Part 3

A fish hatchery, operated by the State of Colorado, is located on the Fall River Road, 4 miles west of Estes Park. This hatchery supplies about 1,000,000 trout fry every year to the streams and lakes of this vicinity. The process of hatching and caring for the trout is explained to visitors, and the hatchery has proved to be of interest to many thousands each year.

HORSEBACK RIDING AND CAMPING

At Estes Park and the smaller settlements nearby, and at Grand Lake, horses and complete camping outfits may be had at reasonable rates. General groceries and suitable equipment, including clothing and shoes, can be purchased from the general stores in Estes Park Village. Saddle horses may be rented at many of the hotels. There is much horseback riding throughout the entire district.

There are many competent guides in the vicinity who will arrange special trips, either on foot or by saddle horse, and either stopping at hotels or camping out, according to the preference of the party. A list of authorized guides can be secured at the park information office.

WINTER SPORTS

Rocky Mountain National Park has unusual advantages for winter sports, interest in which is steadily increasing. The town of Estes Park is readily accessible by automobile, and hotel accommodations are available there every month in the year. The Rocky Mountain National Park Ski Club has constructed ski courses near Estes Park where tournaments are held periodically. Cross-country trips may be taken in the high mountainous country where the snowfall is heavy and where good skiing conditions prevail during the winter and early spring. Allens Park and Grand Lake also have ski clubs and ski courses. Skijoring, snowshoeing, tobogganing, and skating may also be enjoyed.

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 patrol the reservation. Thomas J. Allen, Jr., is superintendent of the park, and his post 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.

NATURALIST SERVICE

Illustrated lectures are given at various points throughout the park and vicinity each evening. Nature hikes, from a few hours to a day in length, are conducted regularly.

A museum of natural history containing interesting exhibits is located near the office. An information office is maintained in the same building, which dispenses road and general information. A small branch museum is located at Fall River Pass. A museum of Indian and historical material is located on the main highway in Moraine Park.

A complete schedule of the week's activities is posted at all hotels, lodges, and campgrounds. For detailed information inquire at the museum. There is no charge for any of the above-mentioned activities.

PUBLIC CAMPGROUNDS

The National Park Service maintains six free public campgrounds, as follows:

Squeaky Bob Campground, located on the Trail Ridge Road, 38 miles west of Estes Park, and 12 miles north of Grand Lake.

Glacier Basin Campground, located on the Bear Lake Road, 7 miles from Estes Park.

Aspenglen Campground, located on the Fall River Road, 5 miles from Estes Park.

Wild Basin Campground, 15 miles south of Estes Park on the North St. Vrain Creek at the park boundary.

Endovalley Campground, located on the Fall River Road, 9 miles from Estes Park.

Longs Peak Campground, located at the beginning of the east Longs Peak Trail near Longs Peak post office.

Motorists and others who bring camping equipment with them will find that these campgrounds are attractive places in which to enjoy life in the open. Both wood and water are readily available.

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 8:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; Greeley, 9:15 a.m.; Fort Collins, 7:45 a.m.; Loveland, 9:50 a.m.; Longmont, 9:45 a.m.; Lyons, 11:30 a.m.; Boulder, 9:35 a.m. Corresponding return service from Estes Park is available, return trips for Denver starting from Estes Park at 8:15 a.m. and 1:45 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 12 noon 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. Another 2-day tour 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 1 at Grand Lake Lodge. The cost is $27, including meals and lodging. The 4-day trip includes 2 nights at Estes Park Chalets and 2 at Grand Lake Lodge; the cost is $32. On the 6-day trip which costs $44, 3 days are spent 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 50 miles costs $5 and requires about 4 hours. One can go in the morning, leaving at 8:30 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 two passengers, 40 cents for three, 50 cents for four, 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

The seven 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=_, 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, a la carte; luncheon, 65 cents to $1; dinner, $1 to $1.50. Rates, American plan, range from $4.25 to $6 a day and $26.50 to $34 a week.

