What makes the rocky mountains special

The tallest peak in the range is Mount Elbert, residing near Leadville, Colorado. That title belongs to Pikes Peak, which is the second most visited peak in the world. Pikes Peak sits at 14, feet above sea level and is accessible by foot, bike, train or car ride. The exploration of the Rocky Mountains began as early as by Spanish Conquistador, Vazquez de Coronado and later became by popularized by Lewis and Clark as well as, Zebulon Pike in the early s.

The gold rush brought in hundreds of settlers looking for opportunity and led to the settlement of Denver. Share this: Twitter Facebook. Like this: Like Loading Leave a Reply Cancel reply Enter your comment here Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:. Email required Address never made public. Name required. Loading Comments Email Required Name Required Website.

All the lakes are spectacular in their own right, but Nymph Lake in particular draws crowds because of its bright yellow water lilies. This alpine lake is known for its massive boulders and large trees. In fact, some of the oldest trees in the park are said to reside there. Another of the most popular trails is the one to Alberta Falls. Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds. It refers to rocks, sand, or other materials that have been deposited behind flowing water.

At this particular spot, there was a flash flood when a dam broke. The fast-flowing water took out everything in its path and deposited it there once the water slowed down. Now it acts as a spacious waterfall that you can climb in and around, getting your feet if not your whole body! We recommend touring one or more of the visitor's centers of Rocky Mountain National Park and of any other national parks you visit. Places you travel are much more interesting once you know what defines them.

Not just that, but you can ask park rangers questions, kick your feet up out of the heat watching an educational film, and play with interactive exhibits that teach you what makes this park unique. Visitors can see it from Mountain Overlook viewpoint and from the town of Estes Park on the edge of the national park.

Still not good enough? Make the trek to the top, braving the altitude and the elements. Both are small, charming mountain towns with a tourist draw of their own. We recommend you explore at least one of them on your trip to Rocky Mountain National Park or choose to stay the night in one of them as you visit.

If you are new to the park consult with rangers at visitor centers or the Wilderness Office. They can provide advice about trails which are appropriate to different fitness and experience levels. Check out some of the most popular hikes. Scenic Drives The road system of Rocky Mountain National Park offers visitors access to diverse ecosystems characterizing the higher regions of the central Rocky Mountains. The roads take visitors through lowland meadows and aspen groves, along swift-flowing rivers and up through subalpine forests to more than 12, feet in elevation.

Wildlife Watching and Photography Whether it be bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, or other wildlife, Rocky visitors have a passion for viewing wild animals, especially the big ones. A winter elk herd numbering between , about bighorn sheep, and numerous mule deer call the park home. The park's great large-animal population makes it one of the country's top wildlife watching destinations.

Here at Rocky you can find 60 species of mammals, recorded bird species, 11 species of fish, and countless insects, including a surprisingly large number of butterflies. Get our tips for viewing wildlife and capturing amazing photos. Picnicking Enjoy picnic areas throughout Rocky Mountain National Park from dawn to dusk on a first-come, first-served basis reservations are only available at Lily Lake.

Keep Wildlife Wild Animals are quick learners and seek out food where it can easily be found. Never feed wild animals.