QUARTERLY Autumn 2015
100 Y L : E M summit of 14,259-foot Longs Peak. I R D think back to over 300 more ascents up that same mountain, 257 of those From the ether of history, we summoned spent guiding others on their thrill- Enos Mills to give perspec ve on a most ing summits into towering splendor. I recent milestone. think of my me as Colorado’s offi cial Time travel is a wondrous thing. state snow observer, traversing up On September 4, 1915, address- and down the Con nental Divide, ing an enthusias c crowd at the dedi- marveling at snowfi elds, open skies ca on of Rocky Mountain Na onal and curious grizzly bears. I think of Park, I declared that the greatest my me opera ng Longs Peak Inn and dream of my life me had come true. the excited guests whose spirits were Though exhausted from the six-year restored by days spent in nature’s campaign for its cre- grandeur. I think of a on, I was equally ex- In my own me, I ththe many courageous hilarated in that glorious reminded my con- ppeople who began to moment when the world temporaries that the cchampion the idea of a celebrated the new park ac ons that good nna onal park, despite lelegions of opposi on. I that encompassed mag- people had taken to nifi cent and unsurpassed ththink of those six years preserve our greatest scenery, gardens of wild oof wri ng, lecturing, plants and majes c ani- natural treasures in the trtraveling and plead- mals, all to be preserved form of na onal parks ining the case across the in their primeval state was nothing short of nna on. I think of weary for the genera ons of epoch-making. ddays when I considered tomorrow. aabandoning a seem- How truly extraor- iningly doomed cause, dinary, then, that I should be here to and how, at the right moment, I would witness the 100th anniversary of that receive an encouraging le er from great moment in history. the likes of John Muir, whose hopeful And how extraordinary, too, that spirit revitalized my own. I should be a messenger of a new And I recall that September day dream to all of you. More about that in 1915 when, against all odds, one in a moment. moment might serve as a rallying cry In 2015, much like 1915, I fi nd to us all. In our lives, let us each be myself refl ec ng. I think back to the inspired to dream our dreams as big very fi rst me I beheld Colorado as as a na onal park. a lad of 14. I think back to that same For me, 2014 and 2015 were truly boy, one year later, standing on the (100 Years Later con nued on page 2)
I : RMNP NATURAL HISTORY HANDBOOK (2ND EDITION) NOW AVAILABLE! 2 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er
(100 Years Later con nued) CoConservancy. The good men the reliving of my greatest anand women who support dream. Throughout the ththis organiza on are work- yearlong fes vi es of Rocky ining not only toward my Mountain Na onal Park’s chcherished goals of nature 100th anniversary, I was sum-- ededuca on, but also for the moned forth from my repose. exexpansion of the na onal I appeared at many special papark. In 2015, I learned of occasions, an ambassador of a most unique and extraor- sorts to this grand centen- didinary opportunity: the nial — the commemora on acacquisi on of Cascade Cot- of an idea and a place that I tatages will secure for Rocky discovered remains revered MMountain Na onal Park the by millions today. lalargest remaining private in- And what an honor, upon hoholding. I am most hopeful the anniversary year fi nale, on would begin to have hhave that that span of of anand enthusias c that this to have been among the invited dig- understanding in 25 or 50 years. challenge will be realized. nitaries on September 4, 2015, when Or perhaps in one hundred. I will soon be summoned back Rocky Mountain Na onal Park was During my remarks at the 1915 into the legends of history, but before offi cially rededicated. dedica on of Rocky Mountain Na onal I go, I invite you to join this great In my own me, I reminded my Park, I caused a provoca on when I cause. May this new dream be fulfi lled contemporaries that the ac ons that challenged the a endees to dream for new genera ons. good people had taken to preserve even bigger. “This park should be our greatest natural treasures in the expanded!” I declared. I had originally Conjuring Enos Mills from the past is no easy form of na onal parks was nothing feat, but these words were delivered to us by lobbied for Rocky to span 1000 square Kur s Kelly, a history storyteller and reenactor short of epoch-making. In 1915, we miles. While I was profoundly grateful based in Estes Park. Kelly’s recent performance did not have the span of me nor for every one of the 350 square miles as Enos Mills on the pres gious TEDxFrontRange the scope of history to appreciate or preserved within those original park stage can be seen on YouTube online. understand fully the profound magni- boundaries, I never stopped dreaming. tude of the great deeds that had been That is why I fi nd myself so done. Perhaps, I marveled, our civiliza- grateful for today’s Rocky Mountain
Happy Birthday Rocky!!
Photo: Marlene Borneman Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 3
Rocky Ask Nancy Quarterly Editor Nancy Wilson a empts to unearth answers Mountain to any ques ons asked by Conservancy members and park visitors. If you are curious about something in or about the Conservancy park, email [email protected] or write: Nancy Wilson, Rocky Mountain Conservancy, PO Box 3100, Publishes Estes Park, CO 80517.
2nd Edition of Is the fact that there are only about 24 black bears in the Park Classic park indica ve of any environmental issues, or is this a healthy popula on for the area? The number of bears es - mated in the park from the most recent bear research study between 2003 and 2006 was 20–24 bear (Baldwin and Bend- Rocky Mountain National Park er, 2009). This es mate was similar to research conducted Natural History Handbook 2nd Edition two decades earlier indica ng a rela vely low but stable bear by John Emerick popula on. Low numbers were a ributed to high-eleva on habitats and short growing seasons which limit natural foods From its geological origins to today’s inspiring land- available to bears and results in fewer bears. That research scapes, a seasoned naturalist reveals the wonders also indicated that bears were u lizing more human food and of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park in this natural trash as food sources. Use of these unnatural food sources history handbook, now in its second edi on. The could increase the bear popula on. Today, the park is ac vely region’s human history, from ancient hunters to working to keep these unnatural food sources away from modern se lement, is followed by the geology, cli- bears through educa on and with bear–resistant facili es. mate and the fi ve ecosystem environments found Ul mately, a low bear popula on is simply the result of the in the park. Striking images enhance the author’s natural habitat available and is likely a “healthy” popula- on for the park. — RMNP Wildlife, Fisheries and Water Rights comprehensive descrip ons of the park’s ecosys- Biologist Mary Kay Watry tems and the fl ora and fauna found in each. Are there any fl ower or other vegeta on species from Explore the alpine tundra, a rare and beau ful historic homestead and lodge sites that s ll remain in the wilderness found in Rocky above treeline. Discover park? Yes, a variety of diff erent plants are s ll at McGraw the life in and around rivers and lakes. Learn about Ranch. In the early 1900s, Irene McGraw brought balm of some of the issues facing Rocky. Enjoy this ecologi- Gilead seedlings from Pennsylvania and planted them around cal overview of the park and delve into the essence the main house. Off shoots from these original trees can s ll of what has made Rocky one of the most popular be seen around the main house and throughout the property. Also visible are blue spruce trees that were planted by Frank na onal parks in the country. So cover, 184 pages. McGraw between 1946 and 1948. The blue spruce trees $16.95 plus shipping. were planted between and in front of the cabins, and along Now available in Conservancy Nature the east side of the entry road. Lilacs can be seen at McGraw Stores and on our website at Ranch, the Mill Creek Ranger Sta on and around the Back- country Offi ce. There are two apple trees; one in the U lity RMConservancy.org Area and another on High Drive – and I’m sure there are more examples within the park. — RMNP Cultural Resources Cover photo credits Specialist Kelly Stehman How do the ny nests of hummingbirds stay secure on the (Upper): “Autumn Foraging” by Conservancy Member Marlene branches on which they are built? Female hummingbirds build Borneman, Estes Park, CO; (Lower) “Autumn Morning Bear their nests 10 to 90 feet high, generally in trees or shrubs (with Lake” by Conservancy Staff Member Jeremiah Ramirez, Estes Park, CO a few excep ons). They build velvety, compact cups with spongy fl oors and elas c sides that stretch as the young grow. They Please send high-resolu on images to weave together twigs, plant fi bers, and bits of leaves and use [email protected] by December 1 for spider silk as threads to bind their nests together and anchor publica on in the 2015 Winter Quarterly. them to the founda on. I’ve actually seen footage of them fl ying Photos are always appreciated! Scenery, wildlife and wild- around the branch pulling the strand of web into place. Luckily, fl owers greatly enhance this publica on, so get out there and juvenile hummingbirds fl edge a mere 18 – 28 days a er hatch- take a hike! Thank You! ing. Amazing! — Master Birdbander Brenda Wiard, Salida, CO 4 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er Research adventures in the park...
