South America’s

South America

The Andes Mountains line the western edge of South America, from Venezuela all the way along Chile to South America’s southern tip (about 9,000 km in all), making them the longest mountain range in the world. Along that route, they cross through Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

mid-ocean ridge

American Cordillera

Paul Mallet

Answer and Explanation: The Rocky Mountains were first named by the Cree natives that lived near this mountain range. In their language, they described this mountain range as distinctive rocks from a distance. He called it “Montagnes de Roche” or Mountains of Rock, the origin of “rock” in Rockies.

With towering landscapes that take visitors to new heights, it’s no surprise that Rocky Mountain is world-renowned for its gorgeous scenery. At an elevation of 14,259 feet, Longs Peak is the highest peak in the park. Photo of Longs Peak reflected in Bear Lake by Steve Perry (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Ute, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Comanche and other Native tribes lived in and traveled through the land that is now Rocky Mountain National Park.

Project Timeline Initial construction work is scheduled to begin in January 2020 and the project is expected to finish in early 2021. A full closure of US 36 at Mile Point 8 was completed March 27. See the Travel Impacts page for more information.

While US 36 is back open for travel between Lyons and Estes Park, there will be intermittent traffic interruptions including traffic stops and periodic short-term lane closures as construction continues through early 2021. This will be accomplished by installing two major drainage structures under US 36.

Equally picturesque, Trail Ridge Road (U.S. Highway 34) provides entry to Estes Park (elevation 7,522) from the west, notably from Granby and Grand Lake. The road usually opens Memorial Day weekend; snow forces its closure by early to mid-October.

Estes Park reports 0″ of new snowfall today, and the ground is bare with a 0″ snowpack. The mountain is perched in Colorado at an elevation of 7,831ft, where the air temperature is about 39° right now….

March 16, 2021 at 11:05 a.m. On the east side of RMNP, US Highway 36 at the Beaver Meadows Entrance and US Highway 34 at the Fall River Entrance are open to Deer Ridge Junction, and US 34 is open west to the Hidden Valley area. The road to the Alluvial Fan has also reopened.

US 36 between Estes, Lyons and Hwy 66/Longmont is currently open. US 36 between Lyons and Boulder is closed for the #CalWoodFire operations.

Several roads access Estes Park year round. Some Rocky Mountain National Park roads and national forest roads close due to conditions.

US Highway 34 from Loveland to Estes Park is currently closed, and will reopen in Spring 2018.

Rocky Mountain National Park is open.

Located within the Rocky Mountain National Park, the road is totally paved in good conditions. It traverses Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes Park, Colorado in the east to Grand Lake, Colorado in the west. The road is actually far less scary than many of Colorado’s famous mountain roads.

Currently there is a $35 per vehicle entrance fee which is good for 7 days. The Annual Park Pass is currently $70, so if you’re coming more than once, it pays for itself. The park has a “Day Use Pass” valid for one day only and costs $25.

Using the gauges above, which compare crime in Estes Park to other cities in the state and across the country, Estes Park is 65% safer than other cities of Colorado and 67% safer than other cities in the nation. Estes Park has a ranks above average in comparison to other cities in the country.

Mountain Lion & Bobcat Bobcats and mountain lions are common in Rocky Mountain National Park, Roosevelt and Arapaho National Forests and neighboring communities like Estes Park and Grand Lake – but rarely seen. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation. Always give them a way to escape.

Additional animals found in the area include coyotes, garter snakes, the rare boreal toad, fox, porcupines, bats, mice, fish and more. For more on these and other wild animals in the area, please visit the national park website at NPS.gov/ROMO.

Black Bears also are often visitors at Estes Park Center, but not as prevalent as the Elk or Deer. Black bears make a point to avoid humans, so they are not often seen.

There are no wolves in Rocky Mountain National Park but there is other wildlife to keep your eye out for including elk, moose, and bears. Discover more with our guide to Winter Wildlife Watching in Estes Park, Birdwatching in Estes Park, and Fun Facts About Elk in Estes Park.

Moose continue to increase in population on the east and west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. A moose or two are even spotted in Estes Park each year.