REPORT OF THE ACTING SUPERVISOR OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.
1915
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK,
OFFICE OF SUPERVISOR,
Estes Park, Colo., October 4, 1915.
SIR: Pursuant to instructions of departmental letter
of September 24, 1915, I make the following report on the affairs
of the Rocky Mountain National Park.
GENERAL STATEMENT.
The Rocky Mountain National Park was created on
January 26, 1915, on which date the act of Congress was approved.
(Public, 238, 63d Cong.) This park is located in the northern part of
Colorado and has an area of 358-1/2 square miles, and includes the
principal part of the Rocky Mountain Range, the highest point being
Longs Peak, Which is 14,255 feet, and 14 mountain peaks that are over
13,000 feet above sea level. The park is accessible to tourists and
travelers at numerous points on the eastern and western boundaries,
where trails have been in existence for a number of years.
There are two roads within the boundaries of the park
which are accessible from the county roads without passing through
private property before entering the park. The most central point from
which the public can enter the park to different points therein is Estes
Park, a small village located about 3 miles from the nearest point to
the park boundary and approximately 7-1/2 miles from the main entrance
where the Fall River Road enters the park.
The nearest point from the main entrance to a
railroad is 29-1/2 miles. The supervisor's office for this park was
opened July 10, 1915, and located at the village of Estes Park, the
nearest points to railroad stations from that place being Lyons, Colo.,
22 miles; Loveland, 33 miles; Fort Collins, Colo., 46 miles; and
Boulder, 40 milesautomobile stage lines making regular trips
between these points and Estes Park, with special rates during the
tourist season. I assumed charge of the Rocky Mountain National Park as
acting supervisor on July 1, 1915, and was unable to accomplish as much
as I desired owing to the fact that I was unassisted, no appointments of
employees being made until August 10, when one ranger was appointed.
Consequently there has been little progress made this season toward
improvements in the park.
ROADS.
Fall River Road.The Fall River Road,
which was constructed with State convict labor in 1914, before the national
park was created, was built to a point about 2 miles within the park
boundary.
Construction of this road is now being continued to a
point 3 miles distant from where the convict work ended. This work is
being done under contract by the State of Colorado at a cost of $18,000,
$2,500 of which is to be paid by the Department of the Interior. The
contractor commenced under the present contract, on July 2, 1915, and
expects to complete the work by November 1 of this year. This road when
completed will terminate at the junction of the county road, about 9
miles north of Grand Lake, a distance of approximately 19-1/2 miles
within the park boundary, and will reach the highest point when crossing
the Continental Divide at about 11,300 feet above sea level.
That part of the Fall River Road which was built by
convict labor is in fair condition but requires repairing at certain
points. It is entirely too narrow, in some places being only 8 and 10
feet in width. The point known as the second "switchback," which is
reached by a 12 per cent grade, was not sufficiently wide for the
average vehicle to change direction without a "seesaw" movement, which
made the point extremely dangerous, there being no protection to prevent
a vehicle from going over the embankment.
This defect has been remedied by cutting into the
bank a distance of 8 feet, thereby enabling a large automobile to make
the turn. Contract has been let for the construction of a stone
retaining wall at this point, and when completed all chances of
accidents at this point will be eliminated. At the time of building the
"convict road" no culverts were constructed, and this is necessary at
points 400 feet apart where the grade is 7 per cent or more. These
culverts should be installed as soon as possible in the spring of 1916,
and the gutters opened up. The county road extending into the park on
private holdings is in bad condition. A survey of the balance of the
Fall River Road should be made before any further steps are taken to
continue the construction. The survey which was made in 1912 was a
preliminary survey only.
Road to Sprague's.There is a roadway
entering the park running parallel to Glacier Creek approximately 1-1/2
miles in length which was constructed by Mr. A. E. Sprague at his own
expense, and leads to his summer resort, located in the park. Access to
this road is through private property. The road is in fair condition and
an expenditure of $100 would improve it considerably.
Road to Bear Lake.Continuing from
Sprague's resort in a westerly direction and extending to within 1 mile
of Bear Lake is a roadway, 2 miles in length, in poor condition. At an
expenditure of about $300 this roadway could be made passable for
automobiles, if a log bridge was constructed across Glacier Creek in
close proximity to Sprague's resort.
Copeland Lake Road.There is a roadway
entering the park near Copeland Lake and extending a distance of
approximately 1-1/2 miles. The road is in poor condition and was built
by the Arbuckle Supply & Reservoir Co., and is passible for
horse-drawn vehicles only and leads to a trail to "Wild Basin."
Road to Mill Creek Ranger Station.This
road runs parallel to Mill Creek and extends about one-half mile into
the park. The road is in poor condition, and in order to enter the park
at this point it is necessary to pass through private lands over a road
which is exceedingly bad. Very few visitors enter the park at this
point except with saddle horse. This road could be repaired within the
park at small expense, but unless the road outside the park were put in
proper condition there would be no object in expending any money on the
road within the park at this point. Most of the traffic over this road
is by local residents removing firewood which is obtained in the vicinity
of the Mill Creek Ranger Cabin and known as the "Pole Patch."
