National Park Service Park News U.S. Department of the Interior The official newspaper of Rocky Mountain National Park Rocky Mountain National Park Summer 2010 June 20 - September 6 Tundra Protection Areas Roadwork 2010 Enjoy but Protect the Alpine Tundra Resurfacing Work on Trail Ridge Road Trail Ridge Road stretches nearly 50 miles across the top of the During the summers of 2010 and 2011, a major resurfacing park between towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake, reaching a project will take place on Trail Ridge Road from the Colorado high point of 12,183 feet. The drive provides some of the most River Trailhead to Rainbow Curve. This project will also involve accessible alpine tundra in the lower 48 states. While normally resurfacing of all major Trail Ridge Road overlook parking areas, open between late-May and mid-October, snow can close the pull offs and the parking lot at Alpine Visitor Center. road at any time! Park visitors can expect 20 to 30 minute delays through the Providing access for visitors to experience the alpine tundra construction on Trail Ridge Road. There may be multiple areas of while protecting it for future generations was one of the purposes construction occurring concurrently, and in that case the combined for the establishment of Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915. delay time will not exceed 60 minutes. Motorcyclists Tundra is the land above the trees where tree growth is hindered and bicyclists should expect rough road conditions. There may by harsh winter and short growing seasons. Here treeline ends be some temporary night closures of Trail Ridge Road as well. It is around 11,200 to 11,500 feet. Comparatively if you travel north, possible the project will be completed during the 2010 season. treeline decreases in elevation as average annual temperatures decrease and growing seasons shorten. In the furthest regions of Canada and Alaska tundra is found at sea level. In the park we use the term alpine tundra -- meaning a high-altitude treeless area. Trail Ridge ROAD But protecting this fragile landscape is the challenge. While REPAIR wildlife and American Indians crisscrossed the tundra for thousands of years, their impacts are scant. The growing popularity of the park has accelerated human impacts. The human footstep is the greatest threat to the tundra. Along Trail Ridge Road four Tundra Protection Areas have been established around the most popular viewpoints. Here you must stay on trails and not wander across the tundra. These include: Walking On Tundra With the exception of four Tundra protection Areas Rock Cut, Forest Canyon Overlook, Gore Range Overlook, at Alpine Visitor Center, Forest Canyon, Rock Cut, and Alpine Visitor Center and store at Fall River Pass. and Gore Range overlooks, you can, with care, hike on the tundra. In the four areas listed above you The Alpine Ridge Trail, commonly referred to as Huffer Hill, must stay on marked trails as you walk. across from the Alpine Visitor Center, is closed through next year To help preserve tundra: for major reconstruction. This popular trail climbs over 200 feet, • Stay on trails where they exist. has steep grades, and provides incredible views. The condition of • Never walk single file off trail. the trail has significantly deteriorated, resulting in erosion around • Step on rocks where possible. the log steps and unlevel stepping surfaces, contributing to safety The tiny plants thank you. concerns and resource impacts to the tundra. Park Phone Numbers and Website Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222 Hearing impaired persons may call the TTY at Call Park Information (970) 586-1206 with your questions. (970) 586-1319 from 8 to 5 daily We are available to assist you from 8 to 4:30 daily. The Official Park Website is http://www. nps.gov/romo Dial 911 or (970) 586-1203 to report emergencies Follow us on Twitter @ RMNPOfficial You Need to Know Visitor Centers Keep Wildlife Wild Never feed wildlife. A fine may Park visitor centers are the places to find out what you need to be issued to violators. Animals know. All have knowledgeable staff, printed information on can kick, bite, or gore you. They can many topics, and great bookstores stocked with the best books become dependent on human food and Please don’t feed me! for finding that perfect trail and learning what makes Rocky lose the ability to feed naturally. Wildlife also carry diseases Mountain such an outstanding national park. Each visitor center which can be transmitted to humans, like rabies and plague. has its own special features. Photograph animals from the roadside. East of the Divide – Estes Park Area Beaver Meadows Firearms Visitor Center • Hunting, recreational shooting, and target practice is not allowed in Open daily 8-9, through August 28, Rocky Mountain National Park. starting August 29, open