake Entrance. are accessible- from the eastern entrance. study walks, game stalking parties, auto activities are posted weekly at hotels, Skijoring may be enjoyed at Grand caravans, moonlight and campfire lodges, cabin camps, and public camp­ Wild Basin Campground, 15 miles Lake, and skating is available upon hikes, daily glacier talks at the Moraine grounds. Copies may be obtained at south of Estes Park on North St. Vrain some of the small lakes and ponds. Museum, and other activities. Special all park museums. Creek at the park boundary.

12 Rocky Mountain National Par\ * Colorado Rocky Mountain National Rar\ * Colorado 13 Motorists and others who bring trail­ out bath, $2.25, and double room, with Greeley, Fort Collins, Loveland, Long­ in the park are conducted by the com­ ers or camping equipment will find twin beds, $3.50 per room, European mont, Boulder, and Granby from June pany, operating under a franchise from these campgrounds attractive places in plan. Single meals are: breakfast, $1; 15 to September 20. Bus service to the Secretary of the Interior. Touring which to enjoy life in the open. Both luncheon, $1.25; and dinner, $1.50. car service is available at established Denver, however, is not discontinued wood and water are readily available. BRINWOOD HOTEL, at the head of rates. Schedules and rates for all serv­ until September 30. All-expense tours, One person or party may not camp in Moraine Park, provides room and meals ices are available at the Rocky Moun­ covering loop trips from Denver to the park more than 30 days in one at $3.65 to $6.50 a day and $22 to $42 tain Motor Co. headquarters in Denver, season. a week. Estes Park, over the Trail Ridge High­ which can be reached by mail by ad­ ACCOMMODATIONS AND CAMP WOODS, at the junction of Bear way and return via Granby, are offered dressing queries to that company at EXPENSES Lake and Moraine Park Roads, has during the summer. Special trips with­ 1730 Glenarm Place, Denver, Colo. The hotel and lodge operations in housekeeping cottages fiom $2.50 a day the park, listed below, are conducted or $14 a week for 2 persons to $6 a with private capital under franchise day or $35 a week for 6 persons. TRAIL TRIPS (HIKERS AND HORSEBACK) from the Secretary of the Interior. This SPRAGUE'S LODGE, in the Glacier Bas­ booklet is issued once a year, AND THE in, offers American plan rates of $4 to Starting Point Points of Interest RATES MENTIONED HEREIN MAY HAVE $7 a day and $24.50 to $45 a week. CHANGED SLIGHTLY SINCE ISSUANCE, but There are numerous hotels, lodges, Bear Lake Lake Haiyaha—Dream Lake—Emerald Lake—Flattop the latest rates approved by the Secre­ and camps located on private lands in Mountain—Tyndall Glacier—Bierstadt Lake—Odessa tary are on file with the superintendent. or adjacent to the park. Information Lake—Mill Creek. BEAR LAKE LODGE offers accommo­ concerning these establishments, which Glacier Gorge Junction Lake Mills—Jewell Lake—Black Lake—North Longs dations on the American plan from are not under the control of the Na­ Bear Lake Road Peak Trail—The Loch—Lake of Glass—Sky Pond— $3.50 each person per day, $22 per tional Park Service, may be obtained by Andrews Glacier—Storm Pass. week, in tents, to $6.50 per day, $41 directing inquiries to the Chamber of per week, in cottage rooms with Commerce, Estes Park, or the Grand Moraine Park Fern Lake—Spruce Lake—Cub Lake—Deer Ridge. private bath. Twin beds are $2 per Lake Commercial Club, Grand Lake, Horseshoe Park Lawn Lake — Crystal Lake — Rowe Glacier — Ypsilon week extra for double occupancy or Colo. (Fall River Valley) Lake—Deer Mountain—"Thousand Falls"—Horse­ $36 per person. Breakfast, a la carte; HOW TO REACH THE PARK shoe Falls. luncheon, 75c to $1; dinner, $1 to The Grand Lake Entrance on the $1.50. Longs Peak District Chasm Lake—Boulderfield—Longs Peak—Storm Pass— west side of the park is reached from Twin Sisters—Eugenia Mine. FERN LODGE, on Fern Lake, has cabin Granby on U. S. Highway 34, which accommodations, without bath, Amer­ also leads to the park from the east Wild Basin Finch Lake—Pear Lake—Calypso Cascades—Ouzel ican plan only, at the same rates charg­ through Loveland and Estes Park. Falls—Chicadee Lake—Ouzel Lake—Bluebird Lake— ed at Bear Lake Lodge. State Highways 7 and 66 approach the Thunder Lake—Sandbeach Lake. FOREST INN. at "The Pool" on Fern park from Lyons and Longmont, re­ Glenhaven Deserted Village—Lost Lake—Mummy Pass. Lake Trail, offers board and lodging spectively. in tents at $3 to $4 a day and $20 to Connections with trans-continental Kawuneeche Valley Lulu City—"Little Yellowstone"—Poudre Pass—Thun­ $22.50 a week, and in cabins at $4 to air lines, railroads, and bus companies der Pass—Red Mountain—Baker Gulch—Hitchins $6 a day and $22.50 to $35 a week. are made at Denver, from which the Gulch—Skeleton Gulch—Timber Creek—Big Mead­ Single meals are 75c and $1 each. Rocky Mountain Motor Co. operates ows. GRAND LAKE LODGE rates (American transportation lines during the travel Grand Lake Tonahutu Creek—North Inlet—Lake Nokoni—Lake season. The park busses, in addition to plan) are from $6.50 per person to $8, Nanita — Flattop Mountain — Adams Falls — Verna Denver, make connections with with private bath. A single room with­ Lakes—Shadow Mountain—Columbine Creek.