A Sedimental Journey to Uncover Past Climates in Rocky
A microscope image of a head capsule from Cladopelma that was collected in 2012 from the Sawatch Range. It is a genus that belongs to the Stephen Cooper (undergrad assistant) and Dave Porin- “bloodworm” tribe Chironomini. This tribe typically chu (academic advisor and professor extraordinaire) have beau ful fan-shaped ventromental plates employed an infl atable ra on Eagle Lake to collect and exaggerated teeth on the mentum, making it characteris cs of the lake, such as pH, temperature rela vely easy to iden fy. and conduc vity. A er collec ng data to help classify and characterize the lake, a small corer was used to dealt us a severe blow. While we were collect sediment from the center of the lake. collec ng sediment samples on Cony by James Wes all All this to get to the sediments Lake, the wind pushed the team’s Photos by James Wes all that lurk at the bo om of some of ra into shore where it was severely Science is not only about stuff y these alpine lakes. But not just any damaged. However, we were able to laboratories. Some scien sts are sediments. These par cular sediments gather water samples which, though lucky enough to gather their data in carry an encrypted record of the a secondary goal, immediately made the outdoor natural lab that is Rocky climate condi ons over the millen- this year’s eff ort a step more success- Mountain Na onal Park. For these nia. Using the tools of a science called ful than 2014. scien sts, the hard work and o en- paleolimnology, this record of climate Addi onally, while stuck up in the unpredictable weather condi ons are history can be deciphered. The tools mountains without a boat, the team part and parcel with immersion in include radioisotope da ng of the lay- did have the opportunity to con nue the spectacular natural beauty found ers of the sediment and the analysis their acclima on to the al tude and deep within the park. of head capsules of a eenjoy the spectacular A er an unsuccessful a empt to small insect, called a aalpine scenery at the Sleeping under a gather samples of lake sediments in chironomid, which is PPear Lake backcountry 2014, Ph.D. candidate Danielle Haske found in the sediment. starry sky in this sisite while we waited for a and her advisor Dr. David Porinchu, This analysis gives deligh ul alpine susupport team to help us both from the University of Georgia, researchers a way to se ng made all the cacarry out our gear. returned this year, determined to be look back in me and hard work worth- We hiked back out successful. I joined them as a park get a glimpse of how to the trailhead to pick “Science Squad” volunteer, to help Rocky’s climate may while — and what uup a new boat, patch kit, carry their loads and show them have changed over the science lab can aand extra supplies for the the way to a few of the lakes in Wild last few hundred years. compete with this? rerest of the trip. We then Basin. I also brought along my knowl- Early on in the trip, tuturned around and hiked edge of Rocky and its many plants, we feared we might bback up to the remote animals, lakes and mountain peaks. suff er the fate of last year’s unsuc- sites of Eagle and Box lakes. We had It was part of the deal to carry our cessful sampling a empt. On the perfect weather which allowed us to 50-pound packs over long miles and ini al hike in, one of the team mem- successfully collect sediment cores up steep slopes to get our food and bers suff ered from al tude sickness from both lakes. Excited by this ac- research equipment to the pris ne and had to be escorted back to town complishment, we returned to camp alpine lakes. and medical care. Then, the weather for our evening meal, where we found Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 5 that a hungry black bear had come Rocky. The samples we took to join us for dinner. We caught him will help Danielle complete red-pawed (so to speak), a emp ng her research and fi nalize her to break into our “cookie jar,” a.k.a. disserta on. She will one dayy the bear canister, without any luck. enter the ranks of scien sts The bear was easily in midated by our studying our climate history gentle hazing eff orts and wandered and her work will become a off to fi nd food more suitable for a valuable part of the knowl- bear. edge that describes condi- Pipit Lake was our next goal for ons that exist in Rocky now obtaining samples of lake sediments. and will help infer condi ons But fi rst we had to overcome the that existed during the past logis cal challenge of transpor ng a few hundred years. Dani- Sediments collected from the center of the lake are o en large quan ty of gear with our mini- elle’s work also provides a sec oned in the fi eld as soon as possible. The core collected mal staff to our camp at Upper Ouzel from Pipit Lake was sec oned at 0.25 cm increments which baseline against which other Creek. Fourteen miles and 3,000 feet will off er high–resolu on data for environmental and cli- scien sts can make compari- ma c change. The sediment in the image clumped together later, we successfully landed all the sons for decades to come. nicely due to the high clay content present and made the gear at the campsite. Sleeping under sediment easier to bag for future analysis. It was challenging gather- a starry sky in this deligh ul alpine ing these data at these remote high se ng made all the hard work worth- eleva on lakes, but who says that sci- while — and what science lab can ence and the pursuit of new informa- Con nental Divide compete with this? on should be easy? While this experi- Research Learning Pipit Lake off ered the usual ence was no walk in the park, it was challenges of scrambling over giant Center Volunteers fun to be a small part of this worthy boulders, nego a ng snowfi elds and project. It also gave me a unique op- bashing through thickets of krumm- Jim Wes all is a shining example portunity to see fi rsthand that park re- holz. By now we realized that this was of the volunteers involved in search involves a lot more than si ng just another fi ne day at the offi ce. the Con nental Divide Re- in a lab, peering into a microscope. Adventure comes with the territory. search Learning Center’s “Sci- This turned out to be a hard Jim Wes all received a Bachelor’s degree in ence Squad” at Rocky Mountain Biology from the University of California, Santa Na onal Park. Jim assists our but successful research campaign in Barbara, in the early 70s. He then lost his way and spent the next 40+ years research partners by ensuring doing engineering physics. Now that the fi eld research is done that he is re red, Jim has found in a safe and environmentally his way again and spends as sensi ve manner. He provides much me as possible volunteer- logis cal support for the scien- ing at Rocky Mountain Na onal Park suppor ng research eff orts sts, helps with data collec on, within the Resource Stewardship and gathers stories of scien fi c Group and with the Con nental discovery through wri ng and Divide Research Learning Center photography. Some assignments (CDRLC). require extensive backcountry skills, other assignments such The chironomid life cycle begins as collec ng visitor use data or with an adult fl y deposi ng an egg mass on the surface of the assis ng with ci zen science proj- lake. This mass falls down through ects are less physically demand- the water column and eventually ing. To learn more about joining se les at the bo om of the lake. the Science Squad, contact Paul Worm-like larvae hatch and exist McLaughlin at paul_mclaughlin@ on the sediment-water interface where they grow and change nps.gov. To learn about all the through four diff erent stages (or volunteering opportuni es in the instars). These larvae possess a park, contact Lindsey Lewis at hard, chi nous head capsule that is le behind in the sediment and preserved for future study. The lindsey_lewis @nps.gov. chironomids then metamorphose to pupae that rise through the water column. When they emerge from the water, the process is complete and they become a winged adult. Lifecycle fi gure: Porinchu, D.F. and MacDonald, G.M. 2003. The use and applica on of freshwater midges in geographical research. Progress in Physical Geography, 27: 409-453. 6 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er
