Winter in Rocky Mountain National Park |
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Hello Everyone,
Winter is a great time to visit Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park. The snow covered mountains are beautiful and the park is definitely not crowded. The temperature might be cold, but the air is dry and the sun at high altitude is intense, and so it does not feel as cold as the thermometer says. Many birds and wildlife can be seen from the road.
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Moose (Alces alces) are common in the Grand Lake area of Rocky Mountain National Park. They are the largest member of the deer family, but unlike most deer family species, moose are solitary and only occasionally are found in small groups. Their favorite food is aquatic plants, but in the winter, they will browse on the bark and shoots of willows and aspen. Males can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and have antler widths of over 4 feet wide. Moose have long and strong legs and can handle very deep snow.
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Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus) is one of the many rabbit species found in Rocky Mountain National Park. In the winter their fur turns completely white, while in the summer they are brown, but their feet often remain white. In the winter, the most common set of animal tracks to be seen are those of snowshoe hares. Hares are in the Leporidae (rabbit) Family, which includes hares and rabbits, and they are closely related to picas; they are all in the Lagamorpha Order. Within the Rabbit Family, "hares and jackrabbits are distinct from "cottontail rabbits". The young of cottontail rabbits are born helpless, eyes closed, and without fur. Whereas jackrabbits and hares can fend for themselves in a few hours. Snowshoe Hares can have up to 4-litters a year, with each litter having 3 - 8 young.
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Coyotes (Canis latrans) are an important animal for the Native American tribes of the southwest. Coyotes are believed to be “tricksters”. Tricksters are characters that possess superior intellect and secret knowledge and use their abilities to rebel against social norms and conventional behavior using humor and “tricks”. Coyotes vary in size: In the deserts they might weigh only 20 lbs, but in colder climates, they can weigh up to 40 lbs. Coyotes can be tamed as pups, but the fully grown adults will occasionally engage in destructive and "wild" behavior, and so they cannot be domesticated.
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American Pine Marten (Martes americana) is member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) and resides mainly in Canada, and mountainous and northern regions of the United States. Martens are long and slender, averaging 2-feet in length, (including a 6-inch tail), and usually weigh about 3 lbs. Although they are omnivores, their diet consists mainly of small rodents, including snowshoe hares. The Pine Marten's main predators are eagles, owls, lynx, and mountain lions. Martens spend a significant amount of time in trees; females will even den and give birth in "cavity nests" and dense limbs in large conifers and snags. Martens are both nocturnal and diurnal hunters, depending on the season.
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Snowshoeing: Private half day and full day trips on the Grand Lake side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Prices start at $65 per person and include snowshoes, poles, and snacks. There are location options from flat and easy or you can choose uphill and challenging. If you can hike, you can snowshoe, it is that easy.
Cross-country Skiing: Private half day and full day trips on the Grand Lake side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Prices start at $130 per person and include skis, ski boots, poles, and snacks. I offer lessons, for the complete novice and the locations are flat and easy. For those who would like a more challenging trip, I recommend skiing on Trail Ridge Road, which has a nice easy incline that allows for a fun ski down the slope.
Rocky Mountain National Park is a high elevation area. Established in 1915, the park covers 267 acres (416 square miles), and has 359 miles of hiking trails. The lowest point in the park is about 8,100 feet and most trailheads are located from 8,200 - 10,500. For this reason, we only offer Private Trips, so your entire group will be similarly acclimated to the altitude.
Birding, Wildlife, and Hiking Tours: Over 300 different species of birds have been identified in Rocky Mountain National Park and the park has 359 miles of hiking trails for single day or multi day tours.
Stargazing and Night Sounds: We don’t have a telescope, but we love to go into the National Park at night and look for shooting stars, falling meteorites, the Milky-way and orbiting satellites. We will teach you about the constellations of the sky. The mountain sky is truly clear and on a moonless night, you will be amazed about the number of stars in the sky.
Overnight Backpacking: Reservations for summer start on February 6th, so now is the time to plan your trip because there is nothing more wonderful than waking up in the backcountry. Mountain mornings are cool and calm, night skies are brilliant with stars and the air is quiet; to awake next to a high mountain crystal clear lake or stream is an incredible experience. Rocky Mountain National Park is a high elevation area and most backcountry campsites are located from 9,500 - 10,500 and some sites are located over 11,000 feet. For this reason, we only offer private trips, so your entire group will be similarly acclimated. We advise you to arrive a few days early to better acclimate to the altitude.
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