ROCKY MOUNTAIN Circular of General Information 1936

ADMINISTRATION

Rocky Mountain National Park is under the control and supervision of the Director of the National Park Service, who is represented in the administration of the park by a superintendent, assisted by a number of park rangers who control the reservation. Edmund B. Rogers is superintendent of the park, and his office address is Estes Park, Colo.

Exclusive jurisdiction over the park was ceded to the United States by act of the Colorado Legislature of February 19, 1929, and accepted by Congress by act approved March 2, 1929. The United States commissioner for the park may be reached through the superintendent's office.

An information bureau is maintained at the national park museum building in Estes Park to supply visitors with desired information regarding accommodations, transportation schedules, foot trips, guides, and other information relative to the park.

The post office for the park and many hotels and resorts on the east side is Estes Park, Colo. There are post offices at Longs Peak and Allens Park, but letters addressed to Estes Park will be forwarded. The west-side post office is at Grand Lake, Colo.

PARK SEASON

From June 15 to September 20 the hotels are open, daily transportation service through the park is available, and the park may be explored most conveniently and thoroughly. The roads to Estes Park, by way of Lyons and the Thompson Canyon, remain open throughout the year and the village has daily transportation and mail service. Some of the hotels in Estes Park are open all the year. The national park is never closed to visitors and every season offers its particular attractions. The autumn coloring is remarkably beautiful. The aspens start to turn early in September, and from that time until the middle of October the hillsides are streaming in golden color. In the winter those who enjoy snowshoeing, skiing, and other sports will find the park excellently adapted to these invigorating pleasures. Those portions of the park having an elevation of 9,000 feet or more are covered with a thick blanket of snow during most of the winter months. In the spring one may watch the snow line climb steadily up the slope of the mountains. Birds and early flowers appear in the valleys while winter still reigns on the higher mountains.

The Trail Ridge Road remains open to travel until the first heavy snowfall. This usually occurs in October, and the road is not passable again before June 15. Other lower roads have a longer season, and even in mid-winter one may usually go by automobile for 5 or 6 miles beyond Estes Park Village before finding the roads closed by snow.

HOW TO REACH THE PARK

Denver, the gateway to the western national parks, is reached by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Rock Island & Pacific; Colorado & Southern; Denver & Rio Grande Western; Denver & Salt Lake; Union Pacific; and Missouri Pacific railroads. For information regarding fares, service, etc., apply to railroad ticket agents.

The Rocky Mountain Parks Transportation Co. operates regular daily automobile service to the park from the following places: Denver, leaving at 8 a. m. and 2:30 p. m.; Greeley, 9:20 a. m.; Fort Collins, 7:45 a. m.; Loveland, 9:40 a. m.; Longmont, 9:45 a. m.; Lyons, 11:30 a. m.; Boulder, 9:10 a. m. Corresponding return service from Estes Park is available, return trips for Denver starting from Estes Park at 8 a. m. and 2:15 p. m.

From June 15 to September 20 automobile connection is made at Granby, Colo., for a tour of the park by way of Grand Lake and Estes Park to Denver, leaving Granby at 11:50 a. m. daily. Auto service is available also, leaving Grand Lake at 5:35 p. m. and arriving at Granby at 6:05 p. m.

The United Airlines, operating 18-hour transcontinental service through Cheyenne, connects with Wyoming Air Service for Denver, which in turn connects at that point with the Rocky Mountain Parks Transportation Co. service to the Rocky Mountain National Park. From the south, T. W. A., Inc., and American Airlines, in their transcontinental services through Albuquerque and El Paso, respectively, connect with Denver by the Varney Speed Lines.

