2023 Rocky Mountain National Park Guide

Photo by: Dawn Wilson

The view from here is ...

Wow-

Winter is in full swing in Estes Park. The air is crisp and the smell of pines fills the air. Whether you're looking to get cozy by a fire, go on a snowshoe adventure or stroll a picturesque downtown, you can have it all and more with a winter trip to Estes Park.

Start planning at VisitEstesPa rk.com

Welcome to wondrous Rocky Mountains

By Matthew Poust mpoust@ prairiemountainmedia.com

Estes Park is the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the most popular parks in the country! When you look at all of the beautiful views, abundant wildlife, scenic drives and outdoor activities offered in the park, it’s easy to see why millions of people visit every year.

Rocky Mountain is one of the nation’s highest national parks with elevations from 7,860 feet to 14,259 feet, RMNP makes you feel like your are on top of the world. Within the park’s boundaries are 77 mountain peaks over 12,000 feet high and the Continental Divide, according to the Department of the Interior.

In this issue, you will find everything you need to know to plan your visit. RMNP has a reservation system in place, so try to plan ahead. The Rocky Mountain Conservancy plays a key role in maintaining the natural beauty and accessibility of all the park has to offer

DAWN WILSON TRAIL-GAZETTE

Rocks on the tundra are some of the most obvious places to see lichen in Rocky Mountain National Park

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Dream Lake on a sunny but cold and windy morning in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Since 1931

Rocky Mountain Conservancy has partnered with Rocky Mountain National Park

By Rocky Mountain Conservancy

For the Trail-Gazette

Making a difference

Founded in 1931, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy is the official nonprofit partner of Rocky Mountain National Park. Its primary mission is to protect and conserve Rocky Mountain National Park through philanthropy, education programs, Conservation Corps, and much, much more.

Through unique hands-on learning experiences, the Conservancy also provides a number of children’s and youth programing in Rocky Mountain National Park to help create the next generation of park stewards and public lands advocates The organization also works with Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) partner agencies to provide educational services and support through on-site educational retail sales

The Rocky Mountain Conservancy engages in special fundraising projects to benefit Rocky With the support of thousands of mem-

bers and donors, the Conservancy has raised more than $30 million and completed more than 50 significant projects, such as the purchase of the 40-acre Cascade Cottages property for the park, the construction of handicapped-accessible trails around Lily Lake and Sprague Lake, trail improvement at Lake Haiyaha and in many other areas of the

park, land protection on the park’s west side, and the design and construction of the spectacular Fall River Visitor Center

Our mission

The Rocky Mountain Conservancy promotes stewardship of Rocky Mountain National Park and similar lands through education and philanthropy.

Who we are

The Rocky Mountain Conservancy is a vibrant, growing organization with an active core membership community, and more than 16,000 contributors, including individuals, corporations, local businesses and foundations.

Signature programs and projects:

DAWN WILSON ESTES PARK TRAIL-GAZETTE

Staff of Rocky Mountain National Park and Rocky Mountain Conservancy set up for the ribbon cutting of the new search and rescue vehicle paid for by funds from Rocky Mountain Conservancy

Sidles prepares for next assignment — retirement

By Patti Brown pbrown@ prairiemountainmedia.com

Darla Sidles’ office is located in the swanky mid century modern Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, designed by the members of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin Associated Architects. From the sloped roof to the mid-mod furniture, it oozes a cool vibe, and Sidles, the superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park, loves it

She even found a period ashtray in the archives room with the RMNP logo as a funky artifact to set on the coffee table, and for fun, she staged it with a box of candy cigarettes.

Sidles relaxed in a chair for our interview and eased into a conversation about the many chapters and assignments in her career. If she had a theme song, it might be Johnny Cash’s “I’ve Been Everywhere.”

She has lived all over from the Midwest to Texas to Washington state and Washington, D.C., to Utah, Pennsylvania, California, Arizona, and Alaska She has worked in the most remote place in the Lower 48, Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, and in two of the most populous metro areas in America; Washington, D.C., in the office of Hawaii Senator Daniel Alaska as a National Parks legislative assistant, and in Philadelphia at Independence National Historical Park.

When Sidles retires in June, she is not quite sure what the next chapter of her life will be, but if the past four decades are any indica-

tion, and if she continues to lean into her motto “get out of your comfort zone” the next chapter is sure to be filled with travel and adventure, but also time to enjoy the company of the adult

kids and grandkids she shares with her husband.

Sidles has had a remarkable career with the National Park Service and, before that, with the U.S. Forest Service. She has dealt with protesters

who have chained themselves to trees and has worked as a biological science technician. She has monitored bighorn sheep, archeological site monitoring and revegetation projects. She helped get the barricades removed that had been placed around Independence National Historical Park, and she has overseen a controversial timed-entry system for RMNP.

And while she did not set out to be a national park superintendent, she was tapped to be the head of RMNP in 2016. During her tenure, Sidles has seen the attendance in the park reach 4.6 million visitors in 2019, and she managed the most serious wildfire threat in the park’s history in 2021 when the East Troublesome Fire hopped from the west side of the Continental Divide to the east side, and the Cameron Peak Fire that threatened from the north

All through it, Sidles kept a cool, steady head and gave others comfort because of her confidence, a presence that surrounded her like an aura.

As she prepares to leave a position she has loved, Sidles says she hopes that technology will help the next superintendent with “real-time traffic control and monitoring. So that you know, you could know at a glance what the Bear Lake parking lot looks like,” said Sidles. “You know, we’re slow in that regard. But I do hope we can start making better progress in that,” she added.

With 95% of the park designated as a wilderness, Sidles said, “technology improvements are not needed every-

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Rocky Mountain National Park Superintendent Darla Sidles

Reservations return in 2023 and other updates

By Matthew Poust, Dawn Wilson and Patti Brown MediaNews Group

Timed-entry Permit Reservation System

Rocky Mountain National Park will again use a timed-entry permit reservation system for the summer and fall 2023 seasons. The system, which the National Park Service calls a “pilot program,” requires visitors to book permits in advance to enter the park and is intended to ease congestion impacts and improve the visitor experience in the park.