A Conserva on Corps Story: Bringing the Little Buckaroo Barn Back to Life by Jenna MMulliganulligan T Thehe LakeLake Irene mess hhall sits near we placed the last pieces on the central Kawuneeche Valley is an Arapaho the Lake Irene parking lot and picnic crown of that roof. name that means “valley of the coyote,” area, with access to Lake Irene only a Addi onal projects to restore this and it is where the sixth and newest quarter mile down the trail. Our fi rst structure included a reconstructed ex- Rocky Mountain Conservancy Conserva- days at the worksite were spent shov- terior staircase and new bracing where on Corps crew lived and worked this eling eight-foot banks of snow from logs had ro ed away. summer. As a member of this crew, I the sides of the building we would be Down the road, the iconic Li le woke on many mornings to the yips and restoring — a former mess hall and resi- Buckaroo Barn stands in a meadow at howls of coyotes in the meadows below dence that was built in 1926 by the Park the edge of the Con nental Divide Trail the Never Summer Mountains, their Service and used for the subsequent 50 that passes through Rocky. The historic calls dri ing in through my window just years. NPS workers and later, members barn is situated in proposed wilder- as the sun rose. of the Civilian Conserva on Corps, used ness which restricted our work to using This crew focused eff orts on the this building while construc ng Trail only hand-mechanized tools and gave historic buildings within the park instead Ridge Road. us a quarter-mile haul between our of the trails that stretch throughout it, and A er freeing the ground from its truck and the worksite. But the views we worked alongside and under the direc- winter dormancy beneath the snow, we were astonishing from that trail — thick on of the Historic Preserva on and Spe- learned how to build scaff olding, which morning fog shrouding tall grasses, cial Projects sec on of the Park Service. we raised around the cabin’s perimeter. clouds rolling in over Baker Peak, moose Our work this summer primarily To begin the roofi ng project, we had to strolling all around us. centered at two sites on the west side saw off and replace the ends of the stur- This barn was built in the 1940s, of the park: the restora on of the Lake dy log ra ers that had ro ed, matching and in order to enter it, three of our Irene mess hall, and the stabiliza on of the size and the descending angle of crewmembers were trained and fi ed the Li le Buckaroo Barn on the former each ra er beam before drilling rebar with respirators. Dressed in full protec- Be y Dick property. While our goals for and securing the end tails with s cky ve suits, they spent hours spraying the two structures were similar — es- black epoxy glue. down the en re interior with Clorox sen ally, keeping them standing and se- We then peeled back and sloughed to eliminate any possibility of anyone cure — the buildings and their loca ons off layers of weathered grey shingles contrac ng hantavirus. required very diff erent approaches and and spent the next weeks layering that At the me of this wri ng, our work methods. roof with the rich shingling process on this barn has been rustr color of cedar similar to the Lake Irene mess hall on shakes shingles. As both the haylo and main level of the novicen roofers, we roof, though executed by handsaws and learnedle about the human-powered hammers. Before the needn for precision in summer ends, we will have replaced the layingla the shingles suppor ve crossbeams and exterior sid- forfo each row, the pat- ing to safeguard its place as a west-side ternt of the shingles jewel for years to come. thatt vary in size, and thet hand cramps in- Jenna Mulligan just graduated with a de- fl icted by the endless gree in Journalism and Spanish from Gon- fi ring of the nail gun, zaga University in Spokane, WA. This was alla of which resulted her fi rst summer with the Rocky Mountain in immense pride as Conservancy - Conserva on Corps. Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 7
A Next Generation Fund Project Mountain Valley Journals Sketches of Moraine Park and Estes Park Through Time
turers came and went as America voice to iconic characters represen ng completed its westward expansion. key periods along the valleys’ histori- Pioneer se lers built ca le ranches. cal meline and introduce readers In the Estes Valley, a ny se lement to important people and events that The last great Ice Age was over grew into a renowned na onal park shaped the valleys — past and pres- and the climate was warming when gateway resort. In Moraine Park, a dif- ent. So cover, $12.95 plus shipping. the fi rst paleo-hunters came to ferent story played out. Moraine Park and Estes Park, two This book’s beau ful illustra- Now available in Conservancy scenic valleys in today’s Rocky Moun- ons by noted Denver ar st Thomas Nature Stores in park tain Na onal Park area. Other Indian Haller Buchanan will take you on a visitor centers, tribes, notably the Ute and Arapaho, trip through 12,000 years of history followed in their footprints to stalk in the Moraine Park and Estes Park and on our website at the valleys’ abundant game. valleys. Ar sts’ journal entries give RMConservancy.org Trappers, explorers and adven-
especially impacted, as it caused thinning of their ___, and their numbers Park Puzzler plummeted. 10. At RMNP’s tundra eleva on, the average daily temperature is below by RM Conservancy Member Joel Kaplow freezing for up to ___ months of the year. AAcrosscross 12. When the park’s ___, plump members of the squirrel family, go into 1. Rainbow, brown, brook and cu hroat are types of ___ anglers go for in hiberna on, they slow their heartbeat to one per minute, and breathe about RMNP. once every fi ve minutes in their communal burrows. 5. Some mes Mother Nature ain’t nice. Common in the bird world, if a li le ‘un 15. Located on Trail Ridge Road at 11,796 feet, Rocky boasts the highest ___ is too small, too slow or less fi t, a parent may aggressively do away with it, or center in the na onal park system. passively withhold food or abandon it. If the cri er succumbs, this is termed as 16. With a special license fee and a “qualifying dona on” to the Rocky Moun- ___. tain Conservancy, you can be the envy of your block with a Rocky Mountain 6. William ___ wrote, “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” Na onal Park license plate. It features a depic on of a bull __ in the center, 9. Backcountry campers in Rocky must bring ___-resistant food canisters on and will be appearing soon in a driveway near you. their excursions. These can be rented or bought in conveniently located Estes 17. To deter visitors from digging up the ground in RMNP, ___ detectors may Park and Grand Lake. not be used here. 11. During Rocky’s dedica on ceremony one hundred years ago, 16-Across said, 19. For a hard-but-doable and rewarding hike, start at Milner Pass and walk “I have lived to see the realiza on of a great ___ come true.” south on the well-defi ned trail. A er 4.8 miles and 2,100 feet of gain, you’ll be 13. While hiking in the park’s high country, you may be startled by a well-camou- standing proudly on top of Mt. ___. fl aged white-tailed ptarmigan fl u ering up in front of you. They are the smallest members of the ___ family. 14. You can have all of your bighorn ques ons answered at the ___ Lakes infor- ma on sta on in Horseshoe Park. 16. Local luminary ___ served as emcee at Rocky Mountain Na onal Park’s dedi- ca on ceremony on Sept 4, 1915. (2 wds.) 18. Which of the park’s non-hiberna ng cri ers have fur on the soles of their feet to help them get a grip on winter’s ice and snow? 20. What was the fi rst state to adopt an air-quality standard specifi cally designed to protect a na onal park? DDownown 1. At the me of Rocky’s birth in 1915, it was staff ed by full complement of ___ rangers! 2. RMNP backcountry permits, at $26 a pop, are required between May 1 and ___ 31, leaving the hardier winter campers fee-free. 3. About 75% of 18-Across’ stored food consists of alpine avens, which just happens to contain chemicals that act as a preserva ve, and slow the growth of ___. How did they know? 4. The RM Conservancy asked Fall River Produc ons of Estes Park to put together a fi lm for the Centennial, and they came through with ___, Wildlife, Wonder, which can be viewed at the Beaver Meadows and Kawuneeche visitor centers. You can also buy the DVD there to bring home. 7. The Junior Ranger Headquarters can be found at Rocky’s ___ Valley, site of the dismantled ski area. 8. Banned by the EPA in 1972, DDT had a deleterious eff ect on countless animals, but birds of prey such as falcons, hawks, ospreys and eagles were 8 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er Cascade Cottages: Your Centennial Gift to Rocky Mountain National Park Photo: Gene Putney Photo:
Rocky Mountain National Park’s centennial celebrates a historic milestone for this magnifi cent and beloved place. In honor of this occasion, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy looks forward to the next 100 years by providing those who love the park an opportunity to fulfi ll the park’s greatest and most mean- ingful needs. The last remaining privately held property within park boundaries is waiting to be placed within the protection of the public domain. The acquisition of this highly visible 40-acre parcel is the park’s highest priority for this centennial year, and we ask for your support and generosity to continue the proud tradition of permanently protecting these lands.
