Colorado Rockies and Pikes Peak

             Established by Congress on January 26, 1915, the park exhibits the massive grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. Trail Ridge Road crosses the Continental Divide and looks out over dozens of peaks that tower more than 13,000 feet high. Longs Peak, the highest peak in the park, is 14,255' in elevation. The high point on Trail Ridge Road is 12,183'. The road is closed from late fall, to the Memorial Day weekend. Because of the high elevation of the park (8,000' to over 14,000') visitors need to take time to acclimatize. People with various medical problems should check with their physician before coming to the park. Elk, mule deer, big horn sheep, moose, coyotes and a great variety of smaller animals call the 416 square miles (265,769 acres)of the National Park home. During the winter months snowshoeing and cross country skiing are very popular. Hiking is available on 346 miles of trails. Many trails can be hiked any time of the year. June and July are the best months for seeing the wild flowers. Weather conditions determine when and where flowers bloom; call 970-586-1206 for up to date information. In the fall, viewing the elk rut (mating season) is a wonderful opportunity to see and learn about these magnificent large animals. Almost 90% of the park is managed as wilderness, making it a great place to enjoy solitude and the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
             Lt. Zebulon Montgomery Pike discovered the mountain in 1806; however, Lt. Pike originally named the mountain "Grand Peak," but cartographers labeled it "Pikes Peak" on their maps. Lt. Pike's only attempt to climb the mountain was unsuccessful due to a cold November storm, and Pike later predicted that "no one would ever reach the summit." The first man to climb the peak was Dr. Edwin James in 1820. Julia Archibald Holmes became the first woman to reach the summit in 1858. In 1893, Katherine Lee Bates, a Massachusetts author and teacher, was so in
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Colorado Rockies and Pikes Peak. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 04:29, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/103270.html