The announcement was made Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, after RMNP held a virtual public information meeting, which allowed participants to submit questions to several park staff members. Similar timed-entry reservation systems have also been announced by Arches and Glacier National Parks Reservations will be required in 2023 for location-specific areas of Acadia, Carlsbad Caverns, Haleakala, Shenandoah and Zion National Parks.

At RMNP, the reservation permit system will run from May 26 to Oct. 22 and includes two types of permits.

One permit will be for the Bear Lake Road corridor, which includes the entire length of the road from inside the Beaver Meadows entrance to Bear Lake, from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The second permit includes the “rest of the park,” excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor This “rest of

the park” reservation period will be from 9 a m to 2 p m

Permits issued using the reservation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within a two-hour window with no set time for departure. There is a $2 processing fee to make each reservation.

Reservations to enter the park from May 26 through June 30 will be available through recreation.gov at 8 a.m. MDT on Monday, May

1 The next release will occur at 8 a.m. on June 1, for the month of July and any remaining days that have not been booked for June.

On July 1 at 8 a.m., reservations will be available for the month of August and any remaining days that have not been booked for July. On August 1 at 8 a.m., reservations will be available for the month of September and any remaining days in August that have not been booked

On September 1 at 8 a.m., reservations will be available for October and any remaining days in September that have not been booked.

A modification from the 2022 pilot system to the 2023 pilot system includes increasing the reservations available the day prior at 5 p m to 40 percent of to-

tal capacity. These reservations will be available at recreation.gov.

Reservations are expected to run out quickly and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead when possible.

Other modifications include extending the permit system by two weeks, ending

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Much like Rocky Mountain National Park, Arches has experienced record-high visitation in recent years In response, a new timed-entry program will run from April 3to Oct 3, 2022 Reservations will open three months in advance.

Chief of Resource Stewardship for Rocky Mountain National Park, Koren Nydick, shows how the soil in most areas, has retained its root system, making regrowth much quicker after fire torched the ground.

Enjoy The Post Chicken and Beer in Estes Park

By The Post Chicken and Beer

Born and raised in the mountains and plains of Colorado, The Post Chicken and Beer serves family-style comfort food cooked with the love of your grandma and the skill of a trained chef. Featured by Guy Fieri on Food Network’s Diners Drive-Ins, and Dives, their fried bird is better than the rest.

The Post Chicken & Beer fries up the crispiest, juiciest fried chicken which is gluten-free and pairs it with their award-winning craft brews At this Chicken Party, The Post serves up fresh, all-natural chicken that has been brined for hours, dipped in a buttermilk bath, and dunked in seasoned gluten-free flour. The pressure fryers keep the bird juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside, even late at night when you are snacking out of the fridge or out on the trail while exploring Rocky Mountain National Park.

The Post believes that hot chicken and cold beer is one of the best pairings in the universe, which is why their brewers work so hard to create delicious brews to go

with our bird. Located on the grounds of the historic Stanley Hotel, the menu also includes farm-fresh sides, salads, sandwiches, tenders, and scratch-made desserts.

The Post is open daily for lunch, dinner and brunch on the weekends. Make a reservation to dine on the patio with unbeatable views of the Park, throw a party in one of their private dining rooms, or get it to go The Post’s bird is perfectly portable and can be enjoyed on any of your outdoor adventures. Check it out at www. postchickenandbeer.com.

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The Post Chicken & Beer is located at The Stanley at 333E Wonderview Ave

Conservancy offers outdoor education programs for women

By Rocky Mountain Conservancy

For the Trail-Gazette

The Rocky Mountain Conservancy is empowering women and those who identify as female to experience mountain travel and recreation with introductory courses on rock climbing, snowshoeing, winter recreation, and high-altitude hiking

The classes offered through the Conservancy’s Field Institute to advance women’s confidence in the outdoors are called Bettie courses in honor of Dr. Beatrice Willard (1925-2003)

Willard, who went by the first name Bettie, was a beloved and respected ecologist who studied alpine tundra and land management planning in Rocky Mountain National Park Willard started the Rocky Mountain Field Seminars in 1962. The program, now called the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Field Institute, is the longest-running national park field institute program in the country and typically welcomes over 1,000-course participants each year.

From February 24 to 26, the Conservancy offered a Rec 1 Avalanche Certification in conjunction with Kent Mountain Adventure Center (KMAC) to educate backcountry skiers, climbers, and winter recreation enthusiasts on operating safely in avalanche terrain. The course took place in the adventure center’s classroom located at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park and in field locations on the east side of RMNP.

Participant feedback was enthusiastic and positive.

“Thanks to Rocky Moun-

tain Conservancy for creating a safe space to grow my winter recreation skills, ask questions, and discuss these important topics! I learned a lot from the course and from the other women participating. I also gained new adventure partners who possess the same education as me, which makes me feel both more competent and safer when playing in the mountains!”

Emily Sawyer, Bettie Course Rec 1 Avalanche Certification Participant

On March 19, the Conservancy’s Field Institute will offer a Bettie course titled “Introduction to Winter Recreation” designed to help women and those who identify as female cultivate skills necessary to recreate in winter, and spring snow. environments in effective

and safe ways If you’d like to learn more about Bettie Willard and the alpine tundra, sign up for an immersive course titled “Tundra Pioneer: The Life and Legacy of Bettie Willard” held on Thursday, July 20 Visit www.RMConservancy.org/ events to learn more and register.