SituatedSi d withini hi one cabins and mul ple gravel lanes spread spread out on both sides of the road, mile of the Fall River along an especially scenic stretch of Fall obscuring your view of the river and entrance to the park, River where the river transforms from limi ng your opportuni es to have the the property’s 40 acres is a meandering stream to a roaring cas- ideal park experience. divided by Fall River Road, cade. The cabins are currently rented Both of these scenarios are possible, with roughly half the land during the summer, catering primarily but right now we have the opportunity on the north side of the to short-term visitors. to choose. The Cascade Co ages prop- road and half on the south. Why this campaign ma ers erty has been in private hands since The north side is currently undeveloped Imagine that you are visi ng Rocky before Rocky Mountain Na onal Park and provides habitat for a variety of Mountain Na onal Park for the fi rst was established 100 years ago. Now, we wildlife, including the iconic bighorn me, maybe it is even your fi rst na onal can preserve and protect it for the sheep. The south side is randomly de- park, as is it is for millions of Americans enjoyment of all those fi rst- me and veloped with more than a dozen rus c from east of the Rockies. Excitement hundredth- me visitors. builds as you enter the park Forty acres along Fall River Road within on U.S. Highway 34. You a mile of the entrance to the park — pass by a campground and what an extraordinary gi to the Ameri- through pris ne meadows can people as a part of the centennial with grazing elk. celebra on of Rocky Mountain Na onal And there, within the Park and the Na onal Park Service. You, fi rst couple of minutes together with other friends of the Rocky of your park experience, Mountain Conservancy, can make this you discover a welcoming gi a reality! wooded glade on the banks Why the ming is cri cal of a roaring river. You are The owners of Cascade Co ages have completely surrounded by indicated a desire to sell the property the sounds of nature and as soon as is prac cal. Honoring the the absence of the trappings wishes of their grandfather, they have of the modern world. You provided Rocky Mountain Na onal Park think, “Now I understand the fi rst right of refusal on the sale. Our what na onal parks are all partner, The Trust for Public Land (TPL), about.” has secured an op on to purchase the Or, imagine a diff erent sce- property for inclusion in the park. nario. You round that fi rst Thanks to this opportunity, we are at turn to fi nd development a once-in-a-life me crossroads where Photo: Julie Kle Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 9 About the Property What we will do As the map to the le illus- The Rocky Mountain Conservancy is trates, the Cascade Co ages undertaking the acquisi on of Cascade property is in a highly visible Co ages in partnership with TPL. TPL and well-traveled part of has a long and very successful history the park. of placing lands of high ecological or historic value into the public domain. Every year, the hundreds TPL with their legal, real estate, govern- of thousands of visitors ment and community rela ons exper- that enter the park by way se will take the lead in nego a ng a of the Fall River Entrance fair market price for the property with pass through the property. the landowners. Addi onally, the popular Aspenglen Campground is A preliminary es mate of the purchase within walking (and hearing) and acquisi on costs is $3.6 million. distance, just to the east of Of this, the Conservancy has iden fi ed the parcel. more than $500,000 within its own resources to launch the campaign and Stunning Horseshoe Park, leverage ini al gi s. It is expected that a favorite elk and bighorn the campaign will have a three-year sheep viewing area, is imme- horizon with the purchase taking diately around the next bend place in 2016 or early 2017. Located just inside the Fall River Entrance of Rocky to the west. And Fall River, Mountain Na onal Park, the 40 acres fo this property which marks the property’s Following the acquisi on and transfer of spans the road to encompass prime bighorn sheep southernmost border, a er me- the land to the Na onal Park Service, habitat. andering its way through Horse- Rocky Mountain Na onal Park and the shoe Park, off ers trout fi shing Conservancy will assess the land and we must make the best decision for the opportuni es for anglers. structures for restora on and/or reuse. park and those who love it. One path leads to the regre able Located within Rocky Mountain Na onal Park and with more than impact that could be caused by a 14,000 donors and members, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy is new commercial lodging opera on uniquely qualifi ed to acquire the private inholding known as requiring new u li es, larger Cascade Co ages and fully support its incorpora on into Rocky accommoda ons and crea ng increased traffi c. Mountain Na onal Park. The other route off ers the permanent preserva on of open space, mainte- As you view the map above, above note that nance of important wildlife corridors, the en re Cascade Co ages parcel is and access to a beau ful stretch of wild surrounded by land that is currently Protection water. The Na onal Park Service, the under the protec on of Rocky Mountain It is not enough to understand the natural world; the point is Rocky Mountain Conservancy, and TPL Na onal Park. You also will note that to defend and preserve it. have commi ed to the la er. Together, it is the only signifi cant property le in — Edward Abbey we have iden fi ed this acquisi on as the area (within park boundaries) that the park’s highest priority and the signa- remains unprotected. With your help, ture project of we will secure this missing piece of the Rocky Mountain Na onal Park’s centen- puzzle and place it under protec on nial and the 100th anniversary of the forever. founding of the Na onal Park Service. Join us! Make your gi or pledge today. To get involved, or for more informa on, contact: Charles Money, Execu ve Director 970-586-0108 [email protected] RMConservancy.org Photo: Sco Pope
Cascade Cottages 10 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er Rocky Mountain National Park Fund Project Priorities Identified for 2016 B U SelecS ng this op on for your gi allows us fl exibility to rrespond quickly to greatest needs as they arise. There are mmany ways your dona on may be used to support the park, inincluding projects and programs such as trail restora on, yyouth educa on, publica ons and exhibits, land protec on, hhistoric preserva on aand much more. These aand many other projects Please give what you can wwould not be possible today using the convenient wwithout you. envelope attached. C C Every summer, the Conservancy C C engages youth through the Con- serva on Corps program, providing C C C life-changing experiences through The last remaining privately held commercial property working and learning in our public within park boundaries is wai ng to be placed within the lands. Young people get on-the- protec on of the public domain. The acquisi on of this ground conserva on experience, highly visible 40-acre parcel is the park’s highest priority gain knowledge of conserva on for this centennial year. Undesignated gi s are the most and resource management, and re- versa le dona ons we receive because they allow us to ceive training and professional de- apply the funds when and where they are most needed. velopment to foster their ongoing personal and professional growth as the future stewards of our public lands. “The Rocky Mountain Con- N G F servancy Conserva on Corps pro- With great support from our friends, the Rocky Mountain gram is truly special. It has given me two of the best summers of my Conservancy makes sizable contribu ons to the educa onal life, as both a Rawah crew mem- programs of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park — to the tune ber and the Boulder crew leader. of more than $500K per year. Highly regarded programs It has made me a be er leader, a for youth include the beloved Junior Ranger Program, park more experienced woodsman, and internships, our own Conserva on Corps, and Field Ins tute a more competent steward of our classes for kids. Help reach and inspire many thousands of public lands.” — Reid Grinspoon young people, the youth who will care for our public lands in the future.