daily 8-7. • Firearms are permitted in Rocky Mountain National Park. Features spectacular free park As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who movie, bookstore, large park can legally possess firearms under federal, Colorado, and orientation map, and backcountry local laws, to possess firearms in Rocky Mountain National permits in an adjacent building. Park. It is the visitor’s responsibility to understand and comply with all applicable state and federal firearms laws. Sheep Lakes • Federal law prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this Information Station park; those buildings are posted with signs at public entrances. Open daily 8:30-4 through August • If you have questions, please contact the Park Information 14. Horseshoe Park is a good place Office at (970) 586-1206. to look for wildlife, including bighorn sheep and elk. Weather and Road Conditions For current park road and driving conditions, please call the Trail Ridge Road status line Fall River (970) 586-1222. You can also check www. Visitor Center twitter.com/RMNPOfficial , or the park All services open daily 9-5. website at www.nps.gov and click on road Features life-size wildlife displays, conditions, inquire at park visitor centers, or a children’s discovery room with call (970) 586-1206. objects to touch, and a bookstore. Pets Pets are prohibited in all areas of Rocky Mountain National Park not accessible by motor vehicles, including all trails and meadows. Leashed pets (6 ' leash or less) are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas and along Alpine Visitor Center roadsides. Open daily (weather permitting) 9-5. Features extraordinary views of alpine tundra, tundra displays, Fishing bookstore, adjacent gift shop Obtain specific park regulations at visitor centers or park and snack bar. Call 586-1206 for entrance stations. To fish in Rocky Mountain National Park, current information. you must have a valid Colorado state fishing license. Lost and Found Please turn found items in at any park visitor center. To Moraine Park inquire about lost items, call the Backcountry Office at Visitor Center (970) 586-1242. Open daily 9-5. Interactive exhibits on the past and present landscape, and a bookstore. Great views of glaciated Moraine Junior Rangers Park. Free Junior Ranger books are available at park visitor centers for children ages 12 and under. A successfully completed West of the Divide – Grand Lake Area book earns a badge! You are an important part of this park. Kawuneeche Stay in touch. Visitor Center Contact us anytime at: Open daily 8-6. Features free [email protected] movies, exhibits on wonders of the park, a bookstore, and Los libros de guardaparque juveniles son para niños que tiene 12 años o backcountry permits. menos. se pueden obtener sin costo en el centro de visitantes del parque. Si se completa el libro con éxito puede recibir una insignia! Summer RMNP 2010 - 2 125K 1st Surviving Your Visit Camping 2010 Falling Trees Falling trees are an ever-present hazard. When traveling 1 or camping in the forest, trees can fall without warning. Be particularly watchful when it’s windy, or following a snowstorm when branches are heavy with snow. Avoid parking or camping in areas where trees could fall. ee per night ◊ Public Phones Dump Stations Reservations? F Elevation (feet) Firewood, ice ◊ When the water is turned on for the summer. Aspenglen 54 campsites Open May 26 through $20 yes no yes yes Sept 25 8,220 • Hunting, recreational shooting, and target practice is not allowed in Lightning Glacier Basin Loops Rocky Mountain National Park. People are killed by lightning every year 150 campsites C & D Open May 26 through $20 & Group yes yes yes • Firearms are permitted in Rocky Mountain National Park. in Colorado. Afternoon storms are 8,500 2 Sept 6 Loops As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who frequent and can bring an unhappy end 13 group campsites can legally possess firearms under federal, Colorado, and to a hike. Watch for approaching storms local laws, to possess firearms in Rocky Mountain National and be well below treeline or back in Longs Peak Park. It is the visitor’s responsibility to understand and your car before the storm hits. If you are 26 campsites $20 no no no yes 8,150 Open all year–tents only 9,500 comply with all applicable state and federal firearms laws. caught out in the open during a lightning • Federal law prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this storm, do not seek shelter under a tree park; those buildings are posted with signs at public entrances. or rock overhang. You want to squat Moraine Park • If you have questions, please contact the Park Information down as low as you can, keeping both 245 campsites $20 yes yes yes yes Office at (970) 586-1206. feet together and avoid being the tallest Open all year 8,160 thing around you.