The Beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is located in Colorado with entrances on the east side at Estes Park and on the west side at Grand Lake . Millions of visitors enjoy vacationing each year in this 265,000 acre park. In September and early October, the aspen leaves light up the mountainsides in colors of yellow, lime green, orange and red at altitudes of roughly 7,000 feet to 11,000 feet. The majestic mountain peaks in this area include Long’s Peak at 14,000 feet and many other mountains as the backdrop for this glorious fall color display each year.
In addition to beautiful scenery, the mighty elk herds migrate downward from the high mountain meadows to the lower meadows in the park to spend the winter here. Young bucks can be seen fighting for supremacy of the big herds against the much older mature bucks throughout the lower mountain meadows. Bighorn sheep, bear, deer, fox and moose may be seen, but are much more elusive than the elk herds.
Best Aspen Viewing Areas in Rocky Mountain National Park on the East Side
Bear Lake area is a favorite place for viewing aspen. This winding scenic drive beside mountain streams is enhanced with the color of the aspen beside the park roadway. Groves of aspen on the distant mountain sides contrast with the dark green pine trees and are feasts of beauty for the eyes. The shimmering waters of Bear Lake reflect the nearby colored aspen in the clear lake waters. Early morning after sunrise is a great time to see these beautiful reflections. At Bear Lake the trail is wheel-chair accessible making it easy for everyone to view the beauty here.
Storm Pass is located on the drive to Bear Lake. Parking spaces are very limited here, so visitors and photographers need to arrive early to get a parking place. At the beginning of this trail, there is a mounded small hill which allows a full 360 degree panorama perspective of this mountain pass. The groves of aspen were vividly colored and at peak color in late September and early October this year. Storm Pass has a mountain stream meandering beside the hiking trails. The sounds of gurgling water and wind rustling through the nearby aspen leaves, make the viewing of the richly colored aspen on the mountains of this pass a spectacular viewing place for the senses.
Hallowell Park is a valley off the drive to Bear Lake. A short hike in this grassy valley gives a wonderful valley floor view of jagged patches of vivid golden aspen on a pine forest lined mountain. On another nearby mountain, one grove of aspen showed many colors of yellow, red, orange and gold outlined against the granite in the background.
Endo Valley is a magnificent meadow area for viewing the aspen. Aspen line the windy roadway into this breathtaking valley. In the Alluvial Fan area, the rock-slide steam was accented with red colored aspen this year. Tourist buses unload many photographers at this site. This roadway continues upward to enter Fall River Road which is a one-way very windy road to the Alpine Visitor Center located on the summit at over 12,000 feet.The views are magnificent on this drive!
Best Elk Herd Viewing Areas in Rocky Mountain National Park on the East Side
Upper Beaver Meadow on the road to Bear Lake is designated an elk viewing area. From 5:00 PM to 7:00 AM during the fall, people on foot are prohibited in this meadow. Cars line this roadway with people standing nearby watching the elk herds from early morning until dusk during the fall. Here, a large bull elk defended his supremacy as head of this herd. He was limping as he walked beside the roadway. Younger male elk practiced nearby with locking their horns, snorting, running at each other and pawing the ground at the edge of the forest. They were preparing for the future time when they challenge the herd leader for supremacy.
Endo Valley is also a favorite elk viewing area. Cars often line this road with the occupants hoping to catch a glimpse of the elk herd. This herd is not always visible each day. Bugling elk in the distance signal that elk are present in this majestic valley.
Outstanding Fall Beauty
Rocky Mountain National Park is a place of colorful magnificence and spectacular wildlife viewing in the fall. Watching the huge elk herds in the lower mountain meadows during the fall is wildlife watching at its very best. Nearby the backdrops of the mountain pine forests accent the vivid patches of colorful aspen. The aspen in shades of red, orange, yellow and lime green glow on the mountain sides and beside the roadways adding to the magnificence of the park beauty each fall. Visitors experience a special sense of grandeur and awe during the colorful fall season which is my favorite season in this national park.
Resources
Author’s personal experiences while visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in the fall over many recent years.
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5982729_altitude-do-aspen-trees-grow_.html