RMNP License Plate Available January, 2016 Thanks to the overwhelming support of thousands of Colorado residents, the Rocky Mountain Na onal Park Group Special License Plate will soon be a reality. The Conservancy will administer this group special license plate which will be available to Colorado-registered offi cial fund–raising partner organiza on) will be as- vehicle owners. It will not replace the standard Colorado state license sessed. 100% of the funds generated, es mated at plate, but will be a voluntary fund–raising op on through the State’s thousands of dollars annually, will directly support Rocky Group Special Plate program. Mountain Na onal Park. In addi on to the usual fees imposed by the state for a special To learn more, visit the Rocky Mountain Conservan- plate, a $30 dona on to the Rocky Mountain Conservancy (the park’s cy’s website at RMConservancy.org. Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 11
Conservancy Transfers Johnson Property to Rocky Dear Friends, As you know, 2015 is Rocky Mountain Na onal Park’s centennial year. The Rocky Comple ng a land protec on eff ort Mountain Conservancy has worked hand-in-hand with the park for 85 of those 100 that began in 2012, the Rocky Mountain years, carrying forward the hopes and dreams of Enos Mills and the many others who Conservancy announced in early August had the foresight to protect this magnifi cent place for everyone to enjoy. that it had transferred the Johnson Prop- Together with other friends of the park and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, erty to Rocky Mountain Na onal Park. your generosity supported the park in those fi rst 100 years, building and restoring In 2012, Rocky Mountain Na onal trails, protec ng land and historic structures, and, perhaps most importantly, Park iden fi ed the private inholding educa ng visitors about their park and nurturing the public lands stewards of the known as the Johnson Property as a high future. Thank you! priority for acquisi on and enlisted the This momentous occasion has also tasked the Conservancy with perhaps our most Conservancy’s assistance to raise the signifi cant land protec on opportunity to date — the Centennial Campaign for needed funds. The 3.89- acre parcel is lo- Cascade Co ages. The park has requested our help to purchase this 40-acre commer- cated on the park’s west side in the scenic cial inholding near the Fall River Entrance, and we have wholeheartedly agreed. With Kawuneeche Valley, home of the headwa- your help, and with the assistance of the Trust for Public Land, we will raise the $3.6 ters of the Colorado River, and within view million needed to acquire this parcel and we will transfer it to the park for permanent of the Con nental Divide Trail. protec on. What auspicious ming! We can think of no be er gi to the park in honor More than 900 donors contributed of its 100th birthday and on the eve of the Na onal Park Service’s own centennial. We to the $400,000 project to purchase hope you will consider being a part of this challenging eff ort that will help complete the Johnson Property so that it could the park as its founders envisioned. be transferred to RMNP for permanent Our priori es for 2016: protec on. The property was purchased Best Use: As always, selec ng this op on for your gi allows us the fl exibility to respond quickly by the Conservancy in February 2013. to greatest needs as they arise. There are many ways your dona on may be used to support the Now that the transfer is complete, the park, including the Cascade Co ages project. park will remove several small structures, power lines and a one-mile access road. The Cascade Co ages Centennial Capital Campaign: We are just halfway toward raising the $3.6 The land will be returned to its natural million to purchase and protect this 40-acre privately held parcel near the Fall River state, enhancing valuable wildlife habitat Entrance. The sooner we meet our goal, the sooner this land will be permanently protected. (Learn more by watching the short fi lm on this project at RMConservancy.org) and improving the visitor experience. “The addi on of this property to The Next Genera on Fund: This year, thanks to you, the park’s Educa on staff served nearly Rocky Mountain Na onal Park con nues 11,000 students in Front Range schools from Ft. Collins to Denver. Many of these same students the legacy of community support and in- were also able to visit the park. In 2015, approximately 44,000 Junior Ranger booklets were dividual philanthropy established by Enos distributed and 16,000 children received their badges! YOU can provide life-changing environ- Mills, F.O. Stanley, Mrs. John D. Sherman mental educa on for thousands of kids again this year. and others who founded this park,” said The Rocky Mountain Conservancy – Conserva on Corps: This summer, you placed 36 enthusias- Charles Money, the Conservancy’s execu- c youth in conserva on crews in RMNP and nearby na onal forests. They maintained 320 miles ve director. “This is especially signifi cant of trail, restored the historic Li le Buckaroo Barn, planted 4,500 na ve seedlings, and more, all during this, the park’s centennial year,” on YOUR public lands. Help us con nue these eff orts in 2016. he added. Whichever project is closest to your heart, please take a moment to return the enclosed en- The Rocky Mountain Conservancy velope with your fi rst gi for the next 100 years! You make the Conservancy’s work possible. has an ongoing Land Protec on Fund Thank you! We simply can’t do it without your help. which sets aside money for future land protec on eff orts. O en, property sales As always, contact me any me. I’d love to hear from you. by willing owners have a short me frame Best regards. to allow for acquisi on and long term protec on. This fund allows the organiza- ! You can also make on to move quickly to purchase available a gi online at parcels. Dona ons are always welcome and needed. Charles A. Money RMConservancy.org Funds received by the Conservancy Execu ve Director from the transfer of the land to the park NNature.ature. PassPass iitt oon.n. will be applied to future land acquisi on projects. PO Box 3100 Estes Park, Colorado 80517 Phone: 970-586-0108 www.rmconservancy.org 12 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er
Bringing up the Next Generation Six-year-old Ellie Kostadinov Summits Longs Peak
Under the watchful guidance of mom and dad...
anda wanted to take on such a thing. And fall, but not to wew needed to let her know that it was aid in climbing), okayo to make an a empt and not reach and with me thet top. We also needed to let her know behind as a spot- thatt we may abort the climb at any me ter. We laughed. forfo any reason, and that she would have We sang songs. toto be okay with that. Kostadinov/Foster family on the summit of Longs We stopped for MyM husband, Alex, is the only person I Peak, July 28, 2015 “snuggle breaks.” would trust to keep my daughter safe on a We ate lots of by Lisa Foster on a peak of this magnitude. He worked as a M&M’s and Sour Photos by Lisa Foster professional mountain guide for more than Patch Kids. For years, people have asked me when I a decade, and he is the most skilled alpinist I We made it was going to take my daughter, Ellie, up Longs know. And no one has a more vested interest to the summit of Alex Kostadinov and Ellie Peak, the highest peak in Rocky Mountain in keeping our daughter safe than he and I. Longs Peak. Ellie nego ate The Ledges of Na onal Park. My answer has always been And I knew I needed to be there, too. was elated, and Longs Peak. “When she’s 18 and can make her own deci- In prepara on, I climbed Longs Peak six two marmots provided ample entertainment on sions!” But this past summer, a friend called me mes in June and July in order to perform top. Our climbing day started out windy, which and explained that his seven-year-old daughter reconnaissance for the route so that I would helped us a lot, because it turned around all of set a goal for herself to climb Longs Peak. She be well versed on up-to-the