This summer my husband and I made our almost annual visit to Rocky Mountain National Park. While there we enjoyed one of our favorite hikes to Ouzel Falls, with a quick stop at Calypso Cascades along the way. A big rock sits aside the waterfall which is perfect for photos, as in this one of a group of friends several years ago. When I returned home, I found a photo album with a similar shot of my sister, mother and me atop the same rock next to the same waterfall in 1956. In this world of constant change, it is refreshing to know that some special places will always endure. They are protected by our wonderful national park service.
On a sad note, I was disappointed to see the Moraine Park Visitor Center, a particularly important educational site in the park “Closed for the Season.” What a short-sighted waste of opportunity caused by the current budget cuts.
Sincerely,
Rocky Mountain National Park
This dramatic landscape of towering mountains and alpine lakes encompasses more than 265,000 acres - 95% of which are designated wilderness. With this intentional focus on protecting this unique landscape, there are few developed infrastructure areas in the park, which leads to traffic problems in areas including the Bear Lake Road Corridor and right off Trail Ridge Road. Alpine tundra also encompasses approximately 1/3 of the park. Alpine tundra is a fundamental and fragile resource, which requires park managers to give this ecosystem increased attention for protection.
State(s): Colorado
Established: 1915
“they are the only special places in the United States where the natural resources are truly protected.”
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Greetings from Rocky Mountain National Park
Quick story, ‘88 seasonal support at RMNP. Met (worked with) my wife of now 33 years. Tremendous memories of Estes Park, Trail Ridge Store, and my love.
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