Grand County, CO (PRWEB) July 01, 2013 -- Home to the western slope of Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand County, Colorado is a summer favorite for families preferring to experience this adventure wonderland in less-crowded destinations. To help visitors grasp the big picture, the park offers complimentary ranger-led programs throughout the season.
From daytime hiking past meadows and rivers along the Continental Divide Trail to roasting marshmallows with a wrangler around a campfire, all ages can celebrate the great outdoors. Regardless of the day or evening you visit, there’s something on the calendar.
Here’s a look at programs being offered on the park’s West Side throughout the summer. For details on dates, times and locations, scroll down to "Free Summer Ranger Programs – West Side" at http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/upload/ranger_programs_summer_2013.pdf.
Walks & Hikes
• Hike Through History – Discover hidden remnants of mining and dude ranch history along the Colorado River on a gentle three-mile hike.
• Inside The Fence – Enter an "exclosure" to learn about moose, elk and beaver, and explore habitat recovery firsthand.
• Beyond The Falls – Take an easy one-mile stroll to Adams Falls and soak in the spectacular view beyond.
• Mountain Wildflowers – A ranger leads the way to current blooms and explains what makes them so special. Ends 8/13.
• Rocky Mountain Heritage Walk – Learn Kawuneeche Valley history while exploring a historic guest ranch. Starts 6/22.
• Wilderness Connections – This moderate two-mile hike along a new section of the Continental Divide Trail features a meadow and river.
Children’s Programs (End Mid-August)
• Junior Ranger Program – Earn a Junior Ranger badge with a one-hour program and activities.
• Web Walkers – Explore a section of the Colorado River (6 -12 years).
• Come Bug A Ranger – Learn fun facts about insects. Includes puppets, stories and activities (4 - 10 years)
• Walk Backwards – Step back in time and experience life on a 1920s dude ranch with chores, games and period costumes (6 - 12 years).
Talks & Activities
• Holzwarth Historic Site – Tour a 1920s-era dude ranch for a taste of early homesteading and tourism.
• Skins And Things – Examine the skins, skulls, antlers, teeth and bones of park mammals.
• Ranger’s Flyfishing School – Learn about the park’s fish management program, stream ecology and flycasting. Bring your flyfishing gear or borrow the ranger’s. Runs 6/24 - 8/12
• Behind The Scenes – See short videos documenting how the park addresses challenges like elk management, pine beetles and bear safety. Starts 6/22
• Sisters Of Courage – Learn about the pioneer experience through the story of the remarkable Harbison sisters and their family. Includes a half-mile walk to homestead sites. Starts 7/1
• Exploring With A Camera – Focus on composition, light and basic tips to improve your photos during this photography walk. Ends 8/2
Evening Programs
• Timber Creek Evening Program – Presentations are available nightly at Timber Creek.
• Saturday Night In The Park – Enjoy an evening program in the Kawuneeche Visitor Center auditorium.
• Walk Into Twilight – Take a leisurely stroll as darkness, night sounds and wildlife fill the valley.
Bring warm clothes, good hiking shoes and a flashlight. Ends 8/11
• Old Ranch Campfire – Roasting marshmallows (bring ’em), hearing tall tales (the old wrangler will tell ’em) and crooning campfire songs bring back the old days. Dress warmly. Ends 8/9
Night Sky Programs
• Celestial Wilderness – Use a telescope to explore night sky astronomy. Ends 8/10.
Unless otherwise noted, all programs are free and open to the public. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, call 970-586-1206.
About Grand County
Grand County is located 67 miles northwest of Denver via I-70 and Hwy. 40. The County is the headwaters for the Colorado River and home to the western portion of Rocky Mountain National Park. It contains six incorporated towns - Winter Park, Fraser, Granby, Grand Lake, Hot Sculpture Springs and Kremmling. For additional information, visit http://www.visitgrandcounty.com.
Gaylene Ore, Grand County Colorado Tourism Board, http://www.visitgrandcounty.com, 970-531-2336, [email protected]
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