Beaver Creek Road.There is a roadway
which starts from the "High Drive" in Horseshoe Park, outside the
National Park, and crosses the National Park boundary line in sec. 19,
T. 5 N., R. 74 W. and extends for a distance of approximately 1-1/4
miles. This roadway was built to remove timber some time in 1910 and is
in fair condition, but would require considerable expense to put in
proper shape for automobiles.
Grand Lake County Road.A roadway
extending approximately 1-3/4 miles within the park boundary, which is a
part of the Grand Lake-Fall River Road, has just been completed
under the supervision of the county commissioners of Grand County. The
expense of the construction of this road was defrayed with State and
county funds. The road runs through timber where a 40-foot right of way
was cut. It is designated a 16-foot roadway but is considerably wider in
numerous places. The grade is less than 1 per cent. It will eventually
connect with the Fall River Road which is now under construction. The
roadway at the present time ends in sec. 24, T. 4 N., R. 76 W. The work
was performed by day labor. Corrugated iron culverts were used in the
construction. There is considerable timber along the right of way which
should be disposed of in the same manner as was done with the timber on
the Fall River Road.
TRAILS.
Most of the interesting parts of the national park
can be reached by trail only, which are in fairly good condition, and if
the spring opens sufficiently early in 1916 they can be put in good
condition for use of tourists during the summer season. There are
approximately 128.5 miles of trails in the Rocky Mountain National Park,
as follows:
Grand Lake Trail (via Flat Top Mountain).The
principal and most widely known trail within the national
park is the one leading from Estes Park to Grand Lake. This trail enters
the national park 6-1/2 miles from Estes Park and crosses the western
park boundary one-fourth mile from Grand Lake, 18-1/4 miles within the
national park. This trail has been cleared of all timber, and with some
repair work done above timberline will be considered a good trail.
Grand Lake Trail (via Milner Pass).This
trail leaves the Fall River Road 12-1/2 miles from Estes Park, and
crosses the western park boundary 12-1/2 miles north of Grand Lake,
where it joins the county road. Length of trail 11 miles.
Bierstadt Lake Trail.Leaves Flat Top
Trail near Mill Creek Ranger Station, follows old sawmill road full
distance. Some of trail is in bad shape and in need of repair. Distance
from ranger cabin to lake 1 mile.
Bierstadt Lake Trail (from Glacier Creek).From
Glacier Creek to Bierstadt Lake, starting at the junction of
Storm Pass Trail. Distance 1-1/2 miles. Built by the Forest Service in
1914. Trail in good condition.
Bear Lake Trail.Joins the Flat Top Trail
1-1/2 miles from Bear Lake. Trail in fair condition.
Bear Lake Trail.From "Miners Cabin" to
Bear Lake. Distance 1 mile. Trail in good condition.
Loch Vale Trail.From "Miners Cabin" to
Loch Vale, distance 3 miles. Trail needs repair. Built in 1913 by the
Estes Park Improvement Association.
Storm Pass Trail.Leads from Glacier
Creek to Storm Pass, distance 4 miles. Built by the Forest Service in
1914. Trail in good condition. Trail to summit of Longs Peak. Trail
enters national park 1 mile above Longs Peak Inn, and leads to the
summit of Longs Peak, 14,255 feet high. Distance 6 miles, 2-1/2 miles by
foot trail only. Trail needs some repair from Mill Creek Ranger Station
to "The Pool." Trail passes over "Steep Mountain" from the Ranger
Station to the "Pool," a distance of 2-1/2 miles. Trail in fair
condition.
Trail to Fern, Odessa, and Helene
Lakes.From Moraine Park past Fern and Odessa Lakes,
terminating at Helene Lake. Distance 6-1/2 miles. A new trail
from Fern Lake to Lake Odessa was constructed in the fall of 1914. This
trail should be repaired and extended so as to join the Flat Top trail,
passing Lake Helene and Two River Lake.
Lawn Lake trail.Leads from Horseshoe
Park to Lawn Lake. Distance 6 miles. Needs repair.
Ypsilon Lake trail.Branches from the
Lawn Lake trail one-half mile from Horseshoe Park and extends 4 miles to
the lake. In good condition.
Crystal Lake trail.From Lawn Lake to
Crystal Lake. Distance about 1 mile. Trail poorly built and needs
construction.
Tombstone Ridge trail.From Moraine Park
through "Windy Gulch" to Poudre Lakes. A scenic trail, but is in
poor condition. Distance 15 miles.
Lost Lake trail.Trail follows North Fork
of Big Thompson River to Lost Lake. Distance about 9 miles from Park
boundary line.
Specimen Mountain trail.From Poudre
Lakes to "The Crater," on Specimen Mountain. Trail poorly constructed.
Needs considerable repair work. Distance 1-1/2 miles.