_=Fern Lodge=_, on Fern Lake, offers cabin accommodations, without bath, American plan only, at the same rates charged at Bear Lake Lodge.

_=Forest Inn=_, 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.

_=Grand Lake Lodge=_, near Grand Lake, open from June 15 to September 20, operates on the American plan and rates are from $5 to $7 a day; weekly rates 10-percent reduction of daily rates. Single meals: Breakfast, 75 cents; luncheon, $1; dinner, $1.25.

_=Brinwood Hotel=_, at the head of Moraine Park, offers American-plan service at from $3.50 to $6.50 a day and $21 to $40 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=_, at the junction of Bear Lake and Moraine Park roads offers housekeeping cottages at from $2.50 a day for two persons to $6 a day for six persons. By the week: From $14 for two persons to $35 for six. By the month: From $45 for two persons to $60 for five persons.

_=Sprague's Lodge=_, in the Glacier Basin, 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

There are many hotels, lodges, and camps located on private lands in or adjacent to the park. The National Park Service exercises no control over the rates and operations of these hotels. Furnished cottages may be rented in Estes Park, Grand Lake, and elsewhere on private lands in or adjacent to the national park. Information concerning hotels and cottages not under the control of the National Park Service may be obtained by writing the Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, Estes Park, Colo., or the president of the Grand Lake Commercial Club, Grand Lake, Colo.

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]

+---------+-----+-----+------------------+---------------------- | |Miles| | | | |from |Days |Remarks | Trips |Elevation|Estes|round|(one-way | Description | |Park |trip |distances) | --------------+---------+-----+-----+------------------+---------------------- | _Feet_ | | | | 1. Gem Lake | 8,700 | 4 | 1/2| 2 miles by auto, | Good trip with | | | | by horse or on | distant view of Longs | | | | foot. | Peak from top. | | | | | 2. Prospect | 8,896 | 2 | 1/2| 2 miles on foot | Excellent panorama of Mountain. | | | | | range and Estes Park | | | | | Valley. | | | | | 3. Old Man | 8,300 |1-1/2| 1/4| 3/4 mile by auto;| Good snappy climb, Mountain. | | | -1/2| 3/4 on foot. | with view of village | | | | | and park. | | | | | 4. Deer | 10,028 | 4 |1/2-1| 4 miles by horse | Auto can be taken to Mountain. | | | | or on foot. | top of Deer Ridge | | | | | and mountain climbed | | | | | from there. | | | | | 5. Wonder | 8,600 |5-1/2|1/2-1| 2 miles by auto; | Interesting examples Basin. | | | | 3-1/2 on foot. | of erosion. --------------+---------+-----+-----+------------------+----------------------

