No need to travel far to visit wildlife, just take a look in your own backyard. Treks to Africa and Canada are wonderful experiences, but if you can’t or won’t travel to remote areas why not seek out a national park?
This visit— Rocky Mountain National Park.
Back in 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation to create Rocky Mountain National Park, which is located in north-central Colorado close to Estes Park–at least on one side.
The vast expanse of the park encompasses many different ecosystems. At low elevation levels ponderosa pine and juniper grow on the sun-drenched slopes. However, on the cooler and shadier side Douglas fir trees line the mountainside.
Groves of aspens and wildflowers grow along the streams and lakes within the park. The starkness of the land shows itself at the very high elevations where no trees choose to grow. The highest peak—Longs Peak—reaches 14,000 feet and remains desolate but snow-capped almost year round.
What can you do in Rocky Mountain National Park? Tons of activities abound for all ages and agilities. For the less adventuresome you can drive through the park and stop at the various lookout points to admire the scenery and snap a few photos.
Hiking, horseback riding, camping, and fishing activities are available during the nonwinter months. In the winter you can cross-country ski or snowshoe on the various trails.
This topic talks about creatures so where are the animals?
Although many less exotic types of wildlife call Rocky Mountain National Park home, these creatures are still incredible to find and watch. Coyotes, bobcats, black bears, bighorn sheep, fox, mountain lions, and elk are a few of the animals you may see during a visit. Many types of birds, such as Steller’s jay, gray jay, great horned owl, and white-tailed ptarmigan also provide entertainment at the lower elevations.
The bighorn sheep are the living symbol of Rocky Mountain National Park. These creatures venture out during daylight hours in open and rocky areas. Sheep Lake within the park is a natural mineral lick and a great place in which to view the sheep.
Beavers have also contributed to the park by altering the landscape in many areas. As you walk through the park you can see the lodges built by the beavers in many of the ponds as well as fallen aspens and tree stumps—also victims of the beavers.
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