Rocky Mountain Vacation

Rocky Mountain Vacations: Trail Ridge Road

One of the must-sees of a Rocky Mountain vacation is a drive over Trail Ridge Road in R

ocky Mountain National Park. This is actually US Highway 34, which connects Estes Park, Colorado on the east side of the park with Grand Lake Colorado on the west. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuously paved highway in the United States and sits reaches a maximum elevation of 12,183 feet near Fall River Pass, near the Alpine Visitor Center.

Only those who enjoy a Rocky Mountain vacation during the warmer summer months can expect to travel across the Continental Divide via Trail Ridge Road. The harsh winters high in the Colorado Rocky Mountains bury the road in snow ten feet deep from October to May. Road crews work from mid-April to Memorial Day to clear the snow for summer visitors. Even so, Trail Ridge Road can be closed for a few hours to a few days any time during the summer because of snowfall.

Trail Ridge Road was built during the short summers of 1929 to 1932 to accommodate increased tourist traffic through Rocky Mountain National Park. About eleven miles of the road extend above the tree line through alpine tundra. People enjoying a Rocky Mountain vacation can see plants, animals and environmental conditions commonly seen only within the Arctic Circle. Visitors are reminded that the vegetation in this area is extremely fragile and can take years to recover from foot traffic. Please stay on marked paths to protect this delicate ecosystem.

No Rocky Mountain vacation is complete without a stop at the Alpine Visitors Center. A restaurant, gift shop, and rest rooms are located within the center. A variety of wildlife including elk, deer, and bighorn sheep can be observed from the deck of the visitor center. It’s also serves as a stunning backdrop for those special vacation photos.

For those who enjoy a scenic drive, a Rocky Mountain vacation featuring a day spent travelling along the Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is sure to create many wonderful memories for everyone in the family.

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A Rocky Mountain Vacation: Estes Park, Colorado

No Rocky Mountain vacation is complete without a visit to Estes Park, Colorado. This town of approximately 6,000 is located 90 miles northwest of Denver and serves as the eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The main industry of Estes Park is tourism, and is aided by the splendor of the neighboring national park. People from all over the world visit Estes Park on their Rocky Mountain vacations.

Estes Park offers a wide variety of activities. There are many local gift and souvenir shops, and most offer a selection of jewelry handcrafted by local artists. There are also several art galleries, a historical museum, and a couple of spas. A wide variety of restaurants offers everything from coffee and bagels to wild game, so you are certain to find something for everyone in your family.

Being outdoors is the best way to enjoy your Rocky Mountain vacation, and Estes Park has lots of outdoor activities to choose from. Besides camping, hiking, and fishing, you might want to try rock climbing, Alpine mountain climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, or river rafting. If you are a bit less adventurous, try golfing or bird watching. A scenic drive through Rocky Mountain National Park is a perfect way to view wildlife.

Finding a place to stay on your Rocky Mountain vacation is easy. In addition to chain hotels and motels, there are lots of cabins, lodges, and bed and breakfast inns to choose from. If you prefer camping, there are several campgrounds in or near town, as well as in Rocky Mountain National Park and in nearby Roosevelt National Forest.

Undoubtedly the most famous and most recognizable building in Estes Park is the Stanley Hotel. It was built by F.O. Stanley, the co-inventor of the Stanley Steamer automobile. He originally came to Estes Park in the summer of 1903 to recover from tuberculosis. He decided to stay in the area and opened his hotel in 1909. The elegant Stanley Hotel hosted many famous guests over the years, including John Phillip Sousa, Theodore Roosevelt, the Emperor of Japan, and countless giants of business and industry, as well as many Hollywood film stars.

The Stanley Hotel experienced renewed popularity after being featured as the Overlook Hotel in the Stanley Kubrick film, The Shining. The original story was written by Stephen King after he stayed at the hotel and experienced encounters with some of the ghosts who are believed to haunt the Stanley Hotel. The haunting of the hotel has been investigated by the television programs Ghost Hunters and Most Haunted. For those who want a truly unforgettable Rocky Mountain vacation might want to reserve room 217, where Stephen King was inspired to write The Shining, or try room 418, one of the most haunted rooms in the hotel.

No matter how you want to relax on your Rocky Mountain vacation, a visit to Estes Park, Colorado can provide you with a wide variety of activities to choose from. From outdoor fun to fine dining to ghostly encounters, you are sure to find something to make your vacation one to remember for a lifetime.

