Wanderlust World Wanderlust World
The Rocky Mountain can be divided into four sections: the Canadian Rockies in western Alberta and eastern British Colombia, the Middle Rockies in Wyoming and southern Montana and Idaho, the Southern Rockies in Colorado and northern New Mexico, and the Mexican Rockies in Chihuahua, Coahuilla, Durango, Nuevo Leon, and Zacatecas. These ranges vary greatly in climate, ecosystems, and topography.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is the highest park in the United States, with over 170 peaks of over 10,000 feet. It provides a habitat to over 40 species of mammals, over 250 species of birds, and 750 lakes.
Grand Teton National Park
In addition to iconic mountain peaks like The Grand Teton, Mount Moran, Mount Owen, Mount Jackson, Buck Mountain, Middle Teton, South Teton, and Cloudveil Dome, Grand Teton National Park is home to two of only 13 active glaciers of the lower 48 states – Teton Glacier and Middle Teton Glacier. The parks also boast alpine meadows, wildlife, fishing, hiking and biking trails, rock climbing, scenic drives, as well as boat cruises on Jenny and Jackson Lakes.
Mount Elbert
At 14,440 feet, Mount Elbert is the highest mountain in Colorado and the Rockies, and the second-highest peak in the contiguous United States after Mount Whitney. It is one of over 58 peaks in Colorado that are over 14,000 feet.
Mount Evans Scenic Byway
Mount Evans Scenic Byway in Colorado climbs to 14,264 feet, making it the highest paved road in North America. The route boasts waterfalls, alpine meadows, bighorn sheep, and panoramic mountain views.
Pikes Peak
As one of the most accessible mountains over 14,000 feet, Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has gained the nickname “America’s Mountain.” It inspired songwriter Kathrine Lee Bates to write the lyrics to “America The Beautiful.” The top can be reached by the Pikes Peak Highway by car or the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.
Other Distinctive Features
* The Front Range is the eastern face of the Southern Rocky Mountains in Colorado. It spans from the southeastern portion of the state to north of the Wyoming state line. Notable summits include Longs Peak, Gray’s Peak, and Mount Evans.
* The Sawatch Range is home to more fourteeners (59 of them) than any other mountain range in the United States. Fourteeners are mountains over 14,000 feet. It also houses North America’s deepest and widest ice field, the Harvard Icefield, which is the source for numerous rivers.
* The San Juan Mountains are located in southwest Colorado and extend into northwest New Mexico. They are best known for ancient forests, hot springs, old mines, alpine valleys, scenic drives, and winter sports.
* The Elk Range in central Colorado has nine of Colorado’s fourteeners, including the famous Elk Mountains, Mount Massive, Mount Elbert, and La Plata Peak.
* The Sangre De Cristo Range in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico is home to six fourteeners, including Blanca Peak and Mount Lindsey, and many beautiful mountain towns and resorts, including Salida, Westcliffe, Creede, and Taos.
* The Uinta Range in Utah is over 100 miles long and features two of Utah’s five tallest peaks, Kings and Gilbert Peaks.
* The Canadian Rockies cover two Alberta and British Columbia national parks: Banff and Jasper. They also include Canada’s highest mountain, Mount Robson.
* Kootenai National Park is located in Canada and is home to the second-largest temperate rainforest area in the world after Pacific Rim National Park Reserve in British Columbia.
* Glacier National Park, located in Montana, is home to some of the planet’s most incredible alpine landscapes. It has over 25 glaciers and 1,000 lakes, along with waterfalls, wildlife, and trails.