In honor of former board member Janet Robertson, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy has established a scholarship fund to assist those interested in attending a Bettie course. Robertson served on the board for more than 20 years and first set foot in Rocky Mountain National Park more than 80 years ago. During her decades hiking, skiing, climbing, and backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park, she noticed a lack of diversity and women recreating solo on the trails Her

service on the board was largely focused on increasing park access and use for underrepresented populations in RMNP Robertson is the author of “The Magnificent Mountain Women: Adventures in the Colorado Rockies.” Contact the Field Institute at education@rmconservancy.org to learn more about Bettie course scholarships.

The Rocky Mountain Conservancy promotes stewardship of Rocky Mountain National Park and similar lands through education and philanthropy. Since 1931, the Conservancy has raised more than $35 million to enhance and protect the park’s trails, lands, youth education, historic structures, and more. Learn how to get involved at

org

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Bettie Course Rec Avalanche 1, students and Dustin Dyer of Kent Mountain Adventure Center

on October 22, and reducing the time period and number of hours daily that a reservation is required for the “rest of the park.” This reduced reservation period will be from 9 a m to 2 p m

An additional modification includes revising a re-entry policy at Bear Lake Corridor that will allow re-entries at 2 p.m. rather than the later 6 p.m. required in 2022

While an increase in visitors has its benefits, RMNP Superintendent Darla Sidles, who is retiring from her position in June 2023, says that the rapid growth in day-use visitation and the changing use patterns in RMNP have degraded natural and cultural resources. This sort of degredation has led to a diminished quality of the visitor experience by increas-

ing visitor and staff safety concerns and has created a heavy strain on RMNP’s facilities and ability to perform daily operations

Due to the rising issues and a concern for any further damage being done, RMNP staff began experimenting with pilot solutions in 2016 in an attempt to manage the number of people in the park at one time. As Sidles explained at a League of Women Voters meeting in March 2023, the goal wasn’t to reduce the overall number of visitors but to cut down on the concentrated use of passes between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. during busy months.

From 2016 to 2019, pilot methods were used to restrict traffic at most of the popular areas in the park, such as Bear Lake, Alpine Visitor Center and Wild Basin, when capacity numbers were reached

“Our idea was to consider what we could do that

has the greatest positive impact on resources and the least negative impact on visitors to try to ensure that we are maintaining the resources and protecting that visitor experience,” Sidles said. “When we talk about visitor use management, we ask people to get out of their own interests today and look at the future What will this place look like in 100 years? What will this place look like for your kids and your grandkids and their kids?”

Then COVID-19 hit in 2020, and after a brief closure due to the pandemic, the park reopened with a 60 percent reduced visitor capacity.

This reopening ushered in the first trials of a timed-entry permit system, which consisted of a seasonal, one-permit system for the entire park between the hours of 6 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Since 2020, park staff have evaluated the process, requested feedback from vis-

itors, and used traffic and trail counter data collection and analysis to make refinements and adjustments to the system

As an example of the data the park used for evaluation of the program, RMNP received an 18.6 percent response rate (10,258 responses) from a visitor experience survey in 2021 Out of these responses, 77.6 percent of visitors indicated that entering the park under the timed-entry system was either the same experience or better than the one they had when they visited without the program in place.

“This is very heartwarming to me as somebody who has been with the National Park Service for over 21 years,” said RMNP Public Affairs Officer Kyle Patterson. “And for those of you that are also committed to being a public servant and working for public lands, this sort of relation-

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ESTES PARK 533 Big Thompson Ave., 970.586.8185

Explore the night skies in the park

By Dawn Wilson Estes Park Trail-Gazette

As the National Park Service slogan goes, “Half the Park is After Dark.”

Considered to be an accidental benefit of protecting scenery, history and habitat for wildlife in the national parks, preservation of the night skies has become a positive bonus. Sixteen national parks in the U.S. have been designated International Dark Sky Parks. Three of the four national parks in Colorado have this designation

Rocky Mountain National Park is the only national park in Colorado that has not received that certification from the International Dark Sky Association because of its proximity to the Front Range and the light pollution that comes along with it There is, however, no shortage of places to witness the beauty of the night sky above the wilderness between Estes Park and Grand Lake.

On a clear night any time of the year, millions of twin-

kling stars, creatively named constellations, colorful nebulas and other celestial objects fill the sky above Rocky Mountain National Park March to October, however, can be a special time to step out into the cool night air because the galactic center of the Milky Way rises above the horizon. The center is the densest star cluster within our galaxy, contains a massive black hole called Sagittarius A* and is considered the rotational center of the Milky Way galaxy, which is where Earth’s solar system is located The center of the Milky Way rises in the south-southwest sky From many places in Rocky Mountain National Park, this means the Milky Way happens to be above Longs Peak, which is also in the southern portion of the park.

One of the best places to have a front-row seat of the Milky Way is at Bear Lake. Whether visiting when ice coats the surface of the lake in spring or the reflections of the stars dance on the surface of the water in sum-

The Milky Way drops into Poudre Lake along Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park

Milky Way. Three other ideal locations for observing the Milky Way from within the park include from Poudre

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A sky full of star trails above Mount Chapin, Chiquita and Ypsilon in Endovalley of Rocky Mountain National Park.

NIGHT » PAGE 17 | ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK VISITOR’S GUIDE FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2023 10

Turning the corner to spring

By Matthew Poust mpoust@ prairiemountainmedia com

We’ve made it through yet another Winter’s long haul here at the foot of the Rockies, and while snow piles still fill the corner streets of Estes, the official spring months marking our calendars signal warmer days that await to bless the beautiful valley. As Estes Park’s visitors and residents push through that final stretch filled with snow flurries and bone-chilling wind, The Stanley Hotel has a slate full of accommodations and entertainment that will make the time fly by

217 Wine Bar

Located in the elegant, historic music room inside of The Stanley’s main lodge, visitors of the 217 Wine Bar can sip from some of the finest wine selections in Estes Park while enjoying a frontrow view of the snow-capped Rocky Mountain backdrop.

