National Parks - Rocky Mountain

Suggestions Rocky Mountain, while a beautiful Park, doesn't have quite the awe-inspiring sights of Zion or Yosemite. The Park's real value is the preservation of an entire alpine habitat from the forests all the way to the snowy peaks, so to really appreciate Rocky Mountain, you have to spend a little time in each of the climate zones. The best way to visit all the climates is to drive all the way through the park on Highway 34 as part of your trip.

There are plenty of hiking trails along the way. Some of our favorites include hiking through the waterfall area at the Alluvial Fan or around Bear Lake on the east side and the Kawuneeche Valley area on the west side. US 34 (Trail Ridge Road), which cuts through the park in the summer, will give you some breathtaking mountain views in between the two areas. While you're on the west side of the park, the Kawuneeche Visitor Center has some really nice displays worth seeing. If you only have a short time or want to do more hiking than driving, skip the highway and head toward Bear Lake near the US 36 (South) entrance to the Park. Be sure to stop at Sprague Lake for great photos on a calm day.

If you can pick your time of year, late September is a great time because the Elk are in rut. From just about any meadow (called "parks" here), you can see (and hear) bull elk bugling. Additionally, the aspens turn a brilliant gold and hold it until early October. September is also the last full month Trail Ridge Road is open through the park.

If you're travelling through the area in the winter or spring, just beware US 34, the only road through the Park, is closed from at least mid-October 'til June. You can still hike in the lower areas, you just won't be able to see everything. If you only have a limited time in the Spring, take the road to frozen Bear Lake for great views of distinctive Hallett Peak. Stop at the lower (read "unfrozen") Sprague Lake along the way for a pleasant 1/2 mile hike. If you are going to stop and walk around the peaks, bring a warm jacket. The temperature at elevation can easily be 20-30 degrees cooler than the entrance, even in the summer. Also, if you're from out-of-town and not used to the elevation, DRINK LOTS OF WATER!!! This will help keep you from getting dehydrated (and getting headaches) in the high, dry climate. If you're fair skinned, remember your sunscreen, because the elevation causes you to burn about twice as fast as lower elevations.

6. Elk rule the park, and the elk crossing signs are not something to be ignored, March 2007	7. This formation, known as the "Twin Owls" is a familiar landmark for residents of Estes Park, CO. It sits just inside Rocky Mountain National Park. To illustrate how fickle Colorado weather can be, this picture was taken just two days after the one of the elk in the snow, March 2007
8. The Moraine Park area is a great place to view elk and catch some nice scenery, even in the winter, March 2007	9. Longs Peak at sunset from the Beaver Meadows Visitors Center, April 2005
10. Sprague Lake on a snowy day in March 2007. Compare to the photo on the right taken on a beatiful, calm day.	11. Reflections in Sprague Lake, April 2005
12. Hallett Peak atop a frozen Bear Lake in April 2005	13. Looking out toward the Continental Divide from alongside Highway 34, the main road through the Park, June 1997
14. A huge, bright blue dragonfly checking out a plant on the banks of Lily Lake, August 2007 ( This shot was taken using a 300mm zoom at about 4 feet. Using the zoom at this range makes the background fuzzy and brings out the subject)	15. This brilliantly colored thistle near Lily Lake is among hundreds of species of flowers in Rocky Mountain, August 2007 ( This shot was taken using the "portrait" function found on most digital cameras. This setting opens the aperture to focus on the subject and not the background)
16. Ducks preening on Lily Lake, August 2007	17. This view of Longs Peak is from just outside the Park on Colorado Hwy 7 just north of the turnoff for the Longs Peak trail area, August 2007
18. Me and my son at the base of the Alluvial Fan, April 2005	19. While there are many warnings around the park telling you not to approach the wildlife, sometimes they approach you. This cow elk was grazing right next to the road on the west side of the park, and this picture was taken from the car window, October 2007
20. Colorado in September is wonderful. Besides the changing aspens, the bull elk in Rocky Mountain are bugling, September 2000	21. Beautiful elk buck awaiting its next bugle, September 2000
22. The Kawuneeche Valley runs north-south along the western edge of the park. There are many places to stop and walk through the meadows. This is near the Bowen/Baker trailhead, October 2007	23. The Never Summer Mountains frame the west side of the park, and true to their name, they are covered in snow the forst day of October 2007
24. The moon makes a nice backdrop for this view of the Never Summer Mountains from Farview Curve, October 2007 ( This shot was taken using a 300mm zoom to accentuate the moon's size relative to the mountains)	25. The hike to Adams Falls in the southwest corner of the park is easy and colorful, October 2007
26. Adams Falls is a neat arrangement of small falls just east of Grand Lake. This is one of the small falls visible from the generous viewing area, October 2007. ( The softness of the water in this shot was achieved by closing the f-stop to f22 and letting the camera choose the speed. This can only be achieved in shadow or low light such as dawn or dusk. A tripod or steady rock is a must for this kind of shot because the exposure time will be a few seconds or more)