ALL-EXPENSE CIRCLE TRIPS

Five special all-expense tours from Denver to the park and return to Denver are offered by the Rocky Mountain Parks Transportation Co. from June 15 to September 20. Denver is about 85 miles from the park, and for $16 (transportation cost only) you can make a 2-day trip, entering the park through picturesque Big Thompson Canyon, crossing the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains twice, and stopping at Grand Lake, Estes Park, Clear Creek Canyon, Idaho Springs, and Lookout Mountain. This tour affords fine panoramas of the Rocky Mountains from elevations above 12,000 feet. Tour no. 2 follows the same route but includes lunch at Estes Park, dinner, night's lodging, and breakfast at Grand Lake Lodge, and lunch the second day at Idaho Springs. The cost is $22.

The 3-day tour is leisurely enough to permit the traveler to spend a night at Estes Park Chalets and one at Grand Lake Lodge. The cost is $27, including meals and lodging. The 4-day trip includes 2 nights at Estes Park Chalets and 1 at Grand Lake Lodge; the cost is $32. Tour no. 5 is a 6-day trip for $44, spending 3 days at Estes Park Chalets and 3 at Grand Lake Lodge. These tours are leisurely and permit ample time for fishing, horseback riding, or hiking.

Tours similar to the above, but connecting with the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad at Granby, are available at the, same rates. Special all-expense tours from Granby, through the park, to Estes Park and Denver are available also at similar rates.

TRANSPORTATION IN THE PARK

The traveler who has no car available or does not wish to drive his own machine in the mountains, may take advantage of the special trips offered from June 15 to September 20 by the Rocky Mountain Parks Transportation Co. at Estes Park. The Trail Ridge, Fall River, and Highdrive loop trip of about 40 miles costs $5 and requires about 4-1/2 hours. One can go in the morning, leaving at 8 o'clock, or in the afternoon at 2. The Estes Park-Grand Lake trip of about 47 miles costs $5 one way and $8 for a round trip. One can leave Estes Park at 8:45 a. m. or 2:30 p. m. Two other daily loop trips are made from Estes Park for $4 a person. Stops are made at the Fish Hatchery, Horseshoe Park, Fall River Lodge, Fern Lake Trail, Brinwood Hotel, Stead's Hotel, Glacier Basin, Bear Lake, Sprague's Lodge, and the Y. M. C. A. Cars leave Estes Park at 8 a. m. and 2 p. m. Proportionate charges are made for anyone not desiring to make the entire trip. Between September 20 and June 15 these rates apply only when four or more passengers make the trip.

Touring-car service is also available at 30 cents a mile for 2 passengers, 40 cents for 3, 50 cents for 4, and 10 cents a mile for each additional passenger. Waiting time costs $3 an hour.

Passenger and freight service within the park is operated by the Rocky Mountain Parks Transportation Co. under a franchise from the Secretary of the Interior, with rates approved by him.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND EXPENSES

(Numbers after names of hotels and camps indicate their location. See map, p. 20)

The eight hotel and lodge operations in Rocky Mountain National Park are conducted with private capital under franchise from the Secretary of the Interior at rates subject to his approval.

This booklet is issued once a year and the rates mentioned herein may have changed slightly since issuance, but the latest rates approved by the Secretary are on file with the superintendent.

HOTELS AND LODGES ON PARK LANDS

Bear Lake Lodge (19), located on Bear Lake, offers cabin accommodations, ranging in price from $2.50 to $3.50 a day and $15 to $20 a week. Meals: Breakfast, ala carte; luncheon, 65 cents to $1; dinner, $1 to $1.50.

Boulderfield Shelter Cabin (15), at Boulderfield, elevation 12,700 feet, overnight shelter for climbers to Longs Peak. Night's lodging $2; breakfast $1; luncheon or dinner $1.50. Light refreshments. Guides for Longs Peak. Dorothy D. Collier, manager.

Fern Lodge (18), on Fern Lake, offers cabin accommodations at the same rates charged at the Bear Lake Lodge. Both these operations are conducted by the Front Range Lodges, Inc.

Forest Inn (17), located at "The Pool" on Fern Lake Trail, offers board and lodging (tents) at prices from $3 to $4 a day and $15 to $20 a week. For cabin accommodations the charge is from $4 to $5 a day, and $20 to $25 a week. Single meals are 75 cents each. F. D. Tecker operates Forest Inn.