When attending the new spot, guests will have more than 50 wines to choose from while snacking on assorted charcuterie offerings prepared by the house Michelin Star chef in one of the many conversational areas that allow for a quaint, communal atmosphere

217’s maître d’ regales his listeners with stories about the venerable old hotel and wine-parodied show tunes. A magnificent Steinway and Sons concert grand piano beneath a gold-leafed dome stands at the ready to fill the entire room with music.

Whiskey Bar and Lounge

Any guests craving more of a stiff beverage will have to travel just across the main lobby to the Whiskey Bar and Lounge at the Cascades Restaurant With

more than 1,200 selection to choose from, the bar

boasts the largest variety of whiskeys and single malt scotches in Colorado inclusions that earned it a spot on Men’s Journal’s top ten list of “Best hotel whiskey collections to sample around the world,” this past December. Whether sipping on the house favorite 291 smoked old fashioned or the signature redrum punch, this spot provides the perfect remedy for melting away that Colorado cold

The Vault

Looking for something more exclusive in your whiskey tasting? Look no further than The Vault. Located on the lower level of the main lodge, The Vault will be any whiskey connoisseur’s dream come true with a room full of single barrels and special bottles a majority of which are one of less than 200 in existence The Vault offers private, curated tastings, exploring interesting whiskey history, classifications and tips on the best way to enjoy the drink.

When it comes to spooky allure, The Stanley’s reputation precedes it. Made infamous for being the inspiration behind Stephen King’s thrilling novel and film adaptation, The Shining, the past spirits that roam the hotel halls are rumored to be as active as the live ones.

Spirited Night Tour

Guests have the opportunity to chase this rumored afterlife in the spirited night tours offered after dark In this chilling attraction, tour members are led through the dark edges of the hotel by a knowledgeable storyteller to learn the history of the establishment and see if they can’t come away with some spirited encounters of their own.

A full view of the 217Wine Bar at the Stanley

PHOTOS BY MATTHEW POUST ESTES PARK TRAIL-GAZETTE

Whiskey fans roam around the vault room of The Stanley during their Westerns & Whiskey Weekend.

Spirited Shining Tour

Fans of Stephen King’s Stanley-based literature and cinema work might also enjoy taking part in The Shining Tour. This experience will take tour members through the West Side of the Stanley Campus, both indoors and out, as they dive into the Stephen King theme, history and loads of spirited stories.

This tour offers guests a chance to see the notorious “here comes Johnny” axe and the fully restored 1909 Caretaker’s Cottage located just past the hotel’s main gates with its replica bathroom from one of The Shining’s most hair-raising scenes. For cinema and history buffs this tour can’t be missed.

Magic show and séance

For those who want a closer encounter with the afterlife, adult guests have a chance to catch world-famous illusionist, Aiden Sinclair’s Underground shows and seances, hidden beneath the original Carriage house. Audience members of the Underground show will experience a once-in-a-lifetime showcasing of interactive magic shows that break the boundaries between fantasy and reality.

The séance, on the other hand, attempts to break the boundaries between the afterlife and the present by using bell, book and candle to communicate with the supernatural and have audience members’ questions answered.

Spring Entertainment Comedy

For anyone looking to get their fill of laughter, they can find the mother load at The Stanley Concert Hall in the months of April and May with the comedic talents of T J Miller and Kevin

Nealon.

Miller will be making his appearances on April 21 and 22 as part of his Gentle Giant Tour. The Denver native has made his mark on the comedy world with numerous stand-up specials and throughout his work

on the big screen in humorous films, including Deadpool, Get Him to the Greek and Our Idiot Brother. Miller’s Stanley set will surely be a night of laughter that you won’t want to miss.

For any of the more “seasoned” comedy fans out

there, Nealon’s face may be one you recognize from Saturday Night Live’s weekend updates during the early 90s. Since his days on the hit skit show, Nealon has managed to add the titles of Emmy and Sag-nominated actor and author to his comedic resume. The stand-up veteran will headline at The Stanley Concert Hall on May 26.

Music

The 1970s were the quintessential era for funk and soul music, and the Commodores were among some of the best bands in the genre. Now in their 55th year as a group, they’re still out there running and will be performing at The Stanley Concert Hall on May 19 and 20 If you’re looking to add a little soul to your life and jump into a funk, come out and catch some of their greatest hits like “Brick House” and “Nightshift”.

Tickets for the three events can be purchased at https://www.stanleyhotel. com/entertainment html

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The Stanley Whisky Bar at the Cascades Restaurant

Visitors to the Caretakers Cottage can see a bathroom renovated to look like the one in the movie “The Shining” complete with the bathtub featured in one creepy scene.

YMCA of the Rockies at the doorstep to the park

By YMCA of Rockies

The YMCA of the Rockies property, surrounded on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park, offers peaceful mountain getaways where guests are welcome to explore, adventure and stay adjacent to the park.

Cabins feature stunning views, family-friendly floor plans, and large wellequipped kitchens. Lodge rooms are hotel-style, include two free breakfasts and are within walking distance to

most activities.

Lodging includes petfriendly options and WiFi for those looking to work remotely YMCA of the Rockies offers more on-site activities than any other property in Estes Park, making a stay at the “Y” a win for the family budget.

Many activities take guests into Rocky Mountain National Park to experience the splendor and beauty of the area. Join a “hikemaster” for a guided hike or saddle up and take a horseback ride

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Yes, you can bring Fido to the YMCA of the Rockies YMCA » PAGE 17

ship we have with so many park visitors who want to be stewards of the park is so rewarding.”

For more information about the reservation system, visit https://www nps gov/romo/planyourvisit/ timed-entry-permit-system. htm

RMNP busy with fire recovery, construction

In addition to updates regarding the timed-entry reservation system and long-range visitor use management plan, Sidles and Patterson have also provided updates about other ongoing projects in the park during public meetings in Estes Park.

On Wednesday, March 15, 2023, the League of Women Voters of Estes Park held the “Learn with the League

What’s Happening at Rocky?” discussion with

community members.

