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Rocky Mountains
By PK | June 16, 2008
The Rocky Mountains, also called by the Cheyenne “Rock on the Horizon”, stretch more than 3000 miles from Canada to New Mexico. The highest peak, Colorado’s Mount Elbert, rests 14,400 feet above sea level.
The Continental Divide is located in the Rocky Mountains, which define the line at which waters flow either to the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic Ocean.
The Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado first discovered the Rocky Mountains in 1540, when he marched from the south. Sir Alexander MacKenzie became the first European to cross the Rocky Mountains in 1793 and the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) was the first scientific reconnaissance of the Rocky Mountains.
Our exploration started in Steamboat Springs, Colorado where we were visiting on Memorial Day Weekend. Our previous visit to Steamboat, in the later part of April, was filled with memories of lots and lots of snow. Steamboat broke a snow record for 2007-2008 of 482″ of Champagne Snow. The Trail Ridge Road was closed due to the extreme amount of snowfall during the winter.
Demonstration on how they remove snow on Trail Ridge Road.
Trail Ridge Road opened for Memorial Day Weekend with lots of visitors and tourists viewing the wonderful, breathtaking sites it offered. Our trip consisted of traveling from Steamboat to Estes Park over Trail Ridge Road into the Rocky Mountain National Park. My altitude sickness was just about over and I didn’t know if it would haunt me again as I, once again, climbed to dizzying heights.
As I took this picture, it was hard for me to imagine I would soon be higher than the mountain in front of me.
A valley far below in Grand County, Colorado
The roads were beginning to be U-shaped as we climbed higher.
The snow was over the top of our truck. The pole you see sticking out of the snow are guides for plowing during the winter.
An avalanche about to take place soon???
These next pictures were taken from the most upper part of Trail Ridge Road. As you can see, I am above the mountains to the west.
One lone bull Elk grazing at the top. We found this unusual as most Elk were found at a lower atmosphere where food was to be found.
Rocky Mountain National Park has the highest paved roads in any National Park in the United States. Trail Ridge Road crests at 12,183! Due to the high elevations and exposure park roads are subject to strong winds and rapid weather changes.
Alpine Visitor Center
We finally made it to the top. There was a trail climbing to a crest. I’m sure it was an awesome view, but I had decided to wait until I was more acclimated to the high altitudes. I’m sure I’ll want to visit again this summer, and most definitely in the fall when the leaves are full of color.
I hope you enjoyed this trip. Coming soon will be articles about Steamboat Springs, Estes Park, Yampa Valley, Elk Hunting, and more…
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Topics: "Post Cards From the West", Colorado |