day condi ons the casual hikers at The Keyhole. We knew that had a tough training schedule, which included on the peak. I even stood on the summit just the wind was forecast to die down as the day hiking Fla op Mountain and Mount Chiquita. the day before we began our journey with wore on, and we also knew that once we passed He asked if my 6-year-old daughter and I would our li le daughter. through The Keyhole forma on and turned the like to join them. I immediately said “No!” Ellie Nothing about this undertaking was corner onto The Ledges that we would be more overheard this conversa on and told me that fl ippant, cavalier or careless. sheltered from the brunt of it. With the majority she wanted to climb Longs Peak with her friend. When the weather forecast surprised us of the hikers turning back at The Keyhole, we She had heard about Longs Peak for years, and with favorable condi ons during the me our avoided the usual hordes of people climbing up her bedroom window has an impressive view of friends were planning to a empt Longs Peak The Trough, across The Narrows, and up The the 14,259 foot peak. Every day we assessed the with their daughter, we made the decision to Homestretch, which created minimal risk for weather in terms of whether or not it’s a “Longs join them at the campsite they had reserved rockfall or dealing with dreaded bo lenecks at Peak day.” at the Boulder Field which lies at 12,750 feet, crucial points along the route. In kindergarten last year, her class read at the base of the more challenging sec on A er we enjoyed some magical family me the story High as a Hawk: A Brave Girl’s Historic of the Keyhole Route of Longs Peak. The high on the summit of Longs Peak, apprecia ng the Climb, by T.A. Barron, about 8-year-old Harriet eleva on of this camp is one of the reasons views, reveling in the glory of Ellie’s accomplish- Peters, who climbed Longs Peak in 1905 with we needed a three-day window of good ment, and having a hearty lunch, we descended Enos Mills, the founder of Rocky Mountain Na- weather, and somehow we got it. back to the Boulder Field camp for a second night. onal Park. My daughter has climbed three 14ers We hiked the six miles to the Boulder On Wednesday, July 29, we hiked the six to date, two when she was fi ve, and one this Field camp on Monday, July 27, and met up long miles back to the Longs Peak Trailhead. past summer, when she was six. I deemed those with our friends. The girls had a great me and Ellie did it all under her own power, all with 14ers “safer” than Longs because they are not even roasted marshmallows over the camp a smile on her face, singing songs as she went, as hazardous and not as lengthy. But when Ellie stove. Our friends had a empted to climb to and all with great joy and apprecia on for the kept asking about climbing Longs Peak with her the summit that day with their seven-year-old beauty of the scenery and the peak. friend, I asked my husband about the prospect, daughter, and she had made a valiant eff ort It was a beau ful and powerful experience fully an cipa ng him to scoff and say “No way!” and climbed three-quarters of the way up The and I am forever grateful to have shared these Instead, he though ully laid out the condi ons Trough before turning back. They opted to moments with her. under which he would allow such an undertak- hike out to the trailhead the next day, just as Once in the tent on Tuesday night, a er the ing. And then he said he wanted to do it. We we were going to begin our summit bid. big climb, she said to me, “Mama, I want to climb needed a three-day stretch of good weather, On Tuesday, July 28, we geared up for it again, I loved it!” A er I recovered from my including a weather forecast that had a zero the climb and tackled the very complicated shock, I laughed and jested, “Okay, how about percent chance of thunderstorms. The summer terrain to the summit of Longs Peak. We tomorrow?” Ellie thought about it, and replied, of 2015 was a monsoon season of sorts, with roped Ellie up at the Agnes Vaille Memorial “No, not tomorrow. But soon. Good night, rain forecast almost every day. So, I thought a Shelter below the Keyhole forma on and Mama!” And she snuggled down into her sleep- forecast like that made an ascent with Ellie very nego ated the 1.5 miles of tricky terrain to ing bag and went fast to sleep. unlikely. We also needed to make sure that our the summit, with Alex short-roping her the daughter understood the scope of the project en re way (the rope there only in case of a Congratulations to my sweet girl! Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 13 The Rocky Mountain Conservancy expresses special thanks to the following people for their donations toward projects in Rocky Mountain National Park: June 17, 2015 – September 21, 2015 247 gifts ~ total donations $264,248 SusanS Greenquist, New Boston, NH Ed Ogle, Loveland, CO Linda & Mike Wold, Estes Park, CO: C C Margaret and Campbell Griffi n, Russell & Barb Panneton, In Memory of C F Houston, TX Nederland, CO Don, Rody and Brian Barthelmeh Kathy & Alan Groesbeck, Sandra Peacock and Thomas Africa, Donna Rosser, Estes Park, CO: Beth Abbo , ConwayConway, AR Estes Park, CO Statesboro, GA In Memory of Her Parents, Leslie & Neil Alexander, Julie Guzze a, Estes Park, CO Pendleton Woolen Mills, Irene and Marrell Calef Nashville, TN Timothy and Wendlyn Haight, Fort Collins, CO Dr. Giles D. Toll, Golden, CO: Victoria Alexander, Estes Park, CO: Grimes, IA Joseph & Susan Pichler, In Memory of In Honor of Leo Weber Andrea Hamilton, Denver, CO Cincinna , OH His Uncle, Roger W. Toll Dennis & Barbara Baldwin, Barbara and Richard Hamman, Joseph and Chris ne Polazzi, Charles Bri on, Estes Park, CO: Centennial, CO Denver, CO Fort Collins, CO: In Memory of Jana Bri on Jane and Ken Barber, Aurora, CO Roberta Heisterkamp, Denver, CO In Honor of Chris ne Ann Polazzi Mary Murphy, Indianapolis, IN: Marilyn Barron, Gu enberg, IA Henry and Susie Higginbo om, Paul W. Poston, Denver, CO In Memory of Joann Murphy Roger Bergman and Wendy Wright: Denver, CO Richard & Kathleen Prucha, Chris Moore, Denver, CO: In Honor of Pieter & Helen Hondius, Erie, CO In Memory of K.O. & Anna Moore Cecilia Lola Mo a Bergman Estes Park, CO Randy & Susan Putnam, Aurora, CO John B. Simonson, Leawood, KS: Linda Boley, Boulder, CO Robert and Ellen Hostetler, Gene and Polly Reetz, Denver, CO In Memory of Roberta Monaghan Walter & Marlene Borneman, Monument, CO Frank & Nancy Reilly, Johanna & Bill Dardin, Estes Park, CO Debby Hughes and Leo Weber, Phillipsburg, NJ Estes Park, CO: Michael & Cheryl Breed, Estes Park, CO Julia Reschke, Madison, WI In Memory of Samual Walker Denver, CO Flower Hund, Boston, MA Janet & David Robertson, Barry Brezan & Carlen Schenk, Stan and Margaret Hun ng, Boulder, CO L P New Berlin, WI Allenspark, CO William Robertson, Boston, MA Micheline & Philip Burger, James Immelt, Worthington, OH Rocky Mountain Gateway, F Longmont, CO Aaron Jungbluth & Angie Naughton, Estes Park, CO Carol Burkhalter, Oxford, OH: Saint Charles, MO: Carlen Schenk and Barry Brezan, MiMichaelchael Banks,Banks Boston,Boston MA:MA: In Honor of In Honor of Angie Jungbluth New Berlin, WI In Memory of John Kailin Link Doug and Marcia Nelson Ingrid Jus n, Timnath, CO John & Vicki Seeck, Be endorf, IA Jonathan Dilts, Albuquerque, NM: Bill & Cindy Cooper, Fort Myers, FL Barbara and Frank Kelley, Jean & Gad Smith, Kansas City, MO In Honor of Robert & Nora Copeland, Greenwood Village, CO Sherry Smith, Troy, IL Dan and Linda Dilt’s Birthdays Fort Collins, CO: Carolyn E. Kilgore, Estes Park, CO: Susannah and Kurt Sommer, from Andy, Kilynne, Addison, B.J., In Honor of Curt Buchholtz In Honor of the Wedding of Houston, TX Campbell and Sonya Dilts Richard Cross, Estes Park, CO Jon Pranger and Kim Cooper Patricia and Jerry Stevenson, Beverly Henderson, Estes Park, CO Susan Davis & Chuck Bartholomew, Julie Kle , Estes Park, CO: Estes Park, CO Dr. Donald Hillger, Windsor, CO Denver, CO In Honor of Suzanne and Jim Swanson, Karl Long, Houston, TX Amy Dobrian, Iowa City, IA: Stephen