During the discussion, Sidles and Patterson led presentations and gave information on subjects concerning the park’s fire recovery, construction projects, diversity intern cohort and ongoing partnerships

Sidles started off the proceedings by presenting sta-

tistics that showed RMNP’s growth into one of the busiest national parks in the country, with a 44 percent increase in visitation since 2012. This increase includes more than 4 3 million visitors entering the park in 2022, making it the fourth most-attended national park in the U S last year

RMNP staff is still engaged in fire recovery on the west side of the park after the East Troublesome Fire burned 30,000 acres approximately 10 percent of parkland

in 2020 These projects include dealing with the recovery of infrastructure and natural and cultural resources lost in the blaze

“It is truly gratifying to see that some of those areas that we thought were scorched and might never recover are actually coming back,” Sidles said.

RMNP staff is currently working on aspects to catalyze recovery efforts in areas, including a reopening of the remainder of the 54 miles worth of trails impacted, aiding both native and exotic plant growth, and retaining critical habitats for fish, amphibians and other small species.

In the recovery of infrastructure, staff members are primarily working to replace seasonal employee housing lost in the fire and will soon begin construction on new housing on the west side of the park across the road from the Kawuneeche Visi-

tor Center

In current construction projects, the Fall River Entrance Station is finally in progress after being delayed from its initial April 2022 start date. Upon completion, the entrance station will have three new kiosk stations, an office building, a fast pass lane, a widened road and new water and wastewater systems. Work is expected to take place throughout the summer months and into the early fall.

Starting in May 2023, a major construction project will take place at the Moraine Park Campground and last through early summer 2024 The campground will be closed to all users while the facilities are rehabilitated

Funded by the Great American Outdoors Act, the Moraine Park Campground and Headquarters Utility Project will consist of water, wastewater and electrical distribution system repairs at the campground and the Beaver Meadows Entrance facilities. Electrical services will be added to 60 RV campsites, and accessibility will be given to approximately 15 sites impacted by flood zones and wetlands. Additionally, the project will rehabilitate the ranger station, replace the campground entrance kiosk, improve the dump station and add an additional camp host site

In one of their newest initiatives, RMNP has partnered with Rocky Mountain Conservancy to start the Diversity Intern Cohort. The intent of the new program is to increase diversity in staff to make a more inclusive environment for any visitors of RMNP.

Since the start of the program in 2022, 22 individuals have been hired and will begin to serve visitors this summer.

For information about Rocky Mountain National Park, visit https://www nps gov/romo/index.htm.

DAWN WILSON ESTES PARK TRAIL-GAZETTE

Originally designed for summer operations nearly 60years ago, the facilities at the Fall River Entrance Station no longer meet the safety or operational needs of the park.

Sidles

FROM PAGE 5

where in the park, but we do need it in our high volume visitors areas.”

She also expressed concern for the impact of climate change on the park manifesting in extreme ways.

Citing the 2020 fires, Sidles said, “they were the largest fires Colorado has ever seen by far and not by a little bit

Night

FROM PAGE 10

Lake along Trail Ridge Road heading towards Grand Lake, at Rock Cut along Trail Ridge Road or from the Beaver Meadows Overlook along U.S. Highway 36.

The first two are accessible when Trail Ridge Road is open from late May through

The previous largest wildfires in Colorado were like 40,000 acres, but in 2020 this was more than 200,000 acres. I think we’re going to start seeing more extreme weather everywhere.”

While Sidles is not sure just what the next chapter will be, she will leave big shoes for her predecessor to fill. And hopefully, they will appreciate both the architecture of the office and the majesty of RMNP as much as she does

approximately mid-October. Another easy-to-access lake that offers wonderful views of the Milky Way is Lily Lake along Colorado Highway 7.

Several meteor showers throughout the year also provide unique shows in the night sky.

The most popular because of its timing with warmer summer nights and abundant shooting stars up to

YMCA

FROM PAGE 15

with Jackson Stables, conveniently located at the YMCA property. Both take a variety of trips into Rocky Mountain National Park.

Don’t forget your furry friend. Although pets are not allowed on trails within Rocky Mountain National Park, YMCA of the Rockies offers miles of hiking trails

90 per hour is the Perseids meteor shower in early August. The peak date in 2023 will be on the night of August 13

Other worthwhile meteor showers include the Orionids in October and the Geminids in December

So, pack a headlamp or flashlight, warm clothes and sturdy shoes to head out on a clear, dark night during the new moon phase.

on the YMCA property with views of Longs Peak and the Mummy Range.

Dogs are welcome in select cabins and lodge rooms and invited to play off-leash at the on-site dog park featuring agility stations, a water fountain and shade shelter.

YMCA of the Rockies lodging reservations are available online at ymcarockies org or by calling the reservation department at 888613-9622

On these darkest of nights each month, the stars seem to go on forever on the black canvas of the night sky.

Rocky Mountain National Park also hosts night sky and astronomy programs throughout the summer Visit https://www.nps. gov/romo/planyourvisit/astronomy programs htm for the latest dates and information.

Legally Boozed

Estes Park Trail-Gazette Staff

The legal history of booze in Estes Park started in the 1990s as the Micro-Brew trend began We had an opportunity to speak with Randy Hunt, the former Community Development Director for the town of Estes Park, to learn about the history of the brewing and distilling here in Estes Park.

It all started back in 1994 when Estes Park Brewery had a business license issued by the city opened by local entrepreneur and businessman Ed Grueff. When asked about the experience of opening the first Brewery in town, he tells us, “It was exciting. I have always enjoyed opening businesses, but the biggest key was to educate people about micro-brew beer. Most people were not familiar with it.” They started by bringing in Raspberry Wheat and some lighter beers to get people introduced to microbrews

From there, demand kept growing, and the city began to rethink its regulations in regards to alcohol production. The significant

Estes Park history with craft beverage manufacturing

proved unanimously by the town board in Jul. of 2014, the first establishment to open was Lumpy Ridge Brewery in Jul. of 2015, Rock Cut Brewing Co. opened on Aug. 29th a month later The first micro-distillery, Elkins Distillery, opened its doors on Jul. 4th, of 2016 Avant Garde Aleworks also opened on Jul. 4th, of 2019.