Poudre River trail.From Pingree Park to
the South Fork of the Poudre River and then up the river to its source
at Poudre Lakes. Distance about 15 miles. Little work, other than
"blazing," has been done on this trail.
Sand Beach Lake trail.From Copeland
Lodge to Sand Beach Lake. Distance 6 miles. Trail in good
condition.
Thunder Lake trail.From Copeland Lake to
Thunder Lake, in "Wild Basin." Distance 9 miles. Trail in fair
condition.
Ouzel Lake trail.From Copeland Lake to
Ouzel Lake and Ouzel Falls. Distance 7 miles. Built by the Forest
Service. In good condition.
LAKES.
Within the boundaries of the national park are over 100 lakes. The
following is a list of the largest and most important, showing the
approximate altitude and area of each. Those marked with an asterisk (*)
have been stocked with fish.
Lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park.
|
Lake. | Area. in acres. |
Altitude, in feet. |
|
Lake. |
Areas, in acres. |
Altitude, in feet. |
|
Arrow Head | 30 | 11,000 |
|
Nanita | 50 | 10,770 |
*Bear | 11 | 9,542 |
|
*Odessa | 17 | 10,055 |
Bierstadt | 13 | 9,385 |
|
Ouzel | 12 | 9,930 |
Black | 4 | 10,690 |
|
Sand Beach | 55 | 10,150 |
Blue | 3 | 11,340 |
|
Thunder | 15 | 10,570 |
Chasm | 6 | 11,943 |
|
*Two River | 8 | 10,650 |
*Crystal | 7 | 11,470 |
|
Ursulla | 7 | 9,980 |
Cub | 6 | 8,680 |
|
Verna | 20 | 10,150 |
*Fern | 13 | 9,550 |
|
*Ypsilon | 15 | 10,572 |
Gibraltar | 20 | 11,000 |
|
Poudre Lakes | 10 | 10,730 |
Four Gorge Lakes | 10-20 | 11,590 |
|
Forest | 15 | 10,500 |
Husted | 7 | ----- |
|
Loch Vale | 20 | 10,240 |
*Lawn | 65 | 10,950 |
|
Rainbow | 18 | 11,770 |
*Lost | 25 | ----- |
|
Hour Glass | 8 | 11,230 |
Louise | 6 | ----- |
|
Spruce | 10 | 9,700 |
Mills | 10 | 10,000 |
|
Tourmaline | 6 | 10,500 |
Nakoni | 15 | 11,100 |
|
Helene | 4 | 10,650 |
|
MOUNTAINS.
The Rocky Mountain National Park is composed of an
area of mountain peaks, 43 peaks being over 10,000 feet above sea level,
the highest point being Longs Peak, which reaches an altitude of 14,255.
There are 14 peaks over 13,000, 17 over 12,000, and 7 over 11,000.
The following is a list of peaks and their altitudes:
Mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park.
| Feet. |
|
| Feet. |
Longs Peak | 14,255 |
|
Andrews Peak | 12,564 |
Mount Meeker | 13,911 |
|
Mount Dunraven | 12,548 |
Chiefs Head | 13,579 |
|
Specimen Mountain | 12,482 |
Hagues Peak | 13,554 |
|
Mount Chapin | 12,458 |
Mount Fairchild | 13,502 |
|
Tanima Peak | 12,417 |
Mount Ypsilon | 13,500 |
|
Flat Top Mountain | 12,364 |
Pagoda Mount | 13,491 |
|
Snow Drift Peak | 12,280 |
Mummy Mount | 13,413 |
|
Nakai Peak | 12,221 |
Storm Peak | 13,335 |
|
Mount Adams | 12,215 |
Mount Alice | 13,310 |
|
Mount Craig | 12,005 |
Lady Washington | 13,267 |
|
Battle Mountain | 11,930 |
McHenry Mount | 13,200 |
|
Mount Dickinson | 11,874 |
Mount Copeland | 13,176 |
|
Meadow Mountain | 11,634 |
Taylor Peak | 13,150 |
|
Bighorn Mountain | 11,473 |
Mount Chiquita | 13,052 |
|
Mount Patterson | 11,323 |
Mount Julian | 12,928 |
|
Mount Tileston | 11,244 |
Stones Peak | 12,915 |
|
Estes Cone | 11,017 |
Hallett Mountain | 12,715 |
|
Nisa Mountain | 10,791 |
Terra Toma Peak | 12,686 |
|
Lookout Mountain | 10,744 |
Mahona Peak | 12,629 |
|
Mount Enentah | 10,737 |
Thatchtop | 12,600 |
|
McGregor Mountain | 10,482 |
Mount Ida | 12,600 |
|
|
|
GLACIERS.
Halletts Glacier.Altitude 13,000 feet. Distance from Estes
Park 17 miles7-1/2 by roadway, 6-1/2 by horse trail, then 3 miles
by foot.
Sprague's Glacier.Altitude 12,000 feet. Distance 3-1/2
miles from Fern Lake14-1/2 miles from Estes Park.
