Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [350]
Educational Programs. The Rocky Mountain Nature Association (see "Information," earlier) offers a wide variety of seminars and workshops, lasting from a half day to 1 full day to several days. Subjects vary but might include songbirds, wildflower identification, edible and medicinal herbs, painting, wildlife photography, tracking park animals, astronomy, human history, map and compass basics, GPS navigation, and edible mushrooms. One recent seminar was titled "Uppity Women of the Rockies." Rates range from $35 for half-day programs to $65 to $75 for full-day programs, and $135 and up for multiday programs. A series of special kid's programs—"Children's Nature Sketchbooks"—is offered a number of times through the summer at a cost of $15.
Fishing. Four species of trout are fished in the park: brown, rainbow, brook, and cutthroat. Anglers must get a state fishing license and are only permitted to use artificial lures or flies. A number of lakes and streams, including Bear Lake, are closed to fishing; a free park brochure lists open and closed waters and gives regulations and other information.
Horseback Riding. Many of the national park's trails are open to those on horseback. Several outfitters provide guided rides inside and outside the park, ranging from 1 hour ($25–$35) to all day (about $100), plus breakfast and dinner rides and multiday pack trips. Recommended companies include S. K. Horses (www.cowpokecornercorral.com), which operates National Park Gateway Stables, at the Fall River entrance to the national park on U.S. 34 (☎ 970/586-5269), and the Cowpoke Corner Corral, at Glacier Lodge, 2166 Colo. 66, 3 miles west of town (☎ 970/586-9272). Hi Country Stables (www.colorado-horses.com/hi countrystables) operates two stables inside the park: Glacier Creek Stables (☎ 970/586-3244) and Moraine Park Stables (☎ 970/586-2327).
Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing. A growing number of people have discovered the joys of exploring the park on cross-country skis and snowshoes, which are conveniently available for rent at area sporting goods stores (see below) outside the park.
If you're headed into the backcountry for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, stop by park headquarters for maps, information on where the snow is best, and a free backcountry permit if you plan to stay out overnight. Keep in mind that trails are not groomed. On winter weekends starting in February, rangers often lead guided snowshoe walks on the east side of the park and guided cross-country ski trips on the west side. Participants must supply their own equipment.
Popular winter recreation areas include Bear Lake, south of the Beaver Meadows Entrance. A less known part of the park is Wild Basin, which is south of the park's east entrances, off Colo. 7 about a mile north of the community of Allenspark. A 2-mile road, closed to motor vehicles for the last mile in winter, winds through a subalpine forest to the Wild Basin trailhead, which follows a creek to a waterfall, a rustic bridge, and eventually another waterfall. Total distance to the second falls is 2.7 miles. Along the trail, visitors have a good chance of spotting birds such as Clark's nutcrackers, Steller's jays, and the American dipper. On winter weekends, the Colorado Mountain Club often opens a warming hut at the Wild Basin Ranger Station.
Among shops that rent snowshoes is Estes Park Mountain Shop, 2050 Big Thompson Ave. (☎ 866/303-6548 or 970/586-6548; www.estesparkmountain shop.com). Daily rental costs about $6 per pair.
Snowmobiling. On the park's west side, a snowmobile trail leads from the park into the adjacent Arapaho National Forest. This trail leaves U.S. 34 just north of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center and follows County Roads 491 and 492 west into the forest. Contact park visitor centers for current information.
Wildlife Viewing & Bird-Watching. Rocky Mountain National Park is a premier