The latest to begin operations is the Estes Park Distillery, which opened May of 2022. Better known as the Full Throttle Saloon, the distillery is operating out of two buildings downtown-technically three if you count Bob & Tony’s Pizza and the High Country Gifts shop as two, which are now connected inside The third is just up the street on Moraine Ave. where the furniture store used to be

change to city code that allowed microbreweries and micro-distilleries came in 2013. Before this change, the only alcohol production had to be attached to a restaurant serving food.

With that stand-alone breweries and distilleries were welcomed and now there are 3 micro-brew-

eries, 2 distilleries, and a winery, all of which bring their locally-sourced ingredients to Estes Park. Interestingly enough there were a few loopholes that helped Snowy Peaks Winery begin producing at 292 Moraine Ave. back in 2005.

After the change in code regulation, which was ap-

Now there’s a brand new Saloon with an indoor/outdoor bar right next to The Barrel and just down the street from Snowy Peaks Winery and a little further down is Rockcut Brewery and just over the bridge is Estes Park Brewery!

Check out the map to make a full Estes Park craft beverage tour.

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The viewing area of the Estes Park Brewery is adjacent to the dining room and arcade/pool tables.

Partner

• Land Protection

• Historic Preservation

• Trail Improvement

• The Next Generation Fund

• The Conservancy’s Conservation Corps

• The Conservancy’s Field Institute

• Publications

• Membership

• Nature Stores

Be sure to visit one of the five Conservancy Nature Stores in the park like this one with amazing views at the Alpine Visitor Center. The Conservancy operates Nature Stores within Rocky Mountain National Park and other public lands in Colorado and Wyoming. In addition to providing visitor services, educational publications and mementos, these stores provide funds that support the interpretive programs at the sites at which they are located. Profits from these earned-income activities also underwrite Conservancy operations and mission-driven programs, ensuring that philanthropic donations directly fund projects in and around Rocky Mountain National Park.

Land protection

In partnership with RMNP and the Trust for Public Lands, the Conservancy conducted a campaign to purchase 40 acres of privately-held land in the park to protect and preserve open space in Rocky. Since the early 1980s, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy has assumed a leadership role in acquiring many important parcels of land, both in Rocky Mountain National Park and in the adjacent Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest and transferred the land to these federal agencies for permanent protection. Over the years, the Conservancy’s donor community has helped to permanently conserve

lands bordering the park, as well as inholdings that have come onto the private market. Most recently, the Conservancy mobilized its community for the acquisition of the 40-acre Cascade Cottages, the last commercial inholding in RMNP

In order to quickly respond to acquisition opportunities from willing sellers, the Conservancy seeks to maintain a viable land protection fund. Only lands that are significant to the longterm benefit of the park or nearby forest are considered. Land Protection Project highlights are:

• Wild Basin Parcel, $300,000 (2018)

• Cascade Cottages Property, $3 6M (2017)

• Johnson Property, $400,000 (2013)

• Crane Trust Tract (2009)

• McGowan Tract, $18,100 (2009)

• Owen-McMahon Tract, $300,000 (2008)

• Kueker Tract, $600,000 (2007)

• Fahy Tract, $846,000 (2005)

• Miller Tract, $1.02 M (2002)

• Enos Mills easement, $54,136 (2002)

S• leepy Hollow, $315,248 (2002)

• Lily Lake Water Rights,

$60,000 (2000)

• Adams Tract, $280,000 (1999)

• Roessler Tract, $415,000 (1998)

• Baldpate, $20,000 (1990)

• Jennings Tract, $78,000 (1985)

Special projects — RMNP

Since RMNP has one of the largest SAR incidents in the national park system, the SAR vehicle has become one of the most critical pieces of SAR equipment. It is a mobile platform that is outfitted with all equipment necessary for various rescues. Until recently, the team was dependent on a 30-year-old, 102K-mileage ambulance as its primary vehicle. With the exponential growth of SAR incidents in the park due to increased visitation, this vehicle was no longer able to reliably respond. With donor support, the Conservancy raised more than $75,000 to provide the SAR Team with a new 4×4 tactical vehicle for critical life-saving emergencies, and for managing complex rescue operations within the park

Wildfire Restoration &

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COURTESY PHOTO

Be sure to visit one of the five Conservancy Nature Stores in the park like this one with amazing views at the Alpine Visitor Center.

Healthy Forests Fund

Rocky fire crews had their hands full during the blow up of the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak fires in 2019.

Late in 2019, relentless and devastating wildfires burned across huge swaths of pristine forests in Rocky Mountain National Park. The East Troublesome and Cameron Peak fires burned approximately 30,000 acres or ten percent of the park in 2020. Answering a call for help, the Conservancy community stepped up with support for the Conservancy’s new Wildfire Restoration and Healthy Forests Fund to help seed the recovery effort and to support strategies to prevent future widespread devastation in the park.

The Conservancy has also dedicated an additional Conservation Corps crew to fire recovery efforts in the park that continues today. The Moraine Park Crew spent a large portion of their season working to rebuild the Fern Lake Trail, which suffered devastating effects from the East

Troublesome Fire last fall With all previous wooden structures decimated during last fall’s fires, this work was vital to ensure the ecological integrity of the Fern Lake Trail, as well as maintaining its accessibility to visitors and hikers.

The Conservancy Conservation Corp Fire Crew

Fire restoration workFrom June to August 2021, I was a Crew Leader for the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Conservation Corps stationed in the Canyon Lakes District of northern Colorado. Myself, my co-leader, and our 8 crew members spent our summer rehabilitating trails that had been burned in the Cameron Peak Fire of 2020.

