The Rocky Mountains are a place of wonder. This national park is just above Estes Park, which is a tourist town in Colorado. It’s quite high in altitude, and there are more than 60 peaks in total. This means that there’s a lot of room for vistas, camping, hiking, and having a great time overall.
The cool thing about this place is that it’s open all year round. However, most people want to go to the summer during the Elk Festival. The summer months are the busiest since during the winter, some of the roads close because of the large amounts of snow. Click here to read more.
Before you go on the trip, make sure that you’re prepared for the altitude. Lots of people don’t know that they get lightheaded during the trips, and that’s why you should bring a bottle of oxygen with you. One of the routes is called Trail Ridge Road.
It can take you higher than 12 000 feet above sea level. This means that you need to approach it with caution, especially if you’re new to the world of hiking. Make frequent stops, slow down when needed, remember to drink a lot of water, and listen to the signs that your body is telling you.
If you start to feel a headache, drink some more water and try to inhale more oxygen. One of the first symptoms of altitude sickness is a pounding headache. There’s no way to enjoy the beautiful scenery when drums are going off between your ears.
When the train passes by, you can stop by the visitor center and ask around. There are rangers that lead activities each day. Plus, they can tell you about all of the wildlife that can be seen for the season. Additionally, they will tell you which trails are good to go.
Take a hike
This is the best way to see the park since there are more than three hundred miles of trails. When you get there, you’ll be surprised at how well-kept everything is. Plus, there are hikes for all skills and ages. Follow this link for more info https://www.pastemagazine.com/travel/colorado/reasons-to-visit-rocky-mountains-national-park/.
If you’re going with little kids, then it’s best to go for a gentle and simple stroll. If you’re feeling adventurous with a couple of friends, you can go for a severe climb to a peak. Plus, there’s everything in between. There will be birds chirping and squirrels that have become used to people.
You can try feeding them from your hand, and that will create memories that will last for a lifetime. If you still don’t know which trail to try, you can go to the tourist center and ask around. Depending on the info, they will tell you exactly where to go.
If you don’t want to go all alone, there are outdoor schools that host activities. There are workshops, backpacking trips, hikes, and camping experiences that you can join. If you’re visiting during the summer, try to go as early as possible. The afternoons can get quite hot and crowded.
The easy-level treks are popular with everyone since the scenery is absolutely amazing. When you get to the medium-level treks, then it’s going to be a bit more difficult but quite rewarding. There are lakes, mountain ranges, calm trees, and snow. Make sure to bring a camera.
See the wildlife
One of the best things about national parks is that people don’t mess with the wildlife. There are bears, mountain lions, deer, elk, and bighorn sheep roaming around. You can visit this website for train trips through the rocky mountains and an unforgettable experience. There are also more than 300 species of birds which makes it a paradise for bird watchers.
While it’s not completely sure that you’ll encounter a bunch of animals when you’re passing through, it’s important to know what to do if that happens. At the end of the summer, it’s elk mating season. Large groups will go down into the city and block the traffic when they’re hungry.
If you’re staying through the night, you might hear a lot of loud bugling. There’s nothing to be scared about since they’re trying to find a soulmate. If you’re in your car and you notice a bunch of elk, don’t go out. Keep your distance, and don’t do dumb things just because of a video or a selfie.
They’re wild animals, and since it’s mating season, they have the potential to injure you. That’s especially true if you see a bear. That’s a common sighting in Estes Park. The first thing to do is to stay motionless. Try to be cool and level-headed and give some room to the animal if it wants to flee.
If that doesn’t happen, try to make yourself as big as possible and start screaming and throwing tiny twigs or rocks. Even the National Park Service advises you to always fight back when a bear is in front of you. Their most active times are between April and November. Click on this link to read more.
During the winter, they hibernate, so seeing one will not be possible. If you have the extra pocket change, get some bear spray, you never know when you’re going to need it. The same thing is true if you spot a mountain lion. Raise your arms above your head to appear bigger.
Don’t try to run away since it will most certainly run after you. Always move back with your eyes on the animal, and try to get a stick if possible. One of the best things to do is to travel in a group since that’s how the chances of you getting attacked get slimmer.
When you’re hiking, it makes sense to bring some snacks with you. During the summer months, try to keep those snacks in a bear-proof container since their noses can smell for miles. If you’re camping, the food always needs to be far away from you.
During the day, don’t leave crumbs from granola bars or anything on the trails. This will simply attract wild animals, and that could result in someone else getting hurt. Remember that it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep the park clean, and you should dispose of your trash accordingly. Visit this link for more info
Don’t use a lot of perfume when you plan on going for a hike since that can disrupt the nose of the bears and mountain lions, and they might attack you because you smell like something sweet.
Live like a cowboy
If you’re willing to give it a try, you can also lie like a cowboy. There are plenty of lodgings available, and you can try out fun activities with your family. You can go golfing, swimming, fishing, roller skating, and enjoy other activities during your trip.
