A hike in Rocky Mountain National Park
Entretien avec la responsable des relations publiques du Parc National des Montagnes Rocheuses.
Le Colorado, porte d’entrée du Grand Ouest américain, possède des paysages à couper le souffle. Avec pas moins de quatre parcs et huit monuments nationaux, vingt-cinq stations de ski et autant de routes historiques pittoresques, c’est une destination privilégiée de tous les amoureux de la nature. Kyle Patterson nous fait découvrir l’un des bijoux du Colorado, le Parc National des Montagnes Rocheuses.
1. Vocable: Can you tell us a little bit about the history of the park? When did it become a national park, and why? Kyle Patterson: The lands now known as Rocky Mountain National Park have been home to humans for at least 10,000 years. American Indians, explorers, homesteaders, miners, and dude ranchers have used the area at one time or another. Rocky Mountain National Park was created in 1915. It is one of the oldest national parks in the United States. It was set aside to preserve the high-elevation ecosystems and wilderness character of the southern Rocky Mountains within its borders and to provide the freest recreational use of and access to the park’s natural features.
2. Vocable: What about the geography of the park? K.P.: Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses 265,761 acres or 415 square miles. Nearly one-third of the park is above tree line, or higher than 11,400 feet in elevation. Protecting and preserving the tundra is one of the main reasons the park was set aside. 118 named peaks are above 10,000 feet, and seventy-two rise above 12,000 feet. Glaciers and flowing fresh water carved the landscapes of the park. The park is the headwaters of several river systems including the Colorado River and the Cache la Poudre.
3. Vocable: What kind of vegetation and wildlife can we spot there? K.P.: Rocky Mountain National Park supports a diversity of ecosystems, including montane, subalpine, and alpine biological communities. The park also includes lush riparian and aquatic ecosystems based in lakes and streams. Forests mingle with mountain meadows. The park is also one of America’s premier wildlife watching destinations, showcasing elk, bighorn sheep, mule deer, moose, black bears, coyotes, mountain lions, a variety of bird species, and scores of smaller animals. The park provides refuge for about 60 mammal species and more than 280 recorded bird species.
4. Vocable: In what way does the Rocky Mountain National Park stand out from other national parks? K.P.: Rocky Mountain National Park provides exceptional access to wild places for visitors to recreate and experience solitude and outstanding scenic beauty. Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the United States, and the park’s extensive trail system bring visitors to the doorstep of a variety of wilderness-based recreational opportunities. The dramatic elevation range within the park boundary, allows for varied plant and animal communities.
5. Vocable: How do you preserve this beautiful land and wildlife? K.P.: The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources of the national park system for the enjoyment and education of people, including future generations. All of our management decisions weigh this mission. It can be a challenging balance to achieve! We have seen a forty percent increase in our visitation over the last five years. In 2017, we were the fourth most visited national park. Park managers will continue to address what effect this level of visitation is having on visitor and staff safety, resource protection, visitor experiences and operational capacity.
6. Vocable: What kind of activities can we do in Rocky Mountain National Park? K.P.: Rocky Mountain National Park has over 350 miles of established trails. This park is an amazing hiking destination. It also draws anglers, photographers, rock climbers and sightseers. Camping is also popular in the park. The park has five front country campgrounds open in the summer and over 250 wilderness camp sites. All of these camping locations require permits. In the winter snowshoeing is popular.