Installing bear-proof food storage lockers in Rocky’s campgrounds

Keeping bears out of

campers’ food is a huge priority for Rocky the Conservancy was delighted to start the campaign to raise funds for 30 of these great metal food storage boxes for Moraine Park Campground.Preventing bears from obtaining human food is one of the top priorities of Rocky’s wildlife managers. Bears that gain access to human food eventually become more aggressive towards humans and may need to be removed from the population. Bear-proof food storage lockers help campers manage their food and bear attractants safely AND keep the bears safe. So, Conservancy members and donors stepped up to make this a reality. In 2021, the Conservancy funded 30 bear boxes to be installed at the Moraine Park Campground with hopefully more to come in the near future!

Trail restoration

Trail improvement is a flagship component of the Conservancy contribution to the park each year. Annually, more than a 100 miles of popular hiking trails in the park are refurbished thanks to the Conservancy’s funding and youth Con-

servation Corps. Some of the Conservancy’s most notable contributions to popular trails in the park include the handicap accessible Lily Lake trail system, and the multi-year trail improvements on Longs Peak, the Front Range’s premier fourteener.

Our much-loved trails require on-going attention to keep them safe and in good condition to protect park resources and ensure visitor safety

Longs Peak Trail work: The popularity of the trail to the iconic summit of Longs Peak is unlikely to diminish anytime soon. The high volume of users each year widens the trail which encroaches ever more into the delicate tundra. With that in mind, beginning in 2020, RMNP trail crews were engaged to initiate trail repair that was geared to support a large volume of visitor use, park custodial operations and important SAR operations and help protect the sensitive tundra ecosystem.

Trail Improvement Project highlights are:

• Longs Peak Trail, $120,000 (2020-2022)

• Lily Lake Trail, $109,000 (2016)

• Alberta Falls Lake Haiyaha Loop Trails Rehabilitation, $420,000 (20092012)

• Lake Irene, $122,000 (2006)

• The Loch/Sky Pond, $342,311 (2006)

• Mills/Black Lake, $205,000 (2002)

• Lily/Storm Pass, $136,000 (2001)

• Bear Lake, $234,290 (2000)

• Sprague Lake, $249,280 (2000)

• Lily Lake, $225,507 (1997)

• Coyote Valley, $109,764 (1994)

• Beaver Ponds Boardwalk, $35,000 (1985)

Historic preservation

Preserving the park’s heritage

Dozens of historic buildings dot Rocky Mountain National Park. Even more can be found in neighboring communities and adjacent national forests. This is where our historical heritage comes to life. As stewards of history, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy already has restored many significant buildings.

The Conservancy and the

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A view of the East Troublesome fire on Oct 21, 2020 Webinar topics include Visitor Use Management, Species Conservation, Riparian Ecosystem Restoration, and Fire and Forests.

park regularly select special structures in need of help. Only through the hands-on strategies of repair, restoration and adaptive use will these buildings be saved and their important history conveyed to coming generations.

Historic Preservation Project highlights are:

• Wigwam outbuildings, $59,000 (2007)

• Wigwam Tea Room, $58,000 (2005)

• McGraw Ranch cabins, $167,090 (2002)

• Never Summer Ranch cabins, $86,000 (1999)

• Quarters 48, $160,000 (1997)

• William Allen White cabins, $140,884 (1998)

• Shadow Mountain Lookout, $43,814 (1996)

• Field Institute Programs

Longs Peak Field Class

RMNP Educational adventures through the Conservancy Field Institute are offered year round. Education as a tool for stewardship.

In 1931, Dr. Beatrice Willard, a local ecologist and tundra specialist, was deeply inspired by the potential of field-based educational experiences in the national parks. In Rocky, she initiated the first educational program of its kind in a national park, and more than 50 years later, this innovative and energetic program continues, and will resume in 2022 after a short pandemic hiatus.

Today, participants discover and explore a wide range of topics through custom, youth and family programs, and outdoor educational adventures and tours, including hiking and skill-building, photography,

art, natural history and cultural history through hundreds of day-long and multiday adventures offered in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Educational Tours by Bus

RMNP Bus Tours are a highlight of the Field Institute Program.From the comfort of 14-passenger buses or an 11-passenger van, the Conservancy’s Field Institute offers guided bus tours throughout Rocky Mountain National Park These educational adventures provide visitors with a unique experience to explore the park in greater depth with a professional naturalist. During the pandemic, bus tours were suspended, but there are plans to reestablish this program in the upcoming future

Next Generation Fund

Nature. Pass it on. Passing the stewardship of Rocky Mountain National Park on to our children is a

task as big as our signature mountains. With the support of our donors and members, our goal is to build and maintain a connection between children, nature and the park. Through the Next Generation Fund, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy captures the hearts, minds and funding necessary to secure the future of the educational programs at Rocky Mountain National Park.

To meet these challenges, there are two parts to the Next Generation Fund: a “working” fund, which provides more than $500,000 in donations annually for program support; and building an endowment fund that will eventually support these programs in perpetuity.

Programs supported by the Next Generation Fund are:

• The Conservancy’s Conservation Corps

• Rocky’s Junior Ranger Program

• RMNP’s Heart of the

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Rockies Environmental Education program

• Youth and family-oriented publications and exhibits

• Park internships and fellowships

• Conservancy internships and fellowships

• Youth and family programs through the Conservancy’s Field Institute

Next Generation Fund Program highlights are:

• Junior Ranger Program

• Engaging kids as future park stewards

The Next Generation Fund supports the program through the development and publication of innovative activity booklets, games and Junior Ranger items. This program helps children and their families to explore and experience Rocky Mountain National Park up close

Through engaging activities and books, Junior Rangers become familiar with the flora and fauna of Rocky to help them develop a love for nature, nurturing a sense of commitment to the future of parks and protected areas.

The Junior Ranger Program presents thousands of Junior Ranger badges to enthusiastic young rangers every year.

