Woodrow Wilson signing legislation to clear the way for his dream of knowing that in one hundred years and five days bloogers will roam the Rocky Mountains – Wikimedia Creative Commons
Rocky Mountain National Park Centennial
On January 26, 1915, Woodrow Wilson signed legislation that gave birth to the Rocky Mountain National Park. One hundred years later and five days, four bloggers embarked on a Rocky Mountain National Park snowshoe adventure. Woodrow Wilson obviously had this day in his mind when he passed the historic bill.
Grand Lake Colorado entrance
We entered the park through Grand Lake and convened at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center where we met our guide Sam. Sam started the hike off by giving us Rocky Mountain National Park Centennial pins. I felt honored to be here on this historic day + five.
Sam near the trailhead telling how Woodrow Wilson initiated legislation in order for us bloggers to have a Rocky Mountain National Park snowshoe adventure – He was a man way ahead of his time
We drove about five miles up the Trail Ridge Road and parked at a trailhead. We spent a little under two hours learning about Rocky Mountain National Park history and hiking the Onahu Trail through the Kawuneeche Valley.
Off we go on a Rocky Mountain National Park snowshoe adventure
Sam our guide leads the way over the Colorado River
The most interesting aspect of the walk was the fact that we crossed the Colorado River near its source. The river was so small here it was easily crossed over on a narrow bridge. It was hard to believe that this small frozen river is responsible for carving America’s greatest canyon in another renowned national park over 700 miles away. It reminded me of driving over the Mississippi River in northern Minnesota where it is a mere creek.
The Rocky Mountain snowshoe adventure crosses the famed Colorado River at its source
Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado gets around three hundred sunny days a year, but this day was not one of them. It was like the national park was singing “it is my 100 year birthday plus five, and I can be cloudy if I want to.” It was still beautiful being in the clean mountain air and the misty clouds hovering over the valley brought a different level of scenery. Instead of a bright day with mountains as far as one can see, we were treated with a more solemn ominous view and it was just as scenic in my book or blog.
I don’t think this view would be as scenic on a sunny day
Rocky Mountain National Park snowshoe adventure
After crossing the Colorado River, we followed a creek into a pine grove. We then crossed the creek and looked out over the valley. The expanse was nearly devoid of plants except for a fenced in area that was thriving. Sam told us the fenced in area was a moose enclosure. The moose love to eat the willows that grow along the creek bed. They love them so much that they are pretty much all gone. The moose enclosure helps the park study the effect of the large mammal on the ecosystem.
Sam guides the crew over the creek on a Rocky Mountain National Park snowshoe adventure
Rocky Mountain National Park snowshoe adventure
The Onahu Trail is actually part of the 3,100 mile Continental Divide Trail as it goes through the park. It is not every day that you cross a river at its headwaters which is 1,450 miles long, and then walk a portion of a 3,100 mile hiking trail on the hundredth birthday plus five days of a historic national park, and at the same time stay over a mile high. Even though our hike was less than two hours, we were racking up some impressive geographic numbers.
The Continental Divide trail sign on our Rocky Mountain National Park snowshoe adventure
We looped back to the start where there was some old plantation remnants that looked really cool buried in snow on a cloudy day. This concluded our hike as we made it back to the trailhead and headed off to another winter adventure.
Rocky Mountain National Park snowshoe adventure
Snow topped downfall
Heading back to the homestead on our Rocky Mountain National Park snowshoe adventure
Rocky Mountain National Park
This trip was sponsored by the Colorado State Tourism Bureau as part of the #Coloradolive campaign. The thoughts, photos, opinions, and appreciation of Woodrow Wilson and the establishment of the Rocky Mountain National Park are purely my own.
Sam and I after the snowshoe hike and styling my new Centennial pin
The Rocky Mountain National Park offers free guided hikes and cross-country skiing trips every weekend from the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. Check their website for further information. You do need to supply your own skis and/or snowshoes. These can be rented in Grand Lake through Never Summer Mountain Products.
Adventure on!
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For all the years I loved in Colorado, I hardly went snowshoeing and spent very little time in that part of RMNP. Looks like fun and makes me wonder what else you explored in Colorado when you were there.
Leigh recently posted..A Wine, Cheese and Sunset Cruise in Key West
That is the thing about snowshoeing. Whenever there is snow on the ground, there are other winter activities I would prefer to do. Although I love hiking, I prefer both Alpine and Nordic skiing over snow shoeing, so I rarely do it. I was happy I had the opportunity on this trip as the national park is amazing. The one problem with skiing is sometimes i do not enjoy the scenery as much as I should.