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Written by Aaron
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Friday, 18 December 2009 12:48 |
 The holiday season is a great time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. In addition to beautiful scenery, wildlife viewing and a variety of winter recreational activities to do on your own, some fun activities with park rangers are offered.
On the east side of the park: Winter Storytime – Read with a Ranger! December 26 at 10:30 a.m., December 27 at 2:00 p.m., and daily from December 28 through January 2 at 10:30 a.m. Hear stories about the wonders of the winter season. Meet at Fall River Visitor Center.
Skins and Skulls – Learn about Rocky’s wildlife! Daily from December 26 through January 2 at 3:00 p.m. Come to the Skins and Skulls program at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center for a hands-on experience.
Snowshoe Ecology Walks – Beginner- level snowshoe tour with a ranger to explore the natural world of a subalpine forest. December 30, January 1 and January 2 at 12:30 p.m. For ages 8 and above. Reservations required - call (970) 586-1223 beginning
December 23.
Full Moon Walk – Explore the wintery world of Rocky Mountain National Park under the light of a full moon. December 30. Traction devices or poles required. Dress in warm layers and wear waterproof boots. Reservations required - call (970) 586-1223 beginning December 23.
On the west side of the park: Ski the Wilderness – Join a park ranger for this 1.5 hour cross-country ski tour of the Kawuneeche Valley. For ages 8 and above. December 26 and January 2 at 9:30 a.m. Reservations required - call (970) 627-3471 no more than seven days in advance.
Snowshoe in the Kawuneeche – Beginner-level snowshoe tour with a ranger. December 26 and January 2 at 1:00 p.m. Intermediate-level snowshoe tours held December 27 and January 3 at 1:00 p.m. For ages 8 and above. Reservations required - call (970) 627-3471 no more than seven days in advance.
For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park please call the park’s information office at (970) 586-1206. All park visitor centers and the Information Office will be closed on December 25. |
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 30 November 2009 14:05 |
 Looking for a unique gift idea for the holidays? A Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass is a great gift for that person who enjoys visiting the park or would like to visit more often.
A Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass is a gift that gives in many ways. Your recipient will be able to enjoy all the beauty and adventure the park has to offer during all seasons and Rocky Mountain National Park benefits greatly from the purchase as well. From enjoying breathtaking scenery to hiking, viewing wildlife and wildflowers to snowshoeing, the park has something to offer everyone, depending on their interests and what season they visit. Fees at the park have added approximately 30 percent to the park's annual budget, which assist with natural and cultural resource management and science research, as well as repair, rehabilitation and renovation needs.
The annual pass is $40 and can be purchased at any Rocky Mountain National Park entrance station, or by calling (970) 586-1438 to make a credit card purchase. “The Rocky Mountain National Park annual pass is a great deal. If you visit twice a year it pays for itself,” said Superintendent Vaughn Baker, “plus, eighty percent of those fees stay right here in Rocky Mountain National Park.” For general information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please contact the park’s information office at (970) 586-1206 or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/romo |
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Last Updated on Monday, 30 November 2009 14:18 |
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Written by Aaron
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Monday, 26 October 2009 16:53 |
Over the next five months, weather conditions permitting, fixed wing and helicopter flights will occur over Rocky Mountain National Park. These flights will assist with the survey procedures to estimate elk populations in the park. Park staff anticipate no more than three days of flights per month. The flights will not occur on holidays.
Both a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter, flying at different altitudes, will be used. The main purpose of the paired flights will be to enhance the monitoring of the number and distribution of the elk population in
Rocky Mountain National Park. This is a joint study with the National Park Service and United States Geological Survey (USGS).
For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park please call (970) 586-1206. |
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Written by Aaron
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Wednesday, 21 October 2009 13:45 |
Today, Wednesday, October 21, 2009, Trail Ridge Road officially closed for the season to through travel. Old Fall River Road officially closed for the season on October 8, 2009. Since Sunday, October 4, Trail Ridge Road has been closed due to consistent winter conditions of drifting snow, high winds and below freezing temperatures above 10,000 feet. Trail Ridge Road, one of the most impressive alpine highways in the United States, is the highest continuous road in America and reaches an elevation of 12,183 feet. The road connects the park’s gateway communities of Estes Park on the east and Grand Lake on the west. The road is currently closed at Colorado River Trailhead on the west side and Many Parks Curve on the east side.
Old Fall River Road is an unpaved road that travels from Endovalley picnic area to above treeline at Fall River Pass, following the steep slope of Mount Chapin. Due to the road’s narrow nature, the scenic 9.4-mile route leading to Trail Ridge Road is one way only. The Old Fall River Road was built between 1913 and 1920.
According to Superintendent Vaughn Baker, “After recent snowfall accumulation at high elevations in the park, with the accompanying wind and ice, as well as the forecast for periodic storms at high elevations, we have decided to officially close Trail Ridge Road for the season. The snow continues to blow and drift at higher elevations, making snow clearingoperations and driving conditions extremely hazardous. During the winter season, weather permitting, we will keep Trail Ridge Road open to Many Parks Curve on the east side of the park and to the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side of the park.”
Trail Ridge Road was opened in 1932. The average winter closure date has been October 23. The previous ten year’s closure dates are: November 6, 2008, October 22, 2007, October 23, 2006, November 4, 2005, October 25, 2004, November 6, 2003, November 1, 2002, October 18, 2001, November 2, 2000, and November 22, 1999. The central portion of Trail Ridge Road normally opens the last week in May, weather permitting. This year Trail Ridge Road opened on May 21, 2009.
Both roads have reverted to trail status; therefore bicycles and dogs are not permitted. For current road conditions and other park information, please call (970) 586-1206.
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Join a Park Ranger at Rocky Mountain National Park for a kid-friendly snowshoe adventure on the west side of the park. Snowshoeing is a fun way to experience the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park and is a great family activity! The programs will be held on Saturdays; January 9, February 6 and March 6 at 10:30 a.m. Ages 6-12 are welcome with an adult. Participants should dress warmly, in layers and furnish their own equipment. All snowshoe walks require reservations. Reservations can be made in advance, seven days or less prior to the desired walk. To make reservations for west side snowshoe walks, call the Kawuneeche Visitor Center at (970) 627-3471 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily. Come enjoy the winter magic of Rocky Mountain National Park.