The Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is a national icon — its rugged mountains carve out a skyline that captures the American imagination and serves as both protector and passageway to the west. One-third of the park is above timberline, the 14,255-foot flat-topped summit of Longs Peak included; there are 71 peaks here that top out above 12,000 feet.

Trail Ridge Road snakes its way through alpine tundra for 50 miles between glacier-sculpted peaks. It crosses the park from east to west and then drops into the Kawuneeche Valley, where the north fork of the Colorado River flows. The road travels for 11 miles above 11,000 feet and for 4 miles above 12,000 feet. The road's highest point — 12,183 feet above sea level — occurs between Lava Cliffs and Gore Range. As you drive through the heavens, you absolutely must stop at Rainbow Curve, Many Parks Curve, and at Forest Canyon Overlook. The one caveat? Try this drive on a weekend in August and you'll be breathing more exhaust than crisp, clean mountain air.

It is a national park to be experienced, and one of only a handful that is maintained in as near a totally natural state as possible (commercial activity inside park boundaries is extremely limited), while keeping it accessible to all.

In Rocky Mountain National Park the vistas are everywhere, and unending. Above, azure blue is permanently etched with craggy peaks extending notched, key-like protrusions into a perfect sky. Below, grassy meadows dotted with wildflowers spread an intricate quilt pattern. Deep canyons plunge into velvet green forests far below. Rivers rush down the mountainside to rest in still pools.

The Rocky Mountain National Park photo gallery