Grand Lake Lodge (30), near Grand Lake, open from June 15 to September 20, operates on the American plan and rates are from $5 to $6.50 a day; weekly rates 10-percent reduction of daily rates. Single meals: Breakfast, 75 cents; luncheon, $1; dinner, $1.25.

Brinwood Hotel (15), at the head of Moraine Park, is operated by C. L. Reed & Sons, and offers American-plan service at from $3.50 to $6 a day and $21 to $36 a week. Saddle horses may be rented at $2.50 a half day, $4 a day, $21 a week, and $75 a month.

Camp Woods (13), at the junction of Bear Lake and Moraine Park roads offers housekeeping cottages at from $2.50 a day for 2 persons to $6 a day for 6 persons. By the week: From $14 for 2 persons to $35 for 6. By the month: From $45 for 2 persons to $60 for 5 persons.

Sprague's Lodge (20), in Glacier Basin, operated by E. A. Stopher, provides American-plan accommodations at the following rates: By the day, $4 to $6; by the week, from $24.50 to $40; 4 weeks, $84 to $133.

PRIVATE HOTELS, COTTAGES, AND CAMPS

The following hotels and camps, in or adjacent to the park, are located on patented lands. The National Park Service exercises no control over the rates and operations of these hotels. Unless otherwise indicated, the rates given include meals, and the post office is Estes Park, Colo. Numbers after names of hotels and camps indicate their location. See map, page 20. Those without numbers are in Estes Park Village.

Baldpate Inn (9). $4 to $6; $25 to $35. Gordon Mace.

Camp Olympus (10). $3.50 a day; $22.75 a week. J. R. Bell.

Cheley Colorado Camps (Land O'Peaks Ranch) (35). Summer camps for boys and girls. Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Cheley. Winter address, 601 Steele Street, Denver, Colo.

Columbines Lodge (23). $4.50 to $5; $21 to $28. C. H. Alexander.

Copeland Lake Lodge (26). A. B. Williams, Allens Park, Colo.

Corner Cupboard Inn and The Tavern (28). Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Rhone, Grand Lake, Colo.

Crags, The (4). $4 to $7 a day; $26 to $50 a week. Mrs. Joe Mills.

Crystal Springs Lodge (27). $2.50 to $3.50. General store. Mrs. Stella G. Morgan, Allens Park, Colo.

Deer Ridge Chalets (34). $3.50 to $5; $22.50 to $30. E. O. Schubert.

Elkhorn Lodge (3). $5 to $9; $30 to $55. Mrs. P. Hondius.

Estes Park Chalets (8). $4.50 to $5.50; $27 to $33. Rocky Mountain Lodges Co.

Estes Park Conference, Y. M. C. A. (16). H. E. Evans, managing director.

Fall River Lodge (11). $4.50 to $6; $25 to $40. Mrs. M. E. March.

H Bar G Ranch (7). $5 to $9; $30 to $55. Helen L. Gates, manager.

Hewes-Kirkwood Inn (24). $3.50 to $4; $21 to $25. Hewes Bros., Allens Park, Colo.

Holzwarth's Lodge (32). American plan. Cabins $3.50 a day; $22.50 a week up. Hotel, same rates. Cabins. Grand Lake, Colo.

Hupp Hotel. $3 to $5; $17.50 to $30. European plan, $1.50 up. Open all year. Mrs. A. M. Derby.

Kauffman House (28). Grand Lake, Colo. Apply for rates.

Lewiston Hotel (2). $5 to $7; $30 to $42. J. R. McKelvey.

Longs Peak Inn (22). $3.50 to $7.50 American plan. Also European plan. Weekly and monthly rates. Mrs. Enos A. Mills.

Meeker Park Lodge (33). $3.50 to $4; $21 to $25. Mr. and Mrs. O. L. Dever. Allens Park, Colo.

National Park Hotel. $3.50 to $5; $18 to $25. Open all year. Mrs. H. R. Byerly.

