Rocky Mountain's 100th Anniversary Approaches: Celebrate With Hikes and Other Events

On September 4, 1915, hundreds of people gathered in Horseshoe Park to celebrate the dedication of America’s newest playground, Rocky Mountain National Park. Signed into law on January 26th of that same year by President Woodrow Wilson, Rocky Mountain National Park would forever protect the incredible resources found within its boundaries so that future generations might also benefit from its beauty and wildness.

As the 100th year anniversary of its creation rapidly approaches, Rocky Mountain National Park will be offering several events in conjunction with park partners and surrounding communities to commemorate this historic event. In order to accommodate the greatest variety of events possible, celebration of the Rocky Mountain National Park 100th Anniversary will begin on September 4, 2014, and will continue through September 4, 2015.

Included on the list of anniversary events are several guided hikes. The Colorado Mountain Club will be offering hikes, climbs, and wildflower walks throughout the anniversary year. The YMCA of the Rockies will also lead hikes throughout the year as well.

Also, on September 5th, the Rocky Mountain Nature Association (now the Rocky Mountain Conservancy) will offer a naturalist-guided hike along the Ute Trail (please call 970-586-3262 for details).

The park itself will be offering a guided hike along the Lily Lake Trail on September 6th. This hike is known as the "Wilderness Act 50th Anniversary Wilderness Walk".

For a complete list of events scheduled for the year-long celebration, please click here. You should note that additional events mat still be added as we approach the anniversary.

Rocky Mountain enthusiasts may also want to note that award-winning author Mary Taylor Young has recently published a new book that celebrates the park's centennial. In addition to telling the story of the park, Rocky Mountain National Park: The First 100 Years is illustrated with more than 250 historical and landscape images. Mary will be giving a presentation on her new book at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Auditorium on September 27th as part of the Centennial Speaker Series.

If you do plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park during the centennial celebration, or anytime for that matter, please note that our website offers a wide variety of accommodation listings in both Estes Park and Grand Lake. Also, don't forget to check out our Things To Do page to help with all your trip planning.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Celebrate Rocky Mountain's 100th Anniversary With Hikes and Other Events

On September 4, 1915, hundreds of people gathered in Horseshoe Park to celebrate the dedication of America’s newest playground, Rocky Mountain National Park. Signed into law on January 26th of that same year by President Woodrow Wilson, Rocky Mountain National Park would forever protect the incredible resources found within its boundaries so that future generations might also benefit from its beauty and wildness.

As the 100th year anniversary of its creation approaches, Rocky Mountain National Park will be planning events and working with partners and surrounding communities to commemorate the events and relationships that have made the park what it is today. In order to accommodate the greatest variety of events possible, celebration of the Rocky Mountain National Park 100th Anniversary will begin on September 4, 2014, and will continue through September 4, 2015.

Already on the list are several guided hikes. The Colorado Mountain Club will be offering hikes, climbs, and wildflower walks throughout the anniversary year. Also, later this year, on September 5th, the Rocky Mountain Nature Association will be offering a naturalist-guided hike along the Ute Trail  (please call 970-586-3262 for details).

The park itself will also be offering a guided hike along the Lily Lake Trail on September 6th.

For a complete list of events currently scheduled for the year-long celebration, please click here. You should note that additional events will be added as we approach the anniversary.

Rocky Mountain enthusiasts may also want to note that award-winning author Mary Taylor Young has recently published a new book that celebrates the park's centennial. In addition to telling the story of the park, Rocky Mountain National Park: The First 100 Years is illustrated with more than 250 historical and landscape images. Mary will be giving a presentation on her new book at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Auditorium on September 27th as part of the Centennial Speaker Series.

If you plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park during the centennial celebration, or anytime this year, please note that our website offers a wide variety of accommodation listings in both Estes Park and Grand Lake. Also, don't forget to check out our other Things To Do page to help with your trip planning.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Senator Udall Selected as Honorary Chair of Rocky Mountain National Park’s Upcoming 100th Anniversary

On January 26, 1915, Rocky Mountain National Park was established. Ninety-nine years later, Rocky Mountain National Park is pleased to announce that Senator Mark Udall has been named Honorary Chair of Rocky Mountain National Park's 100th Anniversary Celebration.

"As an avid outdoorsman as well as the chairman of the U.S. Senate National Parks Subcommittee, I'm thrilled to help mark the centennial of Rocky Mountain National Park. Countless international visitors, as well as generations of Coloradans — myself included — have come to Rocky Mountain National Park to take in the scenery along Trail Ridge Road, hike the Continental Divide, and see the hundreds of elk and big horn sheep that call the park home. Rocky Mountain National Park is a true treasure, and I encourage all adventurers, young and old, to participate in its centennial celebration by visiting the park," said Senator Udall.

Senator Udall's mother helped instill his great sense of adventure and love for the Colorado wilderness. Patricia "Sam" Udall, was a native Coloradan and avid outdoorswoman. Her father, Roe Emery, was the first concessionaire in Rocky Mountain National Park and part owner of the historic Stanley Hotel in nearby Estes Park. He played an important role in the growth of tourism and the promotion of Rocky Mountain National Park after its creation in 1915.

"Our parks are one of Colorado's best renewable resources, but we need today's youth to connect with places like Rocky Mountain National Park…to ensure they are there for future generations to enjoy," said Senator Udall.

The year-long Rocky Mountain National Park Centennial Celebration will kick-off on September 4, 2014, the 99th anniversary of its dedication as a national park. A Re-Dedication Ceremony will bring the celebration to an end on September 4, 2015. Special events and programs will be offered over the course of the year in the park and in the surrounding communities. For details on Centennial planning and events, please click here.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Rocky Mountain National Park Unveils Centennial Logo

In celebration of the park's 98th birthday on January 26, Rocky Mountain National Park and the Rocky Mountain Nature Association announced the winning logo for the park's upcoming 100th Anniversary celebration. The designer is Carol Welker, a graphic artist based out of Dallas, Texas.

As a child, Welker spent summers in the Cedar Park area near Drake, Colorado. She has many fond memories of exploring Rocky Mountain National Park with her siblings - hiking, backpacking, and summiting Longs Peak. "As a result," says Welker, "the iconography unique to the park was ingrained in my mind and my soul."

"The logo design was certainly inspired by my past," says Welker. She incorporated the most memorable images from her childhood into her design, including aspen leaves, columbine, pine cones, and bighorn sheep. "I wanted to give an overall majestic feel to the logo and make a bold statement about the respect the park deserves as well as the many reasons its preservation calls for celebration."

Close to one hundred logo entries were received, including a great number of outstanding ideas, which made the selection process very difficult. Officials wish to thank everyone who participated.

The 100th Anniversary will be promoted and celebrated throughout the park and surrounding communities. The winning logo will be used for educational, promotional, and marketing pieces approved by Rocky Mountain Nature Association and Rocky Mountain National Park. In order to accommodate the greatest variety of events possible, celebration of Rocky Mountain National Park's 100th Anniversary will begin on September 4, 2014, and will continue until the 100th Anniversary of the dedication of Rocky Mountain National Park on September 4, 2015.

Over the course of the year, a calendar of events will be offered by the park, local organizations, and surrounding communities to celebrate Rocky Mountain National Park's natural and cultural history and the relationships that have developed over the last 100 years.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com