Kle , Sr. & Nancy Bergman Denver, CO St. Ma hew’s Parish School, In Honor of Erin Partridge Gilbert & Mary Knapp, Spencer, NY William and Jan Tindall, Carmel, IN Pacifi c Palisades, CA: W. S. & Mary Duryea, Alice Knox, Denver, CO Ellin Todd, Boulder, CO In Memory of Daniel Dion Estes Park, CO Mary and Mike Ko ke, Mark Udall, Denver, CO Heinz Engel, Winter Park, CO Fountain Hills, AZ Jane and Ray Verm, Asheville, NC N G Gary and Kathleen Falk, Boise, ID Modupe Labode, Indianapolis, IN Karen Waller, Saint Joseph, MO Tom and Jill Farber Family Trust, Joseph Lebel, Cornwallville, NY Roger Walton and Helen Anderson, F (R ) Aurora, CO Susan Legler, Longmont, CO Lakewood, CO Mary Lou Fenili & Karen F. Hansen, Margy & Thomas Lininger, Robert & Brenda Ward, DennisDi&KhiHd & Katherine Head, Denver, CO Greeley, CO Windsor, CO Denver, CO: James & Gwyn Fields, Robert Ludlum, Estes Park, CO Jeannie Wiggins, Berea, OH: From the Snow Cone Junior Rangers Silver Spring, MD Michael and Shelly Maharry, In Honor of Bardwell H. Wiggins Gary Keim, Bloomington, NE: Linda Finch, Midland, TX Musca ne, IA Mr. & Mrs. James S. Wilson, In Memory of His Wife, Maryann Gaug, Silverthorne, CO Randall and Janet Maharry, Denver, CO: Jayne e Keim John and Lynne Geweke, Estes Park, CO In Honor of American Alpine Ins tute, Estes Park, CO Richard and Carol Minker, Peter, Rhondda & Liza Grant Bellingham, WA Sue and Bill Goodhard, Fort Worth, TX: Mark and Carol Zaitz, Denver, CO Virginia Arter, Longmont, CO Centennial, CO In Honor of Don and Carol Cheley Jenny and Gary Zi ergruen, Ballet Renaissance, Estes Park, CO William W. and Rhondda Grant, Julie Montgomery, Li leton, CO Van Horne, IA William Fetsch, Boston, MA: Denver, CO Amanda Nelson, Hugo, OK In Memory of Andrew J. Fetsch 14 Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er Miriam Hill, Philadelphia, PA: Louise & Ray Lindsey, Boulder, CO Patrick and Sarah Holden, Karen Lenczowski, Andover, MA In Honor of Jennifer Lin & Bill S eg Jack & Mary Overly, Estes Park, CO San Antonio, TX: Walter W. Mar n, LLC, Denver, CO Pete & Gretchen Lewis, Marana, AZ In Memory of Doris and Joe Wampler, Lincoln, NE Mountain View All in Memory of Tamara Schaefer: Dorothy and Owen Holland Laura G. Weiss, Chicago, IL Presbyterian Church, Loveland, CO: Helen Evans, Aus n, TX Don Keller, Fort Collins, CO All in Memory of Gordon Goff : In Honor of Jean Muenchrath Katherine and Richard Hoenigman Barry and Sharon Knapp, Erin and Stanley Clark, Normal, IL Na onal Park Founda on, Rochester, MN Sylvia and Derek Jaggers, Washington, DC Kurt A. Knutson, Vernon Hills, IL T R R Longmont, CO Alice D. Schwartz, Estes Park, CO: Robert Krisinger, Pleasant Hill, IA Robert and Irene Oaks, In Memory of Bob Underwood FullFully’sy’s Family Investments LLLP,LLLP, Warren & Be y Kuehner, Rancho Cucamonga, CA Linda & Mike Wold, Estes Park, CO: Denver, CO Denver, CO Richard Shinn, Estes Park, CO In Memory of Marice Kane, Denver, CO Margaret J. Livingston, Boulder, CO Henry and Joan Tall, Hemet, CA Don, Rody and Brian Barthelmeh Jane Kemp, Grand Lake, CO McWhinney Holding Company, Marilyn and John Vergoth, Meredith Williams Founda on, Barbara Leutwiler, Boulder, CO Loveland, CO Estes Park, CO Darien, IL: Canton & Ann O’Donnell, Mdimran Mdhashim, Houston, TX In Memory of Meredith Williams Denver, CO Marla Meehl, Boulder, CO: All in Memory of George Guthrie: Carolyn O’Donnell, Denver, CO In Honor of Mark Sparn Renate and James Fernandez, C C DiannaD and Jay O’Neall, Denver, CO Na onal Parks Conserva on Estes Park, CO KiKim and Erich Schloemer, Heath, TX Associa on, Washington, DC Dorothy Gibbs, Estes Park, CO F BBonnie Severson, Grand Lake, CO The Guests of Ford & Merry Nielsen, Carla Shankle, Englewood, CO Rocky Mountain Park Inn Estes Park, CO Na onal Park Founda on,on Jason and Bonnie Sutherland, Maureen and William Rosado, Las Anita Tannuzzo, Tampa, FL Washington, DC Denver, CO Vegas, NV William and Beryle Williams, Carlen Schenk and Barry Brezan, Jacqueline and Michael Tompkins, Keith Rutledge, Tolleson, AZ: Estes Park, CO New Berlin, WI Grand Lake, CO In Memory of Lois Kern Shirley Folle , Grand Junc on, CO: Michael and Suanne Yarbrough, Serendipity Trading Company, All in Memory of Tamara Schaefer: In Memory of Lisa Wren Fraser, CO Estes Park, CO: Marilyn Herrmann, Estes Park, CO In Honor of Serendipity Trading Company, Estes Park, CO T I B U RMNP’s 100th Anniversary Marcus & Joan Sessel, F RiRichardchard Acheson,Acheson, Milliken, Milliken, CO CO Livingston, TX James Alfred, La Grange Park, IL Stanley Black & Decker, BeBethth AAbbobbo , CConway,onway AARR AAmazonSmile Founda on Dona on, New Britain, CT Mary & John Bayard, Sea le, WA Archie and Una Stevenson, C : Centennial, CO: Phillip Anderson, Thornton, CO The summer 2015 Quarterly mis- Longmont, CO takenly posted a dona on toward In Honor of Anonymous John A. Streun II, Denison, TX Best Use as given by Helen Anderson the RMNP’s 100th anniversary Edwin Aus n, Rochester, NY Christopher and Caroline Stull, in memory of Marianne Lynch. Leslie Cameron, Coppell, TX: Victor Bergman, Overland Park, KS Los Alamos, NM In Honor of Patrick and Erik Roth Lisa Brenskelle, Houston, TX Jocelyn Tanaka, Mililani, HI The correct lis ng is as follows: Catherine Cozzarelli, Washington, DC Carol Buckingham, Gober, TX Teradata, Stuart, FL Helen Anderson and Roger Walton, Marianne Gaynor, Taylor, MI: Peggy Carr, Denton, TX Ted and Joyce Treffi nger, Lakewood, CO: In Honor of Gene Stehman Ann and John Chafee, Denver, CO Aurora, CO In Memory of Jerome Lynch Patricia Moore, Estes Park, CO: Shannon Cumberland, Denver, CO Sheffi eld Tulp, Denver, CO Our most sincere apologies! In Honor of Linda and Jeff Dafoe, Syracuse, NY: Charlie Inderman, RMNP Ranger In Memory of Jen Six Richard Moseley, Boulder, CO: Fred Six, Lawrence, KS In Honor of Mary Ann Moseley Kendra Dunn, Broomfi eld, CO PARK PUZZLER SOLUTION Paul and Donna Payne, Garland, TX Gene Krueger, Boston, MA Lindsey Slack, Prospect, KY Rachael Glitz, Sebastopol, CA: Larry & Linda Emsing, In Honor of the Estes Park, CO: Grand Lake Yacht Club Tweens In Memory of Gordon Goff Margaret Clark Golden, James and Chris ne Glenski, Brooklyn, NY Shawnee Mission, KS: Carol Grimson, Arvada, CO In Memory of John A. Morgan Terri and Jim Gustafson, Lincoln, NE Meredith Williams Founda on, Julie and Mar n Harrington, Darien, IL: Denver, CO: In Memory of Meredith Williams In Memory of Art Shenkin Jill Belmont, Omaha, NE: Julie and Mar n Harrington, In Memory of Rick Fox Denver, CO: J. and T. Moris, Forest Lake, MN: In Memory of Ed Zneimer In Memory of Timothy Dale Cameron Edward Havranek, Denver, CO: All in Memory of Ron Kuhns: In Honor of Kevin Sturmer Donald and W. Rebecca Cus s, Brian and Michele Holaway, Gainsville, FL Estes Park, CO Patricia and Ellis Laitala, Estes Park, CO Rocky Mountain Conservancy Newsle er 15
A Voice From the Next Generation... Finding Home in Rocky by Madeline Wilson
