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US Map of the national park

A Topographic Map of Rocky Mountain National Park

Important features and landforms  The Loch  Otis Peak  Bear Lake  Glacier Knobe  Andrews Pass  Ptarmigan Pass  Emerald Lake  Chaos Canyon

When and why did the Rocky Mountain National Park come to be?  The year was 1909 and a man named Enos Mills (lodge owner, naturalist and nature guide) championed the nation’s tenth national park. He hoped that when he is at rest beneath some wonderful pines that many other families would find peace and joy and this wonderful attraction. He spent many years lecturing and writing letters to people and leaders to influence them in his idea. Some agreed and disagreed, so there were many different opinions. Finally, on January 26 th, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Rocky Mountain National Park Act. As soon as it was given the go-ahead, many workers and lodge keepers started to make many trails and attractions for visitors. It quickly became a popular attraction, and it still is today.

Important landforms and features  Bear lake-Covered with snow or bare with nothing, it is one of the most wonderful lakes In the national park. It provides water for many animals like bears or buffalo. Also around the lake is a trail that is about 0.6 miles long where people can watch the lake and its wildlife. It is surrounded by a flattop mountain and many pine and spruce trees for animal that live there. The lake is actually pretty high up too, because it’s elevation is 9,475 feet above sea level, that means the lake is probably up in the mountains.  Dream lake-Very quiet here late at night when the sun sets, it is a easy location to travel to and will provide you and others with plenty of fish. This lake has a trail too which is 1.1 miles long round trip. On the way you will pass Nymph lake. The lakes elevation gain is 430 feet, also the lake is called dream lake because of its surroundings and it’s mirror like reflection.  Glacier Peak-This massive mountain is located in Washington state and has a whopping 10,525 foot elevation. This mountain has only erupted 5 times in the past hundreds of years, so I would not take any chances though climbing to the top. But it provides a great view and is a wonderful sight.  Longs peak-A very glorious attraction which is the highest mountain in the national park. It provides a great view and a long, 16 mile round trip. It is also home to much wildlife and provides a view of many lakes and other attractions so it’s an easy travel.  Colorado river-A great attraction that many rafters enjoy. It provides water for animals and fun for people. You may spot a moose or to long the way! It is highly suggested. It runs through many places Also like the grand canyon and the Rio Grande. And since it’s a really fun rafting location white water rafting would be no problem  Nymph lake-A lily pad covered wondrous attraction which is shiny and contains lots of water and fish for the animals. It is very cool! It’s elevation gain is 225 feet and has a 1 mile long trail so you can look at all the lily pads and wildlife. It’s location is below Hallet Peak and is a great place for families!

Landforms on a map (lakes)

Features on a map (others)

Extra info for landforms  Throughout millions of years most of the national park has formed  Millions of years of erosion by water, ice and other things, have formed the mountains that are their right now.  The Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks ever. It’s wonderful mountains are about 12,000 feet high and provides a great view. They have formed over thousands of years and are continuing to grow.

Environmental issues affecting the park  Climate change-This affects many things in the park. For one, spring snow melts faster than usual so that causes less water in the summer. Many animals may lose water or any resource faster and it will also affect the timing of natural events.  Air Quality-At the park, air quality is a big issue. First, it can affect the quality of the water and plants, if lots pollution enters the park, animals or plants could die of sickness. It could also cause people to be sick. They get so much air pollution because they are down wind of factories and many roads. They are now trying to help.  Water Quality-Water quality is also a big issue. If the water is polluted or affected, fish or animals that drink from the water can get sick or die. Many are trying to help this problem and to not pollute things. This could also decrease the population and be non attractive.  Human activities- Human activities is probably the biggest issue for the park. First of all. Humans can do major damage like polluting the water and air which is unhealthy, our manufacturing companies affect it too. People are trying very hard now to help out and cleanse the park. Because soon, everything could be gone. (Natural disasters like floods and tornados could destroy habitats in the park also and affect many things)

How technology helps maintain and preserve the park  Some parts of the park are loaded with buildings that are used for technology and maintenance. The parks technology use is very important for many reasons. Like in the museums they make sure everything is in the right environment and lights are working. There is also electronic signs that are maps and sayings. They also use technology by watching and fixing local habitats that are struggling. They also use cameras for surveillance. Without technology the park would not survive. Recently they are still working on new things and helping habitats so the park is at its best.

Types of rocks in the National Park  Every rock found in the national park is either very old or new. They have helped form it all. They vary from colorful rocks, soft rocks, or shiny rocks. Some examples are: Dakota Hogback rocks, Pierre Shale, Roberts Mesa, Lyons sandstone, Flatiron, Precambrian, stone, dolomite, and many more. Most of these rocks helped form the rocky mountains and were made a long time ago by a plate tectonic. More and more are being made by subduction in the earth.

How was the Park formed  The first step to the forming of the park was the mountains. The Rocky Mountains were initially formed by an event called the Laramide Orogeny. That was when some tectonic plates collided and then one plate slides underneath the other one, in this case the North American plate. Then one of plates slides into the mantle of the earth, that is called subduction. After that, some erosion occurred and formed the mountains as they are now, spreading some 3,000 miles starting in Canada and ending close to the border of Mexico. That happened about 85 million years ago. Sometime after that the glaciers finished shaping the mountains. After the last ice age humans discovered the mountains and inhabited them. Humans built a park all around them and made it an attraction for people to explore and enjoy. Now we are making the park more accessible by building roads and structures for human use while trying not to affect the environment itself.

How is the land currently changing  The land in the park is currently changing very much. First of all, many roads have been built and have supported cars and people travel. But they have badly affected the environment. For example, Many trees, plants, and habitats have been destroyed through the process. What has also changed is that trails have been built to, which soon is home for huge off road vehicles and hikers. They all destroy rocks, plants, and trees too. Those two are probably the biggest reasons. Others are elk and beetles making trees die and,