Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado is on land acquired by the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. The Rocky Mountain National Park Act was signed by President Woodrow Wilson on January 26, 1915. The act established the park boundaries and protected the area for future generations. In the 1930's Trail Ridge Road, the main automobile route through the park was build by the depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1976, the United Nations designated the park as one of the first UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves.
Within the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park are mountains, alpine lakes and a wide variety of wildlife. The park is made up of diverse ecosystems, from wooded forests to alpine tundra to high rugged mountains. More than 100 peaks rise above 11,000 feet in altitude, including Longs Peak at 14,259 feet. Longs Peak, which can be seen from a wide area of Colorado, was named in honor of explorer Stephen Harriman Long and is featured on the Colorado state quarter. The peaks of the national park surround the Estes Valley, providing residents and visitors with incredible beauty and inspiration. Many of the taller peaks make up the Continental Divide, where snowmelt runs either west to the Pacific Ocean or east to the Gulf of Mexico. The headwaters of the famous Colorado River are located in the park's northwestern region near La Poudre Pass.
To view a large sized picture, click on the filmstrip image. To view this gallery as a slide show, click the play button or the arrow buttons. To learn the story behind the photo, click on any image as you scroll through the slide show. To view all my Rocky Mountain National Park images, go to my Rocky Mountain National Park Gallery on Istockphoto. Signed fine art prints from many of my photographs are available for purchase on Fine Art America. For special offers and to follow my photographic journey please Join My Email List.
Within the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park are mountains, alpine lakes and a wide variety of wildlife. The park is made up of diverse ecosystems, from wooded forests to alpine tundra to high rugged mountains. More than 100 peaks rise above 11,000 feet in altitude, including Longs Peak at 14,259 feet. Longs Peak, which can be seen from a wide area of Colorado, was named in honor of explorer Stephen Harriman Long and is featured on the Colorado state quarter. The peaks of the national park surround the Estes Valley, providing residents and visitors with incredible beauty and inspiration. Many of the taller peaks make up the Continental Divide, where snowmelt runs either west to the Pacific Ocean or east to the Gulf of Mexico. The headwaters of the famous Colorado River are located in the park's northwestern region near La Poudre Pass.
To view a large sized picture, click on the filmstrip image. To view this gallery as a slide show, click the play button or the arrow buttons. To learn the story behind the photo, click on any image as you scroll through the slide show. To view all my Rocky Mountain National Park images, go to my Rocky Mountain National Park Gallery on Istockphoto. Signed fine art prints from many of my photographs are available for purchase on Fine Art America. For special offers and to follow my photographic journey please Join My Email List.