14 Rockyy Mountain ISIational Part\ * Colorado Rocky Mountain National Par\ * Colorado 15 RULES AND REGULATIONS [Briefed]

Let no one say, and say it to your shame, That all was beauty here until you came.

THE PARK REGULATIONS are designed flowers, rocks, birds, animals, or other to protect you and your property. You, life is prohibited. as prudent owners, will help protect FISHING.—Fishing is permitted in all the natural beauties and scenery by lakes and streams except as closed by warning the careless and reporting in­ order of the superintendent. All hooked fractions of the regulations. The fol­ fish less than 7 inches long shall be lowing synopsis is for the general guid­ carefully handled with moist hands and ance of visitors. Full regulations may returned at once to the water. Fifteen be seen at the office of the superintend­ fish (not exceeding a total of 10 pounds) ent and ranger stations. shall constitute the limit for a day's FIRES—Fires may be lighted only catch or in possession. when necessary and in designated places. Before leaving, KNOW your fire AUTOMOBILES.-Obey park traffic rules; drive carefully at all times; se­ is out. HELP PROTECT this wonderland so all may enjoy it. Persons desiring to cure automobile permit, fee $1. The light fires outside of the designated SPEED LIMIT is 20 miles per hour on campgrounds must secure a permit from curves, and on straight stretches of the nearest ranger station. road 35 miles per hour.

CAMPS.—Automobile campers must DOGS AND CATS-Must be kept se­ camp in designated areas. Camps must curely on a leash while in the park. If be kept clean and sanitary. Burn your you have no leash, keep the animal in garbage in your camp fire; place empty your car. cans and residue in receptacles provided PARK RANGERS.—Are for your pro­ for this purpose. tection and guidance. Do not hesitate PUBLIC PROPERTY, TREES, FLOWERS, to consult them. Accidents, complaints, AND ANIMALS.—The destruction, injury, and suggestions should be reported to or disturbance of public property, trees, the superintendent's office immediately.

W. H. Kistler Stationery Co., Denver, Colorado. 2-28-41—200M.