Phantom Valley Ranch (29). Lynn S. Gillham, manager. Grand Lake, Colo.

Pine Cone Inn (28). $5 a day and up. Special weekly rates. Mrs. H. L. Ish. Grand Lake, Colo.

Prospect Inn. $3 to $3.50; $18 to $22. Mrs. S. M. Spanier.

Rapids Hotel (28). $3.50 to $5; $24 to $37. Grand Lake, Colo.

Rocky Mountain Boys Camp (31). 9 to 18 years. Two 4-week terms. Winter address, 1507 Portland Avenue, St. Paul, Minn.

Sherwood Hotel. Rooms only. $1.25 to $4; $6 to $20. Milton Clauser.

Stanley Hotel (1). $6 to $10. Special weekly rates. Rocky Mountain Lodges Co.

Stead's Ranch and Hotel (14). $4 to $7; $22.50 to $40. W. G. Lewis.

Wind River Ranch (21). $4.50 to $5.25; $30 to $35. E. M. Booth.

Windvale Ranch (16). Rates on application. Mrs. Isabelle Woods.

Furnished cottages may be rented in Estes Park and elsewhere on patented lands in or adjacent to the national park. Among those who have cottages for rent are Frank Bond, Julian Hayden, H. E. James, O. P. Low, and Mrs. J. D. Marshall, each of whom is engaged in a general real-estate business (post-office address, Estes Park, Colo.). Also the following persons, whose post-office address is Estes Park, Colo.: C. E. Bryson, Mrs. Bitner, F. P. Clatworthy, J. J. Duncan, Miss E. M. A. Foot, Miss Stella Gray, E. X. Glover, Mrs. Elizabeth Hoover, J. F. Liebman, John Manford, Otto Reed, I. R. Siebold, and O. V. Webb.

DISTANCES TO PRINCIPAL POINTS OF INTEREST

ONE-HALF-DAY TRIPS FROM ESTES PARK VILLAGE

[Elevation 7,547 feet. No guide needed except for no. 5]

ONE-DAY TRIPS FROM ESTES PARK VILLAGE

[Elevation 7,547 feet. Guide recommended for all trips, but not necessary except for no. 14]

TRIPS FROM GRAND LAKE

OTHER TRIPS IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

[Guide recommended on all these trips]

On the Trail. Clatworthy, Jr., photo.

THE PARK'S MOUNTAIN PEAKS

FRONT RANGE PEAKS FOLLOWING THE LINE OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE, NORTH TO SOUTH

PEAKS IN THE NEVER SUMMER RANGE (CONTINENTAL DIVIDE), NORTH TO SOUTH

PEAKS OF THE MUMMY RANGE NORTHEAST OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE FROM FALL RIVER NORTH

PEAKS IN THE GRAND LAKE BASIN

The above tables show that there are 65 named mountains within the area of the park that reach altitudes of over 10,000 feet, grouped as follows:

Mummy Range from High Drive.

REFERENCES

ALBRIGHT, HORACE M., and TAYLOR, FRANK J. Oh, Ranger! A book about the national parks. Illustrated.

BIRD, ISABELLA L. A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains. 1890. 296 pp., illustrated. G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York.

BISHOP, MRS. ISABELLA L. (See Bird, Isabella L.)

BOYER, WARREN, E. Vanishing Trails of Romance. 1923. 94 pp., illustrated.

CHAPIN, FREDERICK H. Mountaineering in Colorado. 1890. 168 pp., illustrated. W. B. Clark, Boston, Mass.

FARIS, JOHN T. Roaming the Rockies. 1930. Farrar & Rinehart. 333 pp., illustrated. Rocky Mountain National Park on pp. 228-246.

______. Roaming American Playgrounds. 1934. 331 pp., illustrated. Farrar & Rinehart. Rocky Mountain National Park on pp. 129-131.

FROTHINGHAM, ROBERT. Trails Through the Golden West. Robert M. McBride, New York.

HART, JOHN L. JEROME. Fourteen Thousand Feet. 2d ed., 1931. Colorado Mountain Club, Denver. 71 pp.

