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Thirty-Six Years in the Rockies: An Illustrated History of Rocky Mountain National Park

Joe Simmons

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Published in Then And Now: Thirty Six Years In The Rockies (Illustrated)

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Thirty-Six Years in the Rockies is an illustrated history of Rocky Mountain National Park. The book, which was written by Enos Mills and published in 1916, contains over 100 photographs and illustrations. It tells the story of the park's founding and development, and describes the park's geology, flora, and fauna.

Then and Now: Thirty-six Years in the Rockies (Illustrated)

by Robert Vaughn

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4720 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	396 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

The Founding of Rocky Mountain National Park

The idea for Rocky Mountain National Park began in the late 1800s, when a group of conservationists lobbied Congress to protect the area around Estes Park, Colorado. In 1915, Congress passed the Rocky Mountain National Park Act, and the park was officially established on January 26, 1916.

Enos Mills was one of the most influential figures in the movement to create Rocky Mountain National Park. He was a naturalist, writer, and photographer who lived in Estes Park for over 30 years. Mills wrote extensively about the park, and his work helped to raise awareness of the area's beauty and importance.

The Development of Rocky Mountain National Park

After the park was established, the National Park Service began to develop it for visitors. The first roads and trails were built, and the first visitor center was opened. The park's infrastructure was gradually expanded over the years, and today it includes a network of roads, trails, campgrounds, and other facilities.

The park has also undergone a number of changes in its boundaries over the years. In 1929, the park was expanded to include the Estes Park Valley. In 1959, the park was further expanded to include the Never Summer Mountains. Today, Rocky Mountain National Park covers over 265,000 acres.

The Geology of Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is located in the Rocky Mountains, and the park's geology reflects the area's complex geological history. The park's mountains were formed by the collision of the North American and Pacific tectonic plates. The collision caused the Earth's crust to fold and uplift, creating the Rocky Mountains.

The park's geology is also evident in the park's many glaciers. The glaciers are remnants of the last ice age, and they have carved out the park's valleys and cirques. The glaciers are also responsible for the park's many lakes and waterfalls.

The Flora of Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is home to a wide variety of plant life. The park's flora includes over 1,000 species of wildflowers, as well as a variety of trees, shrubs, and grasses. The park's vegetation varies with elevation, and the park's lower elevations are home to forests of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. The park's higher elevations are home to alpine tundra, which is characterized by low-growing plants and wildflowers.

The Fauna of Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is also home to a wide variety of animal life. The park's fauna includes over 60 species of mammals, 250 species of birds, and 10 species of amphibians and reptiles. The park's most famous animals include elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and black bears. The park's many lakes and streams are also home to a variety of fish, including trout, salmon, and whitefish.