Each year, hundreds of Junior Ranger programs are offered multiple times per day covering a variety of natural history topics

The Junior Firefighter program engages more than a thousand summer visitors participating in 32 programs.

Environmental education

Distance and bus transportation funding shortages no longer keep schools from “visiting” their National Park. With funding through the Next Generation Fund, through basic video conferencing platforms, students across the country (and the world!) get a chance to sit

down with a ranger to explore various topics relevant to Rocky Mountain National Park. School field-trip season also provides unique educational experiences to highneeds schools in Denver, Fort Collins, Boulder, Longmont and Estes Park Elementary, providing muchneeded transportation to RMNP These students are then immersed in the ecology, geology, or biology of RMNP through hands-on, inquiry-based programs that highlight these topics.

Conservation Corps

Fostering stewardship and education through work and experience

The Rocky Mountain Conservancy-Conservation Corps supports on-theground conservation work in Rocky Mountain National, Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, and similar public lands in Colorado. This program provides young people aged 18-25 with an opportunity to learn and to give back to their public lands through their service and hard work during the summer and fall.

2021 highlights of work accomplished:

• Hosted 41 full-time AmeriCorps members in the Conservation Corps

• Provided more than 18,000 hours of on-theground service valued at more than $500,000

• Worked across 40 different trail systems

• Maintained 200+ miles of trail

• Removed 635 fallen or hazard trees from trails

• Repaired and installed 1,235 drainage structures

• Installed 162 permanent stairs/check-steps along trail corridors

• Installed or repaired over 45 signs along trails and access areas

• Provided 55 acres of invasive species control

• Constructed over 580 ft. of retaining rock wall

• Improved 7 stream crossings

• Created defensible space

around 95+ structures from potential fire danger

• Mitigated over 30 acres of wildfire buffer area

• Removed 60-plus illegal campsites and restored area to its natural state

• Removed more than 500 lbs. of trash from Rocky Mountain National Park

Publications for kids

The Rocky Mountain Conservancy funds the development of fun, educational books for kids to further Rocky’s educational goals.

Recent publications include:

• Mountain Valley Journals explores the cultural history of Moraine Park and Estes Park from 12,000 years ago to the present.

• Cimarron the Bighorn Sheep tells the story of the first year of adventures for a bighorn lamb in the Rocky Mountains

• Running Wild takes readers on incredible journeys down both sides of the Continental Divide to where the waters travel.

• Wild Inside Rocky Mountain National Park (English and Spanish) opens the world of Rocky’s wildlife to young kids in a sturdy and entertaining board book format for youngsters.

Student internship opportunities

Developing interpretive and education skills

Each year, students work full-time during various seasons to assist with education and outreach in the park; conducting interpretive programs; providing informal, roving interpretation along trails and at overlooks; and providing park information and answering questions at visitor centers. They work alongside professional ranger-naturalists and educators to learn the art and craft of conducting education programs in the field.

The Next Generation Fund provides more than $85,000 annually to give these students life-long experiences in the park an

investment in future generations that can grow exponentially.

RMNP and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy

Whether this is your first visit or you and your family return to Rocky Mountain National Park year after year, welcome! As the park’s official nonprofit partner, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy has worked almost 100 years to ensure that everything you love about Rocky is protected in perpetuity and continually improved.

Please explore our signature programs, such as how we build and maintain trails with our Conservation Corps crews, provide one-of-a-kind education opportunities inside the park through our Field Institute, fund critical research, acquire land for protection and to buffer the park, and fund essential training and resources for our National Park Service colleagues. These resources include the very modern a custom outfitted Search and Rescue tactical van and command post and the more traditional horses and llamas to support backcountry maintenance and patrol. We also support programs to introduce children and their families to ecology and the wonders of the outdoors, especially those who might not otherwise be able to visit Rocky.

This short list is just a sample. If you want to support Rocky Mountain National Park, consider becoming a part of our vibrant Conservancy As one of the oldest and most effective national park partners, our goal is always to step up our level of support. Our members and donors come not just from Colorado, but also the Midwest, Texas, the East and West Coasts, everywhere in between and even internationally. Consider joining us, and enjoy your visit!

Estee Rivera Murdock Executive Director

Visit Estes Park

come

By Visit Estes

Park

For the Trail-Gazette

On your next trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, don’t forget to plan a visit to Estes Park. It’s an ideal basecamp for endless adventure, offering unique shops, restaurants, breweries, art galleries and more, along with incredible views that attract visitors from around the world. Here are seven ways to make the most out of your next stay in Estes Park

Walk The Riverwalk

Estes Park’s Riverwalk offers a beautiful stroll of a tree-lined river. It also offers the ability to pop into a myriad of art galleries, retail shops, restaurants and sweets shops to make the most out of your walk. Don’t forget to grab a beverage from one of our local coffee shops to keep your energy up on your jaunt

Sip a local craft beverage

Relax with a beverage that was locally made as you regale the tales of the day. Whiskey, wine and beer are all available to quench your thirst.

Soothe your body and mind

Massages, body treatments, nails, facials and acupuncture can all be had after a day that may be hard on the feet. The crisp Rocky Mountain air is certainly soothing, but don’t stop there. Any of Estes Park’s spas or wellness centers offers the opportunity for rejuvenation.

Grab some grub

Don’t forget to refuel! Estes Park restaurants have something for everyone when it comes to feeding the hunger worked up on the trails.

Plus, there are dessert options a plenty, so don’t forget to save some room

Do a little shopping

Local art, handcrafted goods, souvenirs and apparel. Estes Park shops have things to remember your trip or decorate every corner of your house, that you might not find anywhere else.

Burn more energy

If you, or the kids, are still ready to go, check out a local amusement park for go-carts, bumper cars, miniature golf and more If that’s not enough, you can even hop on a high-flying ropes course, try your hand at axe-throwing or fly down a mountain coaster.