Tyndall Glacier.Altitude 12,000 feet. Located at summit of
divide. Can be reached with saddle horse over Flat Top trail13
miles from Estes Park.
Andrews Glacier.Altitude 11,750 feet. Located 2 miles from
Loch Vale. Trail to Loch Vale only. Distance from Estes Park 15
miles.
Taylor Glacier.Altitude 12,500 feet. Distance from Loch
Vale 2-1/2 miles. Trail to Loch Vale only15-1/2 miles from Estes
Park.
FISH.
It has been the custom of the State game and fish commissioner to stock
certain lakes and streams in this locality with trout, and this has been
continued since the national park has been created. Since January, 1915,
165,000 trout have been placed as follows:
Head waters of the Big Thompson River (Brook trout) | 25,000 |
Head waters of the Big Thompson River (Rainbow) | 30,000 |
South Fork of the Thompson River (Rainbow) | 30,000 |
South Fork of the Thompson River (Brook trout) | 20,000 |
Upper Fall River (Rainbow) | 30,000 |
Lower Crystal Lake (Rainbow) | 10,000 |
Two River Lake (Rainbow) | 5,000 |
Odessa Lake (Rainbow) | 5,000 |
Fern Lake (Rainbow) | 10,000
|
Total | 165,000 |
There are two fish preserves in the park stocked by
private parties, one by A. E. Sprague, consisting of two lakes
covering an area of 20 acres, stocked with Eastern Brook, and Arrowhead
Lake sometimes known as Heinricy Lake, which was stocked in 1914 with
30,000 "Native trout."
ANIMAL LIFE.
Deer.Owing to the protection under the game law
of the State deer have been increasing rapidly, there being about 600 in
the park and surrounding the boundary. They are rarely seen on account
of the heavily timbered country.
Elk.In 1912, 20 head of elk were shipped
from Wyoming and put into the forest, a part of which is now the
national park. In 1913, 25 more were shipped from the same place.
A portion of these animals died, and at present there are
approximately 30 elk in the national park and vicinity.
Bear.There are only a few bear in the park, and
these are specimens of the common black bear.
Sheep.The Big Horn sheep are found in
considerable numbers, and some of them are exceptionally tame, tourists
having approached within a few yards of them. From what information I
have been able to obtain the increase for the last year has
been exceptionally large.
Wild birds and fowls.Game birds are
scarce within the park. The ptarmigan may be found in small numbers on
the range above timber line. Owing to the open season on grouse in the
State of Colorado, they have become nearly extinct in this locality, but
under the protection afforded by the park rules these birds will
increase rapidly.
Fur-bearing animals.To a person wishing
to see beaver at work an exceptional opportunity is afforded to
visitors, owing to the fact that the beaver are plentiful in various
localities in the park. Other fur-bearing animals are few, owing to the
fact that they have been trapped in past years prior to the
establishment of the national park.
Predatory animals.There are coyotes and
mountain lions roaming within the park, and if they increase to any
extent will become a detriment to the preservation of other animals,
when action will be necessary looking toward their destruction.
FOREST FIRES.
Owing to the fact that there has been a great deal of
rain during the summer very few fires have occurred. Several fires were
caused by careless campers, but were extinguished by passers-by.
There are six tool boxes located in different parts
of the park which will be supplied with the necessary paraphernalia for
fighting forest fires, in addition to installing tools in the ranger
cabins.
RANGERS.
There are only three rangers provided for this park,
at a salary of $900 per annum, which salary I do not consider
sufficient to attract the right kind of men for this class of labor.
This is an expensive locality to live in, and by the time a ranger has
subsisted himself and his horse he has little left for his efforts. In
my opinion the salaries should be increased to $1,200 per annum.
A chief ranger is not required for this park until the number of
rangers has been increased to five or more.
RANGER STATIONS.
There are four ranger cabins within the park and
located as follows:
Mill Creek Ranger Station.Located on
Mill Creek, one-half mile from boundary line and about 7 miles from
Estes Park village. Partly furnished. Connected with telephone.
Fall River Ranger Cabin.Located on the
Fall River Road 5 miles from park boundary line and about 14-1/2 miles
from Estes Park village, about one-half mile from terminus of present
contract of Fall River Road. Partly furnished.
Shelter cabin, Flat Top trail.Located on
Flat Top trail, 11 miles from Grand Lake and 15 miles from Estes Park.
Not furnished.
Specimen Ranger Cabin.Located at Poudre
Lakes. Located about 3 miles from the western boundary and 10 miles from
eastern boundary line by trail; 19-1/2 miles from Estes Park village.
Not furnished.
FIREWOOD.
Free firewood permits are issued to residents of
Estes Park and vicinity for their own use, with the understanding that
they are to volunteer their services when necessary to suppress forest
fires. These permits are issued for "dead and down timber located in the
"pole patch" near Mill Creek Ranger Station.
Permits are issued for firewood for "commercial
purposes" at the rate of 50 cents per cord. This wood is also taken
from the "pole patch."