HEWES, CHARLES EDWIN. Songs of the Rockies. 1914. 129 pp., illustrated. Edgerton.

JACKSON, WILLIAM H., and DRIGGS, H. R. The Pioneer Photographer. 1929. Rocky Mountain National Park on pp. 143-152.

JEFFERS, LEROY. The Call of the Mountains. 282 pp., illustrated. Dodd, Mead & Co., New York. Rocky Mountain National Park on pp. 87-95; 262.

KANE, F. J. Picturesque America, Its Parks and Playgrounds. Published by Frederick Gumbrecht, Brooklyn, N. Y., 1925. 521 pp., illustrated. Rocky Mountain National Park on pp. 157-176.

LONGYEAR, BURTON O. Trees and Shrubs of the Rocky Mountain Region. 1927. 244 pp., illustrated. G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York.

______. Evergreens of Colorado. 1925. 82 pp., illustrated. Multigraph Service Bureau, Fort Collins, Colo.

MILLS, ENOS A. Wild Life on the Rockies. 1909. 263 pp., illustrated. Houghton, Boston.

______. The Spell of the Rockies. 1911. 348 pp., illustrated. Houghton, Boston.

______. In Beaver World. 1913. 223 pp., illustrated. Houghton, Boston.

______. The Story of a Thousand Year Pine. 1914. 38 pp., illustrated. Houghton, Boston.

______. Rocky Mountain Wonderland. 1915. 362 pp., illustrated, map. Houghton, Boston.

______. The Story of Scotch. 1916. 63 pp., illustrated. Houghton, Boston.

______. Your National Parks. 1917. 532 pp., illustrated. Houghton, Boston.

______. The Grizzly, Our Greatest Wild Animal. 1919. 284 pp., illustrated. Houghton, Boston.

______. Adventures of a Nature Guide. 1920. 271 pp., illustrated. Houghton, Boston.

______. Waiting in the Wilderness. 1921. 241 pp., illustrated. Houghton, Boston.

______. Watched by Wild Animals. 1922. 243 pp., illustrated. Houghton, Boston.

______. Wild Animal Homesteads, 1923. 259 pp., illustrated. Houghton, Boston.

______. The Rocky Mountain National Park. 1924. 239 pp., illustrated. Houghton, Boston.

______. Romance of Geology. 1926. 245 pp., illustrated. Houghton, Boston.

______. Bird Memories of the Rockies. 1931. 263 pp., illustrated. Houghton, Boston.

MILLS, JOE. A Mountain Boyhood. 286 pp. 1926. Sears.

QUINN, VERNON. Beautiful America. 333 pp., illustrated. Frederick A. Stokes Co., New York City. 1923. Rocky Mountain National Park on pp. 260-262.

RENSCH, H. E. Historical Background for the Rocky Mountain National Park. 1935. 42 pp. Rocky Mountain Nature Association.

ROLFE, MARY A. Our National Parks. Book One. 1927. 320 pp., illustrated. Benj. H. Sanborn Co., Chicago.

YARD, ROBERT STERLING. The Top of the Continent. 1917. 244 pp., illustrated. Scribners. Rocky Mountain National Park on pp. 16-43.

______. The Book of the National Parks. 1926. 444 pp., 74 illustrations, 14 maps and diagrams. Scribners. Rocky Mountain National Park on pp. 93-117.

WILBUR, RAY LYMAN, and DU PUY, WILLIAM ATHERTON. Conservation in the Department of the Interior. Chapter on national parks, pp. 96-112. Illustrated. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 1931. Price, $1.

YEAGER, DORR G. Bob Flame, Rocky Mountain Ranger. 1935. Illustrated. Dodd, Mead & Co., New York.

______. Scarface, the Story of a Grizzly. 1935. Illustrated. Penn, Phila.

YELM, BETTY, and BEALS, RALPH L. Indians of the Park Region. 1934. 52 pp. Rocky Mountain Nature Association.

Longs Peak and Mount Meeker.