ONE-DAY TRIPS FROM ESTES PARK VILLAGE

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

+---------+------+-----+------------------+--------------------- | | Miles| | | | | from |Days |Remarks | Trips |Elevation| Estes|round|(one-way | Description | | Park |trip |distances) | --------------+---------+------+-----+------------------+--------------------- | _Feet_ | | | | 1. Flattop | 12,300 | 15 | 1 | 11 miles by auto;| Excellent horseback Mountain. | | | | 4-1/2 by horse | or foot-trail trip | | | | or on foot. | to Continental | | | | | Divide. | | | | | 2. Bear Lake. | 9,485 | 11 | 1/2 | 11 miles by auto.| Glacial Lake. | | | | | Fishing. | | | | | 3. Mill Creek.| 8,800 | 7 | 1/2 | 6 miles by auto; | Former ranger | | | | 1 by horse or on| station. | | | | foot. | | | | | | 4. Cub Lake | 9,350 | 9-1/2| 1/2 | 6 miles by auto; | Wooded mountain Trail. | | | | 3-1/2 by horse | trail. | | | | or on foot. | | | | | | 5. Fern Lake. | 9,550 |11-1/2| 1 | 6 miles by auto; | Beautiful wooded | | | | 5-1/2 by horse | trail; heavy forest; | | | | or on foot. | lake with wonderful | | | | | setting. | | | | | 6. Odessa | 10,000 | 12 | 1 or| 6 miles by auto; | Lake of spectacular Lake. | | | 2 | 6-1/2 by horse | alpine beauty. | | | | or on foot. | Flowers and snow. | | | | | 7. Bierstadt | 9,350 | 9-1/2| 1/2 | 8 miles by auto; | On huge moraine in Lake. | | | | 1-1/2 by horse | heavy timber. View | | | | or on foot. | of range. | | | | | 8. Loch Vale. | 10,250 | 12 | 1/2 | 10 miles by auto;| Remarkable glacial | | | | 2-1/2 by horse | evidence; | | | | or on foot. | fire-killed forest; | | | | | lake of unusual | | | | | alpine beauty. | | | | | 9. Storm Pass | 10,350 | 11 | 1 | 9 miles by auto; | Moraine; timberline | | | | 2 by horse or on| growth. | | | | foot to pass; | | | | | 6-1/4 miles to | | | | | Bear Lake road. | | | | | | 10. Lily Lake | 8,975 | 8 | 1 | 6 miles by auto; | Beautiful aspen and (via Wind | | | | 2 by horse or on| blue-spruce trail. River). | | | | foot. | | | | | | 11. Ypsilon | 10,550 | 12 | 1 | 8 miles by auto; | Wild trail to Lake. | | | | 4 by horse or on| glacial lake under | | | | foot. | precipices of Mount | | | | | Ypsilon. | | | | | 12. Lawn Lake.| 10,950 |14-1/4| 1 | 8 miles by auto; | Good mountain trip | | | | 6-1/4 by horse | of varying interest. | | | | or on foot. | Fall fishing. | | | | | 13. Crystal | 11,450 | 16 | 1 or| 8 miles by auto; | Timberline; glacial Lake. | | | 2 | 7-1/2 by horse | lake in glacial | | | | or on foot; 1/2 | cirque. | | | | on foot. | | | | | | 14. Rowe | 13,200 |17-1/2| 1 or| 8 miles by auto; | Largest glacier in Glacier. | | | 2 | 7-1/2 by horse | park. Great mountain | | | | or on foot; 2 | view. | | | | on foot. | | | | | | 15. Specimen | 12,482 |24 |1 or | 22 miles by auto;| Interesting volcanic Mountain. | | | 2 | 2 by horse or on | formations. Mountain | | | | foot. | sheep. | | | | | 16. Twin | 11,436 |12 | 1 | 8-1/2 miles by | National Park Sisters | | | | auto; 3-1/2 by | Service fire and | | | | horse or on foot.| lookout. View of Lookout. | | | | | entire country. | | | | | 17. Chasm | 11,850 |14-1/4| 1 | 10 miles by auto;| Timberline; terrific Lake. | | | | 4 by horse or on | glacial work; high | | | |foot; 1/4 on foot.| perpendicular | | | | | precipices. | | | | | 18. Hallett | 12,725 |15-1/2| 1 | 11 miles by auto;| Short stiff climb. Peak. | | | | 4-1/2 by horse or| Expansive view of | | | | on foot; 1/2 on | hundreds of square | | | | foot. | miles of country. | | | | | 19. The | 13,214 |17-1/2| 1 | 10 miles by auto;| Spectacular views of Keyhole. | | | | 7 by horse or | Glacier Gorge and | | | | on foot; 1/2 on | Longs Peak. | | | | foot. | --------------+---------+------+-----+------------------+---------------------

The above trips may be combined as follows: 1, 2, and 3; 1 and 18; 2, 5, and 6; 3 and 4; 4, 5, and 6; 9 and 10; 11 and 12; 12, 13, and 14; 17 and 19.

_Grant Photo._