There is sufficient "fire killed" and "dead and down"
timber located in the "pole patch" to supply the residents
of Estes Park and vicinity for a number of years.
Ten "free permits" for firewood have been issued this
season for 74 cords, and one permit for 200 cords for
"commercial purposes" to the Y. M. C. A. conference of Estes Park.
PERMITS.
The following permits have been issued:
Shepard N. Husted, permit to guide, $25 per annum.
Charles E. Hewes, permit to guide, $25 per annum.
Glenn E. Mills, permit to guide, $25 per annum.
Clifford S. Higby, permit to guide, $25 per annum.
A. E. Sprague, permit for 3,000 feet logs, unscaled.
W. R. Kibbe, permit for 3,000 feet logs, unscaled.
D. J. March, all cut timber on Fall River Road, $80.
Y. M. C. A. conference, 200 cords firewood, $100.
|
MAP OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.
(click on image for a PDF version)
|
CONCESSIONS.
No concessions have been granted other than the continuation of the
permits for hotels and resorts issued by the Forest Service prior
to the creation of the park.
There are six resorts within the park boundary, as follows:
Concessions in Rocky Mountain National Park.
HOTELS AND CAMPS. |
| Rate for period stated. |
Higby Bros., summer hotel and resort at Fern Lake, permit
expires Dec. 31, 1915 | $15 |
Higby Bros., summer hotel and camp at The Pool, permit expires
Dec. 31, 1915 | 10 |
A. E. Sprague, summer hotel building and fish preserve at
Bartholdt Park, permit expires Dec. 31, 1915 | 35 |
Willard H. Ashton, summer camping grounds at Lawn Lake, permit
expires Dec. 31, 1915 | 15 |
Enos Mills, shelter cabin at timber line, Longs Peak, permit
expires Dec. 31, 1915 | 10 |
E. A. Brown, summer camping grounds at Bear Lake, permit expires
Dec. 31, 1915 | 15 |
OTHER PERMITS. |
| Rate for period stated. |
Willard H. Ashton, use of 10 acres of land on Lawn Lake for
pasture purposes | 2 |
Willard R. Ashton, use of telephone connection to Government
line. Permit transferred to Bradley & Patrick, proprietors of
Horseshoe Inn, which they purchased from Mr. Ashton Charles E. Hewes,
authorizes construction of a trail in park, and use of 3 acres of land
on which to maintain summer hotel |
|
J. H. Hutchinson, authorizes construction of a wagon road
approximately 7 miles long from park line to Hutchinson Lakes. No charge
is made for the privilege other than the road is to be open to the
Government free of charge |
|
In my opinion the rates heretofore made by the Forest Service for
permits for resorts were entirely too small.
RESERVOIRS.
There are a number of irrigating ditches and reservoirs located in the
park title to which is in the name of private parties and
corporations. This matter will be investigated at first opportunity and
report made thereon.
CATTLE.
There have been no permits issued to transport stock
through the park, and only one instance is known where stock was
transported and the owner of said stock has been notified by me of the
rules and regulations covering this matter. There is no stock grazing in
the park at the present time under permit, and the department has
decided not to allow the use of lands within the park for grazing
purposes.
MINERAL CLAIMS.
There are several so-called "mineral claims" within the park, and
this matter is now under investigation to find whether or not the
claims are valid.
PATENTED LANDS.
There are 16 locations of patented lands, homestead
entries, timber and stone, and pre-emption entries within the park. One
of these locations is that of Daniel T. March, in sec. 11, T. 5 N., R.
74 W., which is just within the boundary line on the Fall River Road at
what is now known as the main entrance to the park.
TELEPHONE LINES.
There are at the present time within the park
boundaries two telephone lines, one being located parellel with Mill
Creek, which was used to connect the Mill Creek ranger station with the
public telephone line. The line extends approximately one-half mile
within the boundary and 3-1/2 miles outside. The line is in good
condition, with the exception of three-fourths mile, which requires
reconstruction. It is the intention to install a telephone instrument in
the Mill Creek ranger station this fall.
The Fall River line extends from the public exchange
in Estes Park, running parallel with the Fall River Road to the main
entrance of the park, and has been extended by the contractor of the Fall
River Road for a distance of 1-1/2 miles. I believe it will be advisable
to install a telephone instrument at this point and continue the line
to Fall River ranger station, a distance of 3-1/2 miles, and eventually
to continue the line to Specimen ranger station, a distance of 5 miles
from the Fall River station.
TRANSPORTATION.
There is no transportation furnished this office, and
it has been necessary to hire an automobile on numerous occasions to
make trips to certain points of the park which are accessible. Had there
been available transportation, no doubt, more frequent trips would have
been made, and it might be advisable to consider the purchase of an
automobile to be used in connection with the administration of this
office.
CASUALTIES.
During the month of August Bertha Herbaugh, of
Highland, Ill., dislocated her elbow on the trail to Fern Lake. Proper
action was taken at the time, consequently the affair was not
serious.