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Animals of Rocky Mountain National Park

A Rocky Mountain Vacation is a great way to see animals in the wild. Some basic knowledge of animal habits and habitats greatly enhances prospects of spotting Rocky Mountain’s wild residents. A few park favorites:

Elk can be seen anytime, a popular viewing period being the fall rut, or mating season. Look for elk in meadows and where meadow and forest meet. Elk spend much of their time at or above treeline during the summer, moving to lower elevations in the fall, winter and spring. Favorite feeding times: dawn and dusk.
Bighorn sheep are commonly seen at Sheep Lakes from May through mid-August.

Moose frequent willow thickets along the Colorado River in the Kawuneeche Valley on the park’s west side.

Otters were reintroduced into the Colorado River area and are doing fairly well. These animals are difficult to spot.

Mule deer are common and can be seen anywhere. They are most often found at lower elevations in open areas.

Bats feed over lakes and ponds at dawn and dusk.

Marmots and pikas favor rocky areas. Marmots are best seen on the alpine tundra along Trail Ridge and Old Fall River roads. Pikas – small, light-colored mammals – are common in rock piles. Listen for their sharp, distinctive bark and watch for movement.

Clark’s nutcrackers, Steller’s jays, golden eagles and prairie falcons can be seen along Trail Ridge Road.

White-tailed ptarmigans, some of the most sought-after birds in Rocky Mountain National Park, are common but difficult to spot. For best results, hike on the tundra and look carefully. Ptarmigans usually remain still, relying on their natural camouflage for protection.

American dippers, or water ouzels, can be found along most streams. Listen for their loud call, similar to the rapid clicking of two stones together, as they fly up and down their territories.

With a little effort you can see these and many more animals on your Rocky Mountain Vacation.

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Tips for Successful, Enjoyable Wildlife Watching

Watch wildlife from a distance. Use binoculars or a telephoto lens to get close-up views. Following larger animals too closely to get a photograph or a better look can stress them and threaten their health. If animals notice you or if they seem nervous, you are too close. Move away quietly. Following a few basic rules will make your Rocky Mountain Vacation very enjoyable.

Obey all signs posting closed areas. At different times of the year, some park areas are closed to protect wildlife during nesting, mating and birthing seasons.

Keep pets in your vehicle. Pets may scare wildlife, and wild animals can hurt the pet.

Use of wildlife calls and spotlights is illegal. They stress animals and alter their natural behavior.

Some large animals such as elk, sheep, bears and mountain lions are dangerous. Check at visitor centers for tips on safety around wildlife.

Drive slowly. Watch for animals crossing the road. Deer and elk are seldom alone. If you see one animal, look for others that may follow.

Stop your car to watch animals only if you can pull off the road safely. Do not block traffic.

When possible, get away from roadsides and sit quietly to observe and listen for wildlife. Talk only when necessary, and do so quietly so you don’t disturb the animals or other wildlife watchers. If viewing wild animals from your vehicle, turn off the motor.

Remember that the park is the animals home and you are just a vistor and you will have more fun on your Rocky Mountain Vacation.

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When planning a Rocky Mountain Vacation, think about what activities will be available during your stay. There’s plenty to do no matter when you decide to visit.

Getting to your Rocky Mountain vacation can be fun. There is no train service to the Park, and the only way to easily get around within the park is by car. A popular option is to fly in to Denver and rent a car. On a Rocky Mountain Vacation either renting or driving your own vehicle to the park is really your only option in order to see all there is to see. Distances might seem small within the park, but traveling on mountain highways takes more time and caution, and there are frequent traffic back-ups on the Parks mostly two-lane roads.
If you are planning a Rocky Mountain Vacation, choosing where to stay may be the hardest part. Lodging is available year-round and comes in all types, sizes, and price ranges. There’s a perfect place for you and your family to stay no matter what you have planned for your Rocky Mountain Vacation.

If you are on a limited budget, try one of the many hotels within a few miles of one of the Park’s entrances. Rooms with one queen bed start for as little as $59 a day in the low season. Many hotels also have honeymoon suites and family suites. Restaurants are within a short walking distance from most hotels.
No Rocky Mountain Vacation is complete without a guided tour of the park. Ride in air-conditioned comfort during summer or enjoy the majesty of winter in Rocky Mountain National Park from motor coaches. Learn about the park’s history, wildlife, geology, and current issues that affect the park. If you would rather go it alone, rental cars are available nearby.

A Rocky Mountain Vacation in winter can include cross country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as guided snowmobile trips. Summer time a Rocky Mountain Vacation can include hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, camping, and horseback riding. What are you going to try first?

Camping or overnight vehicle parking in pullouts, picnic areas, picnic grounds, or any place other than a designated campground are not permitted and there are no overflow camping facilities. However, camping is often available in neighboring communities and forests outside the park.

No matter when you visit or what you like to do, there’s something to make everybody happy on a Rocky Mountain Vacation. Plan yours today!

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