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We focus on Colorado Family Vacations specializing in:
Rocky Mountain National
Park
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| Sightseeing |
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A feature of
the park is the marked differences found with the changing elevation.
At lower levels, open stands of ponderosa pine and juniper grow
on the slopes facing the sun; on cooler north slopes are Douglas-fir.
Gracing the streamsides are blue spruces intermixed with dense stands
of lodgepole pines. Here and there appear groves of aspen. Wildflowers
dot meadows and glades. Above 2,700 meters (9,000 feet) forests
of Englemann spruce and subalpine fir take over. Openings in these
cool, dark forests, produce wildflower gardens of rare beauty and
luxuriance, where the blue Colorado columbine reigns. At the upper
edges of this zone, the trees are twisted, grotesque, and hug the
ground. Then the trees disappear and you are in alpine tundra -
a harsh, fragile world. Here, more than one-quarter of the plants
you will see can also be found in the Arctic. From the valleys to
its mountaintops, Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses many
worlds.
Trail Ridge
Road is one of the great alpine highways in the United States. It
crosses the park from east to west and then drops into the Kawuneeche
Valley and that of the North Fork of the Colorado River. Its winding
course takes you 3,713 meters (12,183 feet) above sea level and
into a world akin to Earth's arctic regions. The road is usually
open from Memorial Day to mid-October depending on snowfall. As
your family travels along Trail Ridge itself, above tree line, you
are on the "roof of the Rockies" with superlative vistas
of glacier-carved peaks on every side. For a closer look at the
alpine world, walk to Forest Canyon Overlook or take the half-hour
round trip Tundra Trail.
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| Activities |
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Your family
can become acquainted with the park through its guided walks, campfire
talks, and other services. Stop at park headquarters or the Kawuneeche
Visitor Center, both of which are open ell year, and see the exhibits
at Alpine Visitor Center, open June through September, and at the
Moraine Park Museum, open May to October. Wayside exhibits and self-guiding
trails also will help your family enjoy your stay in the park.
Horses with
guides can be hired at several locations for your family's convenience.
For the climbers in your family, Rocky Mountain National Park offers
a variety of challenging ascents throughout the year.
Winter means
snow in the Rockies and snow means skiing. Cross-country skiing
in the lower valleys, winter mountaineering in the high country,
and downhill skiing at Hidden Valley.
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| Shopping |
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The only shopping
your family will find in the park is the gift shop. You can, however,
find shopping in the Estes Park and Grand Lake areas.
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| Hidden
Gems |
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Did you know...
The Stanley
Hotel is located in Estes Park. This luxury 1909 hostelry inspired
Stephen King's novel The Shining.
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| Family
Friendly Dining |
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There is no
dining within Rocky Mountain National Park, with the exception of
the snack bar at the Alpine Visitor Center at Fall River Pass. However,
there is an incredible variety of quality dining options in the
Estes Park and Grand Lake areas. Restaurants, snack shops and coffee
shops offer menus for all tastes and ages.
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| Climate |
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Spring
(April through May) - Precipitation will fall in the form of rain
at lower elevations and snow at higher elevations. Conditions will
change often from warm and dry to cold and wet. Late spring usually
brings on the late-afternoon thunderstorm season, which will last
through most of the summer.
Summer (June
through August) - Expect sunny mornings, afternoon thunderstorms
and clear nights. Lightning is often associated with these thunderstorms.
Avoid tundra slopes and high ridges in the presence of threatening
weather. Dark, flat-bottomed clouds are a sign of possible lightning.
Fall (September
through November) - Sunshine and blue skies are typical of a normal
autumn day. Cool temperatures and decreasing precipitation can be
expected. Snow may begin to fall in late-October to November.
Winter (December
through March) - Cool, crisp days and winds should be expected.
The area experiences over 300 days of sunshine a year, making for
some pleasant winter days. However, sudden and intense snowstorms
and blizzards can happen at any time.
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