On September 2, 1915, Dr. Thornton R. Sampson, of
Austin, Tex., left Grand Lake with the intention of going to Estes Park,
and was last seen by a licensed guide on the Flat Top trail about 2
miles from Grand Lake. On notification of his disappearance September
14, prompt action was taken to locate his whereabouts, and volunteer
searching parties were organized, assisted by Forest Service rangers
and park rangers, but without result. The supposition is he became
bewildered after reaching Flat Top Mountain and was unable to locate the
trail. It is also possible that Dr. Sampson may have been struck by
lightning or may have had an attack of heart failure.
Since the disappearance of Dr. Sampson, the line of
cairns which distinguish the trail across Flat Top Mountain have been
rearranged, and numerous other cairns which were in existence have been
destroyed. The cairns at the present time are arranged about 200 feet
apart, and it is the intention to paint them white, with a black circle
about 1 foot from the top.
VISITORS.
It is impossible to report the number of persons who
visited this park during the season of 1915 other than a rough estimate.
The majority of people entering the park enter through the eastern
boundary, as a rule, from the village of Estes Park. During the summer
season of 1914 a check was kept of the number of visitors to this
region, and an estimate of 56,000 persons was made at that time. From
observation and information obtained from business men in this locality,
I would state that the number of visitors to Estes Park during this
season was 10,000 less than the previous year, viz, 46,000. Estimating
that two-thirds of this number entered the National Park, this would
make the approximate number of visitors 31,000.
The following list shows the number of patrons of the resorts within the
park during the past season:
Higby Bros., Fern Lake, hotel and summer camp | 1,055 |
Higby Bros., The Pool, rest house (estimated) | 25 |
Willard H. Ashton, Lawn Lake, rest house (estimated) | 100 |
Enos Mills, Longs Peak, shelter cabin, lodging and meals | 430 |
Enos Mills, Longs Peak, shelter cabin, without lodging or meals | 1,064 |
A. E. Sprague, Bartholdt Park, hotel and summer resort (estimated) | 800 |
E. A. Brown, Bear Lake, summer resort and camp (estimated) | 500 |
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I herewith submit the following recommendations: That
this office should have the services of a clerk and stenographer at a
salary of $900 per annum; that a two-seated automobile be purchased for
the use of this office; that the salaries of rangers be increased to
$1,200 per annum; that the force of rangers be increased to four for the
present; that legislation be recommended for an appropriation of $50,000
for the continuation of the Fall River Road; that the telephone line on
Fall River Road be extended to Specimen ranger station; that a shelter
station be constructed on the eastern slope of Flat Top Mountain.
Also that the following new trails be constructed, if
an appropriation is made sufficiently large for this purpose, the
average cost of trails in this locality being approximately $150 per
mile: Trail on Tombstone Ridge, terminating at Poudre Lakes, distance 15
miles; trail from Lake Helene to Flat Top Mountain, distance 1-1/2
miles; trail from Odessa Lake to Lake Helene, distance 1-1/4 miles;
trail from Fern Lake to Hour Glass Lake via Spruce Lake, distance 3
miles a trail from "The Pool" through Forest Canyon to Poudre Lakes,
distance 15 miles, which trail would pass through the best-timbered
region in the national park; a trail to Mills Lake and Glacier Gorge,
distance about 3-miles; a trail from Fall River ranger cabin to the
northern boundary of the park at a point where the Poudre River crosses
the boundary line, distance about 5 miles; foot trail to Chasm Lake,
located at the head of "East Gorge" of Longs Peak.
Very respectfully,
C. R. TROWBRIDGE,
Acting Supervisor.
The SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR,
Washington, D. C.
APPENDIX.
RULES AND REGULATIONS APPROVED MAY 29, 1915.
National parks are established for the benefit and
enjoyment of the people, preserving the natural conditions within their
boundaries in unimpaired form for present and future generations. In
furtherance of this, the Secretary of the Interior asks the cooperation
of the public in the following rules and regulations:
(1) Cooperation is sought toward preventing the
destruction, injury, or defacement in any way of the public property or
the trees, vegetation, rocks, minerals, animal and bird, or other life,
or other natural conditions and curiosities in the park.
(2) Visitors and others must not cut living timber
without written permission of the supervisor. Camping parties may use
dead or fallen timber for fuel. Stumps should be cut as close to the
ground as possible.
(3) It is very dangerous to life to throw stones from
cliffs, to roll bowlders down hills, or to pollute the waters within the
park, and such practices should be carefully avoided.
(4) Fires constitute one of the greatest perils to
the park; they must not be kindled near trees, dead wood, moss, dry
leaves, or other vegetable refuse, but in some open space on rocks or
dirt. When fires are no longer necessary they must be completely
extinguished, and the embers and bed smothered with dirt or water, so
that there remains no possibility of reignition.
(5) The park is a sanctuary for wild life of every
sort, and no one should frighten, hunt or kill, wound or capture any
bird or wild animal in the park except dangerous animals when it is
necessary to prevent them from destroying life or inflicting injury.
