Untamed Rocky Mountain National Park

These mountains form the stony spine which holds together the great landmass of America, east to west, the backbone of a continent. Encasing the Continental Divide and the headwaters of the Colorado River, rises Rocky Mountain National Park. Here in the north central region of the state of Colorado, surrounded by lush national forests, Rocky Mountain National Park touts over 16 named peaks higher than 12,000 feet. With this high altitude wilderness, crowned with granite peaks, this park preserves the quintessence of the far reaching chain of Rocky Mountains. Springtime, after a long winter slumber, the park comes alive. Thousands of visitors traverse the highest continuous paved highway in the United States. Trail Ridge Road, carefully winding upwards through a primeval wilderness. You would have to go on a round trip to the Arctic Circle to view the life zones along this 40 miles of road. In the uplands now, more than 1/4 of the park is above the treeline. Alpine tundra, frost shattered rocks, plants must be tough to survive here. At this altitude, spring lasts only a week or two, and the growing season only around 40 days. At last, we're at the very top, the roof of the Rockies. Here gusts of wind can reach 200 miles an hour. Thunderheads may gather ominously and then vanish in an instant burst of sun. Gnarled twisted trees and stubby grass cling tenaciously to the hostile landscape. Even at the peak of summer, snow may fall. A fresh snowfall adds enchantment to an already spectacular landscape. Some of the parks 359 trails, begin above the tree line. So even short hikes lead to spectacular vistas. Winter. It comes early in Rocky Mountain National Park. Before the frigid blast sweep in, animals leave the high country for the valleys. While bear bears and marmots hibernate deep in their dens, other wildlife comes out in the open. In the winter back country, sports take on a special excitement. Beneath these granite crests, hiking these valleys, fishing these rivers, today's park visitors, families of visitors, can still experience true wilderness. Untamed, unspoiled, as it's been since the dawn of creation