whom I knew liked to hike in summits of the rocky hill behind my house. the park, and we headed for It’s in the summer evenings on the deck Sky Pond. As it turned out, we with our family friend, Curt, reading aloud didn’t make it to our des na on Madeline of the Mountains, the adventure that day. Instead, we arrived at stories he wrote for me. It’s the hikes my Lake of Glass where Jennifer was mom and I took with my best friend’s family convinced that we were actually every Sunday one summer in middle school, at Sky Pond. I had fallen, covering and the smell of the fabric of my dad’s park my thigh in ny cuts — and it was ranger uniform when I hugged him each snowing. So, we turned around. day he returned from work. This thread (From le ) Hiking buddies Douglas Klink, Forrest But that hike sparked what would the color of mountains is woven into every Shafer, Jennifer Klink, Madeline Wilson and Joey grow to become a massive wildfi re value my parents ins lled in me. Sisk at Bluebird Lake (Photo: Madeline Wilson) within me. So, this year, as we celebrate our park The three of us hiked all summer turning one hundred years old, I urge you: “You are so lucky to have grown up in with a couple other close friends, Teach your children to love this planet we such a beau ful place!” the tourists would each week choosing harder and more call home. Don’t give up on us. We may tell me regularly. obscure des na ons. The cycle repeated seem uninterested or blow you off ; we may “Yeah, it’s fi ne,” I’d respond stoically. the following summer. Each year I spent at pay more a en on to our cell phones; it And so it went for the fi rst eighteen years college in the fl atlands of Minnesota intensi- may seem pointless and you may want to of my life. fi ed my desire to return to the mountains. quit — but please, don’t. The life I lead and I was born in Estes Park, Colorado, and At fi rst, I enjoyed the hikes because it meant the things I love are proof that gently and for my en re life I’ve lived a mere ten-min- quality me spent adventuring with my persistently off ering your children access ute drive from Rocky Mountain Na onal friends. But this interest has grown and to the natural world can quietly foster a Park. For eighteen years, I barely no ced developed into a passion for the mountains deeply seated apprecia on for nature. these mountains — the silent giants that so great that I spent almost every one of my I’m 21 now, and these days I am proud surround my li le hometown. I liked limited days off this summer rising at the to call Rocky not only one of my favorite horses, gymnas cs, wri ng stories and was crack of dawn to get on the trail — alone or places in the world, but also one of those I vehemently opposed to any ac vity that with my mom. know best. This summer, I hiked more than contained the words hiking or na onal Looking back, I can see that this spark 350 miles to remote and incredibly beau ful park. Despite having raised me in and near was in me all along. I see it in the home vid- places. I pushed through the aching joints, na onal parks my en re life, I’m pre y sure eos of me at age two, frolicking in the freez- bone spurs, blisters the size of cherries, my parents had given up on me developing ing cold lakes; the pride in my childhood and a nasty encounter with high-al tude any apprecia on of the natural world. ppulmonary edema. I’ve s tched up holes My senior year of high school was in my shoes so they could hike another the hardest I had encountered to date. In mmile and covered my backpack with relics a world of college applica ons, ta ered ffrom my travels: the shoelace we found friendships and an unknown future, I found oon Mount Lady Washington, the beads myself searching for something I didn’t ffrom Peru that Forrest gave me one windy understand. I suppose I was looking for a mmorning at Andrew’s Tarn, and the li le sense of security, a place to rely on. And so, AAmerican fl ag I happened across halfway the day before gradua on, through some ddown Meeker. unexplained, unexpected twist of events — Each me I leave again for college, I the reasoning behind this s ll confounds me leleave a part of myself in these mountains, today — I decided to go hiking. bbut I carry with me something so much Perhaps it was the desire to escape bbigger. So, thanks Mom and Dad, for the seemingly insurmountable challenges oopening up this world to me and le ng that confronted me star ng college; per- mme fall in love with it at my own pace. haps it was the subconscious need that AAnd happy 100th, Rocky. You’ve given me the mountains remained a stagnant refuge a place to call home and shown me what when everything around me was changing. it means to truly live. I’m not sure I’ll ever know. In any case, I called up my best friend, Engaging with the park as one’s playground MadelineM Wilson is a senior at St. Olaf Jennifer, and our acquaintance, Forrest, may just be the cket for the next genera on College in Northfi eld, Minnesota, and is of park stewards! (Photo: Stuart Gordon) studying for her B.A. in Nursing. Nonprofi t Organiza on US Postage PAID Permit #184 Estes Park, CO Charles Money, execu ve director Nancy Wilson, Quarterly editor PO Box 3100 Estes Park, CO 80517 (970) 586-0108
It’s that me of year! Photo: Conservancy Member Jim Ward Nature Notes Signifi cant rainfall occurred in spring and early summer, but from July on- foraging) on a hike to ward, it’s been a dry season. Nonetheless, those early rains did sustain the Lulu City.....They also con- green meadows and rushing creeks in the area for longer than usual, even fi rmed that the beaver(s) into late August....Park Ecologist Hanem Abouelezz confi rmed rumors of at Lily Lake was s ll going (two) river o er on the east side of the park. The park’s “Exo cs Crew” saw strong as of late July..... a river o er in late September in the Big Thompson River, adjacent to Bear This in from “Flight Crew” Lake Road, right near Moraine Park.....Conservancy member and photogra- leader Ron Harden: pher Gene Putney was at Sheep Lakes in mid-August watching an elk herd Olive-sided fl ycatchers in the meadow when he heard someone men on that a bull moose was in were seen on the Sols ce the meadow down the road. In disbelief, he went to check it out; and sure Bird Survey along the enough, a young bull moose was grazing in the meadow, just down the road Mill Creek Trail out of from the ponds toward the park entrance.....Also, in early July, Gene spo ed Hollowell Park; Ham- an American mink in the Endovalley Picnic Area that was taking a break in mond’s fl ycatchers were the shade by the river. It was characteris cally long, black and slinky. As he seen in Upper Beaver watched, it scampered along the water’s edge and slipped into a hole in the Meadows, as usual, but riverbank.....Richard Hohensee, Park Volunteer, observed what he thought to not the dusky fl ycatchers This endearing shot of an American badger, taken in the be a rather early sigh ng of a rough-legged hawk west of Forest Canyon on which are usually more park by Conservancy Warehouse Manager Jeremiah August 28.....Conservancy Offi ce Hummingbird Nest Update: it appears, and numerous. Wild turkeys Ramirez, belies the fi erceness of these elusive but highly is assumed, that the two nes ng hummingbirds in the tree just outside the were spo ed there as aggressive hunters. a c offi ce window successfully fl edged as they (and their hustling mother) well and increased sigh ngs seem to confi rm an increase in their popula on in the were no longer to be seen a er the 4th of July weekend. Pygmy nuthatches park. The most celebrated bird seen by bird walk par cipants this summer was the were seen harassing the nest just before the hummingbirds disappeared, Western tanager, because of its fl ashy yellow and red coloring, but Ron noted in but there’s no reason to suggest foul (fowl?) play....Park visitor Madeline par cular the subtle beauty of the Townsend solitaire, if one is inclined to study it Wilson reported being chased by a snowshoe hare across a bridge on the more closely.....Park afi cianado Susi Sisk was at a picnic at a friend’s house in Stanley Glacier Gorge trail in late August. She saw the bunny in the grasses at the Heights in Estes Park when a bear casually strolled through the property. As if that edge of the trail and when she turned to con nue hiking, it followed her, weren’t enough, they suddenly heared a high-pitched animal scream, shortly fol- turning away at one point, hesita ng, then con nuing toward her across the lowed by the sight of a coyote chasing a young elk along one side of the property. bridge in hot pursuit un l about three feet from her boots....RM Conservancy Catching glimpses of the ac on through the trees, the picnickers could see the Development Assistant Victoria Alexander was in her cabin near the Beaver coyote closing in on its prey. As the chase turned along another side of the property, Meadows Entrance of Rocky when a yearling bear peeked in her living room it looked like the elk (s ll screaming) was a goner when, just in the nick of me, the window from the deck, scaring Victoria half to death.....And, in early July, young elk reconnected with the herd.