(6) The outfits, including guns, traps, teams,
horses, or means of transportation used by persons engaged in hunting,
killing, trapping, ensnaring, or capturing such birds or wild animals,
or in possession of game killed on the park lands under other
circumstances than prescribed above, must be taken up by the supervisor
and held subject to the order of the Secretary of the Interior, except
in cases where it is shown by satisfactory evidence that the outfit is
not the property of the person or persons violating this regulation and
the actual owner was not a party to such violation. Firearms will be
permitted in the park only on written permission of the supervisor.
Visitors entering or traveling through the park to places beyond
should, at entrance, report and surrender all firearms, traps, nets,
seines, or explosives in their possession to the first park officer,
and, in proper cases, may obtain his written leave to carry them through
the park sealed.
(7) Fishing is permitted with hook and line only and
never for profit or merchandise. Fishing in particular water or except
in special seasons may be suspended by the supervisor. All fish hooked
less than 7 inches long shall be carefully handled with moist hands and
returned at once to the water if not seriously injured. Fish retained
should be killed. Thirty fish will constitute the limit for a day's
catch.
(8) Much of the park area is little traveled, rugged,
and, to inexperienced persons, dangerous, and visitors are urged to employ
licensed guides. Large camp outfits and pack trains should be
accompanied by a licensed guide, unless authority to travel without such
licensed guide is granted by the supervisor. The supervisor will grant
authority to competent persons to act as guides, and may revoke the same
in his discretion.
(9) No person will be permitted to reside
permanently, engage in any business, or erect buildings upon the
Government lands in the park without permission, in writing, from the
Secretary of the Interior.
(10) Owners of patented lands within the park limits
are entitled to the full use and enjoyment thereof; the boundaries of
such lands, however, must be
determined, and marked and defined, so that they may
be readily distinguished from the park lands. While no limitations or
conditions are imposed upon the use of such private lands so long as
such use does not interfere with or injure the park, private owners must
provide against trespass by their stock or cattle, or otherwise, upon
the park lands, and all trespasses committed will be punished to the
full extent of the law. Stock may be taken over the park lands to
patented private lands with the written permission and under the
supervision of the supervisor, but such permission and supervision are not
required when access to such private lands is had wholly over roads or
lands not owned or controlled by the United States.
(11) Allowing the running at large, herding, or
grazing of cattle or stock of any kind on the Government lands in the
park, as well as the driving of such stock or cattle over same, must be
avoided except where authority therefor has been granted by the
supervisor. The supervisor will make every effort not to burden bona
fide settlers near the park boundaries in the grazing of their domestic
stock, and has authority to deal with these and other special cases.
Cattle or stock found improperly on the park lands may be impounded and
held until claimed by the owner and the trespass adjusted.
(12) No drinking saloon or barroom will be permitted
upon Government lands in the park, and, in conformity to the laws of the
State of Colorado, the sale or gift of intoxicating beverages will not
be permitted in the park after January 1, 1916.
(13) Only such private notices or advertisements as
are necessary to the convenience and guidance of the public, and then
only when arranged in appropriate style, will be allowed in the
park.
(14) Campers and those stopping for lunch are urged
to leave as little permanent evidence of their visit as possible. Camp
should be pitched away from streams and highways. All paper, boxes,
straw, and other inflammable litter or garbage should be carefully
burned before leaving, and other refuse, such as cans, should be crushed
and buried. Leave no refuse in or near running water.
(15) Automobiles are permitted on all the highways of
the park without charge until further order, but reasonable speed, great
caution, and frequent sound warning are essential to safety.
(16) Persons who render themselves obnoxious by
improper conduct or who violate the letter or spirit of these
regulations will be summarily removed from the park and not permitted to
return without written permission from the Secretary of the Interior.
No lessee or licensee shall retain in his employment any person whose
presence in the park may be deemed by the supervisor subversive of good
order and management of the park.
(17) The foregoing are hereby announced as the rules
and regulations for the government of this park. The supervisor is
hereby authorized and directed to remove all trespassers from the park
lands and to enforce these rules and regulations and the provisions of
Congress.
