TRAIL GUIDE NEWSLETTER - JUNE, 2007

Welcome to RMNP Guide - and the first edition of the Trail Guide Newsletter!

You may be asking, "Why another Rocky Mountain National Park website?" The quick answer is because we're Rockyholics - we love to talk about our favorite park and share it with others. It seems like we just can't help ourselves.

However, that doesn't tell the whole story. This isn't intended to be just another RMNP website. Think of it more as a guided tour with a group of friends. We'll show you all the "must see" sights. Help you pick your backcountry campsite. Offer you a choice of itineraries. Answer your questions. In short, if you need help planning a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, you've come to the right place.

The information you'll find on this site now is just the beginning. We haven't even scratched the surface of all the best that Rocky Mountain National Park has to offer. There will be new features added over the course of time, so be sure to check back often. And please invite your friends to join us, too.

Once you've had a chance to look around, you may find that you have questions. We'd love to hear from you! One of the best resources for answers is our forums community. Alternately, you can send an email to us.

So, whether you're planning your first trip to Rocky Mountain National Park or reliving your last one, we hope you'll find RMNP Guide informative, enjoyable - and fun!


NEWS YOU CAN USE

Trail Ridge Road is now open for the season. However, travelers should be aware that it is subject to temporary closure as weather dictates.

In addition, work is under way to repair and resurface Trail Ridge Road. During the month of June, repairs will done to the section between Deer Ridge Junction and Rainbow Curve. You should expect delays of up to 30 minutes, possibly in multiple locations, with the cumulative delay being no more than 1 hour.

Beginning in July, Trail Ridge Road will be closed at night from the Forest Canyon Overlook to the Alpine Visitors Center. Night closures will be in effect from 10:00 p.m. through 6:00 a.m., beginning Sunday evening and ending Friday morning. Night closures will not occur on Friday and Saturday nights. In addition, some work will have to be done during the day, possibly causing delays in multiple locations. As with the earlier section, cumulative delays should not exceed one hour.

Old Fall River Road is currently closed. Conditions permitting, it will open for the season at the end of June. Old Fall River Road will be open during the night closures on Trail Ridge Road. However, it will remain one way, meaning travel will only be possible east to west.


FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR - ERIK STENSLAND

RMNP Guide is happy to include the work of Estes Park photographer Erik Stensland. The self-tagged "Chief Photo Spammer" of RMNP Forums, Erik's work can also be seen at his Images of RMNP Gallery behind Bond Park - and at McDonald's! According to Erik, "The McDonald's restaurant in Estes Park, Colorado had a major facelift this month. They purchased 10 large (24"x36" to 40"x60") wood mounted prints from Morning Light Photography to give the restaurant a Rocky Mountain National Park theme. They have certainly brought new life to the restaurant, and it almost feels like a second gallery." In addition, Erik's first book, Images of Rocky Mountain National Park: A Photographic Portfolio, is being released by Skyline Press this month.

Any of Erik's photographs featured on RMNP Guide can be purchased via his website.