Guide Note

The Rocky Mountains are a broad mountain range in western North America. The range's northernmost point is in British Columbia, Canada, and its southernmost point is in New Mexico. The Rockies are significantly larger than the United States's other major mountain range, the Appalachians, as it is much younger, geologically speaking.

Fast Facts

Called the Rockies for short
More than 3000 miles long
Home to the oft photographed Pikes Peak
January is the coldest month in the Rockies
Weather can change quickly on the mountains, so be prepared
The Lewis and Clark Expedition was the first scientific exploration of the mountains
Run-off and snow melt feed numerous lakes and rivers, including the Columbia River, Snake River, Missouri River, and the Rio Grande
The Continental Divide, determines whether water runs to the Atlantic Ocean or Pacific Ocean

Rocky Mountain History

Though inhabited for thousands of years by Paleo Indians and then Native American tribes, Western explorers started investigating the ranges beginning in the 16th century. Spanish explorers came from the south and east, and French fur traders came to it from the west across the Great Plains.

"Mountain men" explored the region further in the 18th and 19th centuries, looking for furs and mineral deposits. Those crossing to the west of the continent via the Oregon Trail in the mid 1800s had to cross the formidable Rockies.

Today, tourists and outdoors people explore for fun what the early settlers had to conquer through force of will and luck. Skiing, hiking, mountain climbing, and water rafting are enjoyed along the entire 3000 mile range.

Categories

Geography | Travel | Mountains | North American Destinations | Outdoor Travel

View Note History

Rocky Mountains

The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Rocky Mountains
Blue Planet Biomes: Rocky Mountains
Peakbagger.com: Rocky Mountains
Sierra Club: Rocky Mountains - Ecoregions
8750.com: Rocky Mountains: History, Information and Stories
MountainNature.com: Understanding the Formation of the Rocky Mountains
Video: The Healing Time (Time:02:32)

Rocky Mountains News

Google News: Rocky Mountains
Yahoo! News Search: Rocky Mountains
e-Travel Blackboard: The Canadian Rockies (January 18, 2008)
Science Daily: Climate Change Isolates Rocky Mountain Butterflies (August 17, 2007)
International Human Dimensions Programme: Air Pollution in the Rocky Mountains (January 2002)

Rocky Mountains History and Background

Smithsonian.com: Rocky Mountain High (May 2005)
MotherNature.com: Geology of the Rocky Mountains

Early History

US-Parks.com: Rocky Mountain National Park - Prehistoric Rocky
National Park Service: Yellowstone National Park - Late Prehistoric Period
Legends of America: Explorers, Trappers, Traders, and Mountain Men
American Studies: Mountain Men: Explorers and Guides

Modern History

Library of Congress: History of the American West, 1860-1920:
USDA Forest Service: Disturbances — Fire, Insects, Disease
Wolf Song of Alaska: Wolves in The Rocky Mountains
Conserve Online: Rocky Mountain Conservation Region Geospatial Information

Rocky Mountains Educational Resources

U.S. Geological Survey: Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
National Outdoor Leadership School: NOLS Rocky Mountain
Rocky Mountain College: Environmental Studies
U.S. Global Change Research Program: Climate Change Impacts on the US
Elderhostel: Prehistoric Colorado: Rocks, Fossils, and Dinosaurs
South Central Co-op: The Science of the Lewis and Clark Expedition Lesson Plan

Rocky Mountains Travel

- Mahalo's guide to Colorado | Colorado Outdoors | Montana | Montana Outdoors | Wyoming | Wyoming Outdoors | Utah | Utah Outdoors | Idaho | Idaho Outdoors | New Mexico | New Mexico Outdoors | British Columbia | Alberta

Rocky Mountains Transportation

Rocky Mountains Travel Packages

Rockies.com: Rocky Mountains Colorado Rockies Alberta BC Ski Vacations
WorldWeb.com: Tourism & Travel Guide to Canada's Rocky Mountains
Canadian Rockies: Banff in Alberta, Canada
VirtualTourist.com: Rocky Mountains Travel Guide

Rocky Mountains Activities

Family Ski Trips.com: Western Ski Vacation Directory
Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center: Kayaking Instruction on Colorado's Arkansas River
Rocky Mountain River Guides: White Water Rafting in Jasper, Alberta
Midnight Sun Travel: Rocky Mountain Explorer Tour

Rocky Mountains Parks

Mahalo's page on Yellowstone National Park
Mahalo's page on Grand Teton National Park
National Park Service: Rocky Mountain National Park
Parks Canada: Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks

Rocky Mountains Photos and Videos

Google Image Search: Rocky Mountains
Yahoo! Image Search: Rocky Mountains
Live Search Images: Rocky Mountains
Picsearch: Rocky Mountains
Photoseek: Canadian Rocky Mountains
YouTube & Google Video: Rocky Mountains Search

Rocky Mountains Blogs and Forums

Google Blog Search: Rocky Mountains
InterMedia Outdoors Forums: Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountain Nature Photographers: Discussion Forums
Fliesandfins.com: Fly Fishing - Rocky Mountain High
Total Climbing: About Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountains Organizations and Societies

Rocky Mountains Fun Stuff

Download.com: The Rocky Mountains Screensaver
Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp
Rocky Mountain Star Stare

Rocky Mountains Books and Merchandise

Google Product Search: Rocky Mountains
Amazon.com: Books | DVDs
eBay: Rocky Mountains Merchandise

Related Searches

Mountains | Wolves | Bears | New Mexico | Utah | Colorado | Idaho | Wyoming | Montana | Alberta | British Columbia | Hiking | Mountain Climbing | Skiing | Rafting | Snowmobiling | Biking | Great Basin Desert | Grand Teton National Park

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