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
IN THE STATE OF COLORADO, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of America in Congress
assembled, That the tract of land in the State of Colorado
particularly described by and included within metes and bounds as
follows, to wit: Beginning at the southeast corner of section
thirty-four, township three north, range seventy-three west of the sixth
principal meridian, Colorado, thence north along the section lines to
the northeast corner of section three, said township; thence west to the
northwest corner of said section; thence north along the section lines
to the northeast corner of section sixteen, township four north, range
seventy-three west; thence west to the northwest corner of said section;
thence north to the northeast corner of section eight, said township;
thence west along the section lines to the northwest corner of section
seven, said township; thence north to the northeast corner of township
four north, range seventy-four west; thence west along the first
correction line north, to the southeast corner of section thirty-six,
township five north, range seventy-four west; thence north along the
range line to the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of the
southeast quarter of section thirteen, said township; thence west to the
northwest corner of the southeast quarter
of the southeast quarter of section fourteen, said
township; thence north to the northwest corner of the northeast quarter
of the southeast quarter of section eleven, said township; thence east
to the northeast corner of the northeast quarter of the southeast
quarter of section twelve, said township; thence south along the range
line to the southeast corner of said section; thence east along
the section lines to the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of
section ten, township five north, range seventy-three west; thence north
to the northeast corner of the southwest quarter of said section;
thence east to the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of said
section; thence north to the northeast corner of said section; thence
east to the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of the southwest
quarter of section two, said township; thence north to the northeast
corner of the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of said
section; thence east to the southeast corner of the northeast quarter
of the southwest quarter, said section; thence north to the northeast
corner of the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of said
section; thence east to the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of
section one, said township; thence north along the range line to the
northeast corner of section thirty-six, township seven north, range
seventy-three west; thence west along the section lines to the
intersection with the west bank of the Big South Cache in Poudre River
in township seven north, range seventy-five west; thence southeasterly
along the west bank of said river to the mouth of a tributary of said
river, probably in section one, township six north, range seventy-five
west; said tributary heading at La Poudre Pass in section twenty,
township six north, range seventy-five west; thence southwesterly along
the west bank of said tributary to its head; thence across the
Continental Divide to the headwaters of the North Fork of the Grand
River, which also heads at La Poudre Pass; thence down the west bank of
the North Fork of the Grand River to its intersection with the section
line between sections twenty-nine and thirty, township six north, range
seventy-five west; thence south along the section lines to the southeast
corner of section eighteen, township five north, range seventy-five
west; thence west along the section line to its intersection with the
west bank of the North Fork of the Grand River; thence down the west
bank of the North Fork of the Grand River to its intersection with the
section line between sections twenty-five and thirty-six, township four
north, range seventy-six west; thence east to the northeast corner of
section thirty-six, said township; thence south along the range line to
the southeast corner of said township; thence east along the township
line to the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of section four,
township three north, range seventy-five west; thence south to the
southwest corner of the northeast quarter of section nine, said
township; thence west along the quarter section line to its intersection
with a creek in section seven, said township, this creek being an outlet
of Grand Lake, and flowing into the North Fork of the Grand River;
thence southerly along the said creek to its junction with the North
Fork of the Grand River; thence southerly along the west bank of the
North Fork of the Grand River to its intersection with the township line
between townships two and three north; thence east along the township
line to the southeast corner of section thirty-four, township three
north, range seventy-three west of the sixth principal meridian,
Colorado, the place of beginning, all of said above-described tract now
being included within the boundaries of the counties of Grand, Boulder,
and Larimer, in the State of Colorado, is hereby reserved and withdrawn
from settlement, occupancy, or disposal under the laws of the United
States, and said tract is dedicated and set apart as a public park for
the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States, under the
name of the Rocky Mountain National Park: Provided, That the
United States Reclamation Service may enter upon and utilize for flowage
or other purposes any area within said park which may be necessary for
the development and maintenance of a Government reclamation project.
SEC. 2. That nothing herein contained shall effect
any valid existing claim, location, or entry under the land laws of the
United States, whether for homestead, mineral, right of way, or any
other purpose whatsoever, or shall affect the rights of any such
claimant, locator, or entryman to the full use and enjoyment of his
land. Whenever consistent with the primary purposes of the park the act
of February fifteenth, nineteen hundred and one, applicable to the
location of rights of way in certain national parks and the national
forests for irrigation and other purposes, shall be and remain
applicable to the lands included within the park. The Secretary of the
Interior may, in his discretion
and upon such conditions as he may deem wise, grant easements or rights
of way for steam, electric, or similar transportation upon or across the
park.
SEC. 3. That no lands located within the park boundaries now held in
private, municipal, or State ownership shall be affected by or subject
to the provisions of this act.
SEC. 4. That the said park shall be under the executive control of the
Secretary of the Interior, and it shall be the duty of the said executive
authority, as soon as practicable, to make and publish such reasonable rules and
regulations, not inconsistent with the laws of the United States, as the said
authority may deem necessary or proper for the care, protection, management, and
improvement of the same, the said regulations being primarily aimed at
the freest use of the said park for recreation purposes by the public and for the
preservation of the natural conditions and scenic beauties thereof. The said
authority may, in his discretion, execute leases to parcels of ground not
exceeding twenty acres in extent in any one place to any person or company for not to
exceed twenty years whenever such ground is necessary for the erection of
establishments for the accommodation of visitors, may grant such other necessary
privileges and concessions as he deems wise for the accommodation of
visitors, and may likewise arrange for the removal of such mature or dead or down
timber as he may deem necessary and advisable for the protection and
improvement of the park. The regulations governing the park shall include provisions
for the us of automobiles therein: Provided, That no appropriation for the
maintenance supervision, or improvement of said park in excess of $10,000 annually
shall be made unless the same shall have first been expressly authorized